Magazine
Track of The Week: Argy Unleashes 'Tataki' at Afterlife Tulum
Upon returning from Tulum this week, the Gray Area office was buzzing with new music recommendations. Among them was Argy's "Tataki," a chunky techno anthem that ignited the dancefloor during his set at the Afterlife showcase. The UK-based artist's set was a highlight of the lauded imprint's showcase in the jungle. He played alongside the label's head honchos Tale of Us, Mind Against, Stephan Bodz
Set of the Week: Roger Sanchez and Oliver Heldens Go b2b for Ministry of Sound
Legendary artist Roger Sanchez and young legend Oliver Heldens give an education in proper DJing amidst a gorgeous London sunset with this mix for Ministry Of Sound. The undeniable chemistry of two artists at the top of their game makes for an unforgettable set that the Gray Area team has had on repeat since we stumbled on it in our YouTube feed. There's some magic happening behind the decks on th
This Week in House Music History: Frankie Knuckles
This week in House Music History, a look back and celebration of pioneering artist Frankie Knuckles. Known as the Godfather of House Music, he paved the way for dance music culture. He would have been 67 this week. The Bronx-born artist studied textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. In 1971 began working as a DJ playing soul, disco, and R&B. He was a close friend of Lar
Brooklyn’s Bossa Nova Civic Club Closes After ‘Sustaining Significant Damage’ in Fire, Crowdfund Begins
Brooklyn is arguably New York City dance music’s beating heart. Large venues like Avant Gardner and Music Hall of Williamsburg host some of the biggest events in the city. Yet hidden gems like Nowadays, Mood Ring, and Bossa Nova are among the few that hold the scene together day by day. Tragically, on the night of January 12, the apartment atop Bossa Nova Civic Club caught fire, leaving one tenant
Mix of the Week: Indian DJ Discokid in the Mixmag Lab Goa
This week, the Mixmag Lab starts the New Year off with a trip to Goa, India. From atop the Salud, Ozran Beach Indian DJ Discokid leads the Mixmag staff on a journey from breezy laidback funk to glittery disco and sultry house music. One of India's fast-rising stars, Discokid—aka Fatema Hakim—has cemented herself as one of the country's most dynamic artists. The musician, yogi, and budding entrepre
Track of The Week: Kevin Saunderson Remixes Andrea Oliva's "Transit"
In techno, it doesn’t get more legendary than Kevin Saunderson. One of the Bellville Three (with Juan Atkins and Derek May), he’s credited as one of the founders of techno. His work with vocalist Paris as Inner City produced two of dance music's most classic cuts, "Big Fun" and "Good Life." And the bass line for his 1988 track "Just Want Another Chance" was the first known use of the Reese bass an
Get Ready for Another Bumping OCHO on Diplo's Revolution
It's about time again for our monthly takeover of Diplo's Revolution. Yes, that's right, OCHO 3 is coming on January 22, 2022, to Sirius XM. We're serving up eight hours of non-stop exclusive sets by eight extraordinary artists from across the globe. This month's diverse lineup features eight artists from across the spectrum of house sub-genres. Andrea Oliva, Cloonee, J. Worra, Layla Benitez, Medu
Irish Government Will Pay a ‘Basic Income’ to 2000 Artists, DJs Are Skeptical
As COVID drags on, the music industry continues to battle with uncertainty, especially in nightlife. Before the pandemic, many creatives still couldn’t rely on their craft to pay for basic needs. According to Catherine Martin TD, Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, the solution is Basic Income for the Arts. A form of Universal Basic Income. In a statement on Ire
Monegros Desert Festival Offers the Chance to Explore Spain
People travel from far and wide to visit the "city that appears out of nowhere," also known as The Monegros Desert Festival. Celebrating its 29th year, the temporary city will welcome over 50,000 residents on July 30th, 2022. Taking place miles away from the heart of Fraga, Spain, festival-goers will travel through dunes and blasted grass to finally reach a horizon with sun-glinted stages and boom
Departure Festival Cancelled Amidst New Covid Rules in Mexico
Destination festivals have been all the rage in recent years. And Tulum was at the center of it all, where even through the pandemic, the party seemed to continue. Last year a brain trust of lauded promoters came to imagine a new festival experience in Playa Del Carmen called Departure. Conceived by Pollen Presents, The CityFox Experience, and Brooklyn Mirage, the five-day event promised an impres
From Detroit to Berlin: How Techno Took Over the World
Techno has many beginnings, but let's start with the most obvious one: Kraftwerk. The German synth-pop inventors' 70s and 80s albums had an immeasurable impact, but we can certainly point to their lineage in Detroit. Techno's inventors all worshiped Kraftwerk, to the point that when the group played the Motor City in 1998, one producer thanked them for his career. "I've always called my music tech
A Glasgow Venue is Creating Renewable Energy From Dancing
One of the best parts about live music is crowded spaces sharing community, freedom, and most of all, love for the dancefloor. In 2021 when restrictions began to loosen globally, dance floors again became packed and shined as a bright beacon of recovery. SWG3, an arts center in Glasgow, hosts the city’s immense dance parties — post-pandemic tickets for club nights sold and had energy stronger than
More DJs With Surprising Pasts
Sometimes a name change is simply an artist growing out of an identity that no longer resonates with them. Often it is accompanied by a complete musical overhaul and a venture into a new genre. It's always a way to try something new. We're once again revealing the (somewhat) little-known stories of your favorite DJs and the identities they left behind before you knew them. Some DJs listed here did
5 Trends in House Music we Loved in 2021
Each passing year represents a shift in the music industry. The evolution of sound, how listeners consume music, rehashing old tropes. In 2021 we learned that there could be new ways to consume music even in a crowded streaming market. Twitch and Audius blossomed as two new platforms for dance music fans to get that house music fix. We also witnessed 90s nostalgia in full swing, whether we liked i
The Best House and Techno Tracks of 2021
2021 was yet another tumultuous year. A year that constantly highlighted the fragility of the everyday. As lock-downs eased, a late-stage festival season emerged like nothing we've seen before. And as new variants surged, our plans with family and friends were once again thrown into the blender. We learned to understand that the only constant is change. We experienced euphoric dance floor reunion
Awakenings is Only Part of the Fun in Amsterdam
Encaptivating stages, captivating music, loving community – these are only some of the joys that festival-goers attending Awakenings Easter Festival in 2022 will have the chance to experience. So if you’re fortunate enough to attend one of the biggest techno events in the world, don’t leave the exploring to the boundaries of the festival. Outside of those gates are hundreds of new adventures. With
On the Spot: LP Giobbi
We caught up with LP Giobbi at elrow’s Rowsattacks! show in Brooklyn earlier this month. And as always, it was fantastic to speak to the queen of piano house. Her set was a blazing ride through classic house beats, Grateful Dead remixes, and of course, her vivacious spirit and expert improv work on the keys. After her set, we sat down for a bit of fun and asked her some totally random questions
Berghain: A Legacy Of Freedom
Berghain's story begins long before opening its doors in 2004. Understanding its deep ties with Berlin's unique history is perhaps the key to understanding the reverence that the club itself inspires. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 gave birth to a quasi-anarchic society. A product of political disorder and a cherished ideal of freedom, best represented by the vibrant nightlife community that
A History of the Roland 303 in 10 Tracks
Roland's TB-303 is one of electronic music's accidental heroes. Released in 1981, the small, silver box was designed to emulate a bass guitar and accompany live musicians playing in bars and restaurants. It was relatively expensive at $395 (about $1,200 in today's money) but highly portable – it came in a silver satchel with a strap to carry it around like a handbag, and it could run on batteries.
How to Explore London During Junction 2
The United Kingdom is by far one of the best destinations on Earth for house music. Hundreds of festivals dot the island every summer, offering every manner of lineup and environment in which to dance. Many of them reside in arm’s reach of the nation’s capital of London. Junction 2 is one of those festivals, nesting in Boston Manor Park on the west side of London. With this considerable proximity
Nicole Moudaber Gets In The Mood and Talks Techno, New Music, and Love for NYC
Nigerian-born Nicole Moudaber is a household name in dance music and for good reason. The techno tour de force has a storied past, promoting dance parties in Beirut, Lebanon since the ‘90s, at a time when the conservative political landscape in the middle east was terribly unfavorable for her in so many ways. Moudaber made her way to London, where she solidified her name as a DJ and producer, sign
Museum of Modern Electronic Music Will Open In Frankfurt in April 2022
Next year in Frankfurt a new museum dedicated to electronic music. The Museum of Modern Electronic Music (MOMEM) previously planned to open in October but was postponed due to funding. It will now open its doors on April 6th, 2022. MOMEM announced the project in 2015 and held a pop-up trial in 2018. The museum is under the stewardship of Alex Azary, a pioneering Berlin techno and electro artist
Black Coffee is Producing Music for a Film Directed by Hicham Hajji
Grammy-nominated South African DJ and producer Black Coffee (aka Nkosinathi Maphumulo) has been named Executive Music Producer for a project directed by Hicham Hajji of the film Redemption Day. The upcoming feature film called God is a DJ. It focuses on two up-and-coming minority DJs in the electronic music space. The movie follows a Jewish man and Moroccan imam who begin a partnership as a DJ duo
Watch: Girls Don't Sync in The Lab Liverpool
Music collective Girls Don't Sync headlined at Liverpool's newly established venue STN LVP on opening night. Presented by Mixmag and Coors, the first iteration of the Lab at brand new venue STN LVP featured sets from talented DJs and foundation.fm residents Matty Chiabi, G33, Sophia Violet, and Hannah Lynch. The GDS DJs welcomed Lucid and Beccas Vernon, who brought with them plenty of good vibes
Ultra Miami Unveils the Resistance Lineup for 2022
Ultra’s return to historic Bayfront Park in Miami gets a touch sweeter today with the announcement of the Resistance lineup. The underground house and techno off-shoot of Ultra has a well-documented reputation for curating forward-thinking lineups. And next March 25-27 they’ve upped the ante with an impressive array of world-class talent that spans the expansive diversity of the underground commun
How SXM Festival Raised the Bar for Destination Events Everywhere
Regardless of the womp in their woofers, some festivals just hit different. It's tough to pin down exactly why, and suffice it to say a great lineup helps, but there's gotta be more to it for the truly legendary ones, right? Well, sure, take SXM Festival, for instance. The event goes way over the top with music lineups each year and still raises the bar for the house and techno industry. The fes
10 Tracks That Defined 80s House Music
In the 80s, as the ashes of disco smoldered, house began to envelop the underground scene. Producers of the era experimented with repetitive and jacking rhythms to build a foundation for a subculture that would carry forward for four decades. It was a particular time. Innovators like Frankie Knuckles, Farley Jackmaster, and Marshall Jefferson were having fun while revolutionizing the music indust
5 Reasons Why Time Warp USA Was Worth the Wait
Time Warp USA allowed techno lovers to bask in all the enchantment that typically goes down at their flagship events in Germany amidst the beautiful New York City skyline. The renowned festival took place right in the heart of Brooklyn's thriving electronic dance music scene at the esteemed Brooklyn Navy Yard warehouse. Following previously successful renditions of the leading indoor techno festiv
Gray Area OCHO Returns to Diplo's Revolution in December
In October, Gray Area launched OCHO, an eight-hour journey through the global sounds of modern house and techno. In partnership with Diplo's Revolution and Sirius XM, listeners expanded their sonic palates with a day of diverse music and fresh beats. On December 11, 2021, OCHO returns to the airwaves with a new lineup featuring Dennis Ferrer, Yulia Niko, Gioliì & Assia, Dennis Cruz, John Summit, D
Remembering Virgil Abloh and His Artistic Legacy
Over the weekend, we learned the devastating news that Louis Vuitton's designer and creative director, Virgil Abloh, tragically passed on November 28. His camp posted, "We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his siste
Jeff Mills Responds to Concerns over Saudi Arabia's Soundstorm Festival
The announcement of the Soundstorm Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sparked heated debate in recent weeks. The event billed as the largest festival in Saudi Arabia includes a lineup of house and techno's biggest names, including Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Carl Cox, Chris Lake, Eli & Fur, Black V Neck, Nora En Pure, Ricardo Villalobos, and Solardo. As reported by Selector News, "The 2019 debut of R
Rüfüs Du Sol Announces Immersive Festival Experience
While everyone is still reveling in the collective buzz from GRAMMY-nominated trio RÜFÜS DU SOL's new album, Surrender, and their recent US tour dates, the group announced a new festival to take place in Mexico in 2022. The group announced they will bring their other-worldly soundscapes to the pristine beaches of Tulum for Sundream Tulum, an immersive, four-day experience on March 10-13, 2022, pre
Lubelski's 'Happy Accidents' LP Explores Improvisation and Modular Synthesis
One of the most fascinating aspects of music is the relationship between artists and their chosen apparatus of creation. Jimi Hendrix didn’t simply play his guitars; he had a relationship with them. Every time he stepped into the studio or onto the stage, he further explored that relationship, and listeners continue to marvel at that exploration to this day. Lubelski, the ascending LA-based produc
We Asked These Artists What They Were Thankful For in 2021
It goes without saying that 2021 is a particularly poignant year to count what we should be thankful for. Actually, maybe it does need to be spoken because being vocal about what you're grateful for is necessary. And after the dumpster fire of 2020, counting our blessings in 2021 should be required of everyone. Dance music's return to festivals and clubs in many parts of the world was welcomed wit
Gray Area Takes Over Spotify's Official Guest List Playlist
Gray Area makes another step in its mission to “unify and strengthen the House Music community around the world,” today by partnering with Spotify for an official editorial playlist on the streaming platform. Gray Area Guest List launched with over five hours of house and techno from the forward-thinking and creative voices that are defining the myriad sounds of underground dance. Spotify’s G
Creamfields: Transforming a Club Night into a Global Dance Icon
The United Kingdom is synonymous with a wealthy music culture. The region of approximately 70 million people encompasses countless artistic styles that have influenced the rest of the world. Pushing the boundaries of production and sound, Creamfields is one of the UK's premier dance music festivals. The Cream brand expanded from a weekly house night to a mega-festival, drawing in the biggest names
Inside Ministry of Sound: An Interview with Founding DJ, Justin Berkmann
Modern British clubbing may have been altered by Shoom in December 1987; however, the template for the contemporary British club—the layout, the sound system, the vibe—was created by Ministry of Sound. The landmark club opened thirty years ago in a former bus depot in London’s Elephant & Castle, with four separate dance floors and numerous bars, not to mention the most three-dimensional speakers
Brazilian Superclub Surreal Slated to Open in December
A new artistic venue and musical space opens in Brazil next month. Surreal is a super music complex in an unprecedented 92,000 square meter event space located in the beautiful beach city of Camboriú. The promo videos of this space are breathtaking. The grounds feature multiple stages, bars, and food locations. It’s like a year-round festival in the making. "Very soon, everyone will be able t
How Florida 135 Became Spain's Cathedral of Techno
Ibiza, Madrid, and Barcelona—these Spanish cities are known for their rich culture, music, and nightlife. But, those who are in the know look to the small Spanish town of Fraga for an exceptionally unique and unforgettable club experience. A musical oasis, located off a beaten path near the charming Cinca river, awaits techno lovers and those with a penchant for partying. Beloved by dance music e
Catch These Stunning B2Bs and Live Sets at Time Warp USA
After an unforeseeable two-year hiatus, the world’s leading indoor techno festival makes its monumental return to the states. On November 19th and 20th, Time Warp US will transport attendees to another dimension with its otherworldly attributes and spellbinding soundscapes spanning two modernized dance floors in a brand new Brooklyn location. Recognized for its entrancing lineups packed with tech
The Lenco LS-55 is a Dream for Vinyl Enthusiasts
Vinyl has been a household music staple for decades. And made a significant comeback recently as artists regularly drop vinyl releases within their catalogs. Lenco just released a new turntable, the Lenco LS-55, that is perfect for any vinyl enthusiast. This sweet device has the power to digitize your vinyl records and save them on flash drives, which is clutch if you have a collection of gems yo
'It's Different in Chicago' Chronicles Two Divergent Music Scenes in Chi Town
Chicago is the birthplace of house music and an incubator for hip-hop hitmakers, yet the city remains divided over how it views its musical legacy. In November, a forthcoming documentary titled It's Different In Chicago is slated for debut at the Black Harvest Film Festival and global streaming. This film uncovers the animosity between house music fans, "house heads," and conscious rap fans, other
Anatomy Of A Trend: Slap House
The term "Slap House" is currently one of the hottest sub-genres on the dance music scene, but how did it come to be? "I actually first heard it called 'Brazilian Bass.' Slap house as a term came to me way later", explains Tribbs a rising slap house artist. Alok, the well-known Brazilian DJ claims that he invented the sound called Brazilian Bass around the mid-2010s, but in late 2016 there is evi
Love International Festival Drops 2022 Lineup
Love International, one of Europe's most revered music escapes, has unveiled the line-up for its fifth anniversary, slated to take place next July 13-19 at The Garden Resort in Tisno, Croatia, recouping after a two-year pandemic-induced break. The week-long event attracts excitement with adventure lovers worldwide for musical inspiration and fun in a beautiful landscape curated by leading DJs an
Do We Need An Alternative Top 100 DJs List?
Every year, as the dance music community looks through DJ Mag’s Top 100 list, it’s never a surprise to see David Guetta at the top. Shoutout to his family. The whole industry relishes poking fun at the list, will the full understanding that we should take it with a grain of salt. But are these lists actually necessary to begin with? Inspired by Twitter user TokenOfTheMonth, who posts pie charts br
This Picard Brothers Playlist is a Masterclass on French House
The Picard Brothers are a Parisian duo that initially got their start in the music industry composing beats for French rappers. Their command of hip-hop artistry eventually led to a debut on the Pelican Fly record label in 2014. The pair went on to produce and write songs for artists like Beyonce, Kehlani, and recently, for rising star Yebba on her album Dawn, produced in collaboration with Mark R
Awakenings Is A Titan of Amsterdam's Techno Scene
Historically, Amsterdam is one of the most important cities in the world for techno, and Awakening is one of the most important techno parties in Amsterdam. As a brand, Awakenings takes on numerous forms. From the legendary festival in the National Park Spaarnwoude, that attracts over 80,000 people every year to their renowned marathon of parties during the annual dance music conference, Amsterda
BPM Festival Costa Rica Unveils an Electrifying Phase 2 Lineup
By: Alicia Baron After the postponement of the 2021 edition, The BPM Festival: Costa Rica is back for 2022 with a vengeance. The 15th-anniversary is set to take place over seven days on January 12-18 in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, will be an epic showcase of some of the hottest names in house and techno with the backdrop of tropical paradise. The BPM Festival unveiled phase 2 today, unleashing more he
Feel the Fright at CityFox Halloween Festival in New York
Get your CityFox Halloween Festival tickets before they sell out! The CityFox Halloween Festival returns to Brooklyn's adored venue, Avant Gardner this Friday and Saturday. The long-anticipated Halloween spectacular is CityFox's first Halloween event since 2019 and promises to be their largest and most enchanting to date. The spine-chilling lineup features an array of house and techno’s top talent
Worthy and Baby Weight Are Courageous Trans Voices
Before the pandemic, Baby Weight (Cara Eser) and Worthy (Kristy) had established themselves within the American dance community as sonic forces. Esser’s blend of bouncy tech house and ability to make pop-leaning vocals still sound underground put her on a path to national headlining status. The DC native was gaining a national following and had cosigns from lauded house acts like Walker & Royce a
Will Clarke Shares His Essential Classic Techno Tracks
Will Clarke, the bearded Britt with the pounding techno beats has completely reshaped his career over the last two years. His shift from Dirtybirdesque house to thumping techno, with a purpose, has been effortless. And the veteran DJ and producer is clearly in the most comfortable space of his career. Releases like "U Take Me Higher," "Hallelujah," and "My Church" (with MK) have proven his aptitud
Get Familiar With the House and Techno Artists of iii Points Festival
We’re just days away from Miami’s infamous iii Points Festival. Since its debut in 2013, it’s won praise for its musical diversity, cultural art collaborations, and eye-popping art installations. iii Points offers a wide range of musical acts from hip-hop, pop, mainstream/ rock, and dance. Here are picks for the top house and techno artists to catch while you're in Miami. Jamie xx A forward-th
Rock Goes Techno with Nirvana Cover Album for Charity
On October 1 electro collective TECHROW gave us a treat—not a trick—with Come as You Are: Nirvana Reimagined as House & Techno. The album holds 27 tracks created in remembrance of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s death 27 years ago: a number spookily significant to him, as the musician tragically joined the 27 club. Co-producer of the project Jonathan Hay told GRAMMY.com, "When you dive into it, yo
Gray Area Partners With Diplo's Revolution for OCHO
On Saturday, October 23 Gray Area takes over Diplo’s Revolution on Sirius XM to host an eight-hour journey into the many realms of house and techno. The show pops off at 12 noon ET and thumps until 8 PM. OCHO features eight distinctive talents from the many reaches of house and techno including Luciano, Diplo, Blackchild, Tini Gessler, Vintage Culture, Will Clarke, Chelina Manuhutu, and AMÉMÉ. OCH
Add These 10 House Artists to your EDC Vegas Schedule
After three reschedules, revelers will once again be able to gather under the Electric Sky for west coast festival juggernaut Insomniac’s 25th Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) October 22nd-24th. One of the greatest things about EDC is that there's something for everyone. Spread out over eight genre-rich stages, countless art cars, and side stages, the EDC line-up stratifies dance music representing
Time Warp US Lineup by Day has Arrived
Time Warp, the iconic German festival, has just announed the by-day lineup for its US edition. The highly anticipated return to the States will feature the intense production that the brand is known for as well as a lineup that represents the breadth and diversity of underground house and techno. Spread out across two floors, this year's event will take place in a brand-new venue on November 19th
Cityfox Takes Over Brooklyn For Halloween Weekend
You don’t have to travel to Europe for the ultimate house and techno experience in the United States, but you might have to go to New York City for Cityfox. The Zurich bred company moved to Brooklyn in 2012, finding its home at Avant Gardner. This October 29 and 30, Cityfox returns to Avant Gardner for its first multi-day event to celebrate Halloween! As usual, the lineup is stacked with over 30 n
Long Lines at Berghain Have Returned
Europe’s ever-changing rules on indoor events have been hard to keep up with, but when the news broke that Berghain would be reopening its doors on October 2, everyone was excited to see things return to the new normal. Clubs around each country were opening and closing when spikes of the newer COVID-19 variants, but Berghain hadn’t been active since the first global shutdown in March 2020. Berlin
DICE Acquires Boiler Room After Securing $122M Investment
UK-based mobile ticketing app DICE has just made a huge move. Five days ago, Tech Crunch reported that the company raised $122 million in Series C funding from SoftBank Vision Fund 2, after being valued at $400 million for its innovative discovery and ticketing platform. Yanni Pipilis of SoftBank Investment Advisers said, “We believe DICE’s technology has the capability to transform the future of
10 Hispanic House & Techno Artists to Watch
This month, we’re celebrating the Latinx artists transforming house and techno music as we know it. Artists on this list originate from Lima, Guadalajara, and Bogota to name a few, but their music transcends borders and even genres. These 10 musicians are purveyors of new flavors of house and techno, inspiring their peers in the genre to experiment with sounds, sin miedo. These artists are tastema
New Daft Punk Book Will Detail Their Impact on Modern Music Landscape
It's hard to argue the impact that Daft Punk had on the modern music landscape. From festival production to the numerous producers they've inspired, Daft Punk's contributions to the culture are innumerable. Veteran music journalist Gabriel Szatan will detail these contributions in a new book set for release in 2023 titled After Daft: How Daft Punk Rewired the 21st Century. The Bookseller announced
10 Influential Hispanic House and Techno Artists
Hispanic artists have played a prominent role in dance music since its inception. Their contributions to the culture can’t be understated. Dance music history is synonymous with the rise of Latinx producers in mainstream music. And as music has evolved, those artists have continued to be the backbone of the culture growing into global superstars. Hispanic DJs played a vital role in developing dan
Shelley Johannson's Essential Classic Dance Playlist
So much of our recent chat with Shelley Johannson centered around her musical roots. She opened up about the songs that made her fall in love with dance music and how they’ve made such a lasting emotional impact on her life. Her podcast One-Eighty and her Instagram feed perfectly encapsulate her love for moving forward while never forgetting where she came from. She’s a dance music encyclopedia an
Dutch Festival Group ID&T Sells to Superstruct Entertainment
Superstruct Entertainment, the UK-based festival group behind events like elrow, Hideout, and Parookaville has purchased Dutch festival group ID&T. Known for festivals like Awakenings, Mysteryland, Sensation, and over 80 other nightlife brands ID&T operates many of the largest dance music festivals in the world. Superstruct is owned by private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The US-based f
10 House Hits That Defined the 90s
House music was born in the 80s but really hit its height in the 90s. As its sonic footprint expanded, many directions of influence emerged. And in the process gave birth to countless genres making it a global phenomenon. At the turn of the decade, the grips of the house movement expanded to the far corners of Europe. Tracks with origins in Chicago, Detroit, and New York were studied, reconstructe
The History of Tech House: Dance Music's Beloved and Derided Genre
The birth of tech house is symbolic of the tenacity of electronic music. Dance music is malleable and constantly changes and evolves. It's the key to its decades of success. Tech house has a warm and funky style. A union formed in the ‘90s, tech house has evolved into the sound of mainstage dance music. Similar to Chicago house it’s heavy on loops, vocals, and syncopated basslines. It adds the wei
Jamie Jones Brings Paradise to New York City
The summer is ending strong in Paradise. Heavy-hitter house producer Jamie Jones brings his popular Paradise event series to New York City on September 25 to world-renowned Avant Gardner to showcase the best in house and techno. Get ready to escape, because you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in Ibiza for one of the best nights of dance music of the whole year. “People often ask me why I called th
GoodSex Share the Best of Chicago's House Music Community
Colin Tyler and Joe Domingo pulled double duty at ARC Music Festival. Both as the DJ duo GoodSex and as co-conspirators in charge of the ARC Car. Otherwise known as the GoodBus, the art car was central to the festival grounds. It's made from a reclaimed 45-foot school bus purpose-built for spreading positive energy and bangin’ beats. The 10,000-watt four-point VOID audio was at the center of the a
The Essential Paul Johnson Playlist
Hailed as one of the most iconic house artists of all time, Paul Johnson died on August 4th in his hometown Chicago, Illinois. The self-taught producer has ignited dancefloors globally since the late 80s with house hits such as “Get Get Down,” “Let Me See You Butterfly,” and “Follow This Beat.” Johnson’s music has a sincere and addictive quality—filled with soulful sounds and irresistible bassline
5 Reasons ARC Music Festival Blew Us Away
Chicago celebrated the fading days of summer with ARC Music Festival. An ode to the birthplace of house music, the festival brought together a diverse lineup of house and techno artists for a one-of-a-kind open-air event just south of downtown. It was a first-time event of this caliber for Auris Presents and the veteran group of Chicago dance music promoters proved that their years of experience w
How Chicago House Arose From the Ashes of Disco
Chicago House is one of dance music’s most prominent subgenres. The unforgettable spawn of disco, it boasts stylistic origins from electro, Italo disco, and hip hop. Its high-energy sound is anchored by drum machines such as the Roland 808 and 909. And its heavy use of samplers and synths illustrate the innovation that occurs when technology and art intersect with no regard to the constraints of p
Time Warp New York Announces Lineup For 2021
Time Warp is an institution in the techno community. The destination festival is lauded for its immersive production and incredible musical programming. Today in partnership with their New York partner Teksupport, they announced the lineup for their return to New York. The highly anticipated event will take place November 19-20 after a forced two-year hiatus. Teksupport had lined up a brand new Br
Felix Cartal’s Streaming Festival Supports LGBTQ Advocacy Group The Ally Coalition
On Wednesday, August 25 Canadian producer, Felix Cartal divulged his plans for a special project to be released on September 1st. Expensive Sounds From Nice People: A Streaming Festival, his first Twitch festival, features sets from renowned DJs Dr. Fresch, LŪN, Hotel Garuda, Subset, and QRTR. The festival is named for his album Expensive Sound For Nice People released earlier this year. The Juno
Previously Unreleased Frankie Knuckles Music Has Been Unearthed
Frankie Knuckles is considered the godfather of house music. His seminal DJ sets at Chicago’s Warehouse gave birth to house music culture. And he was shining example of black and LGBTQ excellence. Tracks like “Your Love,” and “The Whistle Song” still reverberate from the speakers of clubs and festivals. They stand as a testament to the timeless quality of his work. DJ International, one of Chicago
Honey Dijon's Etsy Collection is a Celebration of Queer Culture
Trans DJ, producer, and advocate Honey Dijon launched a Creator Collab on Etsy celebrating queer culture. The 20 piece collection includes printed scarves, earrings, statement piece homeware, and playing cards created by women of color and queer artists. The collection references cultural footnotes from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. The period of collective change within marginalized communities gave
10 European Destination Festivals to Add to Your Dance Music Bucket List
By: Melisa Yuriar | follow her on Twitter: @mildcob There’s no shortage of exciting destination festivals for house heads and techno tourists. And nothing beats the experience of exploring a new city as you take in the sensory bliss of a far-flung festival. From established powerhouses like Awakenings and Creamfields, to underrated gems like Street Parade, let us be your guide as we tour some of E
Acid House: The Errant Knob Twist that Started a Culture Revolution
From thick sub-bass to cortex-tickling supersaws to metallic growls and every texture in between, dance music has birthed no shortage of novel sounds. Almost 40 years ago, though, the most alien timbre any producer could imagine came from an unexpected culprit: the Roland TB-303 Bass Line. At that, it was discovered by accident. The device is responsible for the instantly recognizable squelch soun
Gaston Steenkist of Chocolate Puma Announces End of Touring Career
Gaston Steenkist, aka Dobre, of Chocolate Puma, announced his retirement from touring. The Dutch DJ and production duo have worked together for three decades. Their career is marked by dance floor destroying records like “Scrub The Ground” with DJ Fun and Tommie Sunshine and “Rebels On The Run” featuring Grace Tither. “A lot has happened in my personal life since the beginning of this pandemic, bo
5 House Acts With Surprising Pasts
Overnight success takes about ten years. By that measure, your favorite DJ or producer was grinding long before you even knew they existed. And they probably tried countless times to find their groove. Dance music is a vast web of genres and subgenres. Its diversity makes it easy for artists to stay in the scene while they test out new sounds. DJ aliases also allow artists to exist in relative ano
Dance Music Mourns the Loss of Paul Johnson and K-HAND
The dance music community today mourned the loss of two of its pioneers. Chicago house legend Paul Johnson passed away this morning at age 50 from complications related to COVID-19. And First Lady of Detroit K-Hand, aka Kelli Hand, passed away yesterday at age 56, the cause of death was unknown at the time of publication. Both artists were powerful voices in dance music history. Born and raised i
Mixmag's The Lab LDN Returns With Sasha
Last Friday, July 30th Mixmag HQ hosted its first Lab LDN in over a year. And what a way to open up the greatest office party in the world than with the legendary Sasha on the decks. The live mix series has been on hiatus since the start of the pandemic, but as restrictions loosen in the UK, the Lab opened back up for this masterclass in DJing from one of dance music's most lauded artists. Sasha j
Deborah De Luca Will Drop A Special Hometown Stream From Naples, Italy
The reigning queen of Italian techno, Deborah De Luca will rock a hometown stream on July 5th, 2021. In partnership with Beatport, she will DJ from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy. The event will stream via her Facebook page. Located only a stone’s throw from where she was born in Le Vele, Scampia, this is sure to be a passionate set for the Italian DJ and producer. De Luca’s h
Check Out Pig & Dan and Gregor Tresher's Psychadelic NFT Drop
New artists enter the NFT space every day. It’s become tough to distinguish what separates one from the other. Pig & Dan (Igor Tchkotoua and Dan Duncan) and Gregor Tresher’s upcoming drop is a refreshing note of compelling music and visual storytelling. And it aims to use a more equitable financial model. And challenge the idea that art on the blockchain is bad for the environment. The titans of t
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