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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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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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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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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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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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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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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, 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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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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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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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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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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It’s Day Two of Tomorrowland! I don’t know about you, but this year’s production is definitely blowing me away! The convenience of technology is a gift to the world today, this livestream is transposing me to De Schorre, Boom! I hope you have seen the Mainstage by now, its definitely out of a story book.
If you were not able to make it to Belgium this year, worry not you can catch the livestream as Day two commences. Similar to yesterday we have an easy-to-follow guide to know where and when to visit the Tomorrowland Livestream this Saturday 7/20, so that you don’t miss any artists.
Tomorrowland Livestream, Saturday 7/20
Who To Watch Today?
Amelie Lens, Anyma, Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angelo and Rezzmau5 are all on today’s timetable. 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 to the Tomorrowland website to find the stream.
Mainstage
ArtistTime (CEST)Time (EST)Eliza Rose16:1510:30Opening Show17:1511:30Yves V17:2011:35Mandy18:2012:35Amelie Lens19:2013:35Alok20:2514:40Anyma21:2515:40Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike22:3016:45Timmy Trumpet23:4517:50 Freedom Stage
ArtistTime (CEST)Time (EST)Symphony of Unity17:0011:30Salvatore Ganacci18:0012:30Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angello19:0013:30Morten21:0015:00Rezzmau522:4016:40 Happy Watching fellow ravers!
The post Tomorrowland Livestream, Saturday 7/20, Who To Watch Today? appeared first on EDMTunes.
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The anticipation was palpable. Fans had waited over a decade for this moment. As the first beats dropped, the crowd erupted in cheers. The energy was electric.
SHM’s set was a masterclass in electronic music. They seamlessly blended old classics with new hits. The first half of their performance was a nostalgic journey. Fans were treated to beloved tracks that defined an era of electronic music.
The trio’s evolution was evident. Their mixing was faster and more dynamic. Gone were the pauses between tracks. Instead, they delivered a relentless, club-style set. Perfect transitions kept the energy high throughout.
Fireworks lit up the Belgian sky. The visual spectacle complemented the sonic journey. As “Don’t You Worry Child” played, hundreds of pyrotechnics exploded above Boom. It was a moment of pure euphoria.
But Swedish House Mafia wasn’t content to rely solely on past glories. They showcased new material, including “Lioness” featuring Niki & The Dove.
The set was a carefully crafted narrative. It told the story of SHM’s past, present, and future. Classic remixes and mashups populated the first half. Tracks like “Miami 2 Ibiza” and “Antidote” reminded fans why they fell in love with the group.
As the set progressed, newer tracks took center stage. “Moth to a Flame” and “Turn On The Lights Again..” showcased their recent collaborations.
From 2012 to 2024. Twelve years in the making
Tomorrowland holds a special place in SHM’s history. Their 2012 performance was part of the festival’s “breakthrough year.” This return felt like coming full circle. It was a homecoming for both the artists and their fans.
The group’s chemistry was evident. They moved as one behind the decks. Smiles and nods were exchanged throughout the set. It was clear they were enjoying themselves as much as the audience.
This performance kicks off an exciting summer for Swedish House Mafia. They’re set to begin a six-week residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza. If Tomorrowland is any indication, those shows will be unmissable.
The impact of their return cannot be overstated. For many, Swedish House Mafia represents the golden age of EDM. Their Tomorrowland set proved they’re not content to rest on past laurels. They’re pushing forward, redefining their sound for a new era.
As the final notes faded and the fireworks dimmed, one thing was clear. Swedish House Mafia is back, and they’re better than ever. Their Tomorrowland 2024 performance will go down in festival history. It was a rebirth.
You can continue to watch Tomorrowland 2024 live stream here.
The post Swedish House Mafia Return to Tomorrowland After 12 Years appeared first on The Groove Cartel.
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Music makes the world go round. And in that regard, we’re constantly on the lookout for new, exciting tunes to share with our audience. We’ve found some that cause goosebumps, and make you open your eyes and get up from your chair to dance. So put on your best pair of headphones, or turn up your speakers, and enjoy this week’s New Music Friday.
Here are our top picks for the best music we came across this week, in no particular order. And remember, if you would like to contact us for a chance to feature your track on our page, head over to this link right here.
SØNIN & JS – Brighton BOP
Genre: Trance
Starting off so strong this week. For all the lovers of the Old School Trance sound, this beautiful gemstone came out this week. Anjunabeats’ nostalgic producer by definition, SØNIN, teamed up with a true veteran of the genre, Jaakko Salovaara, under his new JS moniker, to deliver the jaw-dropping ‘Brighton BOP‘.
This is a track that should not be slept on by any means. If you told me it came out before 2005, I would believe you. It’s got the dry claps in the 2 and 4 beats, saw basses, sine plucks (oh myyyyy), a catchy melody, and tons of that nostalgia we crave on a daily basis. Do me a favour and never again not freak out about SØNIN’s releases. He’s a beast.
R!DM – Mercy
Genre: Drum & Bass
We’re so happy to have R!DM back this week. His sound is lovely, since it learnt to extract the best core elements of Drum & Bass and lay them on the table in such a way that nothing is super distorted or pushed to the limit. It’s just a lovely segment of the genre you can listen to anywhere, anytime.
His latest, out today mind you, is called ‘Mercy‘, and what captivated us this time was how dissonant the chords are. They don’t play perfectly commercial major and major chords for the most part, but they instead have this character to them that feels so warm and comforting. You know who that reminds us of right? deadmau5, in his ‘Some Chords’, ‘Strobe’, and ‘Avaritia’ progressions. Lovely.
Are you a producer and you want your song featured on EDMTunes? Follow this link right here.
Ferry Corsten – Just Breathe
Genre: Trance
Ferry is here to please your ears with a beautiful shot of nostalgia. Ferry Corsten, a titan of Trance music, returns to his roots with his tenth studio album, Connect. We’ve already got a ton of tracks from the album, including ‘Stay Awake‘, ‘Yes Man’, ‘Fulfillment‘ alongside Marsh, and ‘Belong To You‘ with 22Bullets and Couché. And today, we’ve got a new one, a lovely new one mind you, ‘Just Breathe‘.
Old school lovers, assemble! You’ve got everything in Ferry’s latest: broken beats, old, dusty, and warm saw waves, gated pads, vocal-resembling synths taken from that one track from the late 90s we all know and love, and an aura of the past we all love so, so much from Corsten, a true trailblazer of the Trance sound.
Jack Back & CeCe Rogers – Freedom 2024
Genre: Afro House
One of our favourite side projects inside the EDM scene, Jack Back‘s officially, well, back. The side project created by David Guetta returned to none other than Defected Records for the release of a fantastic rework of one of Guetta’s very own tracks. Jack Back enters the competition for Song of the Summer with a terrific new version of ‘Freedom’.
The third release under one of David Guetta’s projects in 2024 is most definitely no joke. A soulful, groove-filled Afro-House-rooted track with a simple yet hypnotic groove. The base of the song is complemented by a set of vocals written and performed by one of House music’s most legendary voices, Cece Rogers.
Final Words
Stay tuned, for more of our compilations every Friday — based on demand. Are you a producer and you’d like to be featured in the next edition of our New Music Fridays? Then head over to this link right here, you champ. And be sure to follow EDMTunes for all the latest news and reviews that revolve around our beloved Electronic Dance Music!
The post EDMTunes New Music Friday – Week 29 appeared first on EDMTunes.
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Ferry Corsten, a titan of Trance music, returns to his roots with his tenth studio album, Connect. His influence on the genre is undeniable, with timeless classics like System F’s ‘Out Of The Blue’ shaping Trance for over two decades. Connect meticulously revisits this sound, featuring the uplifting melodies and driving rhythms of the golden age, reimagined with modern production. This vibrant fusion of past and present showcases Corsten’s artistic evolution.
Corsten’s music offers a refreshing counterpoint, a space for emotional connection and introspection, which has turned into a hallmark of his 25-year career. We’ve already got a ton of tracks from the album, including ‘Stay Awake‘, ‘Yes Man’, ‘Fulfillment‘ alongside Marsh, and ‘Belong To You‘ with 22Bullets and Couché. And today, we’ve got a new one, a lovely new one mind you, ‘Just Breathe‘.
Ferry himself added in our exclusive interview with him a couple of months ago, “The album has the bonus of pleasing older fans who have been longing for that old Ferry sound for a long time“. Check out the rest of our deep, introspective chat with him, right here.
‘Just Breathe’
Old school lovers, assemble! You’ve got everything in Ferry’s latest, ‘Just Breathe’: broken beats, old, dusty, and warm saw waves, gated pads, vocal-resembling synths taken from that one track from the late 90s we all know and love, and an aura of the past we all love so, so much from Corsten, a true trailblazer of the Trance sound.
On a more personal note, I cannot begin to describe just how happy I am to see these sounds returning. I’m over the moon. There have been ages in the Dance music timeline in which music’s main goal was not to be surgically perfect, but to have a true soul and impact the listeners even with eyes closed. If you leave everything aside, flashy lights, breathtaking visuals, pyro, big soundsystems, and it’s only you and a pair of headphones in the dark, this song will still make you fly. And that’s something I was missing so much.
Listen to Ferry Corsten‘s marvellous ‘Just Breathe’, a blast from the past, by hitting the ‘Play‘ button on the Spotify player below. Also, click here to support the track on your platform of choice. Are you a producer and you’d like to see your tracks on our page? Then head over to this link right here, you champ. Be sure to follow our page to stay up to date on the latest news and views regarding our beloved Dance music industry.
The post Ferry Corsten Deepens Old School Trance Link With ‘Just Breathe’ appeared first on EDMTunes.
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New Voice, Same AI Magic
The Spanish-language voice for the AI DJ is provided by Spotify’s senior music editor, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa. Users now have the option to switch between hearing Livi or Xavier “X” Jernigan, who voices the English-speaking DJ variant that was released in February 2023. This feature uses an AI-generated voice to create radio-like commentary, giving listeners additional context and information about the songs they’re hearing. According to Spotify, this commentary makes listeners less likely to skip to another track.
Personalized Music Experience
The AI DJ feature pairs this engaging commentary with an endless playlist of personalized music recommendations. The playlist adapts to user activity, switching genres or artists based on what the user prefers. This ensures that every listening session feels fresh and tailored to individual tastes, keeping the music experience dynamic and exciting.
Expanding Reach
The Spanish-speaking DJ will be available to Premium users in select Latin American and Spanish markets. This rollout joins the regions where the English-speaking DJ feature has already launched, expanding Spotify’s innovative offerings to a broader audience. This expansion follows recent price increases for Spotify Premium subscriptions in both the US and international markets. Spotify stated that these increases would allow the company to continue investing in and innovating on their product features, ensuring users get the best possible experience.
With this new feature, Spotify is not just playing music; it’s creating a more connected and engaging world for its listeners, one personalized track at a time. For more on this, check out our in-depth coverage, here.
[H/T] – The Verge
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That being said, there aren’t many lyrics in the song only consisting of 7 words: “Do you think you’re better off alone?”. The rhythm and tone set by the lyrics make it very appealing and catchy which would explain why it was voted Number 3 on the top US Dance Club Songs (Billboard).
The track has since then become one of the most iconic singles in dance music history leaving behing a legacy in Eurodance genre. It has been featured on Billboard’s “Best Pop Songs of All Time’ list and blessed by remixes from numerous award-winning producers. One of the most popular reworks done by David Guetta brought the sound to mainstream levels in 2013. The rework named ‘Play Hard’’ featured vocals from Ne-Yo and Akon and a sample of the original synthesizer riff from ‘Better off Alone’.
Even 21 years later it is quite impossible to attend a festival and avoid the many variations of the song. The reason it is played so often is because the lyrics and melody are easily recognizable to the ear. The vocals were an amazing idea to include because they created the track perfect to sing along to.
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