Electronic dance music (EDM) has undergone significant changes over the last decade. In the early 2010s, the U.S. mainstream discovered EDM through dubstep and festival‑friendly progressive house. Skrillex’s 2010 breakout EP introduced aggressive basslines to American youth and launched dubstep into the pop lexicon. Massive festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo quickly embraced the sound; the share of electronic artists on Coachella’s line‑up grew from a third of the line-up in 2011, to close to half in 2024. As EDM became part of pop culture, its commercial peak also triggered backlash from purists who missed the raw energy of techno.
“…a new wave of DJs has resurrected techno’s more aggressive sub‑genres…”
After a lull caused by the pandemic, a new wave of DJs has resurrected techno’s more aggressive sub‑genres. Hard techno—150 BPM percussion, industrial textures and hypnotic build‑ups—rebounded from the underground thanks to ravers’ pent‑up desire for catharsis. A 2024 analysis notes that the genre’s popularity surged globally after 2021; hard‑hitting sets by artists such as Klangkuenstler and I Hate Models brought 150+ BPM energy to major festivals. Festivals responded: Bonnaroo increased its electronic bookings from 11 % in 2011 to 33.6 % in 2024, while Outside Lands’ electronic share more than doubled. As techno stages multiplied, a generation raised on streaming discovered the appeal of warehouse‑style beats… and I’m here for it.
Zanza Labs 