Listen here for Part 1 of AH’s EDM Euphoria Mix Series.
The electronic dance music scene has undergone a significant transformation over the years. From disco-house in the 90s to the electro-house of the 2000s, the dance music genre has continued to evolve with time. The last decade was marked by the rise and fall of progressive house music and the emergence of tech house as the dominant genre on the scene.
Today, to bring back the feel of 4Lokos and Sweet 16s we made this mix for us to reminisce of the good times and the Summer’s we didn’t have to pay bills or worry about getting our own health insurance.
The Golden Era of Progressive House Music
The 2010s saw the rise of a sub-genre of house music known as progressive house. This genre was characterized by its long buildups, melodic breakdowns, and uplifting drops. The music had a trance-like quality and was popularized by producers such as Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, and Deadmau5. The music resonated with fans, and the genre exploded in popularity, with festivals and clubs worldwide playing host to the biggest names in progressive house.
Defining Characteristics of 2010’s Progressive House
Progressive house music was a blend of various genres of music such as trance, techno, and EDM, all with a focus on driving rhythms and melodic buildups that created intense energy in the audience. The tracks were long and had a unique structure that allowed DJs to craft long, continuous sets that built over time, creating an intense musical journey.
Iconic Artists and Tracks of the Decade
2010s saw an explosion of progressive house music globally. The biggest names of the time included Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5, Pryda, and Alesso, with tracks like “Levels,” “Strobe,” and “One,” ruling the airwaves. These tracks had a lasting impact on the industry and are still popular today.
The Role of Festivals and Clubs in Progressive House’s Popularity
Progressive house’s rise in popularity was buoyed by the emergence of clubs and festivals that hosted the music. Festivals like Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival became synonymous with the genre, with fans flocking to these events to witness the biggest names in progressive house music perform live.
The Rise of Tech House
In recent years, the popularity of progressive house music has been declining, giving way to a new genre: tech house. The style originated in the late 90s and was a fusion of house music and techno. It was characterized by its heavy basslines, minimalistic style, and the use of percussion to create an energetic vibe on the dance floor. Tech house producers began to gain a following in the mid-2000s, with artists such as Green Velvet and Jamie Jones becoming household names in the scene.
Origins and Influences of Tech House
Tech house drew its inspiration from various genres, including Chicago house, Detroit techno, and the UK garage scenes. The genre emerged at a time when the electronic dance music scene was in need of a fresh injection of energy, and tech house provided precisely that. It had a grittier, rawer sound that appealed to the crowds and quickly gained popularity.
Key Players in the Tech House Scene
Today, tech house is dominated by an entirely different set of producers and DJs. The likes of Solomun, Chris Lake, and Fisher have become household names in the electronic dance music scene, with their tracks ruling the charts worldwide. The genre has a more significant emphasis on live performances than progressive house, with producers playing sets that blend live instruments, vocals, and DJing.
Tech House’s Impact on EDM Culture
Tech house has had a profound impact on the electronic dance music culture in recent years, with its minimalistic style and heavy basslines influencing producers across the board. The genre’s rise in popularity has also led to a change in the overall vibe of clubs and festivals, with a more intense, raw energy overtaking the more melodic and uplifting sounds of progressive house.
Comparing Progressive House and Tech house
Comparing these two genres reveals some telling differences in sound, production, and community dynamics.
Differences in Sound and Production Techniques
Progressive house had a more melodic, uplifting sound that favored a long buildup and explosive drop. The genre relied heavily on layering synths and melodies to create a sense of depth. Tech house, in contrast, had a less elaborate sound, with a focus on rhythm, bass, and groove.
The Evolution of DJ Sets and Live Performances
The rise of tech house has seen a shift in the way DJs craft their live sets. Progressive house sets relied heavily on long, buildup-driven mixes that created a sense of tension and release. Tech house sets, on the other hand, are more focused on the beat and rhythm, with DJs blending live instruments, vocals, and DJing to create a unique performance.
Fanbase and Community Dynamics
Progressive house resonated with a broader fanbase, with its uplifting, melodic sound attracting fans from all over the electronic dance music scene. Tech house, in contrast, has a more niche following, with its raw, minimalistic sound appealing mostly to fans who prefer a harder, edgier vibe.
The Current State of Progressive House
While tech house has taken over the electronic dance music scene, progressive house hasn’t disappeared altogether. The genre still has a dedicated fanbase, and its influence can still be heard in the music of today.
Progressive House in the Mainstream
Progressive house’s popularity peaked in the mid-2010s, but the genre has been largely edged out of the mainstream by the rise of tech house. Today, few progressive house tracks can be heard on commercial radio stations, but its influence can still be heard in the music of artists such as Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix.
Underground Progressive House Movements
Despite the genre’s decline, progressive house still has a dedicated following in underground clubs and festivals worldwide. Artists like Sasha, John Digweed, and Hernan Cattaneo continue to push the envelope in the genre, bringing a fresh sound to the scene.
The Future of Progressive House Music
It’s hard to predict the future of a genre as fluid and ever-changing as electronic dance music. However, the enduring legacy of progressive house ensures that the genre will endure, and its influence will be felt in the music of tomorrow. It is a vicious cycle I tell you.
Conclusion
The rise of tech house has seen a shift in the electronic dance music scene, with the raw, minimalistic sound of the genre overtaking the more melodic, uplifting sound of progressive house. However, the influence of progressive house can still be felt in the music of today, and the genre’s legacy ensures that it will endure in the hearts of fans worldwide.
With that being said, send this mix to all your cousins over the age of 30 so they can reminisce back on the time they learned how to shuffle at Ultra, but then passed out due to “hydration”.
Having said that, drink water & blow out your speakers. Happy Summer Friday.
Cheers
-AH
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