Believe it or not, the dance music industry has been around much longer than you think. Long before the huge festivals like Ultra and Tomorrowland, performers like the Warp Brothers were headlining shows twenty years ago. A lot has changed in those twenty years, and the dance music industry has proven to be something that will last, and will bring in money. We had the chance to discuss those changes with the Warp Brothers ahead of their set on the Smash The House stage at Tomorrowland Brasil on Friday, April 22, from 15:30 to 16:30 local time.

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Location

Then:

We think that the locations for festivals haven’t really changed that much – they’re still big crowds of people gathered in central or even the most remote places. Back then they may have been a bit more special, based on less restrictive regulations and the fact that it wasn’t a billion € business. Venues were not as expensive as they are today and we know some amazing festivals that stopped because over time, the rent for the space they had used for years became outrageously expensive and the organisers just couldn’t afford it anymore – even though they had 40k+ paying people! On top of this, DJs‘ fees increased significantly. 20 years ago, it was more about a great location with the right music that created the excitement – there was no perfect bar system, you had dirty toilets and delayed shuttle services! It was for sure more chaotic but maybe that was the beauty of it.

Now:

As festivals became a cash cow, organisers are more and more on the look-out to centralise everything in order to deal with the logistics and the huge amount of people who attend. There are still festivals where you need to walk through the jungle to get there, but the majority of festivals are at places where it’s easy to gather so many people, and based on increasing regulations, restrictions and expenses, organisers don’t want to take any risks. Some festivals, that are not based around major cities, are setting up little villages where everything is perfectly organised. It started like 15 years ago and has been built up to perfection.

Production

Then:

Sometimes 4 smoke machines, a laser beam and strobe lights were enough to get 20,000 people going mental. Sometimes some dancers but the stages where nothing special, there was a light show but no revolving stages and fantasy worlds, no non-stop fireworks and synched pyrotechnics. The focus was defintely more on the music and the production had the purpose to be functional for the DJs and the crowd. A good laser was a sensation and people loved dancing in smoke machines and doing whatever they felt like doing in the hideouts of the festival. We played in circus tents in the middle of nowhere and 40k people were raving with no special effects at all. We played in old castles and on open stages in the monsoon where the light didn’t work at all. But the crowd and us had a hell lot of fun.

Now:

Some of the festival productions like Tomorrowland are just mindblowing. They put the productions from some international mega Rock Stars to shame (except Rammstein, ha ha ha). They create own fantasy worlds and mottos that people love and are crazy about. The truth is, that due to the fact, that the scene became such a huge business, there was suddenly enough money and the smart festival brands re-invested it and offered more and more to their fans. It’s at a point where you ask yourself what comes next. Will they simulate asteroid impacts, earthquakes or whatever?! It’s amazing to see how the production of many festivals improved but still there are some festivals left that can get away without huge lights shows, pyrotechnics and such. As long as the sound is fat the music can blast the speakers.

Music

Then:

We definitely feel that it was more about the music and the feeling that the music evoked. DJs played with vinyl, the sound was different, the music selection was much more limited so DJs had to rely on their taste in pre-selecting their music cause we had max 60-80 vinyls in our cases and not hundreds or even more tunes on a drive or in a laptop. We had to be more creative, had to focus more on technical skills, so there was less time to interact with the audience but at the same time less distraction from the music by jumping DJs or thrilling light effects. There were no sync buttons, no playlists and no smart phones. We had it all in our minds and hearts and that definitely had an impact on the music and the vibe.

The more known DJs played tunes nobody else had because they were the lucky ones getting their hands on the rare and very limited test pressings, or they had their own dubplates. DJs tried to not play songs other DJs already played. It was kinda shameful if you did. Even the crowd was bitching about it: “Have you heard, this dude played 2 tracks the other DJ has already played. How lame is that?” DJs played their music to promote record sales, whereas today they produce to promote their gigs. The audience went crazy when they heard a new tune they didn’t know and that kicked ass. There was a much higher focus on the quality of music by the audience. Sure they wanted to hear their favourtite records but at the same time they were much more open minded to new music. It felt more authentic than it feels nowadays.

Now:

Due to the internet, everybody has an easy access to every single track so it’s very hard these days to surprise a crowd with new music. If they don’t know a track or parts of it they’re like wtf! unless they come to see the rare amount of DJs that are known for their specific sound like Skrillex or Deadmau5. This is still a genre specific thing though. This all counts pretty much for the so called “EDM” scene. If you look at the Techno scene it’s again different. The technology made it so easy to DJ that some DJs became lazy and they walked down Easy-Lane. Prepared (or sometimes even prerecorded sets to adjust and synch the light and pyro show) sets and hit records follow hit records, which many of the DJs at the same festival are playing.

All that leads to a creative lack but based on the impressive stage setups people don’t mind, they just go for the overall experience. Watching their favourite DJs in an amazing environment creates the thrill. DJs are now the stars, not so much their music anymore (exceptions occur of course). So everything shifted. Most of the top DJs know this and they do what the crowd loves most which is part of a DJs mission. And last not least let’s not forget the invasion of the smart phones. Sometimes it seems to be that it’s more important to share a gazillion videos and pics to show off in front of your mates that you are a the best festivals rather then enjoying the music. They film, text and snapchat and as a result, the impact of the music isn’t that deep anymore. But festivals were always about the vibe and the energy. The energy is still amazing these days but the reasons why are different to 20 years ago!

Crowd

Then:

Totally into the music that created the thrill. Joining the sound with thousands of people and sometimes we gave autographs for hours and signed everything you can imagine.

Now:

Totally into the show, adapting the festival image, self promotion via socials and the stars on stage which are the heros more than maybe their own music. Fuck autographs – I want a selfie with the Warp Brothers, ha ha ha :)))

Culture / Social

Then:

Festivals were something really special but still required effort. You had to look out to find the info in actual magazines and not online. Sure, there where websites but no smart phones so you had to rely on a computer and if you left home you had to start reading in your favourite magazine to get info. Media was much more complex to work on too. You needed printed marketing campaigns, ordering tickets was different and to hook up with your friends you usually met them and talked about the next big festival and then planned your travel together. Nothing was just one click away.

Now:

Social media took over and made it very easy to get any information and access to everything. Information and media spreads so fast which is a bonus for the festivals. People just have it much easier to communicate prior, during and after a festival. Festivals became events that kids actually plan their holidays around. Ultra Miami, Tomorrowland, Electro Beach and many more. The prices increased so much, so the natural reaction is to make the most out of it and if it’s the summer holidays with the family that must be forfeit, so what? I wanna see my favourite DJs and be near them! Kids bargain and sacrifice a lot for an extended festival stay and experience, it has become a full-on tourism industry.

Festivals are all over social media, they have a much easier access to their fan base and potential new ones, and the whole interaction between people at the festivals changed – the kids would rather film and share instead of getting into the sound. They lose interest so fast that the music programing adjusted to it. 20 tracks in 1 hour is nothing special. It keeps the attention alive and maybe avoids too much social media mayhem on the dancefloor!

Playlist

Then:

1. Jam & Spoon – The Age Of Love
2. DJ Scot Project – U
3. Cherrymoon Trax – The House Of House
4. Emmanuel Top – Acid PhasePerplexer – Acid Folks
5. Perplexer – Acid Folks

Now:

1. Wolfpack & Warp Brothers – Phatt Bass 2016
2. Ummet Ozcan – Spacecats
3. Vinai & Olly James – Lit
4. Dave202 & Gino G – Knockdown
5. Vhana & Ashton Love – Prey (Wayne & Woods Edit)

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Obviously, we’ve got a hugely different music scene nowadays. If you’re going to be at Tomorrowland Brasil, be sure to check out Warp Brothers as they take over the Smash The House stage on Friday, April 22, from 15:30 to 16:30 local time. Huge thanks to Warp Brothers for the awesome editorial! Check out their new single with