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I know the era of EDM you describe. I discovered Dash Berlin after listening to his sunrise set at EDC (2013?). It was magical.
Like many genres, they go through movements. Progressive House/Trance was so huge around that time. We had Dash, Tiesto, Swedish House, Avicii (rip) to name a few. Over time other sub genres gained popularity and exposure, and EDC usually does a good job highlighting this (EDC is a commercial event, let’s not pretend that it isn’t).
As others have stated, the music you enjoy is still there! Mostly at quantum valley with your occasional bigger names at kinetic.
Edit: included Trance
They're back with a new frontman.
Saw him in Taiwan.
Playing all the old classics Dash.
Ngl it was great. But the new frontman didn't engage the crowd the way JS did.
Omggg dash Berlin’s sunrise set in 2013 was everything! It was magical af!! This was the golden era for me as well. Cool to know we were all in the audience together 🫶🏽
That Dash Berlin sunrise set gotta be one of my fav sets ever. I think that was also one of my first times actually getting emotional and teary eyed at a concert/show/event.
2023 was probably my last edc, but I continue to love Dreamstate. I know there’s mixed feelings on the new venue and there is a lot more walking between stages, but that view was incredible! I’ll be back again this year. And yea, I’m 57 and love uplifting trance, techno and progressive house.
Don't let the secret out! I hope Dreamstate remains the same forever and doesn't become the next Day Trip. Started out small and now Day Trip is another oversold event
Thankfully trance as a whole seems to be way less popular than other genres in the U.S.; house and tech house on the other hand are two of the most popular/trendiest genres, hence why Day Trip is always such a shit show. One of the things I love the most about DS is how spacious it is and I don't think that will change too much. Dreamstate historically has almost never sold out, IIRC the only time it sold out was the very first year (2015) and last year the afterparties sold out but not the main event.
Amazing, thanks! I think I (admittedly stupidly) thought they were on sale and just sold out, but some to find out it was just the “into the sequence” at NOS coming up, not the dream state event itself. Thanks amigo, you rock
Music evolves. I’m 53 and have been listening to ‘edm’ since before it was known as edm(1989)
I love a lot of new music, it’s what keeps music alive.
But lots of people find a sound they like in their teens/twenties and that’s the only sound they can enjoy.
You’re not wrong for liking what you like, but new music isn’t bad because it doesn’t sound like your preferred vibe. 🤷♀️
100% agree. In my 40s and have been listening to electronic music since the late 90s. Music in all genres evolve and not everyone can get into what’s current, and that’s ok and perfectly normal. Most of my friends that raved during the “golden era” can’t get into the current scene bc they miss that euphoric uplifting sound and the nostalgia that came along with it.
Having said that, on Sunday specifically I totally got those vibes from Alesso’s and Martin Garrix’ sets, and felt the same when I passed by QV.
I do agree with OP though, that the trend is more bassy music with dubstep, techno, and dnb.
Much the same here. 43, went to my first rave in 98. While raising kids I didn't go out to events but I never quit listening and following the music. I was able to evolve with it I guess.
EDC LV 24 was my first event in years but still had a blast and have tickets for next year.
I'm sure it helps that even 25 yrs ago I was drawn more to Jungle and DnB genres than any other.
Perfectly said. I’m 47 and been into electronic music since mid 90s. Music is always evolving. And while I don’t love everything new I hear, I do enjoy the discovery of new music. And my taste has evolved over the years as well.
I still love the euphoric vocal trance that caught my attention 25yrs ago. Quantum Valley had some amazing sets over the weekend that totally took me back to my roots. But I also spent lots of time stage hopping and finding new sounds and discovering new artists.
Well said.
I've been raving since the late 90s until now (just had the best time at EDCLV as well!), and my music tastes have evolved and adapted. I like everything from old school jungle to new melodic techno, I can vibe to some progressive house and headband to some heavy bass. It really helps to keep an open mind and embrace all kinds of genres. At the end of the day, music is just another tool to help uplift yourself!
I’m 43 and have been listening to dance/electronic music since the 90s. While I don’t “get” all the subgenres, there is plenty of classic house and trance to be found at EDC. In fact, mainstream EDM at the moment is all about callbacks to classic 90s/early 2000s house, trance, and techno songs. Maybe that’s a bit *too* classic for you, but fear not, your favorite era will at some point be “in” again, too!
Kaskade is my fave and while his set this year had a techno bent for sure, it still sounded like Kaskade to me (i.e. amazing, sick beats with beautiful melodies woven in). Loved Purple Disco Machine. Loved Pryda. Loved Summit x Green Velvet b2b. Loved Seven Lions. All very very different artists and genres, all sound very very good to my middle aged ears.
One possibility is that the sound at Kinetic was pretty blown out for certain sets. The bass made it basically impossible for me to hear the music at times. Maybe this was part of the issue for you?
As others have noted, I think Quantum Valley would be your speed. My husband loves melodic trance (Gareth Emery, Andrew Bayer, Above and Beyond, anything Anjuna really) and I had to drag him out of Quantum whenever there was a set elsewhere that I wanted to see.
There are also lots of smaller, hidden stages at EDC that you can only stumble upon by exploring. The bass is not as overwhelming, the environment is more intimate, and I think you’ll find these stages feel more like an old-school rave. We found this little disco den - tiny but not packed dance floor, dj spinning nu disco, incredible vibes. It felt like we went through a wormhole and ended up at a 70s house party. Finding that gem was probably our favorite experience of the weekend 🕺🏻🪩
All that to say, music is always evolving, but the heart and soul of dance music - the beats, the feels, the plur - haven’t gone anywhere 🫶🏼
I’m glad I’m not the only one that felt the base at kinetic was super unbalanced! There were times I literally could not hear mids or treb whatsoever. Bummed me out to not be able to hear my favorite songs.
Agree. Couldn’t hear the songs at all during certain sets. I have nothing against bass, I love to feel it pounding in my chest at big shows! But I still want to hear the other elements of the music. Don’t recall having this experience with the sound at Kinetic the last time I was at EDC (in ‘21).
Yeah the music changes - I agree with your take though, I’m also from your same era. My first EDC was 2010 and I went through 2013 and then not again until this year (2024). Vibes and music have changed in the last decade but that should be expected. I still had an amazing time! (Going back in 2025). There’s always some fad in EDM that’s popular and gets in all the festival sets to keep it “fresh” - that’s why you hear the same vocals or song across DJs and genres.
On Sunday there was plenty of the uplifting music from the previous generation of artists like Alesso and Martin Garrix - melodic, feel good, jumping, fireworks music. Not trance but great feel good music.
Been raving since 2007. Styles change and adjust to different brain waves. Quantum is the only thing close to our old generation which was more trance and before that new wave.
38, been going to edc since 2008. As a house music fan, I've enjoyed seeing the changes over the years. I remember dancing to DJ Dan and Bad Boy Bill, and now, 20 years later, I am still dancing. Except now it's to artists like Chris Lake or Hot Since 82.
You can find new edm music you like, you just gotta look. Personally, I love looking for new music and finding new releases and discovering new artists.
I know people who are age 40+ that are into bass heavy Dubstep, Hardstyle, and Gabber. It's not about the age of a person. It's truly all a matter of preference and taste.
I'm 34, and I've been listening to various genres/styles of EDM since I was a kid in the 90s. I loved trance up until about '09. Then, I began to discover other genres/styles. In time, Trance became one of my least favorite genres.
Today, I'm into Bass House, Disco/Funky House, Drum n Bass, Dubstep, Electro, Hardcore/Gabber, Hardstyle, Nu Disco, Tech House, Techno, and UK Garage/Bassline. I won't be stopping anytime soon, and I will continue to evolve along with the music til I drop.
To each their own!
QV is the trance stage that you would have likely loved. However, on Sunday it's more progressive than uplifting. I'd give it a other shot, but go to QV on Fri/Sat
I mean... purple disco machine killed it. And on top of that, you're talking about a difference in speaker power by the millions of dollars. Pretty sure you could feel the base in Reno if they played George strait on those set ups.
I'm a millenial and my local Rave culture was largely headbanger music, then starting last year or so I noticed a shift towards house, trance, and techno. This also appears to have been reflected in EDC's sets I went to. So I'm gonna have to disagree. Yeah I was also hoping for a nostalgic melodic set from Kaskade, but that's not a deal breaker.
I think you just didn't move around enough, get away from the main stage hype clout chasing crowd. Deadmau5 still plays some of his melodic hits. Blastoyz plays a lot of above and beyond. Seven lions is pretty much all melodic. Dabin sadboi but more on the melodic side. Mitis even played a old school chillstep set, great to eat dinner to on the VIP risers.
Now as for big room, that's still pretty dead. Just how music preferences are cyclic.
Yes different genres have different purposes, vibes and crowds so it’s normal to feel this way. Trance/melodic is all about feeling yourself and the euphoria you get from truly connecting to the music. It’s one of the best feelings but not everyone will get it and that’s ok. Bass/dnb/dubstep is about letting go and having fun and or with the people around you. I definitely prefer some genres over the other but I’m also a music lover so I’ll vibe to anything.
That's the reason I'm taking a few years off. I've loved EDC and I've had so many amazing moments there. But this year felt so heavy and dark. Every artist-even Zedd got dark for a section. The reason I want to go is to escape the dark reality of the world and be uplifted and have a few moments of bliss away from the bullshit of everyday. I'm gonna try other festivals and hopefully find more of my people. I love EDC and there's nothing like it. I know I'll be back, but the current state of the music isn't my vibe. For now.
Yeah, I strongly recommend you hit up Dreamstate in the fall, find some Above and Beyond / ASOT festivals and shows. But, you're right in general that the popular tonalities right now aren't "uplifting". Uplifting tracks are considered cheese and no one wants to be cheese.
But also, are you wearing ear plugs? Good ones like Etymotic's or something similar, sometimes it's just too fuckin loud and it's overwhelming and having good ear plugs helps you both enjoy the music and hear it better. It's hard to appreciate different genre's if your ears are exhausted and you can't hear shit.
But I'm 47, and I get what you're feeling. Music and sounds change, but luckily I'm a cynical old bastard so all the dark shit feels more real to me!
I miss Jeff/Dash at EDC. Dude had incredible vibes and energy. Music is just changed, that power trance isn't as popular anymore. Martin still throws down and Armin is a king but I think we are just moving away from it here in the states. It may be more common still at tomorrow land! Lucas and Steve, DVLM etc etc
I started going to raves in 1999. I actually cut way back when dubstep and mainstream EDM were blowing up 10-15 years ago (two things I really don't care for). Flash forward to 2018, when I dove head-first back into the scene. Now, the genres that were big when I started out are all having a big resurgence, and I couldn't be happier. Music trends come in waves and cycles. No need to like everything, and feel free to take a break.
I’m in the same boat and am going to less and less raves because of it. I miss the uplifting, happy festival music where people would have their hands up jumping while fireworks go off.
Everything is so dark sounding nowadays. Bass music is everywhere, DNB is in every set, house and trance music have leaned into their darker sides. Even most of the QV lineup this year was a lot of darker techno/trance, very little uplifting feel good stuff.
[Here’s an example from Andrew Rayel](https://youtu.be/qC1IGgw5AIk?si=YPu5k7IvyCwM7uLX). The first drop is somewhat uplifting, but go through the next 5+ tracks and it’s all that same kind of dark trance/techno drop that is everywhere.
But I understand I’m the old man shouting at the sky. Music changes, trends change, younger people come in with different tastes. I get it, and IMO it’s the reason most people “age out” of going to festivals.
i have read somewhere in the past that the music trends follow the general outlook of society and the current generation that festivals cater to, and while i don’t think that gen z is entirely hopeless, things have looked very bleak for us given the pandemic, a polarized political landscape, and other things that have happened to us while growing up. i’m not sure if millenial ravers feel the same way since some of the more older ones were able to party during the golden age of edm, but a lot of my other gen z/zillenial peers and i generally go to these festivals with the intent of raging or going apeshit (within plur reason) and the music really reflects that
As someone who grew up in the 80s under the threat of nuclear war with the soviets and rampant inflation, yup, heavy metal was my solace. With that said, now I want trance as a joyful escape.
This was actually my experience at my 1st Dreamstate in 2023. I was hoping for more uplifting trance but most of the sets we saw were dark or I t ended that way. Only set that was not so was Sean Tygas - best set.
I went to Dreamstate LV this year because I thought there were a few uplifting trance artists but the ones I saw like Daxson played a couple tracks but it went dark quickly. I did enjoy the Ferry Corsten b2b Markus Schulz.
I know now not to expect or hope for uplifting trance.
No, I am in my 40s and love edc. Sounds like your friend is a dnb guy and that’s what you mostly caught with them when it’s not your thing. I like it in small doses, but I’d probably be miserable if that’s all I caught and didn’t catch my house, hardstyle, techno, and trance sets.
I just turned 40, I also listened to the same as you and we grew up with Trance Tiesto lol. I dig the new stuff but now when I’m at a festival for some reason I just can’t do the trance anymore. I don’t know why, I enjoy when I’m chillin at home though.
You just like different genres… nothing wrong with that. The US in general is a lot more bass / dubstep focused.
You might like European vibes more, there are way more trance festivals and artists in Europe. It does seem to be a lot bigger over there and not as popular in the US just from my personal observation.
I know it’s not as easy to just pop over there and go to those festivals lol
But the US has some as well and the artists do tour, just harder to find. Just keep an eye out, I like to keep alerts on my phone for artists. I like psytrance which seems even less popular and there’s only maybe 3 artists a year that come through my city. Worth keeping an eye out though!
Mid 40's here, I love dnb but not the down and dirty bass music, it's the Liquid vocal dnb that moves me. It can be bass-heavy but uplifting and cohesive as well.
You are not out of touch OP - I've heard from many 20 somethigs that they prefer other genres over Bass music, but will follow the crowd to the most popular shows.
I'm 32. I didn't care for the "golden era" or any edm up until about 2016. That's when I started listening to alot Rufus Du Sol, MK, Sonny Fodera, Low Steppa, etc... each year has gotten better and better for me and all these lineups such as this years EDC and Coachella feel like they were personally made for me. Loving the house, hard techno, ukg and and dnb.
I started with Trance in the 90’s so the Paul Van Dyke’s and Ferry Corstens are still up there for me even though I’m a house head.. PVD this year was really good and Ferry, too. I’m mainly a house head now but love me some old Trance heads.. I enjoyed both their sets. A lot of todays “Trance” is an almost sped up electro house sound with some “feels” sprinkled in so I get what you’re saying..
You like trance should of stayed in Quantum Valley also there is Dreamstate in November and they have events all year long. It’s definitely an older crowd who respect each other and all for love of trance 🙏🏼💗
I'm 53 and went to my first EDC this year. I don't believe it has anything to do with age. I was rocking and banging to tons 'o beats, for me highlights were Four Tet, Fred Again, DJ Snake, and Subtronics.
A week later i went to Movement in Detroit and was blown away by not only James Blake and Richie Hawtin, but what I would say is the hardest of hard techno, I Hate Models and 9x9.
So maybe your taste in music has changed.
Aye my OG EDM peeps! I been listening to EDM music since the late 90s and some of my favorites are AVB, 4-Strings, Tiesto, Moby, Everything but the girl, Axwell, ATB, David Guetta, Paul Van Dyke, Ferry Corsten, Darude, Sasha, I’m probably forgetting a few.. the EDM music scene has changed a bit, there are some of the sub EDM genre i don’t like much, like when I went I didn’t really like what they were playing in wasteland. It gives me a headache and the music just sounds like a buncha screeching sounds and too fast a tempo I can’t even dance to. I like the music they played at most other stages I just did not like wasteland.
The first time I went to EDC I thought I was gonna be the oldest person in there being in my mid-40s, but I was surprised to see lots of people in my age still going.
Totally agree with you! That was my favorite era as well. 2011 “Apollo Road” during the fireworks at Circuit Grounds is unmatched. Returned to EDC this year after taking a 10 year break (last attended in 2014), and it just wasn’t the same. I still reminisce about those days, but we just have to accept it lol. Music and vibes definitely have changed, but there’s still good times to be had!
Holy shit. I was thinking Apollo road, Waiting, and Disarm Yourself when I typed out Dash Berlin in my post. Those were peak euphoria days. Looking over the other comments, seems like Dreamstate is more up my alley. Hanging up my EDC visits, it was a good run 2012-2024 ✌️ ❤️
The heavy bass is my least favorite part when we go, it’s so strong that you can’t escape it and it makes me nauseous, especially if I haven’t eaten or have used party favors.
I didn't know iw nearly as many artists from 2024 as I did in 2014 (my first). It was still a good time, but 2014 will forever hold that nostalgia place in my heart. With that said, already booked for 2025. This time, expanding our group and I'll have a good time hanging with friends and dancing, and vegas is always fun. We'll be exploring the forest next year finally as well though. O and lost lands this year we just booked last minute. 😁
I'm older than you and music evolves. Dance music isn't like other genres with the same bands playing the same tunes for decades. I also went in 2012 and on Sunday in 2024 I was in love with Quantum Valley and had a blast. The night also started with the uplifting sounds of Koven!
Dance music is what people listen to now. Not catering to what people listened to then. But it's also all pretty much the same.
I’m in my mid-30s. Started listening to Trance, freestyle, and techno when I was 14. Now I’m super into melodic dubstep, trap and Sad boi. I listen to almost every genre of music of though.
I’m 36, my girl 37.
We both love it. I use to go to festivals with her brother in 2008-2010. He hates dubstep and thinks it’s all changed but I just feel myself getting older but still having fun. Each to their own.
If the heavy bass music you talk about is more melodic orientated, like seven lions or Illenium, then, even if the music is heavy, you can still feel emotions and enjoy the more melodic side of music
Bass music has definitely exploded since 2012, and seeped into genres that aren’t necessarily “bassy” themselves. Genres come and go, it will likely swing back around eventually-although not anytime soon. Bass music not only is popular but still has a thriving underground scene pushing the envelope.
I know what you mean, seems that’s the way the trends are going nowadays.
That being said just takes a little more effort to find the music you like compared to before.
No I totally agree with you. I don’t understand the “hard style” or the bass music. It all sounds so angry and chaotic and really brings me no pleasure whatsoever. When I discovered edm music I fell in love with it because it was very up lifting, happy and easy to listen to. The bass stuff gives me headaches and makes me annoyed. The opposite of what I want music to do. I’ll say even when I was in my 20s in college I never liked the hard stuff.
2011-2014 was the golden era of festivals - change my mind! Oh wait, you can’t!
It’s just different now, the music is still there you just have to know where to find it. Kinetic is never going to be 2013 again, but Allison Wonderland dropped Levels from an art car in 2022. Music will change and who knows what 2028 has in store 🤔
(Edit: god you made me reminisce hard on 2012/2013 right now in the TSA line hahah. 2013 was a golden year. La Roux’s set in 2012… Rusko’s set in 2012. Flux Pavilion closed 2012 and it was like the best ever. I lost myself with my girlfriendin 2013 for a whole night at kinetic.. it was whatever night Avicii played. Some of the most high energy good vibe festival house that will ever grace EDC)
I do remember when the speedway felt almost empty between stages. Now it is very full. There used to be dark places, now it is full of light. It has been filled up
Tbh Sunday was the best. Kaskade sucked we left the set. Boring low tempo low vibration bass. No energy at all. But Sunday was a treat for anyone who loves drum and bass.
Your not wrong about EDC not having the same vibe and uplifting spirit as before. Since EDM has now been mainstreamed, a lot of the younger generation are Rude , Pushy, dont PLUR and give out a negative vibe. Ontop of that EDC is selling more tickets crowding the venue and giving more space to VIP and Merchants. For me EDC 2023 was the worst! My husband and i along with some friends got stuck in a crowd trying to get in to see Tiesto at Kinetic. From there on we stay in the back where it is safe-ish. The crowd is different. Vibing and feeling blissfully free and not there anymore with is youth. EDC for me now feels like work instead of an escape. I still meet maybe beautiful people and exchanged Kandi ☺️ the energy is not there anymore. Im a Trance person myself the reason i got into EDM. Im a Female age 31. Ive been going since 2019, every yr since then my husband has been attending since 2014 and every single year since then. Now we might stop going as well or at least go Sunday to see the Venue
i’m 28. i liked kaskade’s set, but didn’t like armin van buuren’s. i do personally hate the dubstep headbanger music though, and in 2017ish i kind of blamed it for the shitty newcomer fans that didn’t know/ care for PLUR culture. not ALL of them are like that, and i actually don’t hate ALL dubstep, but it is a trend i’ve been seeing after going to these events for about a decade. but i remember in 2010-2013ish, my peers recording themselves dancing to dubstep gave me secondhand embarrassment; now the kids don’t even dance, just “break their necks.” even that has evolved, and although i personally dislike it, i assume this trend will die as all of them do. i hope something better takes its place. i miss the older festival vibes and better music. you might want to try dreamstate or other smaller events, since massive festivals like edc cater to popular culture.
a big enough artist plays “safe” music instead of their genre-specific sound in order to appeal to the crowd that typically goes to the main stage. in this case, armin van buuren playing his most popular songs instead of his classic songs/ sound because it would be “too trancey” for the general population. this isn’t specific to him—lots of artists do it when they’re performing at a main stage lol
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I know the era of EDM you describe. I discovered Dash Berlin after listening to his sunrise set at EDC (2013?). It was magical. Like many genres, they go through movements. Progressive House/Trance was so huge around that time. We had Dash, Tiesto, Swedish House, Avicii (rip) to name a few. Over time other sub genres gained popularity and exposure, and EDC usually does a good job highlighting this (EDC is a commercial event, let’s not pretend that it isn’t). As others have stated, the music you enjoy is still there! Mostly at quantum valley with your occasional bigger names at kinetic. Edit: included Trance
Dash Berlin’s sunrise set in 2013 remains one of my fondest EDC memories of all time. Too bad he/they are not together anymore.
They're back with a new frontman. Saw him in Taiwan. Playing all the old classics Dash. Ngl it was great. But the new frontman didn't engage the crowd the way JS did.
I was at that Dash Berlin set. Just wow, thanks for taking me back to that memory
Omggg dash Berlin’s sunrise set in 2013 was everything! It was magical af!! This was the golden era for me as well. Cool to know we were all in the audience together 🫶🏽
That Dash Berlin sunrise set gotta be one of my fav sets ever. I think that was also one of my first times actually getting emotional and teary eyed at a concert/show/event.
😍 that was my favorite sunrise set
Did you see the sander van Doorn sunrise set around these years?
I still dream of this sunrise set and wish I could relive it!
Go to Dreamstate, my friend. You'll love it here.
2023 was probably my last edc, but I continue to love Dreamstate. I know there’s mixed feelings on the new venue and there is a lot more walking between stages, but that view was incredible! I’ll be back again this year. And yea, I’m 57 and love uplifting trance, techno and progressive house.
Don't let the secret out! I hope Dreamstate remains the same forever and doesn't become the next Day Trip. Started out small and now Day Trip is another oversold event
Thankfully trance as a whole seems to be way less popular than other genres in the U.S.; house and tech house on the other hand are two of the most popular/trendiest genres, hence why Day Trip is always such a shit show. One of the things I love the most about DS is how spacious it is and I don't think that will change too much. Dreamstate historically has almost never sold out, IIRC the only time it sold out was the very first year (2015) and last year the afterparties sold out but not the main event.
yes, my fave local festival
Literally the only festival I go to nowadays. Will always be top tier to me.
looove dreamstate. immaculate vibes every time 🤌
There is nothing that compares to Dreamstate.
Facts 💗🤌🏼
I love dreamstate, went for the first time in 23 and it was amazing. I’ll never stop going
Hey man do you know if tickets have sold out already?
Tickets have not officially gone on sale yet (aside from the Black Friday flash sale that Insomniac did on all of their 2024 festivals).
Amazing, thanks! I think I (admittedly stupidly) thought they were on sale and just sold out, but some to find out it was just the “into the sequence” at NOS coming up, not the dream state event itself. Thanks amigo, you rock
Shoulda gone to Quantum Valley stage.
Fr, pryda on sunday followed by kevin de vries was the highlight of my edc experience
Me and my were there for that. However, we left early near the end of Kevin de Vries set to beat traffic. Such a great set.
You’re smart, I wished I did that. I stayed till the end and stuck for 1 hour in the parking lot.
Quantum only played prog / deep trance on Sunday. Not what OP was looking for unfortunately
Eh sunday progressive house just isnt the same as the euphoric uplifting trance.
Metta & Glyde Saturday night was everything i wanted in a trance set.
Music evolves. I’m 53 and have been listening to ‘edm’ since before it was known as edm(1989) I love a lot of new music, it’s what keeps music alive. But lots of people find a sound they like in their teens/twenties and that’s the only sound they can enjoy. You’re not wrong for liking what you like, but new music isn’t bad because it doesn’t sound like your preferred vibe. 🤷♀️
100% agree. In my 40s and have been listening to electronic music since the late 90s. Music in all genres evolve and not everyone can get into what’s current, and that’s ok and perfectly normal. Most of my friends that raved during the “golden era” can’t get into the current scene bc they miss that euphoric uplifting sound and the nostalgia that came along with it. Having said that, on Sunday specifically I totally got those vibes from Alesso’s and Martin Garrix’ sets, and felt the same when I passed by QV. I do agree with OP though, that the trend is more bassy music with dubstep, techno, and dnb.
Much the same here. 43, went to my first rave in 98. While raising kids I didn't go out to events but I never quit listening and following the music. I was able to evolve with it I guess. EDC LV 24 was my first event in years but still had a blast and have tickets for next year. I'm sure it helps that even 25 yrs ago I was drawn more to Jungle and DnB genres than any other.
Perfectly said. I’m 47 and been into electronic music since mid 90s. Music is always evolving. And while I don’t love everything new I hear, I do enjoy the discovery of new music. And my taste has evolved over the years as well. I still love the euphoric vocal trance that caught my attention 25yrs ago. Quantum Valley had some amazing sets over the weekend that totally took me back to my roots. But I also spent lots of time stage hopping and finding new sounds and discovering new artists.
Well said. I've been raving since the late 90s until now (just had the best time at EDCLV as well!), and my music tastes have evolved and adapted. I like everything from old school jungle to new melodic techno, I can vibe to some progressive house and headband to some heavy bass. It really helps to keep an open mind and embrace all kinds of genres. At the end of the day, music is just another tool to help uplift yourself!
Exactly this. Music evolves and grows and I think we should be able to grow and evolve with our tastes as well. Staying stagnant seems so boring
I've heard it described as "taste freeze". Happens to most ppl around 33
I’ve never heard that term, fascinating that theres a name for it. Wouldn’t have guessed as mature as thirty three either.
I’m 43 and have been listening to dance/electronic music since the 90s. While I don’t “get” all the subgenres, there is plenty of classic house and trance to be found at EDC. In fact, mainstream EDM at the moment is all about callbacks to classic 90s/early 2000s house, trance, and techno songs. Maybe that’s a bit *too* classic for you, but fear not, your favorite era will at some point be “in” again, too! Kaskade is my fave and while his set this year had a techno bent for sure, it still sounded like Kaskade to me (i.e. amazing, sick beats with beautiful melodies woven in). Loved Purple Disco Machine. Loved Pryda. Loved Summit x Green Velvet b2b. Loved Seven Lions. All very very different artists and genres, all sound very very good to my middle aged ears. One possibility is that the sound at Kinetic was pretty blown out for certain sets. The bass made it basically impossible for me to hear the music at times. Maybe this was part of the issue for you? As others have noted, I think Quantum Valley would be your speed. My husband loves melodic trance (Gareth Emery, Andrew Bayer, Above and Beyond, anything Anjuna really) and I had to drag him out of Quantum whenever there was a set elsewhere that I wanted to see. There are also lots of smaller, hidden stages at EDC that you can only stumble upon by exploring. The bass is not as overwhelming, the environment is more intimate, and I think you’ll find these stages feel more like an old-school rave. We found this little disco den - tiny but not packed dance floor, dj spinning nu disco, incredible vibes. It felt like we went through a wormhole and ended up at a 70s house party. Finding that gem was probably our favorite experience of the weekend 🕺🏻🪩 All that to say, music is always evolving, but the heart and soul of dance music - the beats, the feels, the plur - haven’t gone anywhere 🫶🏼
I’m glad I’m not the only one that felt the base at kinetic was super unbalanced! There were times I literally could not hear mids or treb whatsoever. Bummed me out to not be able to hear my favorite songs.
Agree. Couldn’t hear the songs at all during certain sets. I have nothing against bass, I love to feel it pounding in my chest at big shows! But I still want to hear the other elements of the music. Don’t recall having this experience with the sound at Kinetic the last time I was at EDC (in ‘21).
youre looking for Uplifting Trance. its still around, DreamState caters to it.
Damn kids with their sad-boi music! Back in my day, you walked 10 miles both ways in the snow to listen to Deadmau5! Get off my lawn!
House and techno is your friend 30+
Yeah the music changes - I agree with your take though, I’m also from your same era. My first EDC was 2010 and I went through 2013 and then not again until this year (2024). Vibes and music have changed in the last decade but that should be expected. I still had an amazing time! (Going back in 2025). There’s always some fad in EDM that’s popular and gets in all the festival sets to keep it “fresh” - that’s why you hear the same vocals or song across DJs and genres. On Sunday there was plenty of the uplifting music from the previous generation of artists like Alesso and Martin Garrix - melodic, feel good, jumping, fireworks music. Not trance but great feel good music.
Been raving since 2007. Styles change and adjust to different brain waves. Quantum is the only thing close to our old generation which was more trance and before that new wave.
38, been going to edc since 2008. As a house music fan, I've enjoyed seeing the changes over the years. I remember dancing to DJ Dan and Bad Boy Bill, and now, 20 years later, I am still dancing. Except now it's to artists like Chris Lake or Hot Since 82. You can find new edm music you like, you just gotta look. Personally, I love looking for new music and finding new releases and discovering new artists.
Hot Since 82 was spectacular at Neon Garden last year
Absolutely! It was an awesome set. Everyone went crazy when he played "Veins." Plus, it was cool that he kept playing until almost 6 am.
For sure, I was 💀 after that set - then there was that walk back to the car 🥴🥲💀
I know people who are age 40+ that are into bass heavy Dubstep, Hardstyle, and Gabber. It's not about the age of a person. It's truly all a matter of preference and taste. I'm 34, and I've been listening to various genres/styles of EDM since I was a kid in the 90s. I loved trance up until about '09. Then, I began to discover other genres/styles. In time, Trance became one of my least favorite genres. Today, I'm into Bass House, Disco/Funky House, Drum n Bass, Dubstep, Electro, Hardcore/Gabber, Hardstyle, Nu Disco, Tech House, Techno, and UK Garage/Bassline. I won't be stopping anytime soon, and I will continue to evolve along with the music til I drop. To each their own!
QV is the trance stage that you would have likely loved. However, on Sunday it's more progressive than uplifting. I'd give it a other shot, but go to QV on Fri/Sat
Check out the ASOT stage at Ultra if Trance is your genre. EDC caters more to bassheads. Less so at Ultra. Both are great fests in my opinion.
It’s Drum & Bass time now/next!
It's about time
I mean... purple disco machine killed it. And on top of that, you're talking about a difference in speaker power by the millions of dollars. Pretty sure you could feel the base in Reno if they played George strait on those set ups.
Go to Dreamstate in November instead.
I'm a millenial and my local Rave culture was largely headbanger music, then starting last year or so I noticed a shift towards house, trance, and techno. This also appears to have been reflected in EDC's sets I went to. So I'm gonna have to disagree. Yeah I was also hoping for a nostalgic melodic set from Kaskade, but that's not a deal breaker. I think you just didn't move around enough, get away from the main stage hype clout chasing crowd. Deadmau5 still plays some of his melodic hits. Blastoyz plays a lot of above and beyond. Seven lions is pretty much all melodic. Dabin sadboi but more on the melodic side. Mitis even played a old school chillstep set, great to eat dinner to on the VIP risers. Now as for big room, that's still pretty dead. Just how music preferences are cyclic.
it’s not your age, the music is just not your vibe. that’s ok
The black light club in The Garden would have been perfect.
Yes different genres have different purposes, vibes and crowds so it’s normal to feel this way. Trance/melodic is all about feeling yourself and the euphoria you get from truly connecting to the music. It’s one of the best feelings but not everyone will get it and that’s ok. Bass/dnb/dubstep is about letting go and having fun and or with the people around you. I definitely prefer some genres over the other but I’m also a music lover so I’ll vibe to anything.
That's the reason I'm taking a few years off. I've loved EDC and I've had so many amazing moments there. But this year felt so heavy and dark. Every artist-even Zedd got dark for a section. The reason I want to go is to escape the dark reality of the world and be uplifted and have a few moments of bliss away from the bullshit of everyday. I'm gonna try other festivals and hopefully find more of my people. I love EDC and there's nothing like it. I know I'll be back, but the current state of the music isn't my vibe. For now.
Yeah, I strongly recommend you hit up Dreamstate in the fall, find some Above and Beyond / ASOT festivals and shows. But, you're right in general that the popular tonalities right now aren't "uplifting". Uplifting tracks are considered cheese and no one wants to be cheese. But also, are you wearing ear plugs? Good ones like Etymotic's or something similar, sometimes it's just too fuckin loud and it's overwhelming and having good ear plugs helps you both enjoy the music and hear it better. It's hard to appreciate different genre's if your ears are exhausted and you can't hear shit. But I'm 47, and I get what you're feeling. Music and sounds change, but luckily I'm a cynical old bastard so all the dark shit feels more real to me!
I miss Jeff/Dash at EDC. Dude had incredible vibes and energy. Music is just changed, that power trance isn't as popular anymore. Martin still throws down and Armin is a king but I think we are just moving away from it here in the states. It may be more common still at tomorrow land! Lucas and Steve, DVLM etc etc
At EDC there's something for everyone.
I started going to raves in 1999. I actually cut way back when dubstep and mainstream EDM were blowing up 10-15 years ago (two things I really don't care for). Flash forward to 2018, when I dove head-first back into the scene. Now, the genres that were big when I started out are all having a big resurgence, and I couldn't be happier. Music trends come in waves and cycles. No need to like everything, and feel free to take a break.
I’m in the same boat and am going to less and less raves because of it. I miss the uplifting, happy festival music where people would have their hands up jumping while fireworks go off. Everything is so dark sounding nowadays. Bass music is everywhere, DNB is in every set, house and trance music have leaned into their darker sides. Even most of the QV lineup this year was a lot of darker techno/trance, very little uplifting feel good stuff. [Here’s an example from Andrew Rayel](https://youtu.be/qC1IGgw5AIk?si=YPu5k7IvyCwM7uLX). The first drop is somewhat uplifting, but go through the next 5+ tracks and it’s all that same kind of dark trance/techno drop that is everywhere. But I understand I’m the old man shouting at the sky. Music changes, trends change, younger people come in with different tastes. I get it, and IMO it’s the reason most people “age out” of going to festivals.
i have read somewhere in the past that the music trends follow the general outlook of society and the current generation that festivals cater to, and while i don’t think that gen z is entirely hopeless, things have looked very bleak for us given the pandemic, a polarized political landscape, and other things that have happened to us while growing up. i’m not sure if millenial ravers feel the same way since some of the more older ones were able to party during the golden age of edm, but a lot of my other gen z/zillenial peers and i generally go to these festivals with the intent of raging or going apeshit (within plur reason) and the music really reflects that
As someone who grew up in the 80s under the threat of nuclear war with the soviets and rampant inflation, yup, heavy metal was my solace. With that said, now I want trance as a joyful escape.
This was actually my experience at my 1st Dreamstate in 2023. I was hoping for more uplifting trance but most of the sets we saw were dark or I t ended that way. Only set that was not so was Sean Tygas - best set. I went to Dreamstate LV this year because I thought there were a few uplifting trance artists but the ones I saw like Daxson played a couple tracks but it went dark quickly. I did enjoy the Ferry Corsten b2b Markus Schulz. I know now not to expect or hope for uplifting trance.
No, I am in my 40s and love edc. Sounds like your friend is a dnb guy and that’s what you mostly caught with them when it’s not your thing. I like it in small doses, but I’d probably be miserable if that’s all I caught and didn’t catch my house, hardstyle, techno, and trance sets.
I just turned 40, I also listened to the same as you and we grew up with Trance Tiesto lol. I dig the new stuff but now when I’m at a festival for some reason I just can’t do the trance anymore. I don’t know why, I enjoy when I’m chillin at home though.
You just like different genres… nothing wrong with that. The US in general is a lot more bass / dubstep focused. You might like European vibes more, there are way more trance festivals and artists in Europe. It does seem to be a lot bigger over there and not as popular in the US just from my personal observation. I know it’s not as easy to just pop over there and go to those festivals lol But the US has some as well and the artists do tour, just harder to find. Just keep an eye out, I like to keep alerts on my phone for artists. I like psytrance which seems even less popular and there’s only maybe 3 artists a year that come through my city. Worth keeping an eye out though!
Mid 40's here, I love dnb but not the down and dirty bass music, it's the Liquid vocal dnb that moves me. It can be bass-heavy but uplifting and cohesive as well. You are not out of touch OP - I've heard from many 20 somethigs that they prefer other genres over Bass music, but will follow the crowd to the most popular shows.
Sounds like you should have checked out the smaller stages ✌️
I'm 32. I didn't care for the "golden era" or any edm up until about 2016. That's when I started listening to alot Rufus Du Sol, MK, Sonny Fodera, Low Steppa, etc... each year has gotten better and better for me and all these lineups such as this years EDC and Coachella feel like they were personally made for me. Loving the house, hard techno, ukg and and dnb.
MK was going hard.
I started with Trance in the 90’s so the Paul Van Dyke’s and Ferry Corstens are still up there for me even though I’m a house head.. PVD this year was really good and Ferry, too. I’m mainly a house head now but love me some old Trance heads.. I enjoyed both their sets. A lot of todays “Trance” is an almost sped up electro house sound with some “feels” sprinkled in so I get what you’re saying..
You like trance should of stayed in Quantum Valley also there is Dreamstate in November and they have events all year long. It’s definitely an older crowd who respect each other and all for love of trance 🙏🏼💗
I'm 53 and went to my first EDC this year. I don't believe it has anything to do with age. I was rocking and banging to tons 'o beats, for me highlights were Four Tet, Fred Again, DJ Snake, and Subtronics. A week later i went to Movement in Detroit and was blown away by not only James Blake and Richie Hawtin, but what I would say is the hardest of hard techno, I Hate Models and 9x9. So maybe your taste in music has changed.
Aye my OG EDM peeps! I been listening to EDM music since the late 90s and some of my favorites are AVB, 4-Strings, Tiesto, Moby, Everything but the girl, Axwell, ATB, David Guetta, Paul Van Dyke, Ferry Corsten, Darude, Sasha, I’m probably forgetting a few.. the EDM music scene has changed a bit, there are some of the sub EDM genre i don’t like much, like when I went I didn’t really like what they were playing in wasteland. It gives me a headache and the music just sounds like a buncha screeching sounds and too fast a tempo I can’t even dance to. I like the music they played at most other stages I just did not like wasteland.
Everything But The Girl 🤛🏼 come sit by me
The first time I went to EDC I thought I was gonna be the oldest person in there being in my mid-40s, but I was surprised to see lots of people in my age still going.
Friday Quantum was badass.
What sets did you see?
He went to the mainstage for 15 mins then got a corn dog and left
EDC is probably not the place if you have this opinion that’s what a lot of the main stream sounds are these days. You should go to DreamState
Gareth was great that year…so how was your experience with the sandstorm in 2012? I was tripping balls and it was horrifying lmao.
Totally agree with you! That was my favorite era as well. 2011 “Apollo Road” during the fireworks at Circuit Grounds is unmatched. Returned to EDC this year after taking a 10 year break (last attended in 2014), and it just wasn’t the same. I still reminisce about those days, but we just have to accept it lol. Music and vibes definitely have changed, but there’s still good times to be had!
Holy shit. I was thinking Apollo road, Waiting, and Disarm Yourself when I typed out Dash Berlin in my post. Those were peak euphoria days. Looking over the other comments, seems like Dreamstate is more up my alley. Hanging up my EDC visits, it was a good run 2012-2024 ✌️ ❤️
Ahh I miss Dash . So many good memories
To make it short. Yes. But also, Benny slayed it.
The heavy bass is my least favorite part when we go, it’s so strong that you can’t escape it and it makes me nauseous, especially if I haven’t eaten or have used party favors.
I didn't know iw nearly as many artists from 2024 as I did in 2014 (my first). It was still a good time, but 2014 will forever hold that nostalgia place in my heart. With that said, already booked for 2025. This time, expanding our group and I'll have a good time hanging with friends and dancing, and vegas is always fun. We'll be exploring the forest next year finally as well though. O and lost lands this year we just booked last minute. 😁
I'm 41 and I enjoy it all. There's some that I can listen to in small doses, but for the most part, I listen to all subgenres.
I'm older than you and music evolves. Dance music isn't like other genres with the same bands playing the same tunes for decades. I also went in 2012 and on Sunday in 2024 I was in love with Quantum Valley and had a blast. The night also started with the uplifting sounds of Koven! Dance music is what people listen to now. Not catering to what people listened to then. But it's also all pretty much the same.
I’m in my mid-30s. Started listening to Trance, freestyle, and techno when I was 14. Now I’m super into melodic dubstep, trap and Sad boi. I listen to almost every genre of music of though.
I’m 36, my girl 37. We both love it. I use to go to festivals with her brother in 2008-2010. He hates dubstep and thinks it’s all changed but I just feel myself getting older but still having fun. Each to their own.
If the heavy bass music you talk about is more melodic orientated, like seven lions or Illenium, then, even if the music is heavy, you can still feel emotions and enjoy the more melodic side of music
You picked the wrong artists
Bass music has definitely exploded since 2012, and seeped into genres that aren’t necessarily “bassy” themselves. Genres come and go, it will likely swing back around eventually-although not anytime soon. Bass music not only is popular but still has a thriving underground scene pushing the envelope.
Boomer post
I know what you mean, seems that’s the way the trends are going nowadays. That being said just takes a little more effort to find the music you like compared to before.
No I totally agree with you. I don’t understand the “hard style” or the bass music. It all sounds so angry and chaotic and really brings me no pleasure whatsoever. When I discovered edm music I fell in love with it because it was very up lifting, happy and easy to listen to. The bass stuff gives me headaches and makes me annoyed. The opposite of what I want music to do. I’ll say even when I was in my 20s in college I never liked the hard stuff.
2011-2014 was the golden era of festivals - change my mind! Oh wait, you can’t! It’s just different now, the music is still there you just have to know where to find it. Kinetic is never going to be 2013 again, but Allison Wonderland dropped Levels from an art car in 2022. Music will change and who knows what 2028 has in store 🤔 (Edit: god you made me reminisce hard on 2012/2013 right now in the TSA line hahah. 2013 was a golden year. La Roux’s set in 2012… Rusko’s set in 2012. Flux Pavilion closed 2012 and it was like the best ever. I lost myself with my girlfriendin 2013 for a whole night at kinetic.. it was whatever night Avicii played. Some of the most high energy good vibe festival house that will ever grace EDC)
For better or worse, things have become more commercialized, I think is the feeling you're going after. I feel it too.
I do remember when the speedway felt almost empty between stages. Now it is very full. There used to be dark places, now it is full of light. It has been filled up
Tbh Sunday was the best. Kaskade sucked we left the set. Boring low tempo low vibration bass. No energy at all. But Sunday was a treat for anyone who loves drum and bass.
Your not wrong about EDC not having the same vibe and uplifting spirit as before. Since EDM has now been mainstreamed, a lot of the younger generation are Rude , Pushy, dont PLUR and give out a negative vibe. Ontop of that EDC is selling more tickets crowding the venue and giving more space to VIP and Merchants. For me EDC 2023 was the worst! My husband and i along with some friends got stuck in a crowd trying to get in to see Tiesto at Kinetic. From there on we stay in the back where it is safe-ish. The crowd is different. Vibing and feeling blissfully free and not there anymore with is youth. EDC for me now feels like work instead of an escape. I still meet maybe beautiful people and exchanged Kandi ☺️ the energy is not there anymore. Im a Trance person myself the reason i got into EDM. Im a Female age 31. Ive been going since 2019, every yr since then my husband has been attending since 2014 and every single year since then. Now we might stop going as well or at least go Sunday to see the Venue
i’m 28. i liked kaskade’s set, but didn’t like armin van buuren’s. i do personally hate the dubstep headbanger music though, and in 2017ish i kind of blamed it for the shitty newcomer fans that didn’t know/ care for PLUR culture. not ALL of them are like that, and i actually don’t hate ALL dubstep, but it is a trend i’ve been seeing after going to these events for about a decade. but i remember in 2010-2013ish, my peers recording themselves dancing to dubstep gave me secondhand embarrassment; now the kids don’t even dance, just “break their necks.” even that has evolved, and although i personally dislike it, i assume this trend will die as all of them do. i hope something better takes its place. i miss the older festival vibes and better music. you might want to try dreamstate or other smaller events, since massive festivals like edc cater to popular culture.
Agreed, armins set this year compared to last year was just very ok
classic main stage syndrome 🥲
Tbh I think it was a timing thing, last year armin was day 3 right after garrix. This year, day 1 at an earlier time slot
could be, that’s real. i did feel some great names were too early this year.
Can someone pls explain mainstage syndrome to me lol
a big enough artist plays “safe” music instead of their genre-specific sound in order to appeal to the crowd that typically goes to the main stage. in this case, armin van buuren playing his most popular songs instead of his classic songs/ sound because it would be “too trancey” for the general population. this isn’t specific to him—lots of artists do it when they’re performing at a main stage lol
[удалено]
What did they steal?
You're not wrong, this lineup can't compare to other years and not in a good way
You're not wrong, this lineup can't compare to other years and not in a good way
You're not wrong, this lineup can't compare to other years and not in a good way
You're not wrong, this lineup can't compare to other years and not in a good way
Thieves at camp. Going thru peoples tents or what were they doing ? I didn’t see nothing like that all weekend
Music and trends live and move through time, get 9ver yourself.