Has The EDM Bubble Popped?

Written By: Jared Shadeed | Verge Campus Media | Linkedin: http://ow.ly/4mNbLW

Electronic dance music has essentially taken our generation by storm, and has been, perhaps, subject to the fastest growth, compared to some of the other genres that are currently popular among our demographic. Whether you are familiar with the more popular acts, such as Martin Garrix, Armin Van Buren and Hardwell, or keen to the lesser known DJs, such as James Egbert and Haywyre, some variation of EDM has probably been on your playlist, one way or another.

Over the years, the genre has undoubtedly seen a steady increase in popularity. Within the last decade or so, EDM has grown to be one of the varieties of electronic music, that attracts a very large amount of new fans, the quickest. This is, in part, due to the trendy venues that many DJs play at, and is more so a result of the extravagant, over-the-top music festivals, that are veryappealing. The pyrotechnics, lasers and strobes, and scantily-clad go-go dancers that come with the EDM festival experience have had far-reaching effects. Even those who aren’t necessarily die-hard ravers have been drawn in to the spectacle.

With the recent notable rise in the production quality of events centered on the genre (you are probably thinking about music festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival, and Tomorrowland), it might seem foolish to say that the genre is slowing down. The events may have gotten “bigger and better,” but the actual music, that is currently most popular among fans, can come across as lacking real quality. Annual rankings, like the Top 100 DJs, list have, in many cases, produced unsurprising, seemingly invariable results – artists that stick to a certain kind of sound, ultimately, rise to the top, and stay there.

To worsen the situation, those events that have, in fact, garnered widespread attention, and a huge amount of attendees annually in previous years, are losing momentum. In this year alone, we’ve seen the demise of TomorrowWorld, and EDC Puerto Rico. Issues like bankruptcy, and low attendance, are causing production companies to cancel events, and the excessive use of drugs is, honestly,  negatively affecting the magic of the rave experience.

We’ve seen SFX Entertainment (the company that brings festivals like Electric Zoo to life) file for bankruptcy in the last few months, because it was simply “not turning a profit” anymore. As well, recent deaths at festivals, like HARD Summer, often caused by drug overdose, are not helping to paint a pretty picture of the current state of the scene.

Considering all of this, we can see how the prognosis might come across as very grim. 

But, the upside to this issue reveals itself in more than one way. With any genre, and truly with EDM, a “recession” – loss of mainstream appeal – can really be a good thing. Mainstream DJs are finding their roots once again, creating genuinely inspired tracks that aren’t simply driven by bass drops Even more important to note, we see that underground artists are gaining stronger fan bases, and garnering the kind of attention that is often well-deserved, as these are the artists making the music that really shapes the scene, and makes the genre more accessible to new fans. It is even worth noting that a return to the “basics,” and the consequent production of better music, has continued to draw in new fans – the difference being, of course, that these newbies care more about the music, and less about the flashiness of annual music festivals.

So, here’s the verdict: even though festivals might be downsizing, and attendee counts at some of the previously well-attended events may be unflattering (though, we certainly don’t really miss any of the fake ravers, anyway), the “EDM bubble” has not popped. In fact, there really isn’t one – the true fans of the music, and the scene, were here before the genre gained mainstream appeal, and will certainly be here long after the hype surrounding it fades away.