Now That the World Has “Moved On from Washed-Up EDM,” Five Festivals and Events to Watch [Techno and House Only]

Notice

On LINE@, I deliver in-depth secret conversations I can't share on the blog. There are surprise giveaways too.

Load external image Open source

In 2019, the global dance music mainstream is shifting increasingly toward techno, house, tech house and deep house.

In fact, in Japan too, many dance music connoisseurs may be graduating from the commercial sounds that once symbolized the main stage and shifting toward techno, house, tech house and deep house.

So this time I'd like to introduce international festival and event brands that lovers of techno, house, tech house and deep house should visit.

Awakenings

First up is the Netherlands' huge techno festival and super-brand, Awakenings.

▶Awakening Festival

Awakenings holds events somewhere in the Netherlands throughout the year, but its flagship is Awakening Festival, held over two days at the end of June each year.

When it comes to Awakenings, Gashouder is also a venue you shouldn't miss. Joseph Capriati even made a track with the same name.

Incidentally, people think EDM and trance are especially popular in the Netherlands, but that's not the case. It's simply that Dutch EDM and trance DJs are well known in Japan, haha.

The popular genres in the Netherlands are techno and house.

elrow

From Barcelona, Spain comes the tech house brand with the most momentum right now: elrow.

▶elrow

It also arrived in Japan in 2018 (at Sonicmania), so many of you may at least know its name.

Impeccable DJs, a distinctive world and extravagant confetti captivate visitors. It's worth experiencing at least once.

elrow's flagship events are elrow town, held in London in August; elrow amnesia, held on Ibiza in summer; and Barcelona OFF WEEK, held in Barcelona, Spain, at the end of July.

The BPM Festival

Held every September in Portugal, The BPM Festival is also one of the world's leading techno, house and tech house festivals.

▶The BPM Festival

2018 Lineup

Aftermovie

The location, lineup, sound and audience are all first-class.

Incidentally, in 2019 it will also take place in Dubai on April 5 and in Bali on April 19 and April 24.

Hideout Festival Croatia

Held every July on Pag Island in the Adriatic Sea is Hideout Festival.

▶Hideout Festival 2019

Hideout Festival makes the most of the summer season and its location, letting you enjoy beach parties, boat parties and pool parties all at once.

Enjoy a beach resort vacation with quality dance music!That's the idea, I suppose.

Street Parade

Held in August in Zurich, Switzerland, Street Parade also has incredible quality.

▶streetparade.com

Like LOVE PARADE, formerly held in Germany, even if it's only for a day, the idea of dance music taking over an entire city is unimaginable in Japan.

Its recognition as culture makes me feel both envy and an insurmountable wall.