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MOONBOY’s ‘Need U’ Makes Numbers Long After Viral Liftoff

Here’s a catchy tune for you — if you haven’t heard it before on socials.
In the bygone era of MTV and mixtapes, a catchy tune could propel an artist to stardom seemingly overnight. Today, social media has stepped up and is now the analogue means for producers to be found worldwide. Just like blockbuster films introduced hit songs to the masses in the 80s, viral trends and online communities are now the breeding ground for breakout sensations.
That’s exactly the waters in which American producer MOONBOY is swimming right now. Much like Kenya Grace’s ‘Strangers’ became a sensation before it even had a name and served as an unofficial anthem for the petrolhead corner of the internet, his hit release, ‘Need U‘, flooded Instagram and TikTok by the tens of millions — many weeks ahead of its release.
The level of industry support for MOONBOY speaks volumes. Heavyweights like Steve Aoki, Luude, Hardwell, Virtual Riot, Kayzo, Excision, and even gaming giant Nintendo have all publicly endorsed his work. He’s also opened up to conjoint musical projects with Ghastly, Borgore, and Madishu, among others, and locked brand deals with V-Moda, Loop Earplugs, Magic Mind, and Output, only broadening the scope of his sound inside and outside the music itself.
Even before ‘Need U’ saw its official release, fans clamoured to share their enthusiasm, filling socials with countless videos showcasing the song’s infectious energy. This viral phenomenon didn’t go unnoticed by the industry’s leading record labels. Major players like Capitol Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group all vied for the opportunity to shepherd ‘Need U’ to the masses. Ultimately, Atlantic Records sealed the deal, under the Asylum Records imprint.
‘Need U’
In a spectacular blend of styles that borrow elements and atmospheres from Liquid DnB, Melodic DnB, and even a little sprinkle of Electro Pop, MOONBOY’s ‘Need U’ makes for a track that is easily digestible not only by Dance aficionados but by virtually anyone. Its laid-back nature, only solidified by Madishu‘s soft and airy vocals, appeals to most situations, and, particularly important to this release, is a great pair for video reels.
The song now stands at a whopping 7 million views on Spotify alone, plus the uncountable social media presence. MOONBOY explains that might have to do with him letting his mind roam free. “I feel this record came to life when I finally let my creative curiosity roam unrestricted“, he says. He then adds:
Listen to MOONBOY‘s worldwide hit ‘Need U‘ below by interacting with the Spotify button we’ve attached. And stay tuned to our page for the latest news and views from the Dance music industry.
The post MOONBOY’s ‘Need U’ Makes Numbers Long After Viral Liftoff appeared first on EDMTunes.
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Fred Again.. Teases New Album

World-renowned music producer and artist Fred Again.. has taken to social media to tease his highly anticipated new album, sparking excitement among fans. With a cryptic post on social media, Fred Again.. has left his followers eager for more details about the upcoming release.
The teaser post, featuring an enigmatic image and a brief caption saying he thinks he finished an album, has set the internet on fire. Fans have been quick to express their overwhelming anticipation, flooding the comments with messages of excitement and curiosity. Many have been decoding the cryptic message, uncovering clues about the album’s title, track list, and collaborators.
Moreover, known for his boundary-pushing sound and innovative approach to music production, Fred Again.. has quickly amassed a dedicated following. His ability to seamlessly blend electronic, pop, and alternative music elements has earned him critical acclaim and a reputation as a trailblazer in the industry.
As the anticipation continues to build, fans from all corners of the globe eagerly await further updates from Fred Again.. regarding the new album. With the teaser, it’s unclear what to expect from Fred’s next musical offering, but that’s what fans have come to expect from him.
Stay tuned for more information, and be ready to experience another Fred Again.. musical journey.
Photo via Facebook: Fred Again..
The post Fred Again.. Teases New Album appeared first on EDMTunes.
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Win VIP Weekend Passes and Merch for Breakaway Carolina 2024 With Alesso, Marshmello and More

In what will be one of the last events of its breakout 2024 season, Breakaway Festival is returning to Charlotte with a monster lineup in September.
The largest touring festival in the US, Breakaway is officially coming back to the zMAX Dragway Grounds at Charlotte Motor Speedway and bringing fans a lineup of epic proportions. Electronic music superstars Alesso, Marshmello and Chase & Status have been billed to headline the festival’s first day while its mainstage will host sets by FISHER, Loud Luxury and EDM.com Class of 2023 star Knock2 on its second day.
Day one of Breakaway Carolina will be particularly heavy-hitting with sets by Apashe, Wax Motif, Juelz, Rich DietZ and CHYL as well as a stage takeover from Brownies & Lemonade and a can't-miss performance by Kenya Grace. The festival’s second day is bound to be equally as explosive, bringing in house heavy-hitters such as DJ Susan, Nostalgix and Matroda.
View the original article to see embedded media.
EDM.com has joined forces with the organizers of Breakaway Carolina for a special giveaway of two VIP Weekend Passes and an exclusive merch bundle.
Find out how to enter the giveaway below. Tickets are available for purchase here.
EDM.com & Breakaway Carolina 2024 Giveaway
2x VIP Weekend Passes Breakaway Festival merch bundle To enter the giveaway, follow @breakaway, @breakawaycarolina and @edm on Instagram, and tag at least three friends in separate comments on the post below (1 entry per comment, unlimited entries allowed)⁠. Share the post in an Instagram Story and tag @edm for a bonus entry.
The contest ends on Friday, July 26th.⁠ The winner will be announced in a comment and alerted via our Instagram the next day.
FOLLOW BREAKAWAY FESTIVAL:
Facebook: facebook.com/breakawayfestival
Instagram: instagram.com/breakaway
X: x.com/breakawayfest
Website: breakawayfestival.com
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Manatee Commune Releases 4th Studio Album ‘Simultaneity’

Ten years after the release of his debut album ‘Brush,’ Seattle’s own Manatee Commune, also known as Grant Eadie, makes a highly anticipated return to the Bastard Jazz imprint with his fourth album, ‘Simultaneity.’ This album features nine exceptional tracks, characterized by lush and vibrant production—traits that have become synonymous with Manatee Commune‘s entire catalog. While retaining his signature style, ‘Simultaneity’ showcases Eadie‘s growth and artistic diversity. He departs from traditional songwriting and completely eschews lyrics, creating a sound that leans more toward the ambient genre while still maintaining elements of house music.
Manatee Commune‘s profound love for the ambient genre, his obsession with all forms of dance, and his foundation in classical training have shaped his sound into a unique blend of earthy, dynamic, and bright instrumentation. Although Eadie has been a violist since grade school, his orchestral performances are often subtle, allowing warm synths reminiscent of the early 80s to take center stage in his compositions. The percussion is distinctly live, featuring shakers, bells, tines, tambourines, and rain sticks that clack and rattle through almost every track.
Stream this album below.
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Pierro Drops Brand New Remix Of ‘Con La Brisa’

Just weeks after releasing his original single ‘Illusion’, Pierro returns with a new offering, this time putting his unique spin on ‘Con La Brisa’ by Foudeqush and Ludwig Göransson.
‘Con La Brisa’ is already a massively popular single, and Pierro flips it from a pop hit to a melodic techno gem. He expertly incorporates the captivating vocals from the original track, blending them with atmospheric synths and sounds that set the tone from the very beginning. As the remix progresses, powerful and punchy elements are introduced, driving the rhythm and energy to new heights.
With this remix, Pierro demonstrates his versatility and skill, proving that he can not only create epic original singles but also deliver outstanding remixes.
Stream this remix below.
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You Can Now Hum or Sing Into YouTube Music To Search For A Song

Finally, a feature we have all wanted for years has been added to YouTube Music. They have added a new feature that will allow you to hum or sing a song to search for it.
Last year, it was first teased and made available via Google in 2020. Now fully released, users can utilize the feature by tapping the magnifying glass icon within the app. They can hum a tune they have in mind, and the app will generate results based on the likelihood of a match. Users can also sing the song if they know the lyrics, or play it on an instrument. This feature expands on Google’s MusicLM technology, previously used for generating music from text prompts or hums.
YouTube Music is also exploring additional AI and music recognition tools. For instance, a new feature for Premium subscribers in the US allows them to create custom radio stations by describing the type of music they want to hear.
Currently available on iOS and Android, the hum, sing, or play feature will soon roll out to all users, according to YouTube.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that YouTube is negotiating with major labels for an AI music licensing agreement, potentially involving one-time payments for access to their music.
Last year, YouTube introduced an experimental AI feature named Dream Track. Powered by the Lyria model, this platform enables select users to create music pieces using AI-generated voice clones of well-known artists.
The post You Can Now Hum or Sing Into YouTube Music To Search For A Song appeared first on EDMTunes.
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How the Team Behind Deep Tropics Festival Infuses EDM Into Nashville With a Sustainable Twist

When twin brothers Blake and Joel Atchison were growing up in Nashville, an electronic music scene didn't exist.
The city is known as an iconic bastion of country music, but at that time, the words "Nashville" and "EDM" were rarely used in the same sentence.
The Atchison twins spent their childhoods playing in the river and visiting record shops, until they snuck into the first-ever Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Little did they know, they would go on to play a pivotal role in the development of Nashville's EDM culture as the innovative founders of Deep Tropics.
With backgrounds in sustainability, they always harbored a vision for fusing the worlds of environmentalism and music. In college, they studied agriculture, green energy and city planning and even received an EPA grant to run a biodiesel project that powered the Appalachian State buses.
Blake and Joel Atchison.Taylor Baucom
Blake first began producing electronic music events in Nashville in 2008 and went on to create the production company Full Circle Presents, which organizes shows featuring music in house, drum & bass and other sub-genres of electronic dance music.
The "Decompress" party series, which has hosted the likes of John Summit, Justin Martin, J. Worra and more, began in this time. At first, the parties happened every month to six weeks. Now, they run three times a month.
"Consistency really helps the growth of the scene," Blake Atchison tells EDM.com in an exclusive interview. "Now, we have multiple options for shows to go to, like a normal city. But, it hasn’t always been that way. Even 10 years ago, that was unheard of." 
"I think what makes Nashville really unique and special with the culture here, is there's a scarcity of shows and parties in this scene," he continues. "So, I feel like everyone here really appreciates it. I think artists feel it. They're surprised when there's a scene and when there's people that know their music. It’s a really cool time in the city."
Full Circle Presents now throws between 200 and 300 shows each year. Throughout the process of cultivating an EDM culture in Nashville, one of the biggest hurdles they faced, Blake recalls, was a lack of proper venues for the electronic shows.
"We were going into rock 'n' roll rooms, bringing in extra supplemental sound, video walls and lighting, then having to sell the agent that this is an acceptable place for their artists to come play," Blake explained. "Now, we have venues like The Office and Cannery Hall, with a Void sound system in the small room, a PK Trinity in the main room and The Hennessy sound system in the middle room. It's unbelievable to see the growth in production value with the venue ecosystem."
The thing that makes it all worth it? Community, the brothers agreed.
"That is what makes our organization special, that we are all like-minded and we're doing this for the love of the music, and for the love of the community," Blake says with a smile. "To see the diversity in Nashville and the richness of the culture, how it's growing, that's what fires us up and what makes it all worth it."
Deep Tropics Music, Art, and Style Festival.Austin Friedline
The first ideas of designing a music festival came to life in 2016, a time when the city "didn't have a proper electronic festival," Blake said. "It rose out of necessity for Nashville culturally."
Blake and Joel spent a week in the Northern Californian woods, discussing everything from talent to sustainability. After the creative brainstorming session and a "serendipitous meeting" with John Hanna, a Nashville-based DJ and investor, Deep Tropics was born.
"Nashville is Music City, it's more than a country city," Hanna tells us of why Nashville was the perfect location for Deep Tropics. "Country has taken the limelight, but even back in the day, Jimi Hendrix was writing his album here. People outside of the country lane have historically existed here. Just over the last 10 years, with the influx of different cultures, we're starting to see a rise in much more than just country music. We're happy to help that come about."
Besides bringing a large-scale electronic music festival to Nashville, where a thriving scene was now craving a bigger event, the team's goal was to deeply infuse environmentalism into its bedrock. Sustainability has always been at the core of the vision for Deep Tropics; now, it is considered "the greenest festival in North America."
Last year, Deep Tropics replaced most of their diesel generators with electric generators and batteries. Their goal for the 2024 festival is to ditch them completely and power the event fully on renewable energy in addition to a modicum of ancillary grid power.
According to Deep Tropics, the festival's team diverts a staggering 96% of festival waste from landfills. They also annually offset their carbon footprint via a massive tree-planting initiative.
The key to this eco-friendly success is by meticulously stewarding the festival's sourcing, the team explained. They only use materials that are compostable—without any single-use plastics—and they also reuse as much material as possible, even when it comes to art and decor.
Through a partnership with a recycling business called Terracycle, "impossible items" like microplastics and cigarette butts are able to be reclaimed. Other sustainability efforts at Deep Tropics include an "infinity cup" program in which attendees employ a stainless steel clip to reuse their cup for the entire festival. 
They also implemented an eco-band program, which offers prizes while benefiting nonprofits and helping plant 10 trees through a partnership with an organization called Trees for the Future. Throughout the year, Deep Tropics also offers opportunities for people to plant trees themselves. 
c/o Deep Tropics
"This year, we've taken a couple trips to the R.A.N.C.H. Project so people have an opportunity to actually get their hands dirty and plant trees and work on a farm," Joel Atchison tells us. "That's what gets us the most excited, is providing opportunities in our own community. We provide outlets for people to connect with other nonprofits and organizations that are doing cool things. So in addition to promoting artists, we're also promoting organizations that are doing amazing things in the community."
The festival's sustainability initiatives are all made possible through Blake and Joel's organization, Deep Culture.
"Deep Culture supports harm reduction and safety and champions consent and boundaries," Joel said. "People really act differently when there's zero trash cans on-site, there's not trash all over the ground. Our intention, to promote personal growth and holistic wellbeing within the event, is definitely a distinguishing aspect from other festivals."
Deep Tropics hosts a variety of dynamic workshops and wellness experiences, like ice bath activations, runway shows and clothing swaps as well as discussions about regenerative agriculture and sustainable fashion.
"We really go all out to make sure there's plenty of places for people to rest and get educated. We see Deep Tropics as a bridge between party and purpose," Joel gushes. "We push for sustainability, wellness, anything that is going to inspire people to connect, build community or champion values like consent, equity, human health and resilience. Those are the ideas that we're certainly trying to get across."
When asked why it's important for event organizers to promote sustainability, Joel says that music festivals represent special chances to connect with people and foster change.
"There's this mainstream narrative that we are separate from nature," he explained. "When we realize that caring for the Earth is connected to caring for ourselves and our communities, there's a huge paradigm shift that happens. If there's no planet, there's no people. The science is out—we have a major social and ecological crisis going on and so it's just our responsibility. And I think it's a really unique opportunity for the festival promoters and event organizers to incorporate that. You're catching people and at a moment where their minds and their hearts are maybe more open than they will be for the rest of the year. So, what a great opportunity to educate."
Deep Tropics Music, Art, and Style Festival.c/o Press
The team shares a long-term vision for the future of Deep Tropics, which they see expanding into a week-long conference in Nashville, similar to Miami Music Week, SXSW or the iconic Amsterdam Dance Event.
"We want to go beyond this festival model, which is a great example of making this weekend event as sustainable and regenerative as possible, and go in beyond that, to make Nashville the most sustainable city that it can be," Blake said.
The team is taking a step towards that goal by virtue of Deep Culture's Sustainability Summit, which is scheduled to take place on the Thursday before Deep Tropics 2024. The event will moonlight as a convergence of industry professionals and government officials across different sectors, from food and farming to infrastructure. 
"We really want to showcase regenerative solutions and innovation," Hanna says. "There's a lot of great stories to tell. So, we're going to take a crack at our first annual Sustainability Summit this year and see if we can inspire Nashville."
The Deep Tropics team leaves us with some advice for any event organizers who hope to adopt sustainability at their own shows and festivals.
"Move beyond the mental block of the cost-prohibitive nature, and understand the responsibility that we have, and the power and inspiration that the music industry has," Blake urged. "From a sponsorship level, people probably wouldn't be involved or give the kind of money that they do, if we weren't doing some cutting-edge stuff. I think people gravitate to that on a sponsor level. With a reusable cup program, there's great organizations that have been doing that for a while now, where you're creating a revenue stream for the festival. In turn, they can offset the cost of composting and recycling. It’s a journey and we are figuring it out as we go along, but we're always down to share ideas and what we do with other organizations."
For Joel, the biggest advice is to embrace the power of collaboration.
"Definitely hit us up," he said. "We bill ourselves as the greenest festival in North America, not because we want to be the best, but because we want to inspire people."
"The message that I'd like to give to festival producers is, people care more than you think they do," he adds. "By taking these steps, it will inspire a different type of behavior. There's not another place that generates as much inspiration as the music industry. So by making a difference at an event, you're going to be inspiring a lot of business owners and inspiring the world at large. If we could make the music industry across-the-board more sustainable, I think the whole planet will follow suit."
Deep Tropics 2024 will take place August 16-17 with performances by RL Grime, Kaskade, Elderbrook, PEEKABOO and many more. Tickets are available here.
Follow Deep Tropics:
Instagram: instagram.com/deep.tropics
X: x.com/deep_tropics
TikTok: tiktok.com/@deeptropics
Facebook: facebook.com/deeptropics
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Tomorrowland 2024 Morphs Into Requiem for Avicii With Heartfelt DJ Tributes

Time may have claimed Avicii, but his music continues to move millions.
The late EDM icon's music echoed through the fields of Tomorrowland over the weekend as a slew of DJs, united by respect and admiration, weaved his timeless tracks into their sets.
Prior to this year's festival, Avicii's "Levels" had been named the best anthem in Tomorrowland's history after claiming the most fan votes in its "Tomorrowland Top 1000" poll. Naturally, the fest morphed into a bittersweet symphony for Avicii, whose generational dance anthem found new life at the hands of Hardwell, Afrojack and many more over the course of its three days.
Some, like the Dutch dance music superstar Oliver Heldens, even burst into tears onstage.
"Maybe it’s also the lack of sleep and the heat, but the moment that the iconic 'Levels' melody first hit, I just couldn’t hold back the tears," Heldens writes. "It's been more than 6 years now that we lost Tim, but I know he'll live on in so many of our hearts."
View the original article to see embedded media.
Elsewhere at Tomorrowland, Hardwell paid homage to Avicii in a rare EDM throwback set, playing "Levels" for a crowd we're willing to bet also shed more than a few tears.
"If we're gonna do a throwback set, there's only one record—one f***ing record," an emotional Hardwell said before dropping the track.
Afrojack performed a medley of Avicii's songs on Tomorrowland's Mainstage, playing "Levels," "A Sky Full of Stars," "Wake Me Up" and "Fade Into Darkness" under the sun.
3 Are Legend, the EDM supergroup of Steve Aoki and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, interpolated Aloe Blacc's vocals from Avicii's "Wake Me Up" into an electrifying mashup, leading to a particularly poignant singalong moment.
The same goes for Brazilian dance music superstar Alok, who threaded the "Wake Me Up" acapella into a mashup comprising Otto Knows' "Million Voices," Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child" and Alesso and Sebastian Ingrosso's "Calling (Lose My Mind)."
View the original article to see embedded media.
Tomorrowland returns for its second 2024 weekend from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th.
Follow Tomorrowland:
X: x.com/tomorrowland
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tomorrowland
Instagram: instagram.com/tomorrowland
Facebook: facebook.com/tomorrowland
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Watch Pendulum's Rob Swire Join Armin van Buuren for Rare Tomorrowland Performance

A pair of electronic music legends took the stage at Tomorrowland over the weekend for a rare performance that fans won't soon forget.
Attendees of the iconic EDM festival's landmark 20th anniversary event saw Armin van Buuren invite Rob Swire, the deeply influential vocalist and co-founder of Pendulum, onstage to perform a new song, a drum & bass rendition of their collaboration, "Sound of You."
The remarkable cameo took place July 19th during van Buuren's set on Tomorrowland's Mainstage, which he closed for the first time in 11 years. He'd previewed a big room version at Ultra Music Festival's Miami and Europe editions, per DJ Mag.
Swire's surprising appearance follows in the footsteps of Jon Bon Jovi, with whom van Buuren performed at Ultra Miami in March to debut a new remix of the rock icon's 1992 track "Keep The Faith."
On the music front, van Buuren recently released "In the Dark," an anthemic collaboration with David Guetta. That track, which released earlier in the month of July via his own Armada imprint, also appeared in his show-stopping Tomorrowland set.
Tomorrowland returns for its second 2024 weekend from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th.
Follow Armin van Buuren:
X: x.com/arminvanbuuren
Instagram: instagram.com/arminvanbuuren
TikTok: tiktok.com/@arminvanbuuren
Facebook: facebook.com/arminvanbuuren
Spotify: spoti.fi/2WHsl2t
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Carolina Liar Tells Us About Their Collab with Martin Garrix ‘Smile’

Here is Martin Garrix‘s song that could be Song of the Summer! Carolina Liar sings on his brand-new indie-pop-dance song “Smile.” Carolina Liar is also known for being in the band The Federal Empire.
Garrix played the song for the first time at four sold-out shows at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Carolina Liar joined him on stage for three amazing live shows.
Carolina Liar shares more about the creation process of the song:
“Smile” is the perfect summer song because of its happy tunes and positive words. The lesson of the song, which is to do “anything to make you smile,” can be interpreted in many different ways.
This is the second popular release by Garrix and Carolina Liar. They worked together before on “Hold On & Believe.” Both artists are in the official music video, which has a plot about them traveling to get to their Las Vegas show on time.

The post Carolina Liar Tells Us About Their Collab with Martin Garrix ‘Smile’ appeared first on The Groove Cartel.
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EDM.com Fresh Picks: What So Not, Geller, Laxcity & More

The electronic music community is constantly evolving with new sounds inspired by the scene of yesteryear. EDM.com's weekly Fresh Picks series discovers new music and unearths influential tracks that help define the underground dance scene.
You can find the below tracks on EDM.com's Fresh Picks Playlist. Follow to stay up-to-date and submit tracks for consideration here.
EDM.com Fresh Picks
What So Not, IMANU, MNDR - Slow Motion
Nikita, the Wicked - LIKE ME
Levity - Front to Back
Joy Orbison - flight fm
Geller - Everything We Tried (feat. valentina cy)
Glacier - totem dance
Baril, Ugolino - Failling For You
Kidnap, Leo Stannard - Overgrown
Laxcity - wonderful moment
projektbau - Front Left Romance
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This was: Verknipt Arena

On July 20th, the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam became the epicenter for hard techno as it hosted Verknipt Arena, the world’s largest gathering of hard techno enthusiasts. This event marked a significant milestone in the genre’s growing popularity, not just in the Netherlands but globally, with hard techno artists now securing spots on mainstages at renowned festivals like Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas.
The Netherlands experienced an unusually warm day, with temperatures reaching 27°C (80°F). However, Verknipt’s organizers were well-prepared, implementing additional safety measures to ensure attendees’ comfort and well-being. These included free water refill stations on the dance floor – a genius move that was universally appreciated – and allowing ravers to bring their own plastic water bottles.
Getting There
The Johan Cruyff Arena’s status as a major hub made access to Verknipt Arena straightforward. The journey by car from Den Haag took approximately 45 minutes. The arena’s central location also facilitated easy meetups, with many attendees, including us, gathering for pre-event drinks at nearby bars and restaurants.
Venue
Hosting Verknipt Arena was none other than the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam’s premier stadium and home to the football club AFC Ajax. This venue has a storied history of hosting not just sporting events but also some of the biggest names in entertainment. Just weeks before Verknipt, global pop sensation Taylor Swift shared the same stage.
The choice of the Johan Cruyff Arena for Verknipt was fitting for the larger-than-life production required for this event. Its massive capacity and state-of-the-art facilities ensured that the hard techno community had ample space to come together and experience the music in an unparalleled setting.
Food and Drinks
Like all events at the Amsterdam Arena, Verknipt was totally cashless. The pricing was in line with what one might expect at a major arena event:
– Small beer: €6.50
– Large beer: €7.60
– Cocktails: €10.50
– Hard seltzer: €6.50
– Wine: €5.75
– Soft drinks: €4.25
– Water: €3.50
A standout feature was the availability of free water refill stations on the left side of the dance floor, a thoughtful touch that prioritized attendee safety and comfort.
For those needing a quick energy boost, rave essentials were readily available:
– Banana: €2.50
– Lollipop: €1.50
– Candy and chips: €3.50
Food options catered to various tastes with standard arena bites:
– Chicken satay: €7.50
– Pasta pesto: €7.50
– Croquette sandwich: €4.50
– French fries: €4.50
– Smoothies: €6.50
Stage
The stage at Verknipt Arena was next level, embodying the dark ethos of hard techno. A massive LED setup dominated the visual landscape, delivering mind-bending visuals that transported attendees to other realms. The demonic troll visuals stood out as some of the most intense and captivating of the night.
Pyrotechnics added an extra layer of excitement, with bursts of fire and sparks punctuating key moments in the music. Live drummer performances, complete with light-up LED drums, brought an organic element to the electronic soundscape, bridging the gap between man and machine.
Lasers crisscrossed the arena in wild patterns, while lights seemed to emanate from every conceivable direction, creating an immersive 360-degree experience. The highlight for many was the Verknipt Experience show from 1:00 to 1:10 AM, where fireworks lit up the arena, creating a magical moment for those watching from the stage.
Music
The lineup at Verknipt Arena was a who’s who of hard techno, featuring both established names and rising stars. Here’s a closer look at three standout performances:
DIØN
Amsterdam-based DJ/producer DIØN brought his unique blend of old school gabber, 90s hardcore, and contemporary raw industrial techno to the Verknipt stage. His set was a testament to his ability to merge these disparate sounds into a cohesive and electrifying performance.
DIØN’s track selection included crowd favorites like “Playing Me,” “Acid Do Brazil,” and “Late Night Warriors,” showcasing his knack for effortless transitions between techno, acid, and rave. His passionate love for the music was evident, taking the audience on a journey through the harder edges of electronic music.
Sara Landry
Sara Landry proved why she’s considered one of the most exciting new voices in techno. Her dark, driving, and divinely feminine brand of industrial techno was on full display, captivating the Verknipt crowd with her uncompromising sound.
Landry’s set featured tracks like “Ven Conmigo,” “Agartha (Cadzow Remix),” and “Heaven,” demonstrating the range and depth of her production skills. I unfortunately missed her set at EDC Vegas due to other commitments so watching her at Verknipt from the top of the stands was a highlight of the night for me.
Fantasm
A last-minute addition to the lineup, Fantasm made the most of his extended 45-minute set, closing out the night with insanely hard beats and mind-blowing energy. As a rising star in the scene, Fantasm’s performance was a glimpse into the future of hard techno, pushing the boundaries of intensity and leaving the crowd in awe.
Final Impressions
Verknipt Arena exceeded my expectations with regard to the production and organization. The attention to detail in every aspect of the event, from the mind-blowing stage setup to the thoughtful safety measures, showcased the organizers’ commitment to delivering a world-class experience.
The event’s focus on safety was particularly commendable. In addition to the free water stations and chill areas, QR codes in bathroom stalls provided a discreet way for attendees to seek help if feeling unsafe, along with tips for maximizing enjoyment of the night. This holistic approach to participant well-being set a new standard for large-scale electronic music events. For those needing a break from the intensity, a chill area inside the arena offered bean bags for relaxation, providing a perfect balance to the high-energy atmosphere.
While the night was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few minor downsides. At peak times, the venue felt crowded, leading to long wait times at bars and bathrooms on the dance floor. Additionally, as the sun rose around 5:30 AM, the arena’s open roof allowed daylight to flood in, diminishing the impact of the lasers and fireworks. However, this same feature also provided a unique spectacle, as ravers continued to dance with unwavering enthusiasm in the morning light, a testament to the dedication of the hard techno community. Bring sunglasses! Unfortunately I lent my sunglasses to a friend that left early, but then thanks to rave karma my friend had an extra pair for me!
The overall experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Verknipt Arena successfully brought together the world’s largest gathering of hard techno fans, delivering a night of unparalleled music, production, and community. For first-time attendees and veterans alike, it was an event that will be remembered for years to come, solidifying Verknipt’s place at the forefront of the hard techno scene.
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Alan Fitzpatrick drops ‘Replicant EP’

The next release on Eli Brown‘s Arcane Records is the Replicant EP by the renowned techno artist Alan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick’s production skills are on full display on the two-track EP. It captures the heart of techno by combining dark, driving beats with emotional, melodic elements. The result is a standout release that will get people’s attention on the dancefloor.
The track title Replicant is the perfect example of a techno classic. It’s packed with the signature elements that have made Fitzpatrick a legend in the electronic music world. On the flip is Limitless, a song that Just Frank and Kat Chu worked on together. When asked how the track came to be known, Fitzpatrick said:
The track’s powerful mix of driving techno beats and emotional, human elements makes it more powerful and emotional, leaving a lasting impact on those who hear it.
Download Replicant now.

The post Alan Fitzpatrick drops ‘Replicant EP’ appeared first on The Groove Cartel.
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Tale Of Us Delivers ID-Packed Set at Tomorrowland 2024

Tale Of Us took the Freedom Stage by storm at Tomorrowland‘s first weekend. Their set on 21 July 2024 was notable for its abundance of unreleased tracks.
The performance featured a staggering number of IDs. Of the 22 songs played, 8 were listed as IDs on the official tracklist.
This high concentration of new material set Tale Of Us apart from many other acts at the festival.
The set opened with “Colossal“, a collaboration between Mind Against and Sideral. This track, released on Tale Of Us’s own Afterlife label, set the tone for the night.
Following the opener, the duo launched into a series of IDs.
Interspersed among the IDs were several known tracks. “Overload” by Bigfett appeared, layered with the acapella of “It’s A Fine Day” by Opus III.
Anyma and SCRIPT’s “In My Mind” was another highlight.
The set also featured “Reflections” by MRAK & Omnya and “Ritmo” by Son Of Son. These tracks maintained the energy and flow of the performance.
A remix of Loofy‘s “Last Night” by Anyma and Layton Giordani brought a familiar melody to the crowd.
Massano‘s “Renegade Master” provided a powerful midset energy boost. It was followed by another string of IDs, keeping the audience on their toes.
The latter part of the set included some more recognizable tunes. A remix of iiO‘s classic “Rapture” and ARTBAT‘s “Galaxy” brought nostalgia to the dancefloor.
Adam Port, Keinemusik, Stryv, and Malachiii‘s “Move” got an airing in its Anyma and Cassian remix form. This track has been making waves since its Keinemusik release.
The set closed with two more IDs, including one by Tale Of Us themselves. This final unreleased track left the audience wanting more.
The high number of IDs in this set reflects a trend in electronic music. DJs often use major festivals like Tomorrowland to test unreleased material.
The post Tale Of Us Delivers ID-Packed Set at Tomorrowland 2024 appeared first on The Groove Cartel.
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Celebrate the Legendary Song: Swedish House Mafia’s “One”

On July 22, 2024, the music world celebrates a significant anniversary: the release of Swedish House Mafia‘s track ‘One’. When the track released in 2010, it marked a turning point in the dance music landscape, putting Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso – the trio that heads up Swedish House Mafia – propelling them to even more fame and intriguing fans all over the world.
The impact of ‘One’ was both instantaneous and profound. It overtook dance floors and festivals alike, becoming an indispensable component of any EDM set. The song’s pulsating energy and distinctive melody didn’t just make it popular; they defined the sound of the early 2010s. The vocal version, ‘One (Your Name)’, starring Pharrell Williams, broadened its appeal by smoothly merging the realms of electronic sounds with mainstream popularity.
The song’s influence was palpable at Tomorrowland 2024, where Swedish House Mafia delivered a powerful set on the first weekend. On Friday night, as the familiar notes of ‘One’ resonated around the festival grounds, the crowd roared. This event demonstrated the track’s enduring power and capacity to unify fans from all generations. It demonstrated how ‘One’ remains a fixture in the EDM scene, still capable of generating remarkable experiences.
Check out the video below from their recent set at Tomorrowland, it was pure magic and gave me goosebumps when watching it on the livestream. Swedish House Mafia cemented ‘One’ fact and that is this song is ‘One’ to really make you feel alive.
If you’re interested in piqued and want to take a look at how this song was made, check out the video below. It’s really amazing to see the inspiration, the thought process and overall culmination of three brilliant DJs working together to produce this classic.
Aside from its commercial success, ‘One’ has a particular place in the hearts of fans and DJs alike. Anecdotes from the music community emphasize its importance as a unifying force. ‘One’ continuously brought people together, whether it was playing at large events like the Ultra Music Festival or intimate club nights. The lyrics of ‘One (Your Name)’ include a personal touch, with Pharrell Williams‘ plea to ‘I wanna know your name’ highlighting the connection between the song and its audience.
The epic journey of ”One’ demonstrates its lasting effect and everlasting appeal. This anniversary commemorates not only the song, but also its influence on the EDM genre and those who love it. Whether replayed or discovered for the first time, ‘One’ illustrates music’s unifying power and continues to inspire thanks to Swedish House Mafia‘s powerful sound.
Here’s to many more years of enjoying this iconic song.
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Max Styler & GENESI’s House Anthem ‘See You Sweat’

Max Styler and GENESI unite for a powerful collaboration: ‘See You Sweat‘. This track is a tech-heavy dance floor anthem. It features unique synth work that stands out in festival sets worldwide. The song demands fast-paced movement on the dance floor.
Max Styler, based in Las Vegas, brings years of production expertise. His style blends house music with dark European influences. He calls it “MainStage Indie Dance”. Styler is rapidly becoming a key figure in electronic music.
GENESI, from Naples, Italy, has underground roots. His name reflects a focus on musical origins. His melodic house and techno tracks are popular on MEDUZA‘s ɅETERNɅ Records label.
‘See You Sweat’ is intense and mysterious. It combines peak-time energy with an air of intrigue. The track features chopped rap vocals that add confidence. Soulful house vocals balance this with a classic hook.
Robotic arpeggios and techno elements create a futuristic atmosphere. These blend seamlessly with driving drums and elastic basslines. Electrifying synths complete the dynamic sound.
The track has gained significant attention online. Many listeners have requested its ID after hearing it in live sets.
‘See You Sweat’ represents the current trends in dance music. It combines elements of tech house, techno, and mainstream appeal. This versatility ensures its success across various electronic music scenes.

The post Max Styler & GENESI’s House Anthem ‘See You Sweat’ appeared first on The Groove Cartel.
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Tomorrowland Livestream, Sunday 7/21, Who To Watch Today

It’s Day Three my friends, looking to locate an artist on today’s Tomorrowland livestream 7/21 schedule? We’ve got you covered.
The journey of this musical adventure is creeping into the last day of weekend one. The 20th edition of Tomorrowland has outdone itself once again with the theatrics, stages, art, food and every aspect of this beautiful festival. The artists have blown our socks away with their outstanding sets. I have been enjoying watching the livestream as I write this article. Stay tuned for our event review after this weekend.
Hope you have been keeping up with us and watching the livestream if you haven’t been able to make it to Belgium this year. Here, we provide a quick, concise guide on all the acts going live via Tomorrowland today. Let’s get into it below.
Tomorrowland Livestream, Sunday 7/21
Who To Watch Today?
Adriatique, Alesso, Kevin de Vries and Tale Of Us are artists I can’t miss today. Follow the chart below to see which times they play, both in local Belgium time and its East Coast equivalent. Whenever you’re ready, hop on the Tomorrowland website to find the stream.
Mainstage
ArtistTime (CEST)Time (EST)Omdat Het Kan & Average Rob16:3010:30Opening Show17:3011:30ANNA17:3511:35MATTN18:3512:35Adriatique19:3513:35AFROJACK20:4014:40Alesso21:4015:403 Are Legend 22:4516:45 Freedom Stage
ArtistTime (CEST)Time (EST)Chris Avantgarde17:3011:30Kevin de Vries19:0013:00Mrak20:3014:00Tale Of Us22:0016:00 Hope you have been enjoying the livestreams so far! Listen on! Stay tuned for Weekend Two updates from us at EDMTunes!
The post Tomorrowland Livestream, Sunday 7/21, Who To Watch Today appeared first on EDMTunes.
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Celebrate Charlotte De Witte’s Birthday With Her Top 10 Tracks

Today Charlotte De Witte turns 32 and certainly has a lot to celebrate with the incredible journey she has been on to the top of techno. From starting out her career in music under the alias Raving George to avoid judgement over being a female DJ, to being not only one of the biggest female artists in electronic music but one of the biggest artists in electronic music full stop.
In 2015 she dropped the Raving George alias along with dropping her electro house style and making the big switch to techno. She unveiled this change in styles with the EP ‘Weltschmerz’ that began her journey to establishing her signature dark techno sound. Over the coming years she steadily earned more recognition and in 2017 would earn one of the highest honours you can receive as an electronic music artist, performing at Tomorrowland. Five years later she would make history as the first female artist and the first techno artist to close out Tomorrowland’s mainstage following the release of her iconic remix of ‘The Age of Love’ with Enrico Sangiuliano.
Her meteoric rise to the top has rightfully earned her the nickname of the ‘Techno Queen’ as she has climbed her way up to number 18 on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJ’s list and has become a trailblazer for techno. To celebrate her birthday, it only seems right to have a look back at the top 10 tracks from the legendary Belgian.
10. ‘Hold That Sucker Down’ Jerome Isma-Ae (Charlotte De Witte Trance Remix Edit)
9. ‘Asura’ (6.9 Million Streams)
8. ‘Universal Consciousness’ (8 Million Streams)
7. ‘Apollo’ (8.4 Million Streams)
6. ‘Overdrive’ – Edit (8.7 Million Streams)
5. ‘Reflection’ with Enrico Sangiuliano (13 Million Streams)
4. ‘Sgadi Li Mi’ (16.5 Million Streams)
3. ‘Doppler’ (16.5 Million Streams)
2. ‘Space Raiders’ Eats Everything (Charlotte De Witte Remix) (20.8 Million Streams)
‘The Age of Love’ Age of Love (Charlotte De Witte & Enrico Sangiuliano Remix) (72 Million Streams)
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Actual Life 4? Fred again.. Teases New Album

The life of Fred again.. becomes less "actual" and more unreal with each dreamlike performance, but it seems we may soon hear the next chapter of his beloved album series, Actual Life.
Its third installment, which Fred dropped in October 2022, ultimately won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. The British electronic music superstar has released other albums, namely 2023's Secret Life, an ambient LP released in collaboration with Brian Eno; and USB, an innovative compilation project he's called "an infinite album" to which he'll continuously add as long as he's making music.
Fred's Actual Life series, however, stands tall as his most prized. He's now teased a new album on social media, leading to swelling speculation among fans that another edition is not only in the works, but complete.
"I think I jus finished an album," he wrote on social media this week.
While he stopped short of confirming whether or not the new collection will join its Actual Life predecessors, the breadcrumbs certainly lead to that end. The selfie in Fred's posts resembles the same photos he incorporated into the artwork of the other three albums, and he installed it as his profile picture across his social media channels. Over on X, he pinned the post to the top of his page.
However, it's important to note that Fred again.. has not formally announced a new Actual Life album at the time of this article's publication. Check out his post below.
Follow Fred again..:
X: x.com/fredagainagain1
TikTok: tiktok.com/@fredagainagain
Instagram: instagram.com/fredagainagainagainagainagain
Facebook: facebook.com/fredagainagain
Spotify: spoti.fi/3w2WKZD
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This was: Awakenings Festival 2024

In the world of electronic dance music and the countless festivals that come with it, few events are as iconic as Awakenings. What began as a series of techno parties at the Gashouder, Amsterdam in 1997, has evolved into a global phenomenon known for its electrifying atmosphere, top-tier lineups and state of the art production in terms of stages and decorations.
On the 5th to 7th of July, for the third consecutive year, Awakenings Festival captivated more than 100.000 visitors with over 100 nationalities on the enchanting grounds of Hilvarenbeek. EDMHouseNetwork was there to explore the three day program smacked with mindblowing lineups, unique activities, beautiful art installations, and here are our thoughts.
Travelling to the festival
Getting to the festival offered several options: by car, public transport, or pre-organized bus trips with Partybussen. We chose for public transport, taking the train to Tilburg station where shuttle buses awaited. Despite the long queue of fellow festival-goers, the process was impressively organized, allowing us to reach our destination quickly.
The shuttle bus drops you off near the parking lot, followed by a 10-15 minute walk to the Awakenings Festival entrance. Midway, you encounter stairs to cross the highway, which I hadn’t anticipated when I packed all my belongings in a boulder cart. Thankfully, two kind gentlemen helped me carry the cart up and down the stairs.
On the return trip, I discovered a nearby road that bypasses the stairs, perfect for those who, after three days of non-stop partying, prefer an easier route. Along the way, whether you take stairs or not, you’ll also find refreshment stands. Overall, traveling to Awakenings Festival by public transport was a smooth, well-organized, and sustainable choice that we highly recommend.
Camping
Over 15.000 visitors chose to stay on one of the Awakenings Festival campsites that came with a broad variety of accommodation options to match the attendees’ diverse needs.
At the Grand Camping, you could find the night program (more about this below), enjoy different kind of foods and drinks, partake in different sports activities (deephouse yoga, buddy bootcamp and HITT – High Intensity Interval Training and more) offered by Bar-Le-Duc.
The Relax Resort area, was for the ones who preferred a calmer and more luxurious stay with top-notch accommodations, exclusive wellness areas (hot tubs, saunas, massages) and complimentary breakfasts. Both areas offered bring-your-own tent fields, pre-setup tents and cozy cottages, a variety of different food and drink courts and access to shower facilities.
Awakenings Festival also treated their attendees to a variety of other unique activities as a part of their Recharge Programme:
Cacao Ceremony: A moment for yourself to drink and enjoy ceremonial cacao, and to move together with other individuals on their Awakenings journey.
Sound healing: A hour long journey to harmonize your body and mind through transformative sound healing.
Mind experience: A 75 minute experience that explored the power of attraction, manifestation and ended with a breathing journey inspired by Wim Hof.
A Camping Recycle & Repair Store was also to be found at the camping area, where you could rent essential items such as chairs, tables and coolboxes. Here you could also get help with getting camping gear repaired, which anyone who has ever arrived at a camping with a hole in the mattress, would greatly appreciate.
We stayed at the Grand Camping, brought our own gear and were very pleased with every part of our stay. Beside the beautiful area in itself, all the amazing activities, food and drink (see below) that were offered, we couldn’t help by fall in love with the morning pop-up camping parade by Rollende Beats that turned into the best morning routine that we’ve ever experienced.
Festival Area
The festival area consisted of 8 unique stages, beautiful art installations, a broad variety of food and drink courts, a low-stimulus space and chill out areas, and more. Everything was beautifully braided into the foresty landscape and big lake of Hilvarenbeek, which created a natural sense of harmony between the elements and, made the area feel magical and otherworldly – especially at night.
Stages and sound
As mentioned previously, Awakenings are known for their mesmerizing, diverse stages and high-quality production, and Awakenings Festival 2024 was no short of a testament to that. Offering a combination of big stages, both indoor and outdoor, as well as smaller more intimate areas, you could always find a place that would fit your current vibe.
Added to this, Awakenings is also known to employ top-tier audio equipment to ensure clear, powerful and balanced sound across all stages. Whether you were at an indoor or outdoor stage, the system was adjusted to take characteristics of the environment into account. Something that we were very happy to notice as well, which unfortunately isn’t always the case at festivals, was that there was barely any overlap by the music from different stages.
If you stood at the very edge of a dancefloor connected to a stage, you could sometimes hear the base from a stage located further away, but could easily solve it by going a bit further into the dancefloor. Besides this, we of course also highly appreciated the intensity of the bass which you not only could hear but also feel. Which resulted in an intense multi-sense experience.
Area V – Outdoor
One of the homes of headliners, AAA and big room techno. A giant interlocking puzzle of abstract building blocks. The way the blocks intersected and stack up on each other gave the stage a dynamic and playful appearance, and the vibrant yellow and gray colors add to its futuristic and industrial aesthetic. The light elements were vibrant and dynamic, creating a immerse visual experience thanks to their strategic placements and angles that enhanced the geometric design of the stage.
Area W – Outdoor
Home of headliners, AAA and melodic techno. Striking symmetrical layout with bold geometric shapes that created a sense of balance and harmony. The lighting elements not only illuminated the stage but also added to it visual complexity. Overall, a stage that exuded a futuristic aesthetic with its clean lines, innovative use of space and integration of technology.
Area X – Indoor
Home of the classic techno grooves. While the outdoor stages made a strong, unforgettable impression thanks to their creative architecture, the indoor stages did the same thanks to the complex and well-executed lightshows. An experience which no photo will give any true justice, but is something that has to be experienced in real life.
Area Y – Indoor
The home of hard techno.
Area U – Indoor
The home of classic energetic techno and eclectic ‘’new wave’’ techno sounds.
Area C – Outdoor
The home of house and tech house. A modern, complex structure situated in a forested area, that created a natural, immersive and intimate atmosphere
Area D – Outdoor
The home of leftfield, progressive and intense house and party house. The stage was covered by a geometric framework with integrated horizontal and vertical light strips which added depth and structure, especially during night fall. Surrounded by forest, an intimate and natural atmosphere was created which was further amplified by the beautiful sunset that we were blessed with during one of the days.  
Area H – Outdoor
The home of old-school techno legends on Saturday and minimal house grooves on Sunday. One of the smallest stages set even deeper into the forest than the other stages, providing a natural canopy and jungle alike vibe. At night the stage transformed into a more vibrant, energetic and electrifying space thanks to the illuminating lights.  
Artists
Another aspect that Awakenings are known for, is delivering top-tier line-ups that consists of diverse world-renowned artists. Awakenings Festival 2024 continued on this tradition with a line-up of over 140 artists across the three festival days.
On the opening Friday, the 5th of July, Awakenings Festival kicked off with a mix between harder and more melodic beats, through performances such as I Hate Models, Mind Against, Deborah De Luca, Joris Voorn, 999999999 and Daria Kolosova.
Saturday the 6th of July, was characterized by B2B sets by among others, Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati, and Kölsch & Kevin de Vries, as well as a diverse range of other hard hitting and melodic performances such as Enrico Sangiuliano, Kobosil, Camelphat, Richie Hawtin and Paula Temple.
Sunday the 7h of July, wrapped things up with a vibe of celebration and reflection, and a emotionally resonant note. Featuring a mix of artists such as Honey Dijon and Hot Since 82 known for their house and groove influences, Amelie Lens and Tale of Us known for their emotionally charged techno sets, Pan-Pot and Marcel Dettman known for their high energy and layers of complexity, Indra Paganotto and Patrick Mason known for their eclectic sets and dynamic stage presence, and many, many more.
Awakenings Festival 2024 made sure to emphasize diversity and create an inclusive and balanced representation of artists. This by featuring a strong presence of female artists and by including numerous (over 40 in total!) internationally acclaimed female DJ’s and producers, such as Adriana Lopez, Honeluv, LOVEFOXY, DJ Gigola and many more.
Besides these amazing female debutants, there was also an addition of well known male DJ’s that took the crowds with storm such as Nico Moreno, Dj Heartstring, Partyboi69, Mochakk, Vintage Culture, and Barry Can’t Swim.
Other special sets that the audience was treated to, were by Rødhåd and Umek who made their 25th appearance at Awakenings, and Fatima Hajji who hasn’t played at Awakenings since 2019.
After the great success of last year, you could also find the Dutch radio program The Beat on site, that focuses on underground electronic music and is one of the main radio stations of the Netherlands. Here several interviews were done between the team behind Awakenings and artists such as Malugi, Dr. Rubenstein, Luke Slater, Marcel Dettman, Estella Boersma, Chris Stussy and Nina Kraviz.
After party
For the night-animals who wanted to make the most out of the festival and had a camping wristband, Awakenings Festival 2024 had a night program for each of the three nights. Starting each night at around midnight, a silent disco came to life at the ‘’Night Village’’, featuring three amazing artists per night, such as Victor Ruiz, Joyhauser and Juliet Fox.
The dancefloor was full each and every night and the most hardcore ravers danced away the night all the way until 05.00 in the morning when the sun started coming up and the afterparty was done. Except Saturday morning that is, When Secco Akitam blessed us with an extra hour of music and played all the way until 06.00.
A pleasant surprise that we think created a beautiful memory for those who were lucky enough to still be there. The combination of hypnotizing techno, the lights from the stage, a beautiful sunrise that painted the sky with colors, mist that rose from the ground and a group of people with pure love for music, dance and each other, created a truly one of a kind vibe and experience.
Art program
When someone who hasn’t been to Awakenings before asks me to tell them about it, I always say this: ‘’Awakenings isn’t just about the awesome line’ups, impressive stages. The whole concept is more like a creative work of art that you’ll enjoy whether you like the music or not’’. Awakenings Festival 2024 was no different, and there were several different art installations to find on the festival grounds. We didn’t manage to capture them all (there were just so many mesmerizing and beautiful things to admire wherever we went), but here are a few examples:
Watercolor by Estranged Studio
An immersive installation by a collective that focuses on art and the environment. This awe-inspiring waterfall sculpture was 4 meters tall and 10 meters wide, creating a dynamic serpentine flow of water that enveloped visitors.
Gates by Marina Zumi
A light installation in form of a geometric sculptural, and a subtle link to the ‘Pass Throw’ feeling we so much need in actual times, from a positive abstract perspective.
Light sculptures by Studio Groenewald
Robert Groenewald creates geometric sculptures through his fascination of shapes, and his mission is to enhance the contrast between chaos and nature and the arranged order.
Smoke Projections by Beeldjutters
A tunnel of light beams appeared while smoke filled the landscape and created hypnotizing light art.
Low-stimulus space and social responsibility
Awakenings aims to be accessible to anyone. Last year, the low-stimulus space at Awakenings Festival was part of a pilot project and has now become a regular Awakenings feature. This after information from HandicapNL had identified the necessary requirements to adequately accommodate individuals with disabilities at festivals.
The low-stimulus space provided a serene and calming environment for anyone who may require it and offered amenities such as noise-cancelling headphones, soothing sounds and tranquil imaginary.
Several of these spaces were set up so visitors could find peace and quiet individually and there was also a treatment room with additional medical care available. Staff of Awakenings partner HandicapNL was present to offer guidance together with medical volunteers for assistance.
An idea that we found absolutely amazing as festivals can be demanding and overwhelming for the senses no matter how amazing they are, for anyone. It’s also a beautiful initiative that hopefully will give individuals who usually haven’t been able to go to festivals due of potential overstimulation, the possibility to have a magical experience.
Food Line-up
Since 2022, the menu at all Awakenings events for visitors, crew and artists has been 100% vegetarian. A choice that’s in line with the festivals focus on sustainability and saves around 2 tons of Co2 emission. Awakenings Festival 2024 offered a broad variety of food options to cater different dietary preferences and needs and the food courts were spread all across the festival and camping, making sure that you never had to be hungry for long.
At the festival grounds you could for example get smoothies and fruit, burgers and pizza, banh mi and spring rolls, grilled sandwiches, nachos, and ice cream. The camping areas offered smoothies, breakfast bowls, grilled sandwiches, salads and more.
Drink wise, there was also a vide range of drink options to choose from. Non-alcoholic beverages such as fresh fruit juices, coffee and tea. Alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, and you could also find a dedicated cocktail bar that provided unique drink options.
As for water, Awakenings Festival 2024 made sure that visitors didn’t have to pay for water but could fill up their bottles at every toilet area – a big plus that we believe all festivals should learn from as drinking water should be free for everyone. If you didn’t already have a bottle with you, you could of course buy this at the festival area and a deposit recycle system was in place for all cups, cans and bottles.
Upon entry, you received a recycle token which you later could exchange for a new drink by returning your drink container. An initiative aimed to reduce waste and promote recycling throughout the festival.
KEEP THE PLANET AWAKE
Awakenings wants to make sure that we all get to continue dancing on our beautiful planet for as long as possible, and is therefore always making sure to make its festivals as sustainable as possible. Some examples of their sustainability efforts are that materials are sorted accordingly, decorations are reused whenever possible, and all the equipment that’s left behind on the camping areas is donated to ‘Collective Aid’, a foundation supporting people-on-the-move by providing basic aid and services.
Another great initiative is that Awakenings donates 2% of the income from every parking and shuttlebus ticket sold, calculates the Co2 emission from artist travels and compensates this through Trees for All. A result of this is that 2020 trees were planted for Awakenings 20th anniversary, which equals to 100 tons of Co2 being captured.
Conclusion
Awakenings claim to ‘’bring the ultimate techno experience, every time, like no one else can’’. Awakenings Festival 2024, was without a doubt, a true testament to this statement. Every aspect of the event, from the stage designs and light work to seamless integration with the natural surroundings demonstrated their amazing attention to detail.
The diverse and inclusive lineup showcased a commitment to representation and quality, ensuring that attendees felt valued and included. Music is the one language that we all (or at least most of us) understand and has the power to bring us together, but festivals aren’t always welcoming or accessible to everyone. Awakenings has definitely taken leading steps in terms of changing this and others will hopefully follow.
The organization of travel and logistics made sure of a smooth and enjoyable experience despite the remote location, and the variety of accommodation options, food and drink options and unique wellness activities catered to a wide range of preferences and need. Furthermore, Awakenings strong focus on sustainability through a diverse variety of initiatives, underlined its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The holistic and thoughtful approach to festival planning created an unforgettable atmosphere and experience, but also fostered a sense of community in more than one significant way. Big organizations, no matter the industry, have the possibility to create awareness and opportunity to inspire and make a difference. A responsibility that Awakenings clearly is taking seriously in terms of their operations and communication -and that’s without trying to burn a hole in your pocket.
We are so thankful for getting to be a part of Awakenings Festival 2024 and can honestly say that the ‘’after festival depression’’ hit hard once it was over. Thankfully, Amsterdam Dance Event is coming in October where Awakenings will be hosting several events in Gashounder and Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam. And guess what… If you CLICK HERE, you will go straight to the newly announced line-ups!

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