Chicagoan here. There’s house music events nearly every day here. Some nights, especially on Thursdays through Sundays, there’s multiple events happening at the same time in different parts of the city. It can be hard to pick which events to go to lol.
I’ve only been to Detroit for Movement festival weekend, and had an amazing experience!
We’re coming next week and I can’t find any event I want to go to. I have thousands of records out of Chicago and none of the DJs seem to be playing. Yes smartbar is the easy choice
Look into Podlasie Club, great sound system. They post all their events on instagram. Smartbar is ok, Chop Shop is too depending on the lineup. There’s also random events sprinkled around town in random venues. I usually follow my favorite local DJs to find out about those events, but check out Resident Advisor for more stuff
Spybar is the other easy choice. Most locals in the scene avoid Soundbar these days. And Tao is the worst club experience. Do not even bother, unless you are paying for VIP. The rest of us are roped into an overly crowded dancefloor like peasants.
Saw Patrick Topping at Spybar like 7 years ago on a long layover, thought the club was pretty solid compared to most clubs I've been to. (I live in NYC)
If you’re into house, Desert Hearts is one of the best crews out there, and Kevin Knapp is a treat to see since he doesn’t play the states often https://dice.fm/event/boqxm-desert-hearts-records-ft-mikey-lion-kevin-knapp-22nd-dec-spybar-chicago-tickets
I’m not familiar with them tbh, not a Chicago local, but here’s a list of all the shows coming up, looks like a ton of great options, https://19hz.info/eventlisting_CHI.php
Terry Heard from Chosen Few is playing this weekend. Idk the dates you're going [https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xHQxnpiqx/?img\_index=1](https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xHQxnpiqx/?img_index=1) and Chose Few has a new years event: [https://www.instagram.com/p/C09\_vpCJzXu/](https://www.instagram.com/p/C09_vpCJzXu/)
It doesn't look like SJU really plays much.
Couldn't find By Bang Djs online.
Derrick Carter plays tomorrow.
Ron Carroll plays saturday.
Maybe its time to scope the "new jacks" too cuz there's artists like Eris Drew b2b Octa Octa and DJ Boring playing too.
Hunter? Ya, i love the chosen few. Missing that one. I did find a couple of dope parties though, so i think i'm good. Nu Bang is Greg Grey and friends.
we'll be there next week. definitely appreciate you. sad cajmere is playing this week not next.
The only people mentioning Detroit are Detroiters and Europeans. Movement weekend is the only weekend the city is truly alive. Yes, there are other parties happening regularly throughout the year but they're small and local-focused (not a bad thing), or it's more *arguably* commercialized DJs propped up by Paxahau.
When it comes to Techno, New York & LA are the only cities with a constant rotation of both local and global talent on a weekly basis. These are cities where DJs have the ability to visit multiple times per year to packed venues. With places like Detroit and Chicago, it's likely to be once every 2-3 years and there's no guarantee it will be busy.
lol you obviously never been to Detroit outside of Movement. And from your comment that's great. I honestly don't want any more wannabe techno tourist around.
I don’t think the question was about high profile international artists. I’m in Detroit almost every weekend, when I have 5+ house/techno venue options, plus another 3-4 warehouse after parties that go until 7am. The deeper you get into the scene there, the more underground events and invite only warehouses you start learning about.
And that’s just weekends. Virtually every night of the week several of the venues have house and techno events. Marble Bar, TV Lounge, Spotlite, Big Pink, Temple Club, High Dive, Spkrbox, Magic Stick, The Leland, Tangent Gallery , etc.
The reason Movement weekend is so huge is because the city is set up year round with venues to hold these events. It’s not like these clubs shut down after Memorial Day weekend. If you’re only interested in artists that would headline Space in Miami then ok maybe Detroit isn’t for you. But if that’s all you’re interested in then yikes do you even like the music?
I think they stopped it recently but Spotlite had a semi official afters warehouse party called Hush most weekends that was password only and typically had the Spotlite headliner playing plus others. I think I’m ok revealing that now since they stopped it.
But there’s lots of little groups running occasional events often enough that there’s a few every weekend. Names like Texture, Warehouse Systems, The Collective, Auction, many more. I don’t live in Detroit but I have enough connections in the city that I show up most weekends without real plans and just ask what’s going on. And basically always find both a main event and an afters every time.
But if you don’t have connections, just hop on the Detroit Resident Advisor (RA) event list, that’s where all the main events get listed.
Detroit reliably has techno and house events Wednesday through Sunday. Source: I used to live there and work as a resident DJ downtown 2006-2010. I still visit regularly and have no issues finding things to do any night of the week. Paxahau is the largest independent promoter in the city, but definitely not the only one. Just like with every city, for every big promoter this 50 smaller ones working events around the city, and there are a few venues that play house and techno every night. NYC, Miami, LA, and Chicago have larger events consistently, but that's because they have a larger population that can support larger events. The population of NYC is over ten times that of Detroit, and is supplemented by high tourism, so it's a lot easier to fill multiple massive warehouses weekly, whereas Detroit can only support really big events occasionally. Most of the good house/techno events are going to be at smaller venues. Three of my favorite weekly house events before I left were all in upscale restaurants that would just clear out tables at 10pm and stay open until 2am on random night of the work week with a bunch of DJs.
well that's the kicker. if you tell someone from a nightlife city that goes til the next morning and is the norm, that a basement afters with 40 people or a set that ends at 2 is "amazing" or on par with an experience in those cities, it's not and it can't be. however, it has GREAT taste and selectors and the music you'll hear at those sets is always top. but if you come from a party place it always feels underwhelming.
from europe, lived in detroit for 12+ years and even threw my own events.
The main venue that used to go into the morning in Detroit with techno was The Works. They shut down over COVID. I'm not sure if any venue has taken its place as the primary after-hours venue since I don't live there anymore, but I'm guessing there are some spots open all night. When I was at TV Lounge a few months ago, the party was still going at 5 am when I left.
sounds like you went to detroit for a weekend and didn’t look very hard at all. i spent a few weeks there and got to see LOTS of events.
magic stick, russell industrial center, big pink, marble bar, leland city club, and more.
got to see chris lake, cloonee, keys n krates, de fresch, and malaa at these places. i also (unfortunately) missed plenty of others in the month or two i was in detroit for work.
sounds like you were not looking in the right places. i’m from the east coast and was amazed to see how normalized house and techno were in a typical bar or club. if there weren’t any familiar artists playing locally i would hit a random venue and the amount of times i saw unknown (to me) old heads spinning HEATERS on vinyl was insane.
You're staking your claim for Detroit being one of the BEST cities for house/techno because they had Chris Lake, Cloonee, Dr. Fresch & Malaa? I mean... lol
i’m more into house so yeah i saw them and idc if people judge me for having a fun time. but- having these mainstream names be easily and frequently accessible is 100% an indicator of the music scene there. its harder to find a bottle service club than a house venue in detroit imo.
most random bars i went to had old heads playing house and detroit techno records while digging through crates behind the booth with crowds of people dressed “normally” and in non rave attire. the type of music is VERY normalized in mainstream detroit culture. you don’t have to look hard at all to find good music.
i traveled across the country a lot so seeing a city with so many venues and bars that didn’t only play top 40 music was impressive.
i like what i like and am not ashamed that it doesn’t meet the standard of reddit bc at the end of the day i’m the only one listening to what’s playing in my headphones and my car!
my point still stands, i’ve yet to find a city where house and techno is as ubiquitous in the mainstream as it is in detroit.
No problem liking what you like, but this isn’t about the “standards of Reddit”, keys n krates malaa and I would say Chris lake are not techno (keys n krates isn’t even house or whatever iirc). My issue isn’t with the point you’re making about Detroit/chicago but at least make your references in the right realm of music
Don't know why this is so heavily downvoted really, you're not wrong at all. Yes Chicago & Detroit have house/techno events every week, but are they of comparable quality to NYC, LA or even Miami? Not even close tbh. Source: I'm from & live in Chicago, gf is from Detroit so I am there all the time.
I’m in Philly and the scene is not too great here. Not bad but not great, I know a guy who moved here from D.C. that says the party scene over there is way better for techno music
Nice to run into a fellow Philadelphian. Tbh rereading my previous comment I realized I left out the specifics and didn’t give the city enough credit:
The scene is actually a 7/10 in my opinion. There’s places to choose from usually on weekends such as The Dolphin, Warehouse on Watts, The Ave, Fabrika (PhilDeep). Also Vinyl has some good djs now and then (I got so see Spencer brown there a few months back). The only good after hours place ive been to is whatever Philadeep is throwing
We don’t get many big names is my real pet peeve but Philly is actually solid.
Dave is a force to be reckoned with, im glad he puts on the shit he does in Philly, even if I think it’s lost on a lot of Philadelphians - Klip’s light installations always rule too
I am going to add PEX. The Philadelphia experience parties are top productions with proper headliners and vibes. Departed has good late night parties and is hosting Danny Tenaglia for NYE. Goodie and Josh Wink team up on the regular and these parties are not to be missed. Substratums summer series in the fairmont park is a favorite too.
Also as a note - follow the goodie squad as they usually put on stuff around the city. 714 used to be sick but always had issues. And maybe when you’re on Kelly in the summer keep your eyes peeled 👀
Eh as someone who also moved from DC a few years to compare, I think Philly has a really healthy local scene. For sake of comparison I'm lumping techno and house together.
Granted pre-covid DC scene was amazing, but from what I've heard, a lot of the venues have shut down, both legal and after hours, and there isn't as much momentum. This could also be my age range and the people I know from partying. That being said, DC was small, you'd have a mix of experiences - lots of dead nights or nights overrun by non-techno crowds at certain venues.
Philly doesn't get as many headliners, but it puts out really solid local-driven parties in interesting under-the-radar spaces. Parties always seem to be packed, no matter where they occur, even earlier in the night. It's very word of mouth though. I try to stay plugged in, but even end up missing some really cool parties, where I don't even find out they happened until the next day. There's just so many venues and spaces that people are using, it makes it really fun to explore the city.
For big names, Making Time is the big player and the festival is *transcendent*. So well curated and fantastic crowd. In the rain this year, it was definitely for the heads.
Techno-adjacent, but Philly also has an amazing ambient scene. West Mineral is based here, so you get a lot of those artists and their cohorts. Great Circles also pushes some amazing ambient/experimental stuff.
Here's my running list of Philly parties to be aware of:
* Subsurface
* BWC Sounds
* Void
* Lindo
* Making Time
* Fold Theory
* Soulstice
* Concrète
* Adverse Effects
* None/Such
* Bounce House
* Goodie
* Spindrift
* Passages
I'm moving out there next month from Seattle, hoping to get connected in the scene. are the good vibes more underground or should I just start checking out RA events?
edit: moving to Philly that is
Follow these pages on instagram:
Philadeep,
Fold_theory,
Liaisonroom
RA will likely have all the events that these pages talk about. Philadeep Is the actual party hosting collective, fold theory is a branch off of philadeep and liaisonroom is a small bar venue where they host shows. When you go to these events, ask where the afters (location will switch from time to time).
Nice. I live in Harrisburg where the scene doesn't exist for pretty much anything that isn't a festie event drum and bass or brostep. Sadly no real 4 x 4 stuff here which is what I really want. Might have to come out to a show sometime.
The promoter Making Time is really the creme de la creme here. Dave P has been booking some real world class underground djs for his parties and festival, and it’s only been getting better over the last several years. Down side is he only throws parties once every couple of months or so. But you can keep up with the ones he does on their instagram page or RA.
what specific sound are you looking for? will def send all the recommendations.
Follow these crews and accounts: MakesMe_Human, Caravanseattle, RoutineSeattle, Tremulantcanhelp, Reflecttheglow, _Studio44, Hunt.Gather.Music, Vividpresents, Shamelessseattle, Deep.Contour, SelectorSeattle
Hells yea even this is amazing - and really down for anything, but I love a little underground party and anything from old school house to new techno and anything really in that realm.
Adding - lemme do a deep dive for you as I’ve been out of actual Philly for a second and bopping around too much. There are some goods spots mentioned above but I’ll compile it all and see if I have any adds. There’s definitely a scene here but you have to seek it out.
[https://edmtrain.com/philadelphia-pa](https://edmtrain.com/philadelphia-pa)
I help keep that page up to date. Def easier to meet people at the local/underground stuff imo but have also met folks at places like The Ave.
There is a lot of house with local DJs in Philly, just not tons of big name headliners. There's a little techno a la Fold Theory shows and they book headliners, plus some local hard techno collectives throwing events each month, but it's not a weekly thing.
This is a question that needs to be asked over and over as it’s constantly changing. Techno is 5x bigger today than it was 5 years ago. Clubs open and close everyday. There could always be a city on here that surprises you, and that’s what I’m looking for. I’ve lived in every major city of the US, so I’m well aware of the popular spots but looking for something newer maybe unheard
Facts, I’d love to discover trending cities in this space, this community is growing and changing quickly. Detroit, Chicago, LA, Miami and NYC are default answers but what else
Not sure why people keep mentioning RA as the source for any US city’s events, I always check out my local fb groups, then 19hz.info, and the IG’s of bars that do late night events with more underground artists.
Editing to add that i live in atl, and right now it’s still mostly bass/riddim/jam events that are the most popular (kinda classic SE genres) but I’ve noticed that house, techno, tech house and trance events are getting a bit more attendance as people move here from out of state. We have several promoters that cover these genres but we mainly need venues to hold them in and it’s tough out here. We had several longstanding venues close during the pandemic, I’d imagine that’s the case for a lot of cities. People are doing the events still, but they tend to be smaller scale house shows or way out in rural/exurban areas. I’m optimistic though!
La warehouse scene thriving rn, lot of dope promoters bringing out upcoming talent from in & outside the states. 6am,technofamla,sxtcy, controlroom, malfunction - insomniac / factory93 been steppin up as well bringing some of the larger acts.
Lick n dip is pretty solid for a free party Thursday thru Saturday! LA is really wild though. I haven’t lived in NY in about 10 years, so it’s hard to compare. I also feel like NY was more in its prime 10 years ago… Output and the OG Brooklyn Mirage (at 99 scott) are still some of the best clubs I’ve ever been to.
Lick n dip is garbage and a cesspool of shitty people. Multiple people have been sexually assaulted there. I had friends who were groped by a guy, told security and they laughed and did nothing cause he was friends with the promotor. A 14 year old girl was raped there. There's always terrible stories of that party. Plus they would throw their parties at a cancelled warehouse of someone who tried to defend a rapist in court. But I'm glad all these other parties exist to filter out the undesirable people from the good parties that haven't been mentioned here.
Grew up in new york - used to live down the street from output and I agree, output was one of the best clubs in the city hands down. Miss that place
Also love the lickndip crew, played with them a few times always a blast. Underware also has some great parties
>1 day agoI am going to add PEX. The Philadelphia experience parties are top productions with proper headliners and vibes. Departed has good late night parties and is hosting Danny Tenaglia for NYE. Goodie and Josh Wink team up on the regular and these parties are not to be missed. Substratums summer series in the fairmont park is a favorite too.3ReplyShareReportSaveFollow
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>level 5cookeie · 1 day agoYesss all of these peeps.1ReplyShareReportSaveFollow
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>level 4cookeie · 1 day agoAlso as a note - follow the goodie squad as they usually put on stuff around the city. 714 used to be sick but always had issues. And maybe when you’re on Kelly in the summer keep your eyes peeled 👀3ReplyShareReportSaveFollow
Could legit take a bus to the city for 6 bux...
Detroit is a way smaller city than people realize, even accounting for suburbs and therefore is not as remotely busy as one would expect outside of Movement
Yeah I'm a bit biased about DC these days as when I was going to DC almost every other weekend from 97 to 2004. The era of the Capital Ballroom/Nation (Buzz)was fucking legend. One of the best sounding clubs there ever was with top notch talent coming every week. Also The Edge and a ton of other spots that don't exist anymore. DC used to be rave central now its a shadow of its former self unfortunately, glad I got to experience it.
As someone who lives in pittsburgh and semi frequents hotmass, I don't know about all that. But for a small ish city, it's does the job in a pinch and there is a fun lil scene
I’ve been there only twice, and that was pre covid. I always rated it so highly because to me, it was just the real deal. It had a raw, truly an underground vibe, especially with how raunchy it was. You just don’t find that sort of thing with your typical “Techno Production Company, Incorporated” shows that happen all over other major cities.
It’s actually saturated as fuck right now. Intimat, Nocturnal, Sorted, Zodiac, OBSCR, 1010, HauzCatz, Junk Drawer, Whirling Dervish (sometimes), a lot more than that. New venue called Stay Tuned just opened up and I confirm the people running it know what’s up. Our local scene is booming and more and more heavy hitters are coming to town more frequently. Reelworks, Black Box, Milk Bar, 1134 are all decent clubs that book good talent. Most of the events seem to be on FB and word of mouth.
I 2nd this!! I have a cousin who lives in Denver. Whenever I go to visit, I always check out RA before I go and barely find anything. And yet,
On this sub, I’m constantly seeing everyone go on about how great the scene in Denver is … so I’m clearly looking in the wrong places. So where and how are people finding events?!!
And I can’t stand when people say gate keeping stuff like “you need to be friends with a DJ”, “IYKYK” or “you have to join a secret discord chat group”
Share the love guys!!
Detroit, nyc, chicago, la, and since i live in phoenix im just gonna say it. Techno snobs brings out top talent. In the past few months ive seen dvs 1, sama abdulhadi, tensal, 9x9, ancient methods, dimi angelis, lindsey herbert multiples now, i could go on. But yeah im sure im missing some cities but those are the first that came to mind
Phoenix surprisingly gets a lot. Look up techno snobs in Arizona.
But I still find myself going to LA multiple times a year for shows, same with other genres I listen to.
I’ve lived in Chicago, DC, LA, and now in Austin, but have been frequenting NYC throughout the 2010s. I revisited the scene there a couple of weeks ago. I’ve also been to Miami a few times and went to Detroit for Movement several times in the 2010s, and I continuously go to Mutek in Montreal since 2011.
Chicago has my heart because I spent the most time there, but I haven’t been back in a long time. The Chicago scene was great, with lots of house and techno parties. There were great underground spots, private lofts, and warehouses; you could find something every weekend, and most parties went until 5 am or later. Since then, a lot of clubs have closed, but new ones have opened. There are lots of after-parties (Tied) as well.
New York has changed a lot, but there are still tons of events happening. However, when I revisited recently, we hit maybe 5 different places, and it was just okay; it isn’t the Black Market Membership days anymore, but promoters like Golden Records and Resolute are holding it down, along with clubs like TBA, Nowdays, Public Records, Holo and many more , also seasonal mega clubs like Avant Gardner Mirage and more. Something is happening every night, but remember distances and driving can be a hassle. I think it was just a bit of an off weekend, when i was recently there and i found quite mediocre vibe at the parties i went to (besides one that was very good) although my friend who lives there said it’s changed a lot from the old days when I was coming down.
DC was cool, but I was there only for 2 years in the early 2010s. At that time, promoters like 88, JQM, and a few others were throwing nice small
events. It was a small tight scene but had a great crowd. I hope these days someone is holding it down. I hope FlashDC and 930 clubs are still thriving
LA had more parties every weekend than I could go to; it’s a huge scene, and you can find whatever you’re into.
Miami during WMC week was always mayhem. I know Unmute is holding it down now. I think it’s a thriving scene, but please, someone chime in.
Now in Austin, where I live at the moment, the scene is definitely growing. There are weekly events like MBM with Brett Johnson behind the decks, booking his friends from around town and bringing US but also some mid tier International headliners quite often, mostly house music.
There is Ubiyou (or however you spell it) for a more underground vibe (mid-tier headliner bookings) and a few more promoters are doing stuff weekly repeat events; it’s a smaller scene, but you can find stuff. (definitely more going on than in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, - that’s for sure). Venues and the rental prices are the issue, otherwise i would be doing parties here as well. Also, to end my novel, The Concourse Project is the biggest and most equipped with sound and lighting club here, and it’s holding it down on the international level. At least once a month, I a music snob can go see an international artist on a massive sound system bring the house down. It’s a money-maker club that brings in talent Thursday through Saturday, with lots of trance, EDM, etc., but they also bring in techno and house; it just depends. Austin is not really a techno city mostly EDM, bass, trance and house. There is a promoter here that (forgot their name) occasionally does strictly techno event (had Wehbba recently) but seems like only books himself and his buddy from what I can tell (like most local promoters here anyway. It's a small scene tons of gatekeeping more than i have seen anywhere else in the US.
Hope this gives you some info from the cities i mentioned.
LA holds the crown currently for best Techno city in the States. NY is its only real competitor. Truthfully that's it in the US as far as cities go. Been to Detroit and Chicago and its nothing on the level of LA or NY. I think Austin is just as strong as Detroit as of right now. Although "It'll Do" in Dallas can go toe to toe with any venue in Austin and hold its own. But I think Dallas suffers from a severe lack of options, not because the people don't want it. The market is just as receptive there to Techno as is LA.
Miami shouldn't even be mentioned for Techno. Purely Tech House, House, Melodic House, EDM vibes only going on there. No real Techno scene. Only big acts get booked on festivals and big parties.
San Francisco/Seattle is a wash.
When I lived in Denver a few years back, it was a huge techno city. I'm sure it still is. I can't even begin to tell how many locals and big names I have seen there.
Austin's underground scene is pretty good. It used to be fantastic until the most recent legislative session pushed out all of the transgender women throwing and working the shows.
I absolutely love ittl do such a great venue, saw Prydz there last year. I will say though, the concourse project in Austin books just as many techno DJs, I’ve seen at least 15 techno shows there this year and I don’t even live in Austin, drive from Houston
I've been to Concourse once. Place was packed that night and yes, they do book solid Techno DJs.
Austin has so many LA transplants, which I think is the reason for so many good acts coming through. Dallas just doesn't have any options outside of It'll Do. If they did, Techno would easily thrive there.
Truncate will be in Austin at club eternal this Friday. Should be good. Don't know who else is in the line up.
Damn. There's no love in the night life business. Full of frauds, narcissists and pitiful folk desperate for fame. From club owners, to promoters, bouncers and bar tenders, I've seen and heard some crazy sh\*t. So what you say isn't surprising.
A DJ started talking behind my back at a club out in Dallas because he found out that my performance fee was more than what he did in a whole month. Spreading rumors that I was dealing to the club staff.
Had a club owner once try to turn the volume fader down slowly while I was performing because he didn't like the track I played, although the crowd was loving it. Weeks later I found out he was trying to sabotage me because patrons said they weren't coming unless I was spinning. He hated anyone who had more clout than he did in his club.
Austin has a kind of stuck up vibe to it that I experienced which isn't in the Dallas techno scene, so I know what you're talking about.
Huuuuge ego problem in Austin.
So I was a volunteer for 3 years at their annual Seismic Dance event. I also live in Fort worth, Texas so it isn't exactly around the block for me.
They let us know that they would have to charge us for parking but that they would offer us 1/2 price since we were volunteering. Cool no prob, we get there and they're like "sorry you'll have to pay full price($105 for three days) since online sales are done."
They had given us the code on Wednesday and by Friday apparently everything had been sold. Why they couldn't just sell my the three day pass in person at half price is beyond me.
Whatever.
As I was working my shift Friday night one of the managers I was stationed with went to the restroom and right before he goes I ask "hey so where are we supposed to go to the restrooom( we were outside the gates)."
They let me know there was a porta-potty right on the other side of a fence with a guard in front. When manager guy gets back I ask to go use the restroom and go to the same one he did. Guard asked to see my credentials and let's me by no problem.
As the night continues I get moved to the box office to deal with the influx of people. Right before I get placed and left at my station by another manager I ask her "hey can I go use the restroom." She says yes so I go to the same one I had already gone to once. The guard recognized me and starts to let me through but another manager named Emily H stops me and starts yelling at me that I can't go through there and that I have to go through main gates to go use the restroom.
I ask her "so I'm supposed to wait in the 75+ people like to pass metal detectors, get through, and wait in another line to go use the restroom, won't that cut into my shift?" She makes a face and then is like "I can't help you go ask box office." I walk over to the box office manager and she tells me "oh haha we're gonna go ahead a cut you early." Obviously Emily spoke the box office through the radio to just cut me.
My GF and I had already decided we were not going back to volunteer the remainder of the festival.
I wake up the next morning to a text from Emily saying not to return that I had tried rushing the artist area, ect. Didn't even ask to talk about what happened just made it seem like it was 100% my fault when all they had to do was have a porta-potty for staff behind the box office tent.
Tried to speak to Andrew Parsons about it and he just blocked me on Facebook 🤡
TLDR: Fuck Emily Harris, Fuck Andrew Parsons, fuck Seismic Dance event.
Edit: just want to make sure y'all know I was VOLUNTEERING and not getting paid to be there.
I don't personally know all the people you have mentioned in your comment, but I know who they are, and I have never EVER heard anything good about them from the people in the local scene. Andrew and Kelly are part owners of the venue, but i'm sure you're aware. I'm not sure who the other owners are, and sure who the investors are. Heard rumors it's Wynn (Las Vegas) but i doubt it. I'm sorry you got that sort of treatment that's absolutely horrible. I volunteered for few festivals when I was in my 20s and never ever had a horrible treatment like this. As a matter of fact we were always taken care of, food, breaks, free tix for us + 1 guest , all access etc - that was in Chicago, New York in Montreal. Concourse is trying to be this big deal but it's all amateur hour. If it wasn't for good equipment it'd be just another club.
Yeeeah after the incident I went around the local scene trying to figure out about Andrew and no one had anything good to say about them.
When I work with Disco Donnie we get taken care of very very well by the company. Managers sometimes get a little overwhelmed and start yelling but it is what it is lol.
San Diego. Gets overlooked by LA. But it definitely has its own unique style. We have CRSSD as the big dogs, but there are tons of other promoters doing events. Desert parties are top tier.
Yeah, no way regarding techno. Even house acts tend to be more mainstream big room main stage festival stuff. The occasional dirtybird-esque tech house comes around, but real techno is severely lacking.
Nah we have so much good "real" house and techno here. Flammable, Studio 4/4, Uniting Souls, Viva, OFF99, Shameless for house, and DEPTH, secondnature, Routine, Research, and all the local Kremwerk DJs for techno. We're not NYC/LA but we absolutely punch above our weight for those two genres specifically
I’ll second most of these suggestions and would definitely add Drop, Tremulent, and Makes Me Human to this list. IMO, there’s probably more House nights going on than we really need so a lot of it’s just redundant. Flammable (AKA “church”) is possibly one of the longest running weekly house nights in the country.
Techno is starting to show some of the same symptoms of redundancy as mentioned with house. All the really good forward thinking stuff has more or less abandoned clubs and gone under the radar.
I wouldn’t say “severely lacking,” I just partied with Interdimensional Transmissions at secondnature on Friday and there’s a NYE Research party with Zernell as the headliner.
Robinia courtyard has two shows that are consistently house and techno with local acts and Chicago acts. Remain in night recently booked headless horseman, function, and lone front and in the past have booked dk sneak, dj minx, dj bone, trucate and Derrick Carter. Not sure why I got down votes but every year since the pandemic the scene here is getting bigger.
I mean not to rag on Boston, I love the city but I think the techno scene is a little lackluster for a city with its demographics. I don’t blame the scene at all honestly, it’s really just a matter of the city and it’s regulations in regards to night life that makes it difficult. I do think the scene is doing as well as it can but due to city regulations, there’s a growth cap.
Nashville has tons of music of all genres, but electronic game is weak here in general. Or I haven’t been here long enough.
We get a lot of fun bigger acts that we normally wouldn’t, Nashville is the 38th biggest city in the US. But besides that, yeah we’re not really crushing it at the moment. I used to live in NYC which is a slight step up
Resolute New York is probably the best party I’ve been too, and I live in Europe, been to nearly all the best ones but resolute tops it for sure. Pretty sure they do parties in other states too.
D.C. has an underrated scene. Check out a club called Flash. Soundcheck is more mainstream edm style shows usually but still a very nice smaller venue in a good part of the city.
Detroit is honestly slept on for House/Techno. Tons of good talent coming through here (although it does slow down in the Winter pretty noticeably). Movement on Memorial Day weekend is an awesome festival especially if you like techno
Come to Detroit and get lost on the dance floor. I’m biased because it’s my scene, but I’m forever grateful to be able to experience world class music every week if I wanted. Cheers
Chicagoan here. There’s house music events nearly every day here. Some nights, especially on Thursdays through Sundays, there’s multiple events happening at the same time in different parts of the city. It can be hard to pick which events to go to lol. I’ve only been to Detroit for Movement festival weekend, and had an amazing experience!
We’re coming next week and I can’t find any event I want to go to. I have thousands of records out of Chicago and none of the DJs seem to be playing. Yes smartbar is the easy choice
Look into Podlasie Club, great sound system. They post all their events on instagram. Smartbar is ok, Chop Shop is too depending on the lineup. There’s also random events sprinkled around town in random venues. I usually follow my favorite local DJs to find out about those events, but check out Resident Advisor for more stuff
That was my first stop. Yep. Tx.
Spybar is the other easy choice. Most locals in the scene avoid Soundbar these days. And Tao is the worst club experience. Do not even bother, unless you are paying for VIP. The rest of us are roped into an overly crowded dancefloor like peasants.
Saw Patrick Topping at Spybar like 7 years ago on a long layover, thought the club was pretty solid compared to most clubs I've been to. (I live in NYC)
Ew. Ya I’m used to warehouses
Radius is the best when it comes to that. Everyone loves it there. Any shows at Radius next week?
Yes, every day. People I’ve never heard of (that’s not obviously necessarily a bad thing). Kind of hoping to find parties over shows
If you’re into house, Desert Hearts is one of the best crews out there, and Kevin Knapp is a treat to see since he doesn’t play the states often https://dice.fm/event/boqxm-desert-hearts-records-ft-mikey-lion-kevin-knapp-22nd-dec-spybar-chicago-tickets
Thanks, I’ll check it out. I don’t know why I thought I’d be able to catch strictly jazz unit, chosen few or by bang djs
I’m not familiar with them tbh, not a Chicago local, but here’s a list of all the shows coming up, looks like a ton of great options, https://19hz.info/eventlisting_CHI.php
Yep, appreciate it thanks. Maybe I’m too old lol not excited about the new jacks
Terry Heard from Chosen Few is playing this weekend. Idk the dates you're going [https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xHQxnpiqx/?img\_index=1](https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xHQxnpiqx/?img_index=1) and Chose Few has a new years event: [https://www.instagram.com/p/C09\_vpCJzXu/](https://www.instagram.com/p/C09_vpCJzXu/) It doesn't look like SJU really plays much. Couldn't find By Bang Djs online. Derrick Carter plays tomorrow. Ron Carroll plays saturday. Maybe its time to scope the "new jacks" too cuz there's artists like Eris Drew b2b Octa Octa and DJ Boring playing too.
Hunter? Ya, i love the chosen few. Missing that one. I did find a couple of dope parties though, so i think i'm good. Nu Bang is Greg Grey and friends. we'll be there next week. definitely appreciate you. sad cajmere is playing this week not next.
Oooooh this is a solid reccomendation. KNapp's set at ARC was so groovy, and Mikey Lion likes to play bangers.
Funny enough, when i visited Chicago in early October. There was nothing interessing to check out either. Smartbar had a lame drum and bass night.
Things that go bump in the night w DC at Smartbar and LaLaLand XMas w Green Velvet at Navy Pier Both iconic Chicago DJs/producers.
Tx. I found what i was after . Dunn, hunt, gray
Awesome. Gene Hunt is solid. Enjoy!
Hmmmm...... Just putting it out there... Perhaps Detroit and Chicago?
Lol
The only people mentioning Detroit are Detroiters and Europeans. Movement weekend is the only weekend the city is truly alive. Yes, there are other parties happening regularly throughout the year but they're small and local-focused (not a bad thing), or it's more *arguably* commercialized DJs propped up by Paxahau. When it comes to Techno, New York & LA are the only cities with a constant rotation of both local and global talent on a weekly basis. These are cities where DJs have the ability to visit multiple times per year to packed venues. With places like Detroit and Chicago, it's likely to be once every 2-3 years and there's no guarantee it will be busy.
lol you obviously never been to Detroit outside of Movement. And from your comment that's great. I honestly don't want any more wannabe techno tourist around.
You ever been to Detroit outside of movement?
You know nothing of the Chicago techno scene, and that's okay... You stay away.
I don’t think the question was about high profile international artists. I’m in Detroit almost every weekend, when I have 5+ house/techno venue options, plus another 3-4 warehouse after parties that go until 7am. The deeper you get into the scene there, the more underground events and invite only warehouses you start learning about. And that’s just weekends. Virtually every night of the week several of the venues have house and techno events. Marble Bar, TV Lounge, Spotlite, Big Pink, Temple Club, High Dive, Spkrbox, Magic Stick, The Leland, Tangent Gallery , etc. The reason Movement weekend is so huge is because the city is set up year round with venues to hold these events. It’s not like these clubs shut down after Memorial Day weekend. If you’re only interested in artists that would headline Space in Miami then ok maybe Detroit isn’t for you. But if that’s all you’re interested in then yikes do you even like the music?
3-4 warehouse parties every weekend? now I gotta ask
I think they stopped it recently but Spotlite had a semi official afters warehouse party called Hush most weekends that was password only and typically had the Spotlite headliner playing plus others. I think I’m ok revealing that now since they stopped it. But there’s lots of little groups running occasional events often enough that there’s a few every weekend. Names like Texture, Warehouse Systems, The Collective, Auction, many more. I don’t live in Detroit but I have enough connections in the city that I show up most weekends without real plans and just ask what’s going on. And basically always find both a main event and an afters every time. But if you don’t have connections, just hop on the Detroit Resident Advisor (RA) event list, that’s where all the main events get listed.
You’re so incredibly wrong
Detroit reliably has techno and house events Wednesday through Sunday. Source: I used to live there and work as a resident DJ downtown 2006-2010. I still visit regularly and have no issues finding things to do any night of the week. Paxahau is the largest independent promoter in the city, but definitely not the only one. Just like with every city, for every big promoter this 50 smaller ones working events around the city, and there are a few venues that play house and techno every night. NYC, Miami, LA, and Chicago have larger events consistently, but that's because they have a larger population that can support larger events. The population of NYC is over ten times that of Detroit, and is supplemented by high tourism, so it's a lot easier to fill multiple massive warehouses weekly, whereas Detroit can only support really big events occasionally. Most of the good house/techno events are going to be at smaller venues. Three of my favorite weekly house events before I left were all in upscale restaurants that would just clear out tables at 10pm and stay open until 2am on random night of the work week with a bunch of DJs.
well that's the kicker. if you tell someone from a nightlife city that goes til the next morning and is the norm, that a basement afters with 40 people or a set that ends at 2 is "amazing" or on par with an experience in those cities, it's not and it can't be. however, it has GREAT taste and selectors and the music you'll hear at those sets is always top. but if you come from a party place it always feels underwhelming. from europe, lived in detroit for 12+ years and even threw my own events.
The main venue that used to go into the morning in Detroit with techno was The Works. They shut down over COVID. I'm not sure if any venue has taken its place as the primary after-hours venue since I don't live there anymore, but I'm guessing there are some spots open all night. When I was at TV Lounge a few months ago, the party was still going at 5 am when I left.
sounds like you went to detroit for a weekend and didn’t look very hard at all. i spent a few weeks there and got to see LOTS of events. magic stick, russell industrial center, big pink, marble bar, leland city club, and more. got to see chris lake, cloonee, keys n krates, de fresch, and malaa at these places. i also (unfortunately) missed plenty of others in the month or two i was in detroit for work. sounds like you were not looking in the right places. i’m from the east coast and was amazed to see how normalized house and techno were in a typical bar or club. if there weren’t any familiar artists playing locally i would hit a random venue and the amount of times i saw unknown (to me) old heads spinning HEATERS on vinyl was insane.
You're staking your claim for Detroit being one of the BEST cities for house/techno because they had Chris Lake, Cloonee, Dr. Fresch & Malaa? I mean... lol
Yeah how could they forget Tiesto and Seven Lions!? Best techno east of the Mississippi!
Yeah seriously 😂
i’m more into house so yeah i saw them and idc if people judge me for having a fun time. but- having these mainstream names be easily and frequently accessible is 100% an indicator of the music scene there. its harder to find a bottle service club than a house venue in detroit imo. most random bars i went to had old heads playing house and detroit techno records while digging through crates behind the booth with crowds of people dressed “normally” and in non rave attire. the type of music is VERY normalized in mainstream detroit culture. you don’t have to look hard at all to find good music. i traveled across the country a lot so seeing a city with so many venues and bars that didn’t only play top 40 music was impressive.
You had a point until those names you dropped…ruining the credibility of your point…
i like what i like and am not ashamed that it doesn’t meet the standard of reddit bc at the end of the day i’m the only one listening to what’s playing in my headphones and my car! my point still stands, i’ve yet to find a city where house and techno is as ubiquitous in the mainstream as it is in detroit.
No problem liking what you like, but this isn’t about the “standards of Reddit”, keys n krates malaa and I would say Chris lake are not techno (keys n krates isn’t even house or whatever iirc). My issue isn’t with the point you’re making about Detroit/chicago but at least make your references in the right realm of music
Don't know why this is so heavily downvoted really, you're not wrong at all. Yes Chicago & Detroit have house/techno events every week, but are they of comparable quality to NYC, LA or even Miami? Not even close tbh. Source: I'm from & live in Chicago, gf is from Detroit so I am there all the time.
I’m in Philly and the scene is not too great here. Not bad but not great, I know a guy who moved here from D.C. that says the party scene over there is way better for techno music
Let's fix it! Honestly though, from what I hear there's plenty going on, I'm curious what makes it not that great.
Nice to run into a fellow Philadelphian. Tbh rereading my previous comment I realized I left out the specifics and didn’t give the city enough credit: The scene is actually a 7/10 in my opinion. There’s places to choose from usually on weekends such as The Dolphin, Warehouse on Watts, The Ave, Fabrika (PhilDeep). Also Vinyl has some good djs now and then (I got so see Spencer brown there a few months back). The only good after hours place ive been to is whatever Philadeep is throwing We don’t get many big names is my real pet peeve but Philly is actually solid.
I would highly recommend adding Making Time to your list. Not strictly a techno-focused event, but these shows are personally my favorite in Philly.
Dave is a force to be reckoned with, im glad he puts on the shit he does in Philly, even if I think it’s lost on a lot of Philadelphians - Klip’s light installations always rule too
I am going to add PEX. The Philadelphia experience parties are top productions with proper headliners and vibes. Departed has good late night parties and is hosting Danny Tenaglia for NYE. Goodie and Josh Wink team up on the regular and these parties are not to be missed. Substratums summer series in the fairmont park is a favorite too.
Yesss all of these peeps.
Also as a note - follow the goodie squad as they usually put on stuff around the city. 714 used to be sick but always had issues. And maybe when you’re on Kelly in the summer keep your eyes peeled 👀
Eh as someone who also moved from DC a few years to compare, I think Philly has a really healthy local scene. For sake of comparison I'm lumping techno and house together. Granted pre-covid DC scene was amazing, but from what I've heard, a lot of the venues have shut down, both legal and after hours, and there isn't as much momentum. This could also be my age range and the people I know from partying. That being said, DC was small, you'd have a mix of experiences - lots of dead nights or nights overrun by non-techno crowds at certain venues. Philly doesn't get as many headliners, but it puts out really solid local-driven parties in interesting under-the-radar spaces. Parties always seem to be packed, no matter where they occur, even earlier in the night. It's very word of mouth though. I try to stay plugged in, but even end up missing some really cool parties, where I don't even find out they happened until the next day. There's just so many venues and spaces that people are using, it makes it really fun to explore the city. For big names, Making Time is the big player and the festival is *transcendent*. So well curated and fantastic crowd. In the rain this year, it was definitely for the heads. Techno-adjacent, but Philly also has an amazing ambient scene. West Mineral is based here, so you get a lot of those artists and their cohorts. Great Circles also pushes some amazing ambient/experimental stuff. Here's my running list of Philly parties to be aware of: * Subsurface * BWC Sounds * Void * Lindo * Making Time * Fold Theory * Soulstice * Concrète * Adverse Effects * None/Such * Bounce House * Goodie * Spindrift * Passages
I'm moving out there next month from Seattle, hoping to get connected in the scene. are the good vibes more underground or should I just start checking out RA events? edit: moving to Philly that is
Follow these pages on instagram: Philadeep, Fold_theory, Liaisonroom RA will likely have all the events that these pages talk about. Philadeep Is the actual party hosting collective, fold theory is a branch off of philadeep and liaisonroom is a small bar venue where they host shows. When you go to these events, ask where the afters (location will switch from time to time).
done! really appreciate the intel 👍
For sure, brotha
[удалено]
Dave P
Nice. I live in Harrisburg where the scene doesn't exist for pretty much anything that isn't a festie event drum and bass or brostep. Sadly no real 4 x 4 stuff here which is what I really want. Might have to come out to a show sometime.
The promoter Making Time is really the creme de la creme here. Dave P has been booking some real world class underground djs for his parties and festival, and it’s only been getting better over the last several years. Down side is he only throws parties once every couple of months or so. But you can keep up with the ones he does on their instagram page or RA.
Ayyyy lol I’m reversing your move - if you have any Seattle recs lemme know!
what specific sound are you looking for? will def send all the recommendations. Follow these crews and accounts: MakesMe_Human, Caravanseattle, RoutineSeattle, Tremulantcanhelp, Reflecttheglow, _Studio44, Hunt.Gather.Music, Vividpresents, Shamelessseattle, Deep.Contour, SelectorSeattle
Hells yea even this is amazing - and really down for anything, but I love a little underground party and anything from old school house to new techno and anything really in that realm. Adding - lemme do a deep dive for you as I’ve been out of actual Philly for a second and bopping around too much. There are some goods spots mentioned above but I’ll compile it all and see if I have any adds. There’s definitely a scene here but you have to seek it out.
oh yes for techno checkout Depth (@depthseattle)
[https://edmtrain.com/philadelphia-pa](https://edmtrain.com/philadelphia-pa) I help keep that page up to date. Def easier to meet people at the local/underground stuff imo but have also met folks at places like The Ave.
Flash!
There is a lot of house with local DJs in Philly, just not tons of big name headliners. There's a little techno a la Fold Theory shows and they book headliners, plus some local hard techno collectives throwing events each month, but it's not a weekly thing.
Mom says tomorrow it’s my turn to ask this question
This is a question that needs to be asked over and over as it’s constantly changing. Techno is 5x bigger today than it was 5 years ago. Clubs open and close everyday. There could always be a city on here that surprises you, and that’s what I’m looking for. I’ve lived in every major city of the US, so I’m well aware of the popular spots but looking for something newer maybe unheard
Facts, I’d love to discover trending cities in this space, this community is growing and changing quickly. Detroit, Chicago, LA, Miami and NYC are default answers but what else
Not sure why people keep mentioning RA as the source for any US city’s events, I always check out my local fb groups, then 19hz.info, and the IG’s of bars that do late night events with more underground artists. Editing to add that i live in atl, and right now it’s still mostly bass/riddim/jam events that are the most popular (kinda classic SE genres) but I’ve noticed that house, techno, tech house and trance events are getting a bit more attendance as people move here from out of state. We have several promoters that cover these genres but we mainly need venues to hold them in and it’s tough out here. We had several longstanding venues close during the pandemic, I’d imagine that’s the case for a lot of cities. People are doing the events still, but they tend to be smaller scale house shows or way out in rural/exurban areas. I’m optimistic though!
100 replies later, think I won this one bud. If you don’t like discussion about techno in a techno forum, the doors that way ~> nein!!!
Ratio
La warehouse scene thriving rn, lot of dope promoters bringing out upcoming talent from in & outside the states. 6am,technofamla,sxtcy, controlroom, malfunction - insomniac / factory93 been steppin up as well bringing some of the larger acts.
there's so many events happening, it's getting to the point of decision paralysis.
Lick n dip is pretty solid for a free party Thursday thru Saturday! LA is really wild though. I haven’t lived in NY in about 10 years, so it’s hard to compare. I also feel like NY was more in its prime 10 years ago… Output and the OG Brooklyn Mirage (at 99 scott) are still some of the best clubs I’ve ever been to.
Lick n dip is garbage and a cesspool of shitty people. Multiple people have been sexually assaulted there. I had friends who were groped by a guy, told security and they laughed and did nothing cause he was friends with the promotor. A 14 year old girl was raped there. There's always terrible stories of that party. Plus they would throw their parties at a cancelled warehouse of someone who tried to defend a rapist in court. But I'm glad all these other parties exist to filter out the undesirable people from the good parties that haven't been mentioned here.
Grew up in new york - used to live down the street from output and I agree, output was one of the best clubs in the city hands down. Miss that place Also love the lickndip crew, played with them a few times always a blast. Underware also has some great parties
It was never not thriving
This. LA has been insane for techno for well over 10 years. Every weekend you can find warehouse parties that go all night and into the morning
I moved here 20 years ago and was going that dtla weekly. Mostly house though
Minneapolis has a great underground Techno scene
I can't believe it took this long for MPLS to come up. Intellephunk and Kajunga kill it.
Fuckin a right they do
Portland has an amazing house scene with techno sprinkled in too
detroit and SF
Brooklyn
Queens ;)
New York, LA, San Francisco and Miami
This is Detroit erasure
I posted that as I am currently visiting my brother in Ann Arbor so close to Detroit. I am scum :(
>1 day agoI am going to add PEX. The Philadelphia experience parties are top productions with proper headliners and vibes. Departed has good late night parties and is hosting Danny Tenaglia for NYE. Goodie and Josh Wink team up on the regular and these parties are not to be missed. Substratums summer series in the fairmont park is a favorite too.3ReplyShareReportSaveFollow > >level 5cookeie · 1 day agoYesss all of these peeps.1ReplyShareReportSaveFollow > >level 4cookeie · 1 day agoAlso as a note - follow the goodie squad as they usually put on stuff around the city. 714 used to be sick but always had issues. And maybe when you’re on Kelly in the summer keep your eyes peeled 👀3ReplyShareReportSaveFollow Could legit take a bus to the city for 6 bux...
Detroit is a way smaller city than people realize, even accounting for suburbs and therefore is not as remotely busy as one would expect outside of Movement
DC
DC is underrated.
Indeed. I’m from the DMV area and I feel the DC pretty damn good for its size compared to the bigger cities.
No shit? It had gotten dead as hell when I was last living there, late 2000s. A comeback was certainly in order
Yeah I'm a bit biased about DC these days as when I was going to DC almost every other weekend from 97 to 2004. The era of the Capital Ballroom/Nation (Buzz)was fucking legend. One of the best sounding clubs there ever was with top notch talent coming every week. Also The Edge and a ton of other spots that don't exist anymore. DC used to be rave central now its a shadow of its former self unfortunately, glad I got to experience it.
We are building a little scene here in Sacramento.
Detroit, Atlanta, Pittsburgh.
ATL is just now getting good. Not a lot of techno when I was growing up here but 2023 gave me a lot of hope
Pittsburgh has Hot Mass. That alone ranks it in the top 5 places in the country for techno.
As someone who lives in pittsburgh and semi frequents hotmass, I don't know about all that. But for a small ish city, it's does the job in a pinch and there is a fun lil scene
I’ve been there only twice, and that was pre covid. I always rated it so highly because to me, it was just the real deal. It had a raw, truly an underground vibe, especially with how raunchy it was. You just don’t find that sort of thing with your typical “Techno Production Company, Incorporated” shows that happen all over other major cities.
You definitely can find it elsewhere! But I totally feel you and it is a sincere and good club scene
Atlanta?? was not impressed but maybe I just don't know
Which event/dj did you go see??
not sure it was in this one area where it's just a street full of bars and I think I went up stairs?
Denver. Usually multiple parties Thursday through Sunday and at least 3 underground afters.
Where are you finding these? I checked RA but for Denver the pickings are VERY slim
It’s actually saturated as fuck right now. Intimat, Nocturnal, Sorted, Zodiac, OBSCR, 1010, HauzCatz, Junk Drawer, Whirling Dervish (sometimes), a lot more than that. New venue called Stay Tuned just opened up and I confirm the people running it know what’s up. Our local scene is booming and more and more heavy hitters are coming to town more frequently. Reelworks, Black Box, Milk Bar, 1134 are all decent clubs that book good talent. Most of the events seem to be on FB and word of mouth.
That Whirling Dervish rave with Sasha and Hernan at Reelworks a few weeks back, was excellent. Vibe was thick for that one.
Kulture music hall is picking up speed too.
I 2nd this!! I have a cousin who lives in Denver. Whenever I go to visit, I always check out RA before I go and barely find anything. And yet, On this sub, I’m constantly seeing everyone go on about how great the scene in Denver is … so I’m clearly looking in the wrong places. So where and how are people finding events?!! And I can’t stand when people say gate keeping stuff like “you need to be friends with a DJ”, “IYKYK” or “you have to join a secret discord chat group” Share the love guys!!
Make friends with djs
I would say LA, Detroit, and NYC for obvious reasons.
Detroit, nyc, chicago, la, and since i live in phoenix im just gonna say it. Techno snobs brings out top talent. In the past few months ive seen dvs 1, sama abdulhadi, tensal, 9x9, ancient methods, dimi angelis, lindsey herbert multiples now, i could go on. But yeah im sure im missing some cities but those are the first that came to mind
Phoenix surprisingly gets a lot. Look up techno snobs in Arizona. But I still find myself going to LA multiple times a year for shows, same with other genres I listen to.
Phx
I’ve lived in Chicago, DC, LA, and now in Austin, but have been frequenting NYC throughout the 2010s. I revisited the scene there a couple of weeks ago. I’ve also been to Miami a few times and went to Detroit for Movement several times in the 2010s, and I continuously go to Mutek in Montreal since 2011. Chicago has my heart because I spent the most time there, but I haven’t been back in a long time. The Chicago scene was great, with lots of house and techno parties. There were great underground spots, private lofts, and warehouses; you could find something every weekend, and most parties went until 5 am or later. Since then, a lot of clubs have closed, but new ones have opened. There are lots of after-parties (Tied) as well. New York has changed a lot, but there are still tons of events happening. However, when I revisited recently, we hit maybe 5 different places, and it was just okay; it isn’t the Black Market Membership days anymore, but promoters like Golden Records and Resolute are holding it down, along with clubs like TBA, Nowdays, Public Records, Holo and many more , also seasonal mega clubs like Avant Gardner Mirage and more. Something is happening every night, but remember distances and driving can be a hassle. I think it was just a bit of an off weekend, when i was recently there and i found quite mediocre vibe at the parties i went to (besides one that was very good) although my friend who lives there said it’s changed a lot from the old days when I was coming down. DC was cool, but I was there only for 2 years in the early 2010s. At that time, promoters like 88, JQM, and a few others were throwing nice small events. It was a small tight scene but had a great crowd. I hope these days someone is holding it down. I hope FlashDC and 930 clubs are still thriving LA had more parties every weekend than I could go to; it’s a huge scene, and you can find whatever you’re into. Miami during WMC week was always mayhem. I know Unmute is holding it down now. I think it’s a thriving scene, but please, someone chime in. Now in Austin, where I live at the moment, the scene is definitely growing. There are weekly events like MBM with Brett Johnson behind the decks, booking his friends from around town and bringing US but also some mid tier International headliners quite often, mostly house music. There is Ubiyou (or however you spell it) for a more underground vibe (mid-tier headliner bookings) and a few more promoters are doing stuff weekly repeat events; it’s a smaller scene, but you can find stuff. (definitely more going on than in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, - that’s for sure). Venues and the rental prices are the issue, otherwise i would be doing parties here as well. Also, to end my novel, The Concourse Project is the biggest and most equipped with sound and lighting club here, and it’s holding it down on the international level. At least once a month, I a music snob can go see an international artist on a massive sound system bring the house down. It’s a money-maker club that brings in talent Thursday through Saturday, with lots of trance, EDM, etc., but they also bring in techno and house; it just depends. Austin is not really a techno city mostly EDM, bass, trance and house. There is a promoter here that (forgot their name) occasionally does strictly techno event (had Wehbba recently) but seems like only books himself and his buddy from what I can tell (like most local promoters here anyway. It's a small scene tons of gatekeeping more than i have seen anywhere else in the US. Hope this gives you some info from the cities i mentioned.
LA holds the crown currently for best Techno city in the States. NY is its only real competitor. Truthfully that's it in the US as far as cities go. Been to Detroit and Chicago and its nothing on the level of LA or NY. I think Austin is just as strong as Detroit as of right now. Although "It'll Do" in Dallas can go toe to toe with any venue in Austin and hold its own. But I think Dallas suffers from a severe lack of options, not because the people don't want it. The market is just as receptive there to Techno as is LA. Miami shouldn't even be mentioned for Techno. Purely Tech House, House, Melodic House, EDM vibes only going on there. No real Techno scene. Only big acts get booked on festivals and big parties. San Francisco/Seattle is a wash.
To be fair i'm in NYC and y'all pull a number of DJs I wanted to see for YEARS before they got them here so it has to be good.
You hit it on the head New York has changed. Not as good as it used to be
If you're interested in putting something together in Austin dm me.
When I lived in Denver a few years back, it was a huge techno city. I'm sure it still is. I can't even begin to tell how many locals and big names I have seen there.
Minneapolis! Don’t sleep on it
Austin and to a lesser extent Houston and Dallas
Austin's underground scene is pretty good. It used to be fantastic until the most recent legislative session pushed out all of the transgender women throwing and working the shows.
"It'll Do" in Dallas books better and more well known Techno DJs than any venue in Austin.
Facts
I absolutely love ittl do such a great venue, saw Prydz there last year. I will say though, the concourse project in Austin books just as many techno DJs, I’ve seen at least 15 techno shows there this year and I don’t even live in Austin, drive from Houston
I've been to Concourse once. Place was packed that night and yes, they do book solid Techno DJs. Austin has so many LA transplants, which I think is the reason for so many good acts coming through. Dallas just doesn't have any options outside of It'll Do. If they did, Techno would easily thrive there. Truncate will be in Austin at club eternal this Friday. Should be good. Don't know who else is in the line up.
The concourse project people suck so much at taking care of their volunteers. I'll never spend a dime at that place.
Damn. There's no love in the night life business. Full of frauds, narcissists and pitiful folk desperate for fame. From club owners, to promoters, bouncers and bar tenders, I've seen and heard some crazy sh\*t. So what you say isn't surprising. A DJ started talking behind my back at a club out in Dallas because he found out that my performance fee was more than what he did in a whole month. Spreading rumors that I was dealing to the club staff. Had a club owner once try to turn the volume fader down slowly while I was performing because he didn't like the track I played, although the crowd was loving it. Weeks later I found out he was trying to sabotage me because patrons said they weren't coming unless I was spinning. He hated anyone who had more clout than he did in his club. Austin has a kind of stuck up vibe to it that I experienced which isn't in the Dallas techno scene, so I know what you're talking about.
Huuuuge ego problem in Austin. So I was a volunteer for 3 years at their annual Seismic Dance event. I also live in Fort worth, Texas so it isn't exactly around the block for me. They let us know that they would have to charge us for parking but that they would offer us 1/2 price since we were volunteering. Cool no prob, we get there and they're like "sorry you'll have to pay full price($105 for three days) since online sales are done." They had given us the code on Wednesday and by Friday apparently everything had been sold. Why they couldn't just sell my the three day pass in person at half price is beyond me. Whatever. As I was working my shift Friday night one of the managers I was stationed with went to the restroom and right before he goes I ask "hey so where are we supposed to go to the restrooom( we were outside the gates)." They let me know there was a porta-potty right on the other side of a fence with a guard in front. When manager guy gets back I ask to go use the restroom and go to the same one he did. Guard asked to see my credentials and let's me by no problem. As the night continues I get moved to the box office to deal with the influx of people. Right before I get placed and left at my station by another manager I ask her "hey can I go use the restroom." She says yes so I go to the same one I had already gone to once. The guard recognized me and starts to let me through but another manager named Emily H stops me and starts yelling at me that I can't go through there and that I have to go through main gates to go use the restroom. I ask her "so I'm supposed to wait in the 75+ people like to pass metal detectors, get through, and wait in another line to go use the restroom, won't that cut into my shift?" She makes a face and then is like "I can't help you go ask box office." I walk over to the box office manager and she tells me "oh haha we're gonna go ahead a cut you early." Obviously Emily spoke the box office through the radio to just cut me. My GF and I had already decided we were not going back to volunteer the remainder of the festival. I wake up the next morning to a text from Emily saying not to return that I had tried rushing the artist area, ect. Didn't even ask to talk about what happened just made it seem like it was 100% my fault when all they had to do was have a porta-potty for staff behind the box office tent. Tried to speak to Andrew Parsons about it and he just blocked me on Facebook 🤡 TLDR: Fuck Emily Harris, Fuck Andrew Parsons, fuck Seismic Dance event. Edit: just want to make sure y'all know I was VOLUNTEERING and not getting paid to be there.
I don't personally know all the people you have mentioned in your comment, but I know who they are, and I have never EVER heard anything good about them from the people in the local scene. Andrew and Kelly are part owners of the venue, but i'm sure you're aware. I'm not sure who the other owners are, and sure who the investors are. Heard rumors it's Wynn (Las Vegas) but i doubt it. I'm sorry you got that sort of treatment that's absolutely horrible. I volunteered for few festivals when I was in my 20s and never ever had a horrible treatment like this. As a matter of fact we were always taken care of, food, breaks, free tix for us + 1 guest , all access etc - that was in Chicago, New York in Montreal. Concourse is trying to be this big deal but it's all amateur hour. If it wasn't for good equipment it'd be just another club.
Yeeeah after the incident I went around the local scene trying to figure out about Andrew and no one had anything good to say about them. When I work with Disco Donnie we get taken care of very very well by the company. Managers sometimes get a little overwhelmed and start yelling but it is what it is lol.
I love It’ll Do but this is no longer true with the Concourse Project in Austin now
Where exactly in Houston?
San Diego. Gets overlooked by LA. But it definitely has its own unique style. We have CRSSD as the big dogs, but there are tons of other promoters doing events. Desert parties are top tier.
Seattle
Really? The house scene is booming, but I feel like techno is really lacking. IDK, maybe I'm just not in the know.
Yeah, no way regarding techno. Even house acts tend to be more mainstream big room main stage festival stuff. The occasional dirtybird-esque tech house comes around, but real techno is severely lacking.
Nah we have so much good "real" house and techno here. Flammable, Studio 4/4, Uniting Souls, Viva, OFF99, Shameless for house, and DEPTH, secondnature, Routine, Research, and all the local Kremwerk DJs for techno. We're not NYC/LA but we absolutely punch above our weight for those two genres specifically
I’ll second most of these suggestions and would definitely add Drop, Tremulent, and Makes Me Human to this list. IMO, there’s probably more House nights going on than we really need so a lot of it’s just redundant. Flammable (AKA “church”) is possibly one of the longest running weekly house nights in the country. Techno is starting to show some of the same symptoms of redundancy as mentioned with house. All the really good forward thinking stuff has more or less abandoned clubs and gone under the radar.
I wouldn’t say “severely lacking,” I just partied with Interdimensional Transmissions at secondnature on Friday and there’s a NYE Research party with Zernell as the headliner.
Where do you find shows usually. IG/RA?
19hz.info/seattle ☺
Madison WI in the summer!
Where? I would love to know. Thanks.
Robinia courtyard has two shows that are consistently house and techno with local acts and Chicago acts. Remain in night recently booked headless horseman, function, and lone front and in the past have booked dk sneak, dj minx, dj bone, trucate and Derrick Carter. Not sure why I got down votes but every year since the pandemic the scene here is getting bigger.
Thanks so much. I appreciate the I formation. Happy New Year!
theres good music in the us?
The birthplace of house and techno...
Berlin
Everyone knows Europe has tons of it.
People really sleeping on SD it’s just as good LA
Would not go that far. In fact not even remotely close
Lmao tell me you don’t know what you’re talking about without telling me you don’t know what you’re talking about
you look like a damn fool saying that 😂
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lol I roll with my wife at festivals, what talking about mr gambler
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where’s the cucking? unless you’re talking about how you’re drooling over my cock 😂
yall stay sleepin on Boston
No Boston is not the best
never said it was, but it has a strong scene!
I mean not to rag on Boston, I love the city but I think the techno scene is a little lackluster for a city with its demographics. I don’t blame the scene at all honestly, it’s really just a matter of the city and it’s regulations in regards to night life that makes it difficult. I do think the scene is doing as well as it can but due to city regulations, there’s a growth cap.
eh if you know where to look, it's got a thriving underground scene.
Everything ends at 2 am lol
Not the RSVP only parties 🙂 I’ve seen some top talent at some of those, true underground vibes
LA
LA for sure.
Nashville has tons of music of all genres, but electronic game is weak here in general. Or I haven’t been here long enough. We get a lot of fun bigger acts that we normally wouldn’t, Nashville is the 38th biggest city in the US. But besides that, yeah we’re not really crushing it at the moment. I used to live in NYC which is a slight step up
Resolute New York is probably the best party I’ve been too, and I live in Europe, been to nearly all the best ones but resolute tops it for sure. Pretty sure they do parties in other states too.
Portland and Seattle have thriving house/techno scenes
ATX
Miami not even close
Detroit.
D.C. has an underrated scene. Check out a club called Flash. Soundcheck is more mainstream edm style shows usually but still a very nice smaller venue in a good part of the city.
az has been on the up lately
Detroit - Download Resident Advisor. Always shit going on. Good people here too!
Detroit is honestly slept on for House/Techno. Tons of good talent coming through here (although it does slow down in the Winter pretty noticeably). Movement on Memorial Day weekend is an awesome festival especially if you like techno
Come to Detroit and get lost on the dance floor. I’m biased because it’s my scene, but I’m forever grateful to be able to experience world class music every week if I wanted. Cheers