Month: September 2024

The organizers of the Amsterdam Dance Event, the world’s leading electronic music summit, have revealed the first batch of speakers for its 2024 ADE Lab program.

The entry-level program features a spate of experiences, like masterclasses, Q&A sessions and demo drops, designed for attendees to better grasp the many creative disciplines of a career in electronic music. It differs from ADE’s Pro conference, which caters to more experienced music industry professionals.

This year, ADE is splintering the Lab program into four courses: Producer, Visual Arts, Performing Artist and Industry. Those who complete a course will receive discount if they decide to return to the conference in 2025, according to ADE.

One of the highlights revealed today is an “intimate conversation” with Joseph Capriati and EDM.com Class of 2023 inductee Indira Paganotto, who are set to discuss their creative process and collaborative Mantra EP. The panel will be hosted by influential techno artist Dave Clarke.

Another highlight comes from German artist DJ MELL G, who will lead a discussion about mental health in nightlife titled “Staying Grounded as a Touring DJ.” Other confirmed speakers include Mama Snake, Narciss, DJ Babatr, DJ MELL G, MARRØN, Freddy K and Awakenings founder Rocco Veenboer. More will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

The 2024 ADE Lab program is scheduled for October 16-19. You can purchase passes here.

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The 2024 edition of Nocturnal Wonderland, an electronic dance music festival held in San Bernardino, has been cancelled due to the impact of California’s devastating Line Fire, according to the event’s organizers.

Insomniac Events today released a statement announcing they’ve pulled the plug on the outing, its longest-running festival property, after engaging in discussions with local authorities.

“While Nocturnal Wonderland was cleared to move forward at the time of our last update, we are saddened to inform you that new fires in the San Bernardino area have ignited over the past 36 hours and are now approaching the Glen Helen Amphitheater,” the company said. “The health and safety of festival attendees and staff is our highest priority.”

The destructive wildfires have scorched over 26,000 acres in San Bernardino County and was 5% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Roughly 36,000 structures are estimated to be at risk and California Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency in the county, securing federal assistance to support the department’s response.

The blaze, which began Thursday night, is expected to grow significantly this week and evacuation warnings have been sent out to adjacent communities, officials said.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires throughout San Bernardino and Southern California,” Insomniac’s statement added. “We understand the importance of ensuring that local resources are fully dedicated to managing the fires and protecting the surrounding communities.”

Nocturnal Wonderland was scheduled to take place September 14-15 in San Bernardino’s Glen Helen Regional Park. Kaskade, RL Grime, San Holo, Jessica Audiffred and many more electronic music stars were set to perform.

Ticket-holders will soon receive an email with details regarding refunds, Insomniac said. Read the company’s full statement below.

Nocturnal Wonderland/X

ATLiens are reflecting on their invasion of Earth after announcing their debut album, Leaving The World Behind.

Late last month, the masked bass music duo revealed in cryptic fashion that their debut album was complete, sharing only an acronym: LTWB. They’ve now formally announced the LP via a haunting trailer where a soundbite about exploring the unknown pairs with footage of travels through nature and bustling cities.

The trailer, however, did not reveal the album’s release date, which remains under wraps at the time of this writing.

ATLiens also announced an eponymous tour ahead of the album’s release. From November 2024 to March 2025, they will bring the sounds of Leaving The World Behind to 20 cities in the U.S. as well as a single date in Toronto. Joining the duo on tour is a massive roster of supporting artists the likes of FuntCase, Mersiv, Riot Ten, INFEKT, Stööki Sound and Steller, among others.

The tour’s announcement arrives in the midst of an explosive trademark infringement lawsuit launched against ATLiens by the iconic hip-hop duo OutKast. The anonymous electronic music duo share a name with OutKast’s sophomore album, ATLiens, as well as its popular title track.

ATLiens will kick off the “Leaving The World Behind Tour” on November 8th, 2024. Fans can purchase tickets to the tour here.

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The 2024 Weekend Festival in Finland transformed Espoo’s Vermo Areena into a dynamic playground of sound and spectacle, redefining what it means to experience electronic music live.

Known as one of the country’s premier music festivals, Weekend attracts tens of thousands of attendees with its eclectic mix of electronic dance music, hip-hop and other genres, showcasing a range of international stars and local talent.

A Visual and Auditory Extravaganza

This year’s festival was nothing short of a sensory masterpiece. With over 66 laser fixtures and 1,250 watts of laser power, Weekend Festival delivered a visual spectacle that required special clearance from Finnish radiation and flight authorities.

The custom-built scaffold structure adorned with LED screens, mirror walls and over 220 lighting fixtures created an immersive experience that left us in awe. The stage design, featuring two DJ booths and a 360° podium amidst the crowd, allowed fans to be completely surrounded by pulsating lights and lasers.

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Headliners Electrified the Crowd

The heart of Weekend Festival is its music, and the 2024 edition boasted a stellar lineup. Day one featured Alan Walker, who set the tone with his many atmospheric hits like “Faded” and “Alone.” Dutch dance music superstar Nicky Romero followed with high-energy tracks like “Toulouse” and the Avicii collaboration “I Could Be the One” while Tiësto delivered a crowd-pleasing mix of new hits and classic anthems alike.

Day two brought the electrifying sounds of Alesso, whose progressive house anthems like “Heroes (We Could Be)” and “If I Lose Myself” kept the energy high. Boris Brejcha added a unique contrast with his “high-tech minimal” style, diving into deep, dark melodies and driving beats. Timmy Trumpet, famous for blending live trumpet instrumentation with DJing, captivated with his showmanship.

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Notable Acts and Rising Stars

Beyond the headliners, Weekend Festival showcased a diverse range of artists who contributed to its dynamic atmosphere. Wade, known for his groovy tech house beats, delivered a standout performance while Miane brought her infectious rhythms and resonant basslines. Atro, a local hero, connected with the Finnish crowd through an energetic mix of house and techno, and Rivo, fresh off his release “Like A Dream,” offered a cerebral journey through melodic techno.

Other notable performances included Showtek’s explosive mix of big room and hardstyle, Sub Zero Project’s raw, high-energy hard dance set and Rebūke’s innovative blend of techno and house music, keeping the crowd moving deep into the night. Meanwhile, Will Sparks brought his beloved Melbourne Bounce sound to bring the energy to a fever pitch.

A Seamless Festival Experience

The festival grounds at Vermo Areena were well-organized, featuring multiple stages, food trucks, merchandise stalls and relaxation zones. The setup allowed for a smooth flow of performances, minimizing sound overlaps and maximizing the overall experience. The mainstage, with its visually stunning design, elevated the performances to a larger-than-life scale while smaller stages provided more intimate settings for fans to connect with their favorite artists.

Security was present but unobtrusive, ensuring a safe yet relaxed environment. Food and beverage options were diverse, catering to various dietary needs with a range of traditional Finnish street food and international cuisine. Water stations and bars were strategically placed throughout the venue, allowing attendees to stay refreshed and hydrated.

Redefining the Festival Experience

Weekend Festival 2024 proved why it remains a standout event on the European festival circuit. With a curated lineup that spanned genres and catered to different musical tastes, the festival delivered an unforgettable experience.

The combination of innovative stage design, cutting-edge visual effects and diverse musical talent redefined the festival experience in the region. For those looking to immerse themselves in a fusion of top-tier international talent and a diverse range of genres, Weekend Festival continues to be a must-attend event.

You can find out more about the festival here.

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From its humble beginnings as a student protest against the Milosevic regime in 2000, Serbia’s EXIT has grown into one of Europe’s most beloved festivals. Its organizers once again transformed the historic Petrovaradin Fortress into a vibrant gathering of music lovers from over 80 countries in 2024.

This year’s festival was a testament to music’s power to unite across genres and generations. With over 210,000 attendees, EXIT brought together an eclectic mix of electronic, rock, hip-hop and more, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of the fortress.

Day 1: High-Energy Beginnings

The festival kicked off with a blend of hip-hop and electronic music. Gucci Mane’s dynamic performance on the Main Stage set the tone for the night, his Southern trap beats energizing the crowd.

Then came electronic music legend Carl Cox, who took over the decks and delivered a masterful “Hybrid Live” set that showcased his influential techno. His performance, filled with deep basslines and hypnotic rhythms, reminded everyone why he remains a lynchpin of the dance music community.

Day 2: Nostalgia Meets Punk and Deep Electronic Beats

The second day brought a mix of nostalgia and raw punk energy. The Black Eyed Peas headlined with a set filled with global hits like “Where Is the Love?” and “I Gotta Feeling,” creating a massive singalong atmosphere. Meanwhile, punk veterans The Exploited brought their unfiltered energy to the stage, igniting a different kind of fever pitch among the crowd.

On the electronic front, the mts Dance Arena hosted Maceo Plex, whose deep, emotive techno set captivated. Known for his ability to craft an atmospheric journey, Plex’s performance was filled with dark, melodic undertones, tense build-ups and cathartic releases. The arena’s palpable energy continued late into the night, demonstrating EXIT’s commitment to showcasing diverse electronic sounds.

Day 3: Guitars, Emotional Highs and Dancefloor Euphoria

The penultimate day was marked by powerful guitar riffs and emotional moments. Tom Morello, guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, delivered a standout performance that began with a tribute to the late great Chris Cornell and transitioned into a frenzied rendition of “Killing in the Name.” His set embodied the spirit of activism and rebellion that defines EXIT.

Meanwhile, electronic music enthusiasts gathered at the Dance Arena for a different kind of intensity. Barry Can’t Swim offered a blend of euphoric melodies and intricate rhythms, setting the stage for Bonobo, whose multi-layered soundscapes took us on a mesmerizing journey through ambient, house and downtempo.

Over at the NSNS Stage, EDM.com Class of 2024 star Sara Landry delivered one of the festival’s best techno sets, her hard-hitting beats and dark soundscapes maintaining high energy into the early hours. Her performance showcased the underground strength of the festival’s electronic lineup, drawing a dedicated crowd of techno enthusiasts who reveled in her unrelenting beats ahead of her long-awaited debut album.

Day 4: A Soulful Conclusion to an Electrifying Journey

EXIT’s final day was a celebration of electronic music’s diversity. South African dance music icon Black Coffee closed the festival with a sunrise set at the mts Dance Arena, his deep, soulful beats providing a serene yet electrifying end to the event. His ability to blend Afro-house rhythms with deep, resonant basslines curated an almost spiritual experience as the first rays of sunlight pierced the Petrovaradin Fortress.

Unique Collaborations and Family Ties

A highlight of the festival was the collaboration between electronic heavyweights Vintage Culture and Argy, whose set showcased the seamless blending of their distinctive styles.

Additionally, the theme of family and legacy was present throughout the fest. Tom Morello performed with his son, Roman, while Max Cavalera and his son Igor Junior brought the force of heavy metal to the fortress, showcasing music’s power to connect across generations.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the festival concluded, excitement already began building for EXIT’s 25th anniversary in 2025. This year’s event was more than just a series of performances; it was a celebration of music’s ability to bridge cultural divides, bring people together and create unforgettable moments.

EXIT 2025 is scheduled for July 10-13. You can find out more information here.

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Anyma served as the Creative Visual Director for The Weeknd‘s one-night-only concert in São Paulo, the DJ revealed today.

The special show took place September 7th at the Estádio MorumBIS ahead of the release of The Weeknd’s long-awaited sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. He announced it would include “never-before-seen production” prior but hadn’t revealed involvement from Anyma, whose own performances have become a touchstone for immersive visual production within the electronic dance music community.

Multidisciplinary artist Alexander Wessely served as Co-Creative Director for the concert and Alessio De Vecchi, Anyma’s own lead visual artist, was its Art Director. De Vecchi in 2023 was named EDM.com‘s best visual artist.

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The rumor mill is naturally ablaze after Anyma’s reveal. Considering The Weeknd’s outspoken appreciation of electronic music and past collaborations with Gesaffelstein, Daft Punk, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris and other influential producers, it’s fair to wonder whether or not he’s working with the melodic techno superstar for Hurry Up Tomorrow.

12 years after compiling his first three mixtapes into his breakthrough Trilogy album, The Weeknd is now wrapping up another triptych following After Hours and Dawn FM. According to a press statement, Hurry Up Tomorrow is described as “the creative apex of the project, serving as the third and final chapter crafted with existential and self-referential themes as seen with the latest visionary teasers that have set fans ablaze with anticipation for this concluding installment.”

In other Anyma news, the Italian DJ is set to become the first electronic dance music artist to perform inside the $2.3 billion Las Vegas Sphere, the world’s largest spherical structure. All six concerts comprising the historic residency from December 27th to January 1st sold out in less than 24 hours and roughly 100,000 people are expected to attend.

You can watch the full stream of The Weeknd’s concert in São Paulo below.

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Stories of downfall don’t always leave room for redemption, but Billy McFarland has announced his plan to reverse the fortunes of 2017’s ill-fated Fyre Festival in early 2025.

Speaking with NBC News‘ Savannah Sellers on TODAY, McFarland officially announced Fyre Festival II, which he says is set to take place in April on a private island in the Caribbean off the coast of Mexico.

With lessons learned, McFarland says he’s making changes in an effort to rebuild the most infamous brand in festival culture. The event, spanning three days, will aim to lean on existing infrastructure for lodging and services. He also stated that Fyre has contracted the services of an outside production company to manage the logistics, the name of which he will reveal at a later stage.

Following McFarland’s guilty plea on wire fraud charges, he was released from jail in 2022. However, he still owes restitution to employees and investors of the original Fyre Festival to the tune of approximately $26 million. Ergo, the stakes seemingly could not be higher this time around.

“Fyre II has to work,” McFarland recently told the Wall Street Journal.

McFarland, however, remains cognizant of the fact that it’s unlikely the totality of his financial debt will be wiped clean in one fell swoop.

“It’s hard because this is the deeper issue, where there are people who were legitimately hurt and let down from Fyre I, whether that was an employee and a family of a member of an employee, a ticket-holder,” he told Sellers on TODAY. ‘So there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to repay those people. I don’t think it’s practical. I don’t actually think it’s right to try to do all that in the first year. I think that would lead to short term decisions.”

Despite the debacle of the original Fyre Festival on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma, it appears thousands of consumers are still willing to place their trust in McFarland’s vision for Fyre II. Just 10 hours after the announcement, he revealed that applications had been submitted for over 5,000 tickets, noting the event will only accommodate 3,000 attendees total. A sliding scale of ticket packages will start from $1,400 all the way up to a jaw-dropping $1.1 million per ticket.

Prospective ticket-buyers can submit their application here. Fyre Festival II is scheduled to take place April 25-28, 2025.

In the wake of Lucidity Festival’s sudden cancellation and the controversial decision by its organizers not to offer refunds, ticket-holders were left without a clear path forward.

However, in a generous act of support for the festival community, Same Same But Different has decided to extend an offer: a free General Admission ticket to their 2024 event at Lake Perris State Park. The proprietors of SSBD, an unaffiliated festival property, share no financial ties with Lucidity and are extending the offer purely as a gesture of goodwill, according to a press release shared with EDM.com.

The contentious cancellation of Lucidity came after months of delays and failed attempts to relocate the event to Monterey County, with organizers eventually ceasing operations due to financial pressures and logistical hurdles. The decision not to refund ticket-holders led to considerable backlash, leaving thousands of festival-goers in a financial hole.

While Lucidity’s collapse left a sour taste, SSBD is offering a lifeline.

“We know how challenging these times can be, especially when the festival experiences we all cherish don’t go as planned,” reads a statement released by SSBD. “It’s never easy when something you’ve been looking forward to doesn’t work out, and we understand how much time, energy and anticipation went into planning for Lucidity.”

Featuring a big lineup of electronic music artists the likes of Big Gigantic, Ganja White Night and LSDREAM, SSBD is making it known that they are well-positioned to welcome thousands of Lucidity ticket-holders from September 27-29. The enchanting festival will also feature sunrise-to-sunset DJ sets, a Vegas-inspired casino pop-up experience, yoga sessions, mindfulness workshops and much more.

Fans looking to claim their free pass to SSBD 2024 can submit this form along with proof of their Lucidity ticket purchase. Find out more about the festival here.

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The roar of engines at Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix are about to be amplified by the sounds of Snakehips, Vandelux and Big Boi, the newly announced headliners of this year’s Heineken Silver Stage.

Now in its second year, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is doubling down on its formula for success by delivering an unbeatable fusion of top-tier racing and world-class entertainment. Snakehips and Vandelux are the latest electronic music artists to join the official entertainment festivities following Swedish superstar Alesso, who has been confirmed to perform at the nearby T-Mobile Zone.

Strategically situated in the East Harmon Zone, the Heineken Silver Stage offers an unbeatable experience in the heart of the action. The prime location near Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will be accessible to race attendees in premium zones as well as the Heineken Silver Main Grandstand.

Moreover, all 20 Formula 1 drivers will take part in exclusive live Q&A sessions and autograph signings throughout the weekend, offering fans unprecedented access to their favorite racing stars. Following Max Verstappen’s historic win in Sin City’s inaugural 2023 race, expectations are running high for another awe-inspiring spectacle this November.

For those looking to experience the full-throttle excitement of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, tickets for the 2024 race are on sale now. This year’s race weekend takes place November 21-23.

Wrapping up yet another impressive season, the iconic Pacha Ibiza is gearing up for a big run of closing parties.

The club has been revolutionizing the White Isle’s nightlife sector for over 50 years now, and this year was no exception. Throughout its summer 2024 season, Pacha hosted residencies from the likes of CamelPhat, Bedouin, Solomun and Marco Carola, and organized some of the island’s best events, like their storied “Flower Power” party every Saturday.

Pacha’s closing festivities will begin on September 30th with Diplo taking the decks alongside Francis Mercier and Caiiro. A takeover from CamelPhat will follow on October 1st with additional sets from Pete Tong, Adam Ten and Olympe.

The next night, Bedouin will close their renowned SAGA residency alongside WhoMadeWho and Kadebostany. The “Pure Pacha” party series will then wrap on October 3rd with Robin Schulz and Martin Solveig, among others.

Carola, Seth Troxler and Cole Knight on October 4th will soundtrack Music On, Bora Uzer and more will perform at the “Flower Power” closing party on the 5th and Solomun will play his last residency set on the 6th. Pacha’s grand finale will feature a two-part Music On closing event headlined by Carola October 10-11, followed by Roger Sanchez playing a special all-night set on the 12th. Finally, Peggy Gou will headline Pacha’s “Grand Closing Party” on October 13th.

Tickets for Pacha’s closing events are available here.