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Champagne Drip and Linney have reunited to release Story Arcs, a genre-bending EP out now via Liquid Stranger's Wakaan imprint. The three-track project masterfully oscillates between future bass, house, dubstep and drum & bass as Champagne Drip threads his dreamlike production through the emotive vocals of Linney, a recent inductee to the EDM.com Class of 2025. The duo last teamed up in 2021 for "In My Dreamz," and their latest once again strikes a compelling balance between storytelling and hypotonic production. "I poured a lot into Story Arcs—it came from a real place and gave me the chance to blend all the styles I love," Champagne Drip shared on social media. The EP begins with "Inside Out," a bass track swirling with Champagne Drip's psychedelic soundscapes and Linney's aching lyrics. Then comes "Castle," where she guides us through a kaleidoscopic dubstep sequence before the arrangement closes with a breathtaking four-on-the-floor drop. They close with "Running," a liquid drum & bass cut that layers angelic vocals over carefully sculpted drum patterns and neurobass. You can listen to Story Arcs below and find the new EP on streaming platforms here. Follow Champagne Drip:X: x.com/champagnedrip TikTok: tiktok.com/@champagnedrip Instagram: instagram.com/champagnedrip Facebook: facebook.com/champagnedrip Spotify: spoti.fi/3bqf31k Follow Linney:X: x.com/linneyofficial TikTok: tiktok.com/@linney Instagram: instagram.com/linney Facebook: facebook.com/linneyofficial Spotify: spoti.fi/33ARzWg

After months of speculation, the details of Ibiza’s newest nightclub have been revealed. Named [UNVRS], the venue will open its doors on Friday, May 30, 2025, and comes from The Night League, the group behind Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza, led by Yann Pissenem. Built on the site of the former Privilege Ibiza, [UNVRS] is described as a multi-functional nightlife venue with an ambitious architectural and artistic vision. The project is positioned as both a tribute to Ibiza’s clubbing roots and a forward-looking reimagining of the nightclub experience. Design and Concept [UNVRS] combines traditional Ibizan aesthetics on the exterior—whitewashed walls and natural stone textures—with an interior designed to surprise. The venue blends architectural references from brutalism, retro-futurism, and art deco, and includes both indoor and outdoor areas. It features layered floors, mirrored corridors, and sculptural elements, with all furniture and fixtures either custom-made or artisanally crafted. One standout feature is the Dome Terrace, a visible structure from the nearby highway, designed to offer panoramic views of Ibiza Town. Scale and Technical Capabilities The central dancefloor has been constructed to accommodate large-scale productions. The venue includes a custom-engineered L-Acoustics sound system and a roof structure capable of supporting major production rigs. Lighting is handled through three integrated systems—architectural, functional, and performance—controlled via centralized software. Acoustic insulation also functions as thermal insulation, adding an environmental dimension to the build. The production design is being developed in collaboration with High Scream, known for their large-scale show work in nightlife and events. VIP and General Access [UNVRS] includes a VIP area designed to offer a discreet and immersive experience, with an inverted U-shaped balcony and private walkways including an area known as The Catacomb. A VIP-only outdoor terrace is also part of the layout. That said, the venue emphasizes open access and free movement, aiming to create a shared experience regardless of ticket type. Unique Features A notable and unconventional space within the club is The Wild Comet, described as a “micro-club” located within the venue’s restrooms. It includes a DJ booth and sound-reactive lighting, effectively turning a functional area into a performance space. Each restroom is individually designed, avoiding uniformity and contributing to the venue’s overall concept. Food & Beverage A curated dining area is included, offering both elevated and casual options. Food has been selected to complement the clubbing experience—avoiding overpowering aromas or messy textures—and drink storage has been optimized for temperature control. Conclusion With its opening scheduled for May 30, [UNVRS] introduces a new concept to Ibiza’s nightlife landscape—merging high-end design, large-scale production capability, and curated guest experiences. It remains to be seen how the venue will be received, but early indications suggest it could become a new point of reference in the island’s evolving club scene. The post Here’s a Sneak Peak At UNVRS Ibiza Before It Opens appeared first on EDMTunes.

In this interview, we connect with Craig Oram to dive into the foundations of his musical identity, tracing how formative moments, global influences, and underground scenes have helped shape his direction as a Producer. From witnessing live performances to exploring the wider scope of the Electronic Music scene, Craig shares the key experiences that set him on a path toward building his own sound, remaining both curious and passionate as he continues to shape his musical journey and evolving style. As we sit down to discuss his approach, inspirations, and navigation of the ever-shifting landscape of Electronic Music, we look forward to gaining insight into Craig Oram and his unique perspective. Hi Craig, how are you doing? Hey! Much appreciate the chance to chat again! I’m all good, currently back out at sea at work, but thankfully, I am still getting the time I need for producing. Can you remember the first artist or track that made a lasting impression on you? That’s a good question, there’s plenty! But I’ll try to think back… I think there are a few occurrences when I was younger which were turning points in my music taste and interest in the genre. Seeing Deadmau5 play at Rockness in Scotland in 2012 – the set featured all his own music and his revolutionary light show – that made a huge impression on me. Similarly with Eric Prydz / Cirez D – his track called ‘Tomorrow’ – the tightly produced, powerful groove and 16th note bassline kept me replaying that track for a while. Moving forward, I then tried to find tunes that dialled that style up a notch. I think it was around 12 years ago when I was on holiday in Cape Town. I met some lads surfing at the beach, and one of them was a producer. He showed me Psytrance for the first time. To be honest, I can’t remember the track or artist, but when I heard it, I immediately liked the aesthetic of the sound and the energy it provided. I think that was when I realised anyone can be a producer, and you don’t need a huge studio to do it. How have your early experiences at festivals shaped your musical taste and direction as a producer? Going from small festivals in Scotland to larger ones in England and then to some of the biggest festivals in Europe and America, at first, it was quite difficult to differentiate what I was listening to. Also, when you’re younger, you’re usually much more drunk! It took a while for me to find the music I really liked. It started with listening to random stuff, then kind of mainstream Techno, then searching for funkier Tech House/Disco stuff. Then, when I went to Ozora, I loved the Psytrance – but the tunes I heard at the Techno stage were like a fusion of Psy/Melodic/Minimal Techno, and that really resonated with me. You’ve mentioned artists like Lu4o, Shagy (IL), and Groove Delight before—what is it about their sound that resonates with you? I feel you can tell they’ve gone their own way and created tunes they want to make, rather than what they think the audience wants. It keeps their music authentic, and their ability is shown so well through their productions and mixes. I love their sound choice, bass groove, energy and creativity. It’s not stereotypical or predictable – there’s a psychedelic element to their tracks, and I love to see when they release something new. Are there any non-electronic genres or artists that have influenced your approach to rhythm or atmosphere? Sometimes UK/US rap will influence my rhythm, but mostly just due to trying to fit my style of bassline around their vocals. Some of the basslines from older Funk Rock tracks give me inspiration and sometimes remind me not to overproduce. I feel sometimes I overlook the atmospheric elements in my tracks as I get too excited about the main idea, but I am trying to put more effort into the accompanying elements. Do you find your influences changing as your production style evolves, or do you tend to return to certain sounds or artists? The psychedelic influence, I feel, is ingrained in my production process now. I think my influences remain fairly constant. I stick mostly to Tech House, Indie Dance, and some Melodic Techno. My close friends share a similar music taste to me and are constantly on the lookout for new tunes/artists. Sometimes they’ll show me a track or artist they’ve recently discovered, and it will ignite a new avenue to try and create a similar track. How does your environment or the people around you contribute to what you’re inspired by musically? My environment is constantly changing, and I have barely any routine. My life consists of working away on an oil rig off the coast of Israel for a month, then I’m released back into the world for a month. I juggle travelling and trying to see my friends and family as much as I can. My surroundings vary massively from one week to the next. I feel this is good for creativity though, as I really don’t know what will inspire me next – but I’m always open and looking for opportunities. Is there a specific track or set you’ve heard that made you think differently about how you wanted to make or play music? I think when I heard Lu4o’s track ‘Just for Laughs’ for the first time, I knew what standard of groove, energy, creativity and clarity I wanted to aim for in my tracks. It opened my eyes to a whole new avenue of underground sub-genres and other similar producers, and to not be afraid to just produce what I really want. How do you balance drawing inspiration from others with staying original in your own productions? This is probably easiest explained with a recent example… There’s an unreleased track that Adam Sellouk and other melodic DJs are playing now – I think it’s called ‘Make You’. It’s simple, but it hits hard and is produced fantastically. I loved the energy, and it made me feel a certain way. So, I decided I wanted to produce that style of track with the aim of achieving a similar feeling. Or at least try… It’s not my typical kind of style, but I really enjoyed producing it. I don’t really use reference tracks at all when I’m in the production stage, as I find sometimes it may push you to mimic the other artist’s track too much. I just start a new project, get the initial bass rhythm going, then any new elements I audition in the track, I decide if it gets me closer to how I felt when I listened to the track that inspired me in the first place. My trust in my own intuition has grown a lot in the past 24 months, and sometimes, once I’ve finished a track, I can barely even remember how I did it… I started and finished this track here, at work, following two night shifts, and I think it may be one of the cleanest tracks I’ve made so far. It will come out soon – it’s called ‘Work It.’ Are there any scenes or regions—like Brazil’s minimal scene or the UK underground—that you keep a close eye on for inspiration? Brazil’s underground minimal scene has had a strong impact on how I produce, especially in the bass side of my tracks. I would often listen to DJ sets from clubs like Green Valley or Universo Parallelo. I’d love to visit Brazil, and it would be a dream to play there. Nowadays, the amazing Tech House that’s coming out of Argentina is massively inspiring me right now. Labels like LOW CEILING and Kindegarden showcase a lot of this style. There’s a style of music that came out of Egypt over 10 years ago, and most of the producers behind it have either stopped producing or completely changed their style. If you search for artists like S-lap, Proof, Shata, or Mooh – for me, their music was ahead of its time. It gave me a lot of insight into how creative you can be with rhythm. If you could collaborate with any artist that’s influenced you, who would it be and what kind of track do you imagine making together? I would kill to collaborate with CADELAGO – I feel his sound and hybridisation of genres is very fresh and powerful, and all his remixes are very relatable for audiences. He also has his own Psytrance alias ARCTURUS – his tunes are unreal too. I feel our tastes are not so different. As we end our interview with Craig Oram, we thank him for his time and for allowing us a glimpse into his creative world. Remaining inspired by the diversity of Electronic Music and its ever-evolving substyles, he continues to refine his sonic identity, motivated by the pursuit of originality, connection, and steady artistic growth. With new music on the horizon, the road ahead is set to see Craig further develop his sound and approach, so be sure to keep him on your radar and follow him across social media, staying tuned for updates on his latest projects and releases. Craig Oram Online   Spotify | Instagram   The post Craig Oram on Sound, Influence, and Creative Direction within Today’s Electronic Music Scene appeared first on EDMTunes.

Photo Credit: Bob Abrahamian by SoulFM / CC by 3.0 The Stax Museum of American Soul Music unveils a website dedicated to late Chicago DJ and music historian Bob Abrahamian’s vast soul music collection. Noted Chicago DJ, record collector, and music historian Bob Abrahamian’s vast collection of music and interviews is now available digitally through the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Today, the Stax Museum announced the launch of its new online initiative, the Bob Abrahamian Collection Website—”a groundbreaking online archive that pays tribute to the late Chicago radio host, collector, and soul music historian whose passionate work helped preserve the deep soul sounds of a generation.” Abrahamian, who died in 2014 at age 35, collected a treasure trove of content, including rare recordings, oral history interviews, and full-length episodes of his legendary “Sitting in the Park” radio show, which aired on Chicago’s WHPK 88.5 FM. The website will offer access to previously unreleased digitally restored radio broadcasts, exclusive interviews with artists, and searchable transcripts. The digital home for the collection will offer curated playlists and upload new content every two weeks. The Stax Museum first acquired Abrahamian’s collection in 2021—a wealth of some 35,000 45 RPM singles and LPs as well as related materials, including high school yearbooks, photographs, scrapbooks, and other artifacts. The collection was donated by Abrahamian’s family to the Stax Museum after several years of discussions with the organization. Previously, the collection was on loan to Chicago’s Black Music Research Center at Columbia College until it closed its doors in 2019. “Bob’s dedication to preserving the cultural memory of American soul music was unmatched,” said Abrahamian collection curator and former Stax Museum executive director, Jeff Kollath. “This new website brings his work to the public in a way that’s accessible, immersive, and historically essential.” To celebrate the site’s launch, the Stax Museum will hold an event tonight (May 14) at Central Station at 7 PM, with a special DJ set by Kollath and Central Station’s Cadillac Zac, featuring records from the Abrahamian Collection. View the full article

Photo Credit: Ashley King (StubHub website) With Ticketmaster offering all-in pricing on its website and mobile apps, both secondary ticketing marketplaces SeatGeek and StubHub have done the same. The move among ticketing platforms was driven by new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations and mounting consumer frustration at ticket prices. Research has revealed that up to 50% of abandoned purchases from consumers are the result of hidden fees only disclosed at checkout. Ticketmaster’s adoption of all-in pricing happened earlier this week—now all fees except local taxes are included in the advertised price. The change addresses years of criticism surrounding ‘junk fees’ and hidden charges that often blindside concert ticket purchasers. With Ticketmaster setting the precedent, both SeatGeek and StubHub have updated their platforms to conform with the new FTC rules. SeatGeek was previously criticized for revealing its 10-48% buyer fees only at checkout. Now it includes the total ticket cost including mandatory fees (minus taxes) at the start of the buying process. The StubHub website was the first to confirm to all-in ticket pricing, while the mobile app did not. Digital Music News reached out to StubHub to ask why and was informed that the all-in pricing app roll-out is now included on mobile, too. Checking the prices of Beyonce concert tickets on the StubHub platform revealed fees are included and a new pop-up notification announcing such. This harmonization in upfront ticket pricing across the industry for live events is a direct response to both regulatory pressure and consumer dissatisfaction with the ticket buying process. Gone are the days where ticket markets tack on an additional $75 on top of a $150 ticket price—nearly doubling the cost for consumers. While this is a good start for upfront pricing, it’s worth noting that tacked on fees and their breakdown remains opaque for buyers. All three ticketing entities do not provide a breakdown of the ‘fee price’ shown at check-out. Ticketmaster mentions that fees may include service fees, processing fees, facility charges, and any venue-specific fees—but it does not break down these fees in the final checkout presentation. Instead, all fees are lumped into the fee category. States like New York have introduced bills that would cap additional service charges at 15% of the ticket value, further refining tacked on fees by ticketing platforms. View the full article

SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton, who’s responded to the ongoing controversy about his platform’s AI training policies. Photo Credit: SoundCloud Amid pushback targeting an AI-focused update to his platform’s terms of use, SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton has responded to the controversy. But critics say a new TOS adjustment doesn’t go far enough to protect artists. The SoundCloud head addressed the fiasco in a more than 650-word open letter today. This lengthy follow-up arrives on the heels of criticism from artists as well as a few not-so-helpful statements from the company. As we previously recapped, an early 2024 update (which, presumably implemented sans email notification, just recently entered the media spotlight) to SoundCloud’s terms compelled artists to “explicitly agree that” their music uploads “may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies.” The company subsequently claimed it hadn’t actually trained or allowed training on protected works – albeit while leaving the door open for related initiatives down the line. Enter the response from Seton, who maintained once more that SoundCloud hadn’t “used artist content to train AI models” or authorized “third parties to scrape or use artist content from SoundCloud to train them either.” In keeping with the Musiio owner SoundCloud’s prior remarks, the exec described the relevant TOS clause as an effort to power “smarter recommendations, search, playlisting, content tagging, and tools that help prevent fraud.” “More broadly,” the CEO deflected, “we use AI to identify emerging talent, personalize the platform experience, and support real-time customer service, all designed to support human artists and engage real fans.” Getting to the heart of the matter, Seton then acknowledged that the February 2024 TOS section “was too broad and wasn’t clear enough.” Running with the point, the four-year SoundCloud higher-up confirmed a fresh terms update that looks as though it may put the kibosh on certain “opt-out” requirements. The latter would leave it up to artists and rightsholders to proactively exclude their work from on-platform training. Instead, the adjusted TOS, which Seton disclosed in full, would seemingly mean that artists would have the chance to expressly consent to some types of AI training beforehand. Nevertheless, even the modified language doesn’t close the aforementioned training door altogether. “We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesize your voice, music, or likeness without your explicit consent, which must be affirmatively provided through an opt-in mechanism,” the proposed alteration reads in part. “For the avoidance of doubt,” the important text continues, “neither SoundCloud nor any third party is allowed to use, copy or reproduce any Content delivered to the Platform under separate agreements…for the purposes of informing, training developing (or as input to) artificial intelligence technologies without authorization from the applicable rightsholders.” On X, Fairly Trained CEO Ed Newton-Rex (whose TOS discovery set the training controversy in motion) took issue with the “aim to replicate” stipulation. “SoundCloud have changed their terms on AI in response to user backlash, but the change doesn’t go nearly far enough,” Newton-Rex wrote. “Their new terms will say they won’t train gen AI models that replicate your voice / style,” he continued. “But they leave the door open to the much more likely gen AI training: models trained on your work that might not directly replicate your style but that still compete with you in the market. “If they actually want to address concerns, the change required is simple. It should just read ‘We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models without your explicit consent,’” the former Stability AI exec proceeded. The way Newton-Rex sees things, if SoundCloud decides to leave the fresh terms “unchanged” from here, “we can only assume” the new approach “is intentional.” Suffice to say that the multifaceted issue won’t be going away anytime soon. For SoundCloud in particular, future AI announcements, pertaining to training or not, will be closely scrutinized. And it remains to be seen how different DSPs will approach training moving forward. View the full article

Tomorrowland is opening its first-ever retail store in Ibiza. The festival behemoth today unveiled plans to launch a flagship storefront on the nightclub-laden island, showcasing Tomorrowland’s signature blend of music, art, dining, and hospitality across more than 5,000 square feet in the new Ibiza Gallery retail complex in Playa d’en Bossa, located just steps from Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza. Set to open on June 6, the store was designed by Tomorrowland’s in-house Great Library Design Studio and is replete with architectural elements said to embody “the enchanting world of Tomorrowland in every detail,” according to a press release, including the brand’s famous butterflies and other immersive displays that bear likeness to its WEAREONE.world headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. Inside, fans can purchase a range of curated lifestyle products and exclusive brand collaborations, such as Serax homeware, MORPHO design, Baobab Collection candles, and JBL speakers and headphones, as well as official Tomorrowland apparel and accessories, including the festival’s official fragrance. Outside, the Tomorrowland Store has its own terrace for DJ sets, complete with a wine bar serving pours of Tomorrowland’s Acta Non Verba and Solo Vida wines, signature Hierbas, and craft coffee. Fans can expect it to act as a dynamic venue for sunset DJ sessions, meet-and-greets, and exclusive tastings, according to a press release. Elsewhere, visitors can check out the Tomorrowland Expo for a history lesson on the long-running festival with various artifacts, and the most dedicated fans can show off their loyalty with some new ink from the Tomorrowland Store’s on-site tattoo studio. Check out images of the new Ibiza Tomorrowland Store below. For more information, visit store.tomorrowland.com. Featured image courtesy: Tomorrowland. The post Tomorrowland To Open Retail Store In Ibiza With Terrace DJ Sets & Tattoos appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Tomorrowland is opening its first-ever retail store in Ibiza. The festival behemoth today unveiled plans to launch a flagship storefront on the nightclub-laden island, showcasing Tomorrowland’s signature blend of music, art, dining, and hospitality across more than 5,000 square feet in the new Ibiza Gallery retail complex in Playa d’en Bossa, located just steps from Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza. Set to open on June 6, the store was designed by Tomorrowland’s in-house Great Library Design Studio and is replete with architectural elements said to embody “the enchanting world of Tomorrowland in every detail,” according to a press release, including the brand’s famous butterflies and other immersive displays that bear likeness to its WEAREONE.world headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. Inside, fans can purchase a range of curated lifestyle products and exclusive brand collaborations, such as Serax homeware, MORPHO design, Baobab Collection candles, and JBL speakers and headphones, as well as official Tomorrowland apparel and accessories, including the festival’s official fragrance. Outside, the Tomorrowland Store has its own terrace for DJ sets, complete with a wine bar serving pours of Tomorrowland’s Acta Non Verba and Solo Vida wines, signature Hierbas, and craft coffee. Fans can expect it to act as a dynamic venue for sunset DJ sessions, meet-and-greets, and exclusive tastings, according to a press release. Elsewhere, visitors can check out the Tomorrowland Expo for a history lesson on the long-running festival with various artifacts, and the most dedicated fans can show off their loyalty with some new ink from the Tomorrowland Store’s on-site tattoo studio. Check out images of the new Ibiza Tomorrowland Store below. For more information, visit store.tomorrowland.com. Featured image courtesy: Tomorrowland. The post Tomorrowland To Open Retail Store In Ibiza With Terrace DJ Sets & Tattoos appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Photo Credit: Insomniac Insomniac has launched a new streaming app offering nonstop electronic music, without ads or subscription requirements. The Insomniac Radio app delivers curated music streaming 24/7 across four channels. Insomniac has previously released exclusive festival sets on platforms like Apple Music but is now building its own dedicated streaming space. The app is free to use and built around genre-specific channels: ONE, ANALOG, IMPACT, and LUCID. Each channel is designed to reflect different corners of dance music. From the bass-heavy wubs and house heads to the more melodic world of trance, the platform is structured to mirror the same audience groups that define its festivals. Are other event organizers even thinking about how to extend their communities in this way? It raises questions about why more event producers with strong communities have not taken this route, or an avenue similar to a dedicated streaming app. Many rely a little too heavily on social media content, YouTube livestreams, or the occasional playlist. With how deeply some of these brands have embedded themselves into fan communities, it’s surprising more haven’t explored dedicated streaming as a long-term extension of their ecosystem. Beyond the always-on channels, listeners can tune in to over 100 artist-hosted shows, including 40 exclusive series. The lineup of hosts includes artists, creators, event headliners, industry professionals, and curators, contributing a range of perspectives to the platform. Names range from established headliners like John Summit, Martin Garrix, Alison Wonderland, Afrojack, Hardwell and more. During major Insomniac events, the app will also function as a live broadcast hub. Insomniac Radio will stream exclusive audio from select stages at EDC Las Vegas 2025, including stereoBLOOM, wasteLAND, and quantumVALLEY. These stages will not be part of the video livestream, making the app the only way to hear these sets remotely. EDC Week club performances from artists including Chris Lorenzo, Biscits, and Mochakk are also being incorporated into the programming, expanding the app’s scope beyond large-scale festivals to include smaller venue events. For participating artists, the platform offers an additional distribution channel outside of traditional DSPs and social media. Unlike platforms driven by algorithms, the special curation of Insomniac Radio allows artists to present their work within a branded and genre-specific context tied to live event communities. This format may be particularly useful for artists looking to engage with niche or regional audiences tied to Insomniac’s festival network. It also provides a way to maintain visibility between tour cycles, potentially supporting fan retention and discovery in a more controlled environment. With no paid tier or sponsored interruptions, it’s a different model than what we’ve seen from traditional DSPs, and an unique step for a festival company. Insomniac has also been expanding its global footprint, with the recent debut of EDC Medellín and other international editions. Whether the app will eventually become a central digital layer connecting these events in the Insomniac universe, this feels like the start of something new. View the full article

Photo Credit: Nine Inch Nails by Allina S (chocolate_starfish__) / CC by 2.0 Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross announce the full lineup for Future Ruins, a new festival bringing together the biggest composers in film and TV. Future Ruins is set to take place at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on November 8, featuring performances that include festival organizers and Nine Inch Nails duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The festival is described as a “first-of-its-kind music festival: a day-long event where the world’s most influential film and television composers step out from behind the screen and onto the stage.” “It’s about giving people who are, literally, the best in the world at taking audiences on an emotional ride via music; the opportunity to tell new stories in an interesting live setting,” said Reznor. “Every artist is a headliner.” According to the festival’s website, “each artist is encouraged to take big swings and re-imagine their work for a live audience. Ranging from electronic sets and live bands to orchestral performances, fans have the chance to experience live debuts from composers who rarely appear on stage.” Confirmed acts for the event include John Carpenter, Danny Elfman, Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin, Mark Mothersbaugh, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, Questlove, Isobel Waller-Bridge, and Terence Blanchard. Nine Inch Nails, who have also won multiple Oscars for Best Original Score, are scheduled to perform as well, but they won’t be performing Nine Inch Nails material. The industrial icons have a wealth of soundtrack scores to their names, including The Social Network, Watchmen, Gone Girl, Soul, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Challengers, and more. Fans looking to hear Nine Inch Nails’ material can catch Reznor and his band during their Peel It Back Tour across the UK, Europe, and North America, starting next month. An extensive run of dates kicks off on June 15 at the 3Arena in Dublin, before they head to Manchester’s Co-op Live on June 17, and London’s O2 Arena on June 18. The tour then heads to mainland Europe and North America. View the full article

Since being founded in 1983, Mixmag has grown exponentially from starting out as a print magazine to becoming a multi-platform brand recognised worldwide. 42 years on from their beginnings they’re continuing to expand their horizons with the debut residency of Mixmag Ibiza Sessions at Amnesia, Ibiza. Spanning from June 11th to October 1st, Mixmag will be taking over the legendary Amnesia, Ibiza terrace with 8 exquisite events headed up by a lineup of unbelievable artists. Each event features a fresh lineup of DJs from around the world with a variety of different genres on display across each event. Their kicking off the proceedings in a big way on June 11th with the legends that are Armand Van Helden, Sam Divine, Ares Carter, and a b3b set from Harvy Valencia, Jesse Calosso, and Jean Pierre. In the following weeks the terrace will be graced by even more dance music icons and rising stars including the likes of Boys Noize, Space 92, Oguz, Franky Wah, and Fish56Octagon. The lineup is already top tier and there are still more artists to be announced to join this pool of dazzling DJs. Grego O’Halloran, Promoter of Mixmag Ibiza Sessions at Amnesia says; “It’s incredibly exciting to be able to launch the Mixmag Ibiza Sessions residency. We will be bringing a high energy dance floor experience to Amnesia’s iconic terrace, creating an unprecedented vibe in that room, on top of a massive multi-genre line-up from all parts of electronic music. See you on the dance floor!“ With some amazing artists, an immersive, up close dancefloor experience, as well as hosting special pop-up shows around the island, Mixmag have cooked up something special. Whether you’re a fan of house, techno, trance, tech house, or all of the above, Mixmag Ibiza Sessions has you covered. To get your tickets, click the button below: MIXMAG IBIZA SESSIONS TICKETSYou can follow Mixmag on their socials below:

Marshmello has been cast to voice a character in Paramount’s forthcoming Smurfs movie reboot. Though it remains uncertain who he’ll play in the live-action-meets-CGI film, Variety reports that the masked EDM superstar will join an A-list Smurfs cast that also includes Rihanna as Smurfette, John Goodman as Papa Smurf, and other stars like James Corden, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Sandra Oh, and more. Written by Pam Brady, known for her work on South Park and Team America, and directed by Chris Miller, known for Puss in Boots and Shrek the Third, the new Smurfs movie follows Smurfette as she leads her little blue brethren on a quest to save Papa Smurf from evil wizards. Marshmello’s role in the film may come as a surprise to some, considering the helmeted artist only began sharing his voice in 2021, after years of relying on hand gestures and mimed interviews. Just last week, Marshmello, widely believed to be the alias of producer and DJ Chris Comstock, sat down for a two-hour chat with Daniel Wall in his first full-length voice interview. When it comes to music, the “Happier” and “Come & Go” hitmaker has released a trio of new singles so far in 2025, linking up with the Jonas Brothers on “Slow Motion,” Argentine rapper Trueno on “Fale Então,” and AR/CO on “Worlds Apart,” following his bass-heavy EP The R∞ts, which arrived late last year. Fans can catch Marshmello in Paramount’s Smurfs when it opens in theaters on July 18. Featured image courtesy: Marshmello. The post Marshmello To Voice Character In New ‘Smurfs’ Movie appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Remixing dance classics requires both reverence and audacity, qualities John Summit wields with finesse in his new remix of Delirium and Sarah McLachlan's turn-of-the-century trance hit, "Silence." Summit's official remix is out now via Tomorrowland Music, the record label launched by the iconic EDM festival of the same name. The Chicago-born electronic music superstar manages to inject his anthemic sound while preserving the spiritual quality that made the original a genre-defining moment back in 1999. McLachlan's timeless, crystalline vocals serve as the bedrock of Summit's reimagining, their existential weight magnified by his contemporary production approach. What emerges is a remarkable dialogue between decades as McLachlan's timeless meditation on human disconnection finds renewed urgency within Summit's propulsive house beats, proving that certain emotional truths transcend the confines of both musical eras and their dancefloors. The track's journey from Madison Square Garden debut to official release mirrors Summit's own meteoric rise. His ability to bridge the generational gap (he also remixed deadmau5 and Kaskade's 2008 classic "I Remember") speaks to a producer who understands and respects dance music history while pushing relentlessly forward. "As a longtime raver and trance fan, it’s an absolute honor to remix 'Silence’ by Delerium," Summit said in a press release. "I originally made this remix as an edit for my first ever arena show at the iconic Madison Square Garden and it quickly became a fan-favorite. It’s hard to give justice to such a classic, but I think Sarah McLachlan’s powerful vocals along with my trance infused modern tech house production helps bring this song to life in this current era and I’m so stoked to share this one with the world." You can find Summit's remix of "Delirium" on streaming platforms here. Follow John Summit:X: x.com/johnsummit Instagram: instagram.com/johnsummit TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnsummit Facebook: facebook.com/itsjohnsummit Spotify: spoti.fi/3oVz7hG

Every seasoned raver knows: EDC Las Vegas isn’t just a festival—it’s a pilgrimage, a “final boss” of the electronic music world. While the official festivities run from May 16-18, the real magic begins long before the gates of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway swing open. In true Vegas fashion, the city turns up the volume early, with pre-parties, legendary poolside ragers, and exclusive club events kicking off as early as Tuesday, May 14. From iconic residencies to after-hours sessions, EDC Week is more than a weekend—it’s a full-blown electronic odyssey. Between the sheer scale of EDC and the nonstop chaos of Las Vegas, planning your weekend can feel overwhelming for veterans and newbies alike. That’s where EDM Maniac comes in. We’ve done the digging, sorting through the sprawling lineup of events before, during, and after the festival to curate the ultimate weekend itinerary. From can’t-miss parties to exclusive VIP access, consider this your insider guide to navigating EDC Week like a pro. Kickstarter Events For those with the stamina, the budget, and a generous PTO policy, EDC Week kicks off well before the weekend hits. The pre-parties begin as early as Tuesday, building momentum day by day until the grand opening ceremony under the Electric Sky. In classic Insomniac fashion, the official EDC Week lineup pulls no punches, delivering a stacked roster of top-tier DJs to light up Sin City. The first major spark? A high-octane set from ARMNHMR at Omnia Nightclub on Tuesday night. By Wednesday, the momentum hits full stride with a genre-spanning slate of pre-parties featuring heavy-hitters like Chris Lorenzo, Alison Wonderland, Beltran, and Mau P—each bringing their own signature energy to the midweek madness. Thursday turns up the heat with a stacked daytime lineup that spans the spectrum of electronic sound. Bass lovers can dive into the chaos at the Bassrush pool party, featuring heavy-hitters like Basstripper, Jessica Audiffred, Riot Ten, Samplifire, and more. For those craving a smoother groove under the sun, Day Trip offers a more laid-back vibe with sets from Adam Ten, Azzecca, Gorgon City, Jackie Hollander, and Riordan. And that’s just the start—Chris Lake, Deorro, Porter Robinson, MEDUZA, James Hype, Dabin, and Said The Sky are also set to take over venues across the city, delivering a Thursday that feels more like a full-blown festival day. As the sun sets on Thursday, the energy only intensifies. Bassrush takes over the night with a thunderous lineup featuring AHEE, INFEKT B2B LEVEL UP, Kompany, Ray Volpe, Sol, SVDDEN DEATH, and YDG—guaranteeing a seismic start to the weekend. Over at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, techno heads will find their sanctuary with a relentless back-to-back from Sara Landry and Nico Moreno. And, of course, no EDC kickoff would be complete without dance music’s favorite duo: John Summit and Dom Dolla, who bring their signature swagger to the iconic LIV Nightclub for a night of pure mainstage magic. EDC Week takes over Las Vegas with a citywide celebration hosted at the Strip’s most iconic venues. From legendary nightclubs like XS, Omnia, Hakkasan, Zouk, and LIV, to sun-soaked destinations including Marquee Dayclub, Encore Beach Club, Daylight Beach Club, and Tao Beach, the party spans every corner of the city. Meanwhile, Camp EDC will be kicking the weekend off with a Camp EDC homecoming party hosted by Mochakk B2B DJ Gigola, MCR-T, and Alex Chapman & Zoe Gitter. The full list of official EDC Week pre-parties can be found here with links for tickets. For those seeking a more intimate, community-driven experience, iHeartRaves is bringing its signature flair to the Luxor Hotel & Casino with “Lux Rave”—a vibrant celebration of rave fashion, creativity, and connection. Expect exclusive meet-and-greet moments, curated style showcases, and a deeper dive into the culture that fuels festival life beyond the stages. Pool Parties You can’t party all day unless you start in the morning, right? Las Vegas wouldn’t be complete without daytime pool parties, and EDC Headliners love to be their host. Each day of EDC weekend, Virgin Hotels—home to the official Hotel EDC experience—transforms its pool deck into a day-to-night party paradise, soundtracked by a carefully curated roster of fan-favorite DJs. Friday kicks off with high-energy sets from Audien, Danny Avila, Deerock, Yellow Claw‘s €URO TRA$H, MORTEN, Nostalgix, and TELYKAST. On Saturday, the vibes shift with a house-heavy lineup featuring Biscits, Carrie Keller, Malaa, Tchami, and Walker & Royce. The weekend closes in style on Sunday with performances from Adventure Club, Baby Savage, CHYL, Elephante, Luci, and MitiS—ensuring the poolside energy stays just as electric as the Speedway. Beyond the Hotel EDC experience, Las Vegas’s top venues and resorts are diving headfirst into the action with their own high-octane pool parties all weekend long. On Friday, catch FISHER turning up the heat at Marquee Dayclub while Subtronics delivers bass-heavy mayhem at Encore Beach Club. Saturday keeps the momentum going with Eric Prydz commanding the decks at Marquee and The Chainsmokers bringing chart-topping energy to Encore. To close out the weekend, John Summit takes over LIV Beach on Sunday for a sun-drenched finale. And with world-class talent popping up across the Strip, expect standout sets to be sprinkled throughout every sun-soaked day. For those opting to stay at Camp EDC, the festival experience extends beyond the main stages with exclusive pool parties right in the heart of the action. On Friday, the poolside vibe heats up with performances by Biscits, LF SYSTEM, and Noizu. Saturday brings an underground twist with sets from Andromedik, Drinkurwater, LAYZ, and SOTA. And to close out the weekend, Sunday’s pool party delivers a high-energy finale with performances from SIDEPIECE, Torren Foot, and Walker & Royce, keeping the tempo just as intense as the festival itself. Meanwhile, for those looking to venture off the beaten path, Liquid Nightclub offers a refreshing alternative to the Insomniac-sponsored circuit. Running Thursday through Sunday, the venue will host a lineup of underground favorites including Cheyenne Giles, DJ Buza, Scooter & Lavelle, and DJ Shr3d—perfect for fans craving something a little less mainstream, but just as high-energy. The Afters In Las Vegas, the party never stops—and during EDC weekend, that energy hits another level, extending to the clubs until about 5AM. On Friday night, Brazilian sensation Alok takes over the decks at Hakkasan, while Saturday night sees Crankdat bringing the heat to Zouk Nightclub. To cap off the weekend, Afrojack will close out the festivities at XS on Sunday, delivering a high-energy finale. With DJs turning up the intensity all weekend long, expect legendary performances to keep the party going until the early morning hours at the city’s most iconic venues. At Camp EDC, the party doesn’t wind down—it continues through the early morning hours, with top-tier artists setting the tone from 5-10AM each day. Saturday’s sunrise session features the smooth grooves of Funk Tribu, ØTTA, and Omiki, while Sunday morning kicks off with a powerhouse lineup of Baggi, Dennis Cruz, and Vintage Culture. As the weekend draws to a close, EDC bids farewell with an unforgettable send-off, as Ben Sterling B2B Beltran B2B ChaseWest and Slugg bring the beats one last time before the festival fades into memory. For those looking to stretch the magic of EDC weekend into the week, the party continues on Monday night with two powerhouse sets. Kaskade takes over Zouk Nightclub, delivering his signature sound to keep the energy alive, while John Summit brings his electrifying beats to LIV Nightclub, ensuring the EDC vibes linger just a little longer. The post Party All Week Long At EDC Las Vegas 2025 appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Every seasoned raver knows: EDC Las Vegas isn’t just a festival—it’s a pilgrimage, a “final boss” of the electronic music world. While the official festivities run from May 16-18, the real magic begins long before the gates of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway swing open. In true Vegas fashion, the city turns up the volume early, with pre-parties, legendary poolside ragers, and exclusive club events kicking off as early as Tuesday, May 14. From iconic residencies to after-hours sessions, EDC Week is more than a weekend—it’s a full-blown electronic odyssey. Between the sheer scale of EDC and the nonstop chaos of Las Vegas, planning your weekend can feel overwhelming for veterans and newbies alike. That’s where EDM Maniac comes in. We’ve done the digging, sorting through the sprawling lineup of events before, during, and after the festival to curate the ultimate weekend itinerary. From can’t-miss parties to exclusive VIP access, consider this your insider guide to navigating EDC Week like a pro. Kickstarter Events For those with the stamina, the budget, and a generous PTO policy, EDC Week kicks off well before the weekend hits. The pre-parties begin as early as Tuesday, building momentum day by day until the grand opening ceremony under the Electric Sky. In classic Insomniac fashion, the official EDC Week lineup pulls no punches, delivering a stacked roster of top-tier DJs to light up Sin City. The first major spark? A high-octane set from ARMNHMR at Omnia Nightclub on Tuesday night. By Wednesday, the momentum hits full stride with a genre-spanning slate of pre-parties featuring heavy-hitters like Chris Lorenzo, Alison Wonderland, Beltran, and Mau P—each bringing their own signature energy to the midweek madness. Thursday turns up the heat with a stacked daytime lineup that spans the spectrum of electronic sound. Bass lovers can dive into the chaos at the Bassrush pool party, featuring heavy-hitters like Basstripper, Jessica Audiffred, Riot Ten, Samplifire, and more. For those craving a smoother groove under the sun, Day Trip offers a more laid-back vibe with sets from Adam Ten, Azzecca, Gorgon City, Jackie Hollander, and Riordan. And that’s just the start—Chris Lake, Deorro, Porter Robinson, MEDUZA, James Hype, Dabin, and Said The Sky are also set to take over venues across the city, delivering a Thursday that feels more like a full-blown festival day. As the sun sets on Thursday, the energy only intensifies. Bassrush takes over the night with a thunderous lineup featuring AHEE, INFEKT B2B LEVEL UP, Kompany, Ray Volpe, Sol, SVDDEN DEATH, and YDG—guaranteeing a seismic start to the weekend. Over at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, techno heads will find their sanctuary with a relentless back-to-back from Sara Landry and Nico Moreno. And, of course, no EDC kickoff would be complete without dance music’s favorite duo: John Summit and Dom Dolla, who bring their signature swagger to the iconic LIV Nightclub for a night of pure mainstage magic. EDC Week takes over Las Vegas with a citywide celebration hosted at the Strip’s most iconic venues. From legendary nightclubs like XS, Omnia, Hakkasan, Zouk, and LIV, to sun-soaked destinations including Marquee Dayclub, Encore Beach Club, Daylight Beach Club, and Tao Beach, the party spans every corner of the city. Meanwhile, Camp EDC will be kicking the weekend off with a Camp EDC homecoming party hosted by Mochakk B2B DJ Gigola, MCR-T, and Alex Chapman & Zoe Gitter. The full list of official EDC Week pre-parties can be found here with links for tickets. For those seeking a more intimate, community-driven experience, iHeartRaves is bringing its signature flair to the Luxor Hotel & Casino with “Lux Rave”—a vibrant celebration of rave fashion, creativity, and connection. Expect exclusive meet-and-greet moments, curated style showcases, and a deeper dive into the culture that fuels festival life beyond the stages. Pool Parties You can’t party all day unless you start in the morning, right? Las Vegas wouldn’t be complete without daytime pool parties, and EDC Headliners love to be their host. Each day of EDC weekend, Virgin Hotels—home to the official Hotel EDC experience—transforms its pool deck into a day-to-night party paradise, soundtracked by a carefully curated roster of fan-favorite DJs. Friday kicks off with high-energy sets from Audien, Danny Avila, Deerock, Yellow Claw‘s €URO TRA$H, MORTEN, Nostalgix, and TELYKAST. On Saturday, the vibes shift with a house-heavy lineup featuring Biscits, Carrie Keller, Malaa, Tchami, and Walker & Royce. The weekend closes in style on Sunday with performances from Adventure Club, Baby Savage, CHYL, Elephante, Luci, and MitiS—ensuring the poolside energy stays just as electric as the Speedway. Beyond the Hotel EDC experience, Las Vegas’s top venues and resorts are diving headfirst into the action with their own high-octane pool parties all weekend long. On Friday, catch FISHER turning up the heat at Marquee Dayclub while Subtronics delivers bass-heavy mayhem at Encore Beach Club. Saturday keeps the momentum going with Eric Prydz commanding the decks at Marquee and The Chainsmokers bringing chart-topping energy to Encore. To close out the weekend, John Summit takes over LIV Beach on Sunday for a sun-drenched finale. And with world-class talent popping up across the Strip, expect standout sets to be sprinkled throughout every sun-soaked day. For those opting to stay at Camp EDC, the festival experience extends beyond the main stages with exclusive pool parties right in the heart of the action. On Friday, the poolside vibe heats up with performances by Biscits, LF SYSTEM, and Noizu. Saturday brings an underground twist with sets from Andromedik, Drinkurwater, LAYZ, and SOTA. And to close out the weekend, Sunday’s pool party delivers a high-energy finale with performances from SIDEPIECE, Torren Foot, and Walker & Royce, keeping the tempo just as intense as the festival itself. Meanwhile, for those looking to venture off the beaten path, Liquid Nightclub offers a refreshing alternative to the Insomniac-sponsored circuit. Running Thursday through Sunday, the venue will host a lineup of underground favorites including Cheyenne Giles, DJ Buza, Scooter & Lavelle, and DJ Shr3d—perfect for fans craving something a little less mainstream, but just as high-energy. The Afters In Las Vegas, the party never stops—and during EDC weekend, that energy hits another level, extending to the clubs until about 5AM. On Friday night, Brazilian sensation Alok takes over the decks at Hakkasan, while Saturday night sees Crankdat bringing the heat to Zouk Nightclub. To cap off the weekend, Afrojack will close out the festivities at XS on Sunday, delivering a high-energy finale. With DJs turning up the intensity all weekend long, expect legendary performances to keep the party going until the early morning hours at the city’s most iconic venues. At Camp EDC, the party doesn’t wind down—it continues through the early morning hours, with top-tier artists setting the tone from 5-10AM each day. Saturday’s sunrise session features the smooth grooves of Funk Tribu, ØTTA, and Omiki, while Sunday morning kicks off with a powerhouse lineup of Baggi, Dennis Cruz, and Vintage Culture. As the weekend draws to a close, EDC bids farewell with an unforgettable send-off, as Ben Sterling B2B Beltran B2B ChaseWest and Slugg bring the beats one last time before the festival fades into memory. For those looking to stretch the magic of EDC weekend into the week, the party continues on Monday night with two powerhouse sets. Kaskade takes over Zouk Nightclub, delivering his signature sound to keep the energy alive, while John Summit brings his electrifying beats to LIV Nightclub, ensuring the EDC vibes linger just a little longer. The post Party All Week Long At EDC Las Vegas 2025 appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Photo Credit: Live Nation Live Nation is rolling out its new ‘$30 Ticket to Summer’ promotion for 2025, offering fans access to over 1,000 concerts across the United States and Canada. The $30 flat-rate per ticket includes all fees except local taxes—and is a price hike compared to previous $10 and Lawnie Pass promotions. The deal is available for a limited time starting May 21 and offers tickets to a range of major acts including Avril Lavinge, Halsey, The Offspring, Luke Bryan, Weird Al, The Black Keys, Billy Idol, Kesha, Pantera, and many more. The lower price point for these tickets offers a pressure valve for fans seeking to attend concerts at a lower price than typical. Early access to tickets is being offered to T-Mobile and Rakuten members, as well as previous Lawnie Pass holders as a gesture of appreciation for their loyalty. The promotion is designed to drive excitement and ticket sales for summer events as the live music industry continues to rebound. The new offering this year comes with a few caveats that may leave some long-time live music fans underwhelmed. In previous years, the summer ticket promotion offered by Live Nation included tickets for a flat $10 fee, making this year’s $30 offering feel like a prike hike for budget-conscious music fans. More notably, Live Nation has discontinued its popular Lawnie Pass program, which allowed fans to attend as many concerts on the lawn at participating amphitheaters as they want for a flat $239 fee. Live music fans loved the Lawnie Pass for its flexibility and value, especially for superfans who attend multiple shows each summer. The $30 Ticket to Summer promotion offers great value compared to standard ticket prices, but it is not a direct replacement for Lawnie Pass. Instead of unlimited access, fans must purchase tickets for each individual show and the $30 rate is only available for select events while supplies last. This means superfans could quickly see their attendance costs add up—especially if they attend more than seven concerts this summer. View the full article

The most interesting new producers often materializing from some digital netherworld with a fully formed identity and sound. DASH fits squarely in this tradition, his debut single “Back 2 Life” featuring TITUS, suggests this is no ordinary launch – it’s the first chapter in what appears to be an expansive narrative spanning music, gaming, and digital culture. The track itself doesn’t disappoint, showcasing a producer who clearly understands the nuances of drum & bass. “Back 2 Life” hits with that characteristic high-velocity energy, marrying futuristic textures with cinematic atmospherics that feel both nostalgic and forward-looking. TITUS proves the perfect collaborator, his vocal performance giving the track an anthemic quality for those peak-time moments when the lights hit just right. The intrigue extends well beyond the music. DASH claims to produce from a “moon studio,” adding a cosmic dimension to his mythology. More substantially, he’s built an interactive experience at dashworld.gg where fans can engage directly with the DASH persona. It’s a clever play on the increasingly porous boundary between artist and audience in the digital age, inviting listeners to become active participants in unraveling his identity. Game Over Records seems the perfect home for this project. The label has positioned itself at the intersection of narrative-driven sound and innovation, suggesting they’re interested in artists who view music as just one component of a larger creative universe. In an era where gaming culture continues to influence electronic music aesthetics, DASH appears strategically positioned at the crossroads. Is DASH an established producer launching a new alias? A collaborative project? Or a new talent with exceptional marketing savvy? The mystery is clearly by design. “The more you ask, the more you uncover.” The post Mystery Producer DASH Makes High-Velocity Debut with ‘Back 2 Life’ appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

Twitch is throwing it back to the turn of the century to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Britney Spears' generational album Oops!...I Did It Again with an all-day DJ tribute, a representative of the streaming platform tells EDM.com. A group of DJs will be Slaving 4 U with 12 hours of the pop icon's biggest hits as well as brand-new remixes and interactive moments via the Twitch chat. Whether you prefer the bubblegum brilliance of her ...Baby One More Time era or the robotic glam rebellion of her Femme Fatale chapter, there’s sure to be something for every kind of Britney fan. The DJs will keep the nostalgia flowing and the energy going, perfect for anyone looking to relive their Y2K days and saunter around their living rooms like Spears in her iconic "Toxic" video. They'll also be sharing clips and funny moments from the stream for those who are unable to attend live. Scheduled for Friday, May 16th from 12pm to 12am, the event will broadcast live on participating DJs' Twitch accounts: PYKA, NyyBeats, NyNy_x, emelea, djkharisma, vlouue and eliciamartin, among others. Follow Britney Spears:X: x.com/britneyspears Instagram: instagram.com/britneyspears TikTok: tiktok.com/@britneyspears Facebook: facebook.com/britneyspears Spotify: tinyurl.com/3vcs2y9y

Riot Games’ recent Linkin Park Anthem release broke streaming records in the first five hours. In an interview with Downtown Music, Maria Egan, the Global Head of Music at Riot Games, reframes the idea of how music impacts audiences: “Music primarily serves as a community-building tool. It’s a memory machine. Where there’s music, there’s memories.” The following recaps an interview with Maria Egan as part of Downtown Music’s series, The Music Industry Lives Here. Downtown Music is a company DMN is proud to be partnering with. “Nothing can galvanize a community like music,” says the Global Head of Music at Riot Games, Maria Egan. Despite the company’s creative spin on music management and remarkable ability to drive streams, Egan insists Riot Games’ core mission remains gaming. “We’re not trying to compete with music companies — not trying to be a music company,” says Egan, adding, “We end up being a music company because Riot is very unique with music.” Egan explains exactly how Riot’s strategic goals keep gaming at the center. “We don’t put music out just to put music out. We’re not signing artists to a label. Everything we release amplifies something that’s happening in the games — and [is meant] to draw players back to the game.” “League of Legends has been around for 15 years. Maybe people played it ten years ago and haven’t played in a while. [Now] they see Linkin Park, they’re like, oh yeah, I’m going to reinstall the game and get playing again.” Egan talks about joining ‘this incredibly unique creative studio,’ Riot Games, and catering to a ‘captive audience that’s highly passionate’ about music. “No one builds community in the way Riot does,” she states. “There’s an incredible mission and focus on Riot’s community and games. [When I joined in 2022] Arcane [Riot Games’ Netflix show] had just come out. I was obsessed with the TV show and the music.” Now working in what she calls a ‘really interesting role’ with a supervision team and composer team, Egan is ‘making music and helping the team make music.’ “Gaming is a sophisticated form of entertainment and community building — especially now that we have social and multiplayer games. There’s a profound overlap between gaming fandom and music fandom.” Egan talks about ‘the biggest music fans in the world’ — Valorant players — who ‘stream more music than almost anybody else.’ “We’re introducing hundreds of millions of players to some of the best new music in the world. And it’s my team’s job to curate those experiences and connect our products to music artists.” Under the broad gaming umbrella, Egan lists many ways to engage gamers with music. “The soundtrack for our TV show Arcade, the thematics for alt universes that we create — the right player with experience plays most of their music around the game.” For an audio-based game like Valorant, where listening to footsteps and sounds is a big part of gaining a competitive edge, Egan reveals gamers still consume music while playing. “[Players are] turning off the in-game sound and listening to Spotify. We see dynamic and novel music consumption behaviors among serious gamers. Music is being used in interactive ways that are really different.” Speaking about launching Linkin Park’s ‘Heavy is the Crown’ as the official anthem for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship, which broke all streaming records in the first five hours — for Riot Games and Linkin Park — Egan says, “Music primarily serves as a community building tool. It’s a memory machine. Where there’s music, there’s memories. [This is] going to be a peak memory.” “We’ve been really fortunate to partner with artists at this kind of epic scale. From Imagine Dragons to Lil NAS X, New Jeans, now Linkin Park — they’re genuinely beloved artists for our players.” “People look at Lil NAS X or Imagine Dragons or Linkin Park, and they might think we’re just chasing superstars. But Dan Reynolds plays League of Legends and is a hardcore gamer. Lil NAS X is invested in esports and very connected to gaming. Before he worked with us, he’d worked with Roblox. ” Egan emphasizes that all these collaborations are highly strategic for Riot Games. “We’ve had the privilege of working with Linkin Park because Mike Shinoda was working on [Riot’s Netflix show] Arcane. Mike is a massive Valorant player, loves the League of Legends IP — and has been friends with Riot Games’ founders for a long time. All of the worlds meet at this moment — with this one artist that’s very authentically connected to our culture.” “These aren’t random choices,” says Egan. But Egan clarifies that Riot Games can work with any artist of any size, of any label, of any background. “We look for an artist that gets it. The process is all about looking for engagement and finding out where the fans are.” “[An artist] manager will call and ask, how do I get my songs in your game? How do I get my artist working with League? [We say], maybe League is not the right game for your artists!” “We find out what games [the artist’s audience] plays. We find out what games their fans play. If they don’t play games, canvas your fans. Figure out what communities your fans are a part of. Then go there and try to make that overlap.” This wide array of working parts — data, insights, music, etc. — come together to form Riot Games. “And this is why Riot works with FUGA,” Egan says, adding, “FUGA has proved to be a label-in-a-box solution for us. They allow us to outperform.” “We rely on partners like FUGA and the suite of services they build for companies like ours. They have a really great understanding of our complexity.” “Resourcing, headcount, and strategy are always really leaning toward how the games get resourced and how the games get what they need to thrive and survive and grow.” “So, what it would take for us to staff a label — that’s probably not the right way for Riot to build a music business.” “Where we have a music catalog, we have music IP — we have pretty significant engagement with that music. It’s not small amounts of money — it’s millions of dollars a year. And we need trusted partners [to bring] that infrastructure that we won’t build for ourselves.” “This partnership we have a FUGA is the best way to do a release because they know us, and just snap to our process.” Egan explains that the wider Downtown ecosystem has ‘services and a great team that we can plug into as we need them.’ She adds, “We’ve had some big records come through the system. It’s exciting to see how the Downtown ecosystem is growing, and its global reach is important to us.” About The Music Industry Lives Here: Downtown Music’s interview series allows powerful conversations with the voices shaping the music industry. To gain weekly access to exclusive interviews with music executives, artists, record label owners, and influential figures who drive the rhythm of the industry, join here. View the full article

Iconic EDM festival brand Tomorrowland is expanding its reach beyond the dancefloor after announcing its first-ever retail store in Ibiza, set to open this summer in the heart of the legendary party island. Located in the new Ibiza Gallery retail and lifestyle complex near the famous Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza clubs, the 478-square-meter shop is an ambitious fusion of retail, hospitality and entertainment that mirrors the immersive experience of the festival itself. Designed by Tomorrowland's in-house architecture firm, Great Library Design Studio, the expansive property incorporates the festival's signature aesthetic elements, including its iconic butterflies. Tomorrowland's new retail shop in Ibiza.Tomorrowland The store will sell a slew of branded accessories, including t-shirts, tops, hoodies, caps, sweatshirts, shorts, swimwear, bucket hats, sunglasses, bags, towels, bathrobes, books, vinyl and jewelry. It's all been designed "with premium materials and signature festival motifs," according to a press release. Shoppers will also find curated collections of premium homeware (Serax), candles (Baobab Collection), headphones and speakers (JBL) and even lingerie (Sarda). Tomorrowland Tomorrowland Tomorrowland Perhaps most striking is the 269.5-square-meter outdoor terrace, which is furnished with exclusive pieces from Tomorrowland's furniture brand, MORPHO, and transforms at night for "Sunset Sessions" featuring live DJ performances. This space will also offer curated selections of wine, liqueur and coffee, including Tomorrowland's own Solo Vida sparkling wine. Open daily from 11am to 11pm, the shop also features a Tomorrowland tattoo studio. Visitors here can ink "exclusive, officially designed tattoos, inspired by the magical of the festival, in a safe, high-quality environment." Tomorrowland For a brand that has built its reputation on ephemeral moments of festival magic, establishing a permanent physical space in the world's preeminent nightlife destination marks another significant shift in its strategy to develop memorable experiences outside its Belgian grounds. The organization recently joined forces with Insomniac Events, North America's leading electronic music event production company, to develop an ambitious series of co-branded events at the Vegas Sphere. Back in 2022, its proprietors opened a palatial desert resort, Terra Solis, which is billed as "a unique glamping experience" in Dubai. Coinciding with Ibiza's peak summer season, Tomorrowland's new store is scheduled to launch on June 6th, 2025. Follow Tomorrowland:X: x.com/tomorrowland TikTok: tiktok.com/@tomorrowland Instagram: instagram.com/tomorrowland Facebook: facebook.com/tomorrowland Spotify: tinyurl.com/yc79kfsu

Tomorrowland will open the doors to its very first official store in the heart of Ibiza, offering fans and visitors a curated journey that blends music, fashion, gastronomy, and community. Located in the new Ibiza Gallery retail and lifestyle complex in Playa d’en Bossa – near world-famous nightlife destinations like Ushuaïa Ibiza and Hï Ibiza – this store promises to be more than just a retail space. It’s an immersive world where the spirit of Tomorrowland lives year-round. A Visual and Sensory Wonderland Spanning 478 m², the Tomorrowland Store has been designed by Tomorrowland’s Great Library Design Studio, capturing the festival’s enchanting spirit in every detail. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by iconic elements like Tomorrowland’s signature butterflies, intricate natural textures, and stunning concrete stairs. The design reflects the world-class aesthetic of Tomorrowland’s WEAREONE.world headquarters in Antwerp, creating an atmosphere that transports visitors straight into the heart of the festival experience. The store is a visual masterpiece with immersive displays that showcase the magic of Tomorrowland. Guests will have the opportunity to explore an expansive range of exclusive products, including official Tomorrowland apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and more), accessories, vinyls, books, and even home décor from brands like Serax, MORPHO, and Baobab Collection. With items designed in-house using premium materials, this is your chance to take home a piece of Tomorrowland’s unique world. A Green Oasis in the White Isle But the Tomorrowland Store is not just a place to shop—it’s also a destination to unwind and connect. The store’s lush 269.5 m² terrace is the perfect place to escape the Ibiza heat, elegantly furnished with exclusive MORPHO pieces. Guests can relax with a glass of Tomorrowland’s sparkling wine, Solo Vida, or indulge in a tasting of Acta Non Verba wines, sip signature Hierbas, or enjoy expertly brewed coffee. As day turns to night, the terrace transforms into a dynamic venue for Sunset Sessions. Expect live DJ sets, artist meet-and-greets, and exclusive tastings that bring people together for magical moments. It’s a place where the community of Tomorrowland can unite, share experiences, and celebrate the festival’s core values of friendship and freedom. Celebrating Tomorrowland’s Legendary Journey The Ibiza store also houses the Tomorrowland Expo, a stunning interactive installation that takes visitors through two decades of the festival’s history. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, the exhibition showcases Tomorrowland’s evolution, unforgettable moments, and the innovations that have shaped its legacy. Fans will be able to relive some of the most iconic highlights in the festival’s history. A Forever Mark of Tomorrowland For those looking to carry the spirit of Tomorrowland with them forever, the store also includes a unique tattoo studio. In a safe and high-quality environment, visitors can choose from exclusive, officially designed tattoos inspired by the magical world of Tomorrowland. It’s the ultimate way to commemorate the festival’s unforgettable energy. An Unforgettable Experience With its grand opening on June 6, the Tomorrowland Store in Ibiza promises to be a must-visit destination for fans, travelers, and music lovers alike. This immersive space brings together the best of Tomorrowland’s music, fashion, and culture into one unforgettable experience. So whether you’re shopping for exclusive merch, enjoying a relaxing drink on the terrace, or diving into Tomorrowland’s rich history, this store is sure to become a landmark of the White Isle. Don’t miss out on the magic – the Tomorrowland Store is where the festival never ends. The post Tomorrowland Unveils Its First Official Store in Ibiza appeared first on EDMTunes.

SoundCloud’s CEO Eliah Seton has penned an open letter to its users following suspicion that it was using artists’ content to train AI. Earlier this May, SoundCloud users raised concerns about the platform’s Terms of Use, which seemingly suggested that their content “may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence”. However, there was a misunderstanding about what this actually meant. The term had been in place since February 2024, but had garnered new attention online. Following the panic, SoundCloud affirmed that it has never used any artist content to train generative AI, and that the term actually referred to its internal use of AI, including personalised recommendations, content organisation, fraud detection, and improvements to content identification. READ MORE: Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requests Now, Seton has set out to further reassure its user base, and most importantly, has also promised better clarity on AI from now and into the future. The brand has also scrapped the original term from its ToU article which caused the alarm, and replaced it with a much clearer statement. Seton’s letter reads, “SoundCloud has never used artist content to train AI models. Not for music creation. Not for large language models. Not for anything that tries to mimic or replace your work. Period. We don’t build generative AI tools, and we don’t allow third parties to scrape or use artist content from SoundCloud to train them either. “In fact, we’ve already put protections in place like a ‘no AI’ tag that explicitly signals content on SoundCloud can’t be used for AI training. At SoundCloud, protecting artist rights isn’t new for us and being artist-first isn’t a slogan. It’s core to who we are and always will be. It’s in our DNA.” The statement later explains, “Our use of AI is focused on discovery – helping fans find new music and helping artists grow, starting with their first fans. That’s core to our mission. Three years ago we expanded our AI and machine learning capabilities through the acquisition of Musiio which significantly improved how we connect creators with listeners, fuel music discovery and help rights holders identify what’s next.” Further to this, Seton has taken responsibility for the language in SoundCloud’s ToU document for being “too broad”, and has said it “wasn’t clear enough”: “It created confusion, and that’s on us. That’s why we’re fixing it,” he says. As a result, SoundCloud’s ToU now reads, “We will not use your content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesise your voice, music, or likeness without your explicit consent, which must be affirmatively provided through an opt-in mechanism.” Seton emphasises that SoundCloud believes AI should support and not replace artists, and that you’ll see further changes reflected online within its Terms of Use in the coming weeks. “Our approach will always be guided by a single principle: artist-first. We’re going to keep showing up with transparency. We’re going to keep listening. And we’re going to make sure you’re informed and involved every step of the way,” he concludes. For more information, you can read the full letter from Eliah Seton via the SoundCloud website. The post SoundCloud CEO writes open letter following AI Terms of Use panic and promises more transparency in the future appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Marshmello has signed on to voice a character in Paramount’s forthcoming Smurfs movie, Variety reports. The film, a hybrid of live-action and CGI, was written by Pam Brady (South Park, Team America) and directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots, Shrek the Third). The story follows Smurfette as she leads the beloved blue characters on a mission into the real world to save Papa Smurf after being mysteriously taken by a pair of evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel. Smurfs already boasts an impressive cast with Rihanna slated to voice Smurfette, joined by John Goodman as Papa Smurf. Other cast members include Daniel Levy, Hannah Waddingham, Nick Kroll, Natasha Lyonne, Octavia Spencer, James Corden, Nick Offerman and Billie Lourd, among others. Mello's role remains under wraps at the time of this writing. Meanwhile, the masked hitmaker has stayed busy in the studio, releasing his blistering The Roots album in late-2024 before teaming up with Jonas Brothers ("Slow Motion" and Trueno ("Fale Então) for new collaborations in 2025. Smurfs is currently in production and a release date has not yet been announced. You can watch the official trailer below. Follow Marshmello:X: x.com/marshmellomusic Instagram: instagram.com/marshmellomusic TikTok: tiktok.com/@marshmello Facebook: facebook.com/marshmellomusic Spotify: spoti.fi/3eeTJuD

Dutch EDM icon Hardwell has unveiled his latest single, ‘Lift Off’, released on May 9 via Revealed Recordings. The track made its debut during his headlining set at Ultra Music Festival Miami 2025, where it captivated audiences with its fusion of big room energy and techno influences . Building upon the sonic themes of his 2022 album Rebels Never Die, ‘Lift Off’ showcases Hardwell’s continued evolution, blending powerful basslines with atmospheric synths to create a sound that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking . The track’s structure features a cinematic build-up leading into a high-octane drop, embodying the essence of big room techno—a genre characterized by its driving beats and minimalistic melodies. This approach reflects Hardwell’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of electronic music while honoring the foundations that established his career. Listen to ‘Lift Off’ on all streaming platforms. The post Hardwell Blasts Off with New Big Room Techno Anthem ‘Lift Off’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman, who’s exited the Universal Music board, testifying before Congress. Bill Ackman has officially stepped down from the Universal Music Group (UMG) board, citing “increasing demands on his time.” The Pershing Square Capital Management head confirmed that departure in a brief release, with UMG having put out a concise disclosure of its own. Per the former announcement, the aforementioned demands pertain to Ackman’s “other Pershing Square commitments,” among them his recent appointment as executive chairman of Howard Hughes Holdings’ own board. (Said appointment coincided with a $900 million Pershing Square investment in Howard Hughes Holdings. Apparently, the latter intends to branch out beyond real estate and begin operating as a “diversified holding company.”) At the time of this writing, Ackman didn’t appear to have addressed his UMG board exit (which is effective following the business’s annual investor meeting today) on X. However, the 59-year-old in a statement touted the “superb leadership” of Universal Music CEO Lucian Grainge. “Over the last three years,” Ackman communicated, “I have greatly enjoyed being a director of UMG as it has transitioned from a private company into a flourishing public enterprise. “The company is extremely well positioned for future growth and profitability under the superb leadership of Sir Lucian Grainge and the entire UMG team. I am grateful to my fellow directors for their continued commitment to driving long-term value for all shareholders,” he concluded. Beyond these enthusiastic parting remarks, it’s worth reiterating that Pershing in March sold some of its Universal Music stake – with existing UMG investor Tencent having upped its interest in the major that same month. And besides the much-discussed streaming plateau (at least in terms of core financials, UMG’s faring relatively well here), Ackman’s board exit follows Pershing Square’s public push to shift Universal Music’s main stock listing from Amsterdam to the States. UMG brass bristled at the not-so-subtle suggestion, and as things stand, it doesn’t appear that the major plans to make the jump. Nevertheless, Pershing still has the right – one it will seemingly exercise – to spearhead a separate Universal Music listing in the U.S. That sub-listing is presumably moving forward and, according to reports, is expected to commence sometime before mid-September 2025. More immediately, Universal Music (now preparing to add Verizon vet Matt Ellis as CFO on June 9th) saw its stock price slip during today’s trading. Once again at the time of writing, shares were down about 2.4% at $29.52/€26.35 apiece. View the full article