Dance Music News

Festival season is all about expressing yourself, and there’s no better way to do that than through your outfit. The best festival outfits in 2024 will combine comfort with creativity, mixing bold patterns, playful accessories, and on-trend pieces that reflect your unique personality. Whether you’re headed to Glastonbury, Coachella, Tomorrowland, or any other music festival, what you wear is just as important as who you go to see. After all, festivals are as much about fashion as they are a

This category celebrates artists who have defined the essence of house music with their groovy beats, soulful melodies, and impeccable production, keeping dancefloors alive with timeless energy. #1 Barry Can’t Swim A genre-blending electronic artist known for his soulful melodies and jazz-infused house music. It’s not surprise he has been voted #1 with his innovative approach to electronic music and his growing prominence in the industry. #2 Peach A vibrant DJ and producer delivering high-

This category honours artists who elevate live performances to an art form, blending technical brilliance, crowd engagement, and innovative production. These acts transform the stage into a dynamic playground, creating unforgettable experiences that push the boundaries of live electronic music. Barry Can’t Swim Barry Can’t Swim’s live performances are a joyous celebration of electronic and organic sounds. With lush instrumentation, soulful melodies, and an infectious energy, he crafts immer

Showcasing the beauty of emotional and melodic electronic music, this award celebrates artists who craft deep, atmospheric tracks that connect with listeners on a profound level Ame A German duo blending deep house and techno with emotive, cinematic soundscapes. Emanuel Satie A deep house artist blending global rhythms with melodic, club-ready beats. Terr A Brazilian producer combining electro-inspired grooves with cosmic melodies. TIMANTI A London-based artist weaving house and techno with

Highlighting the intricate and hypnotic sounds of minimal music, this category recognizes artists who create immersive soundscapes with subtle rhythms and masterful precision. Arupa Arupa, a rising star in the minimal house and techno scene, is known for his hypnotic productions and seamless DJ sets. Combining intricate percussion with deep, rolling basslines, Arupa’s music creates an intimate and immersive atmosphere that has earned him a loyal following in underground circles. Voigtmann A t

This category celebrates the voices that define the airwaves, bringing listeners closer to the music they love. Whether championing emerging talent, curating groundbreaking sets, or connecting communities through sound, these radio hosts shape the musical landscape and keep the spirit of discovery alive. Talina, Rinse FM As a prominent voice on Rinse FM, Talina showcases her eclectic taste and deep expertise in electronic music through every broadcast. Her expertly curated sets captivate both

This category celebrates record labels that have shaped the sound of electronic music, pushing boundaries and championing both established and emerging talent. These labels are the tastemakers of the scene, releasing groundbreaking tracks that inspire dance floors and define genres. Defected Defected stands as a cornerstone of house music, known for consistently delivering timeless tracks that unite club-goers worldwide. With a keen eye for talent and an unwavering commitment to quality, the

This category celebrates the most unforgettable DJ sets of the year, showcasing the creativity, technical brilliance, and unique energy that define exceptional live performances. These sets transcend mere music, creating immersive experiences that stay etched in the memories of audiences long after the last beat drops. Marlon Hoffstadt, Malugi – Boiler Room London: Club Heart Broken, August 2024 Marlon Hoffstadt and Malugi delivered a mesmerizing performance at Boiler Room London’s Club Hear

This category celebrates the tracks that defined the year, capturing moments, setting dance floors alight, and resonating deeply with listeners. These songs are anthems of the present, showcasing the artistry and creativity that make music unforgettable. Effy, Mall Grab – “iluv” Effy and Mall Grab join forces on “iluv”, delivering a high-energy blend of punchy beats and euphoric melodies. A track that seamlessly merges rave nostalgia with modern production, it has become a staple in DJ sets

Recognizing the champions of tech house, this award highlights artists who masterfully fuse house grooves with minimal and tech-driven elements, creating irresistible rhythms for the underground scene. Pawsa – Pawsa’s infectious tech-house grooves have made him a standout figure in the dance music scene. As a DJ, producer, and co-founder of the Solid Grooves label, Pawsa is known for delivering stripped-back, bass-driven tracks that ignite dancefloors worldwide. With a keen ear for detail and a

This category honors the visionaries in techno who push boundaries with their driving beats, industrial soundscapes, and innovative approaches to one of electronic music’s most iconic genres.   VTSS VTSS, a leading force in the global techno scene, combines raw, industrial beats with experimental touches, pushing the boundaries of electronic music. With her roots in Poland, she’s become a favorite at iconic festivals and clubs worldwide, delivering high-energy performances that seamlessly merg

The Netherlands-born producer, Beswerda lands on DGTL, the famous imprint of the same-name festival, with a hypnotic melodic techno tune Take Me. What was initially crafted in a moment of vulnerability, Beswerdas Take Me portrays raw emotion. The single highlights his frame of mind as he began its creation with a powerful and somewhat aggressive approach. Ultimately, he shifted to an uplifting atmosphere as his spirits rose throughout the track’s road to completion. Leaving little to the imag

Making a welcome entrance to the dance music world, BETAWELT presents their brand new, 5-track EP titled ‘My Body’. With this debut the duo make the perfect first impression, taking listeners on a journey through the decades as they turn the beginnings of electronic music into modern hits. Although this may be their debut EP, BETAWELT are no strangers to the dance music scene with more than twenty years behind the decks. This is on full show within the EP as old school dance music elements,

Bexxie and Yurie have joined forces for a stellar new collaboration, "Sacrifice (You & I)." Blending enthralling house beats with emotive vocals, the track pulses with a raw energy that feels both seductive and eerie. Bexxie's and Yurie's rhythms grip tight as the vocals expose a simmering intensity, unfurling the story of someone caught between love and regret. An anthem for broken promises, "Sacrifice (You & I)" propels with an edgy, almost ghostly undertow. Lyrics like "I can’t breath

The American house music producer Bexxie is back on Insomniac’s sister label IN / ROTATION with her second song, “Gotta Be Real,” which came out June 11th. In “Gotta Be Real,” she pays tribute to her roots by sampling the famous track “Injected With A Poison” by Praga Khan. She describes this record as a key piece of music from her early days as a dancefloor reveler. There are old-school rave stabs, diva-style vocal hooks, disco-calling vox samples, and a well-done breakbeat breakdown in the s

Beyoncé made history at last night’s GRAMMY Awards, taking home four awards including Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album, bringing her total wins to 32 with 88 nominations. That makes her the currently most-awarded artist in GRAMMY history. Last night’s awards drew criticism (and applause, but mostly criticism) from the electronic dance music community for Beyoncé’s inclusion in the Dance/Electronic category, despite having never actively taken part in the culture o

Twenty-five years of house music history demands more than just another compilation album. Defected Records understands this, which is why their anniversary offering comes in the form of a stunning 12″ x 12″ hardback tome that feels as weighty as their influence on dance music. “DEFECTED: 25 YEARS IN THE HOUSE” isn’t your typical sanitized label biography. Written by former Mixmag editor Nick Gordon Brown and edited by Defected’s General Manager Simon Dawson, the book lets the stories t

In all my years of immersing myself in the UK music party scene, one truth remains constant: Independent festivals reign supreme. Unfortunately, more and more of the live event industry is becoming dominated by enourmous companies like Live Nation and Festival Republic and so, parties which were once havens of freedom have become more and more dominated by dodgy corporate practices. Luckily, we’ve compiled a lineup of the top 10 independent festivals in the nation where you won’t encounter alc

Global leader in music festivals and live events, Insomniac Events in collaboration with Chicago based events promoter, Auris Presents, has revealed the highly anticipated lineup for the second edition of Beyond Wonderland Chicago. Set to take place at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on June 7-8, 2025, Beyond Wonderland Chicago promises an immersive experience where an eclectic mix of house, techno, bass, and melodic artists awaits. Two-day GA, GA+, and VIP tickets are available via

After last year's momentous debut in Chicago, Insomniac's beloved Beyond Wonderland festival is returning to the Windy City with a massive lineup. The Alice In Wonderland-themed EDM festival will feature ILLENIUM, Subtronics, Afrojack, Marshmello, SLANDER, Ganja White Night, Crankdat, Virtual Riot and TroyBoi, among many others. In an homage to the birthplace of house music, Insomniac Records and Day Trip are hosting the Caterpillar’s Garden stage to produce "an unforgettable house and techno ex

Last week, we kicked off our Black History Month series with an insightful extract from Join The Future: Bleep Techno and the Birth of British Bass Music by Matt Anniss. This week, we’re moving forward to an era that defined a whole new wave of bass music: dubstep. For week two, we’re proud to present an extract from Drumz Of The South: The Dubstep Years (2004-2007) by Georgina Cook. This iconic photography book was the first to capture the early days of dubstep in stunning detail, featuring

Last week, we dived into the early days of dubstep with an exclusive extract from Georgina Cook’s Drumz Of The South, capturing the raw energy of FWD>>, DMZ, and the pioneering artists that shaped the scene. If you missed it, don’t sleep on that one—go check it out! This week, we’re turning our attention to another seismic moment in bass culture: jungle. For week three of our Black History Month series, we’re excited to present an entire chapter from State of Bass by Martin James, a de

Last year, for Black History Month, we had the privilege of speaking with some incredible artists about how bass music brands can step up and truly celebrate the genre’s deep roots in Black culture. One message stood out loud and clear: education is key. Brands should embrace the opportunity to educate new fans on the rich history of bass music and its intrinsic connection to Black culture. This year, we’re taking that advice. We’ve teamed up with the legends at Velocity Press to bring you s

As we wrap up our Black History Month series, we’re looking back on what’s been an incredible journey through the roots of bass music. Partnering with Velocity Press has been eye-opening, and we’ve loved every second of diving into the rich, powerful history behind the sounds that move us. Huge thanks to Velocity Press. This week’s extract is from Who Say Reload by Paul Terzulli, an epic oral history that puts you right in the studio with the legends of jungle and drum and bass. Through the

Bicep have today unveiled “CHROMA 004 ROLA”, the latest single to be taken from their ongoing CHROMA project — which comprises a record label, a series of curated events, a brand new and constantly evolving Bicep AV/DJ show, and a unique visual identity created in collaboration with David Rudnick and his Terrain studio, “ROLA” is another statement track from the duo: stripped-back and raw, with a distinct UK flavour, it was written, quite literally, with the dancefloor in mind as the opening