LASER LIFE
artists of the moment: ft. Disco lines and Excision
All things edm
FESTIVAL CULTURE
Learn more about the history, traditions, and rituals of the EDM scene.
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Wei via Pexels, Photo of Rave Crowds
Raves first originated in the United Kingdom during the late 1980s. They started as underground house parties, playing high-energy dance music. Disc Jockeys, known as DJs, play various styles of Electronic Dance Music. EDM encompasses a wide range of subcategories, including Trance, UK Garage, Drum and Bass, House, Techno, and many more. What was once hidden underground or in secret, raves have evolved into a global movement. Today, EDM fills stadiums, parks, and even ski resorts with endless energy.
Rave in London, during the 1990’s
For Generation Z, Electric Daisy Carnival, Beyond Wonderland, Decadence, and Coachella are not just events on the calendar; they are iconic music festivals in the EDM sector. During the day, young professionals balance classes and work, and by night, they get ready to dive deep into the music. It’s ordinary life by day, but an extraordinary life by night at the many festivals and events rooted in EDM. When you walk into a rave, you see people from all walks of life. From college students to even doctors, raves are an activity enjoyed by many people.
“Whether it is someone’s first or 50th rave, the rave community welcomes all who attend with open arms. ”
Raving is built on the PLUR motto, which stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. This motto connects how people act in the crowd. A tra- dition amongst ravers is kandi trading, which is when people trade bracelets through a special handshake. Totems, which are giant, decorated signs, are another tradition amongst ravers. These signs help friends find each other if they get lost. What started as secret parties in private locations has now turned into multi-day festivals with massive EDM artists and production, but rave cul-
ture has stayed the same. For Gen Z, rave culture is a break from daily life and allows self-expression.
Self-expression is what makes the rave community unique, as you can see someone in a specially designed outfit, or just a t-shirt and jeans. Raves are a judgement free zone, so have no shame in being yourself at your next festival.
Raving is not just about music; it is a community.
Photo Courtesy of Tony Davis via British Culture Archive
Pile of Rave Kandi
Photo Courtesy of This Dizzy Dreamer via Flickr
Artists of the Moment
Every rave has a heartbeat, and the DJ controls the rhythm. Ranging from bass-heavy veterans to newcomers, artists that headline today’s festivals define not just music, but the culture of the rave scene.
Disco Lines (front cover) represents the playful and chaotic side of Gen-Z rave culture. Known for his tracks Love Story and No Broke Boys, Thaddeus Labuszewski has gone viral for his high-energy house music. He connects with Gen Z through his remixing of pop songs and jokes throughout his sets.
Excision (front cover) is on the other side of the rave spectrum. Born as Jeffery Abel, he is wellknown for his bass music, characterized by drops that can shake a crowd. His most popular tracks include Feel Something and Name Drop. He has headlined multiple festivals, including EDC and Beyond Wonderland.
Artists who also fuel the rave scene include Dom Dolla and John Summit (Left). Dom Dolla’s basslines keep crowds locked in, while John Summit went from being an account to being a global legend with being relatable to Gen Z. Before fame, they were known as Dominic Matheson and John Schuster. Today, the two are some of the most popular house artists in the world.
Music Festival Stage
Courtesy of Wendy Wei via Pexels
Women are starting to dominate the EDM scene, with Peggy Gou (right) and Sara Landry (below) being extremely popular at festivals. Fans pack their sets from every corner of the festival grounds. Originally from South Korea, Kim Min-ji takes hypnotic sounds and turns them into a house and techno blend. Based in Amsterdam, hard techno queen Sara Landry takes the dark sounds of EDM and turns them into dark-energy sets. Both women’s music styles show that women aren’t just part of the scene, but the future of it.
From bass gods like Excision to internet-viral DJs like John Summit and Disco Lines, from house legends Dom Dolla and Peggy Gou, and
Sara Landry, along with other popular artists Maddix and 999999999, today’s EDM landscape makes the genre one of the most diverse kinds of music. Every artist brings a new dimension to the genre, fueling the rave scene with countless energy that fills the night sky.
Next time you listen to EDM, you are not hearing music, you are stepping into a culture decades in the making. Each genre is different, all aligning to different music tastes. The best thing about EDM is that you can find your own style of music through listening to the music at events, raves, and even in your own car.
techno legends
Photo Courtesy: Sam Neill of DJ Mag
Photo Courtesy of Vogue Magazine
Top 5 DJ’s by Spotify STREAMs
According to Music Metrics Vault, the top five EDM artists are as follows:
David Guetta : A French DJ, has the most monthly listeners of over 82 million. Guetta is known for collarborating with famous artists such as Akon, Kid Cudi, and Sia.
Calvin Harris : A Scottish powerhouse known for collaborating with pop artists.
Marshmello : A bit newer to the scene, his iconic helmet makes him one of the most recognizable artists.
DJ Snake : a French producer whose hits such as “Turn Down for What” and “Middle” have set an era for EDM during the 2010’s.
Avicii : Even though he’s gone too soon, his legacy lives on. His pop and EDM crossovers make him one of the most-streamed DJs today.
All of the DJs above have been trailblazers in the EDM industry, headlining major festivals all over the world. They continue to push creative boundaries in the genre as they inspire the next generation of fans and producers.