The Rise of Techno Music in Mainstream Festivals: Ultra Miami

From Mainstream to Techno: The Rise of Underground Electronic Music in Major Festivals

RESISTANCE Ultra Miami 2023 Pic by alivecoverage
RESISTANCE Ultra Miami 2023 Pic by alivecoverage
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In recent years, techno music has taken the festival scene by storm. Once an underground genre, techno has now become a mainstream force to be reckoned with. From the rise of techno stages at festivals to the incorporation of techno sounds in the sets and productions of mainstream electronic music artists, techno is everywhere. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the rise of techno in mainstream festivals and its impact on the electronic music industry.

Ultra Miami 2023 has its first techno artist on the mainstage: Charlotte de Witte

In recent years, it’s hard to deny that techno music has taken over major music festivals worldwide. One example of this is Ultra Miami, which was once dominated by bigroom and mainstream electronic music.

This year, techno fans were thrilled to hear that Charlotte de Witte would be headlining Ultra Miami’s mainstage for the first time. This is a significant milestone for the genre, as it marks the continued rise of techno on popular mainstages.

Charlotte de Witte @ Mainstage, Ultra Music Festival Miami 2023 [FULL SET]

Mainstream Electronic Music Artists Embracing Techno

Another reason for the rise of techno in mainstream festivals is the incorporation of techno sounds in the sets and productions of mainstream electronic music artists. For example, David Guetta, known for his mainstream pop-friendly electronic music, has been playing and producing more techno-influenced tracks in recent years, such as his collaborations with MORTEN. He even premiered Perception by Chris Avantgarde, a song that won’t even be considered for an Ultra mainstage set because of this genre. Similarly, Hardwell, a former bigroom house star, has been experimenting with techno sounds in recent years; an example is his brand-new Intro.

This trend is reflective of the increasing acceptance of techno as a legitimate and popular genre of electronic music. As more and more mainstream artists embrace techno, it’s likely that we will see further experimentation and fusion of techno with other genres, leading to the creation of exciting new sounds and styles.

RESISTANCE: a techno-successful story by Ultra

One of the most significant indicators of techno’s growing influence in the electronic music scene is the launch of Ultra’s techno brand RESISTANCE. The brand was so well-received that it was given its own festival within the main Ultra Miami festival 2019.

The success of RESISTANCE paved the way for the brand to tour around the world and host its own residency at M2 club in Miami. Additionally, RESISTANCE has had a strong presence at Ultra Miami in recent years, with multiple stages dedicated to techno and underground electronic music.

Techno’s Evolving Sound and Influence on Festival Stages

Techno’s versatility is another factor that has contributed to its growing popularity. Techno can be both driving and powerful, but it can also be deep and introspective. This versatility means that techno can appeal to a wide range of festival-goers, from those who want to dance and party to those who are looking for a more contemplative and immersive experience.

The evolution of techno’s sound and its influence on festival stages is another reason for its rise in the mainstream. Techno has always been a genre that is constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting with new sounds and techniques. This means that techno artists are always evolving their sound, creating new and exciting sounds that appeal to a wider audience.

As a result of this evolution, techno stages at festivals have become increasingly popular. Festivals like Awakenings and Time Warp are dedicated to showcasing the best of techno, and techno stages at larger festivals like Ultra Miami have grown in size and popularity. The inclusion of techno on mainstream festival stages has not only introduced the genre to a wider audience, but it has also helped to legitimize techno as a mainstream genre of electronic music.

HI-LO (Oliver Heldens) b2b testpilot (deadmau5) [Ultra Miami 2023, Resistance Megastructure]

Conclusion: why the continued growth of techno music in mainstream festivals is not a bad thing

The rise of techno in mainstream music festivals like Ultra Miami is not necessarily a bad thing. While some fans of the genre may bemoan its increased popularity, the truth is that techno’s growing influence on the mainstream can lead to exciting new collaborations and sounds that push the boundaries of electronic music even further.

As techno continues to be embraced by a wider audience, it can also be contaminated by and contaminate other genres, creating exciting new sounds and sub-genres. Moreover, it can lead to the creation of new events, parties, and festivals that showcase the best of techno and electronic music as a whole, attracting even more fans and pushing the genre to even greater heights.

Further, with a bigger production and more resources being devoted to techno and electronic music events, the possibilities for mind-blowing live shows and immersive experiences are endless. In this sense, techno’s increasing popularity can be seen as a positive thing that benefits both the genre and the broader music industry as a whole.

All in all, the rise of techno in mainstream festivals is a sign of its growing influence and relevance in the electronic music scene. By embracing this trend and continuing to push the boundaries of what techno can do, we can look forward to an exciting future filled with new sounds, new events, and a growing fan base that appreciates the unique and dynamic sound of techno.