Neo-American Techno: Richie Hawtin and the New Wave of American Minimalism

United States

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deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin Among Speakers for Beatport’s Inaugural ReConnect Summit in New York

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Spain

Florida 135

Richie Hawtin is a British-born, Canadian-raised producer, DJ, music executive, and innovator. Touted as “one of the electronic dance world’s intellectual forces” by 

, Hawtin’s minimal, yet highly danceable techno sound and conceptual innovation as a performing artist puts him at the forefront of dance music globally. Though raised in Ontario, his unique techno sound is regarded as synonymous with Detroit’s electronic music scene.

Hawtin is a highly-decorated artist, winning Best Techno DJ at the DJ Awards in 2002, 2006, and 2008, with many other nominations and awards spanning over a decade. His alias Plastikman has also seen much acclaim and is the name he releases the majority of his music under, with seven albums and two compilations to date.

His critical acclaim goes well beyond the music scene; he collaborates and has seen support from countless influential figures in fine art and technology. One the most significant being Raf Simons, who called him the “Kraftwerk of today” and booked him for a special performance at the Guggenheim, New York’s iconic art museum. Other experimental crossovers include his collaboration with award-winning British Indian artist Sir Anish Kapoor on their Grand Palais turned art rave, as well as his soundtrack for the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, amongst many more. Further, he continuously collaborates with his younger brother and established graphic artist, Matthew Hawtin, with past notable exhibits at Art Basel/Art Miami and more.

Beyond his art, Hawtin is the label head behind Plus8 and MINUS Records. Through these ventures, he nurtures some of the hottest underground and emerging talent, from Speedy J in the 90s to Gaiser in the 2010s. With Plus8 co-founder, John Acquaviva, Hawtin co-founded the dance music hub Beatport in 2004.

He’s also committed to education, both educating burgeoning musicians and learning new things himself. He’s lectured at many colleges, provoking ideas and practices for young musicians. In 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate of The University of Huddersfield for Outstanding Contribution to the world of Music-Technology.

Hawtin has performed around the world for decades, starting in Ontario, moving to New York, then transitioning to Berlin before setting off across the globe. He’s held residencies and performed in Ibiza at clubs like Vath and Space, where he shared his incredible ENTER. experience. ENTER. expanded to other places like Amsterdam, Madrid, Mexico, London, and Japan. He’s also performed at many of the world’s largest festivals, such as Ultra, Coachella, and Parookaville, with plans to hit ARC, CRSSD, Drumcode, and more this year.

Intertwining his auditory art with different mediums and experiences, Hawtin has accomplished the unseen and unheard, solidifying his title as an influential tastemaker and innovator.

Richie Hawtin

Sweden

Adam Beyer

Cirez D

ANNA

Germany

Ann Clue

Azzecca

Ben Böhmer

Boris Brejcha

United Kingdom

Carl Cox

Carl Craig

Belgium

Charlotte de Witte

Netherlands

Chelina Manuhutu

Chip E.

Chris Lake

Claptone

Cloonee

De La Swing

Derrick Carter

DJ Hyperactive

DJ Lady D

Italy

DJ Tennis

Eats Everything

Enrico Sangiuliano

Fatboy Slim

Gene Farris

Get Real

Giolì & Assia

Gorgon City

Hiroko Yamamura

Honey Dijon

Joseph Capriati

Justin Martin

Brazil

Kasablanca

kryptogram

Lane 8

Maher Daniel

Mike Dunn

Moritz

South Africa

Nora En Pure

Öona Dahl

Pan-Pot

Paco Osuna

Chile

Ricardo Villalobos

Ron Carroll

Palestine

Sama’ Abdulhadi

Seth Troxler

Skream

Tini Gessler

Vintage Culture

Australia

Wax Motif

ARC Music Festival is a relatively new addition to Chicago's rich festival scene, celebrating house and techno music. Hosted at the historical Union Park in Chicago, this festival aims to gather top-tier artists from these genres, giving attendees an immersive experience in the world of electronic music. Reflecting the city's deep-rooted house music culture, ARC Music Festival stands as a testament to Chicago's legacy and continuous contribution to the electronic music world.

Union Park

ARC Music Festival

Romania

Raresh

Türkiye

O.Bee

Anna Tur

Héctor Oaks

Russia

Nina Kraviz

Jonny Rock

Tomas Station

Amnesia Ibiza

Pyramid with Ricardo Villalobos, Anna Tur, Richie Hawtin, Nina Kraviz and more!

Pyramid

Agents Of Time

Aril Brikha

Arjuna Schiks

Booka Shade

Dave Clarke

Dixon

Extrawelt

Ferro

Inner City

Jamie Jones

Jeff Mills

Jennifer Cardini

Joris Voorn

Juan Sanchez

Klaudia Gawlas

Kollektiv Turmstrasse

La Fleur

Lee Burridge

Lewski

Loco Dice

Luna Ludmila

Magdalena

Ireland

Matador

Mathew Jonson

Mathias Kaden

Milo Spykers

Patrice Bäumel

Croatia

Petar Dundov

Pleasurekraft

Rødhåd

Sasha

France

Sébastien Léger

Solomun

Switzerland

Adriatique

Anfisa Letyago

Benny Rodrigues

Boris Werner

Chris Liebing

Egbert

Ellen Allien

Eric Prydz

Gregor Tresher

Israel

Guy J

Guy Mantzur

Argentina

Hernan Cattaneo

Johannes Brecht

Joyhauser

Karotte

Kevin de Vries

Melon

Michel De Hey

Miss Melera

Nick Warren

Nuno Dos Santos

Olivier Weiter

Ramon Tapia

Remy Unger

Secret Cinema

De Sluwe Vos

Speedy J

Stephan Bodzin

Tale of Us

Terry Francis

Vince Watson

VNTM

Sloterpak

Loveland

Florida 135 79th Anniversary

Amelie Lens

Andres Campo

Andy C

Anetha

Carlita

Clara Cuvé

Dan Shake

Dax J

FJAAK

I Hate Models

Ilario Alicante

Indira Paganotto

Kobosil

Klangkuenstler

Juliet Fox

Denmark

Kölsch

Layton Giordani

Michael Bibi

Mochakk

Patrick Mason

Regal

Reinier Zonneveld

Sara Landry

Monegros Desert

Monegros Desert Festival

Adiel

AIROD

Alan Fitzpatrick

Alignment

Benin

AMÉMÉ

Bart Skils

Awakenings 2023

Richie Hawtin

Articles

Other artists