We’ve all heard it before – whether complaining about all of the “bros” taking over the scene or the loss of quality in the music because of EDM’s “mainstream” appeal, the consensus seems to be that the increasing popularity of our favorite genres is not a good thing. If you agree with this sentiment, please continue reading.
Artists like Afrojack, David Guetta, Calvin Harris have certainly broken into the money-making machine that is mainstream EDM. The predictable sets, increasingly younger crowds and gaudy pageantry via pyrotechnics and lasers can become pretty annoying once you’ve attended more than one festival and posted up at the main stage. Still, the upside to the image these DJs promote should be acknowledged, and is definitely worth also noting.
Regardless of which subgenre a person might prefer, as EDM reaches more listeners the events continue to be revamped, reinvented and taken to the next level, many say that the ideals of “old school”, “authentic” raves have been lost to the new-age events. That hasn’t been our experience.
Ravers “back then” and those of us raving today have one thing in common – we’re all just enjoying the music.
While – hopefully – most of us can still appreciate the underground rave, there exists an undeniable sense of unity and a genuine aura of joy within any large festival crowd. Massive gatherings like Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) are the perfect example; coming from much less extravagant, underground roots, the festival has grown into something quite magical.
This evolution is not just present in events.
From Top 40 to independent releases, EDM has infiltrated the production music of many artists. Although there is no reason to be upset by hearing Diplo or another mainstream DJ on the radio, some fans of the genre take offense to the scene becoming “less exclusive”. This is the music that we feel connected to and we don’t want to see it’s meaning corrupted by commercial figures who don’t appreciate the intrinsic values of the scene.
Still, any avid music fan should be able to appreciate that, what was once relegated to the underground, is influencing people on a global scale.
What you love is now reaching others. Think about it – whether it’s tropical or future house, big room or dubstep, your favorite genre/subgenre is making someone else’s day too!
As much as you appreciate your favorite DJs and songs, someone else is affected positively in the same way each time a track hits it big. It has become a thing to mock big names like Hardwell, W&W, and Martin Garrix; these are the guys responsible for growing the scene.
These are the “gateway DJs” that introduce people to EDM.
Thinking back, most of us will probably realize that these artists helped us find our way to the more authentic, game-changing music.
All photos by Insomniac Events/Electric Daisy Carnival.
