In the wake of all this madness for Tiesto this weekend, and I guess as a thread where the not-so-into-trance EDM fans can go ride out this weekend, I was wondering what people think of the role of hype is with EDM.

EDM has long been labelled as the 'faceless' genre when it comes to popular music, as outside of the dance music community, very few people know who a Paul Oakenfold, or a John Digweed are. As a result, hype can help the scene gain more popular acceptance, and thus bringing more people into the scene.

On the other hand, this amount of hype that some people have for their favorite DJ can seem a bit excessive. Too much hype can build up a DJ to a 'God-like' status, when in fact they are far from. Yes, they play good music, but so do a lot of other people. What difference does it make that Armin played Seven Cities or the local resident? For God sake, they're just putting a piece of vinyl on a turntable!

So what are your thoughts on this? Is hype a good thing? How much is too much?

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quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy So what are your thoughts on this? Is hype a good thing? How much is too much?

AMEN...ive been mentioning this several times....all a DJ does is play other people's music.

however, artists(yes artists) such as JZ, sasha,BT, holden, etc etc, who actually do more than jsut mix records are people i look up to....or if its freeland, u find some turntablism in it as well..

imo, ive heard local djs way more skilled than "gods" like tiesto...all the guy does is beatmatch and crossfade....like omg which dj cant do that??

hype is good only when the artist/dj does more than just DJ

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quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy So what are your thoughts on this? Is hype a good thing? How much is too much?

never enuf

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Oscar G. & Ralph Falcon vs. Lil' Louis - French Kiss to the Dark Beat (Murk Monster Club Mix)
Vadim Zhukov - Exit vs. Remy and Roland Klinkenberg - Fearless (Acapella) vs. Thomas Datt - 2v2 (John Askew Remix) [ASOT 150 RIP]
DJ Tiesto - In My Memory (V-One Remix) [Tiesto@Club Space 2002 RIP]
Miami Ice - Better Than Perfect (Full Intention Club Mix)
(Love) Tattoo - History Of Disco Part 2 (Oh How I Love Your Disco Extended Edit)
Bent feat. Simon Lord (Simian) - To Be Loved (Mr. B Remix)
Nicolas Bulostin - Nothing Better Than Sex

i totally agree, but theres the pyschological aspect where subconsiously, most ppl hear the big name and that atracts them to the event (even though they are essentialy 'just playing records,' but i'm a dj, and i'm not going to be one to undermine the dj profession). most ppl will look at somone who they know as an artist and not just a dj. and its also a respect to the status a dj gained. many ppl like the vibe of everyone going nuts for the same purpose.

i totally agree that in most cases they're just playing music and anyone can do that, but theres still something special about seeing armin, ferry, pvd etc. etc. they usually tend to atract a good crowd, (at least from my experiences)

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Originally posted by djbruuen i totally agree, but theres the pyschological aspect where subconsiously, most ppl hear the big name and that atracts them to the event

Taking that comment to the next logical step then...
Is it not enough to simply have good music anymore? Are the crowds just as attracted to the 'celebrity' of the DJ and not just his ability to mix, play and keep a crowd entertained?

If that is the case, I think it's quite distressing, as for us listeners of EDM, we always claim 'it's all about the music', when in fact we ourselves are just as guilty as liking our artists for the name they have and not the music they play.

Sorry, it's not my intention to 'big-name DJ bash', I'm just trying to play both sides of the arguement. Hell, I think I was guilty of this DJ hype thing when tenaglia came to town on canada day as well.

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Not Everyone Understands House Music, It's a Spiritual Thing, a Body Thing, a Soul Thing

quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy Are the crowds just as attracted to the 'celebrity' of the DJ and not just his ability to mix, play and keep a crowd entertained?

i think this is true for most ppl unfortunately...i hear ppl that aren't even into edm telling me...did you hear, tiesto coming? i'm like no shit? really?

but for me personally, i do fall into the seeing ppl i know on occasions...but i see them for the reason that i know they'll play music i like, and i'll get to hear it on a large soundsystem.

i'd have to say for my its 70% music 30% ability...becuase if the dj's mixing is subpar (it has to be at least tolerable though, thats why i give it 30%) but he plays non-stop awesome tunes...i'll have an amazing nite

i usually have hype for big names only if i know the music im gonna hear at their set consists of mostly white labels and a style that regular djs dont have

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Big name = a certain style they play. Usually they incorporate other peoples tunes and their own into the set they would drop to take the crowd somewhere (that is a basic definition) and build atmosphere. However there are some djs that do that and more like improvise live with the turntable or use other equipment. I think either way can work...as for hype? If a dj no longer uses those methods I mentioned above or just caters to mediocrity in their sets than that is where I get sad. I'm hoping this Sat turns out different (like in Europe)

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Und ich tanz einfach weiter...

quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy EDM has long been labelled as the 'faceless' genre when it comes to popular music, as outside of the dance music community, very few people know who a Paul Oakenfold, or a John Digweed are. As a result, hype can help the scene gain more popular acceptance, and thus bringing more people into the scene.

Making trance more popular isn't a good idea imo...don't get me wrong...I'm not against inducting fresh blood in the scene...I believe trance has progressed and is evolving but the Quality of trance music being produced has gone down considerably because of the very reason......there is only a handful producers these days who are doing a commendable job....Rest of the stuff being produced is not so good......
Back in the day not alot of trance was being produced but atleast whatever came out altho didn't reach the binary finary status but was quality and deserved a 2nd listen....I think the effort to make trance popular will only attract the poser type and will do no good to the scene...if its bound to happen for somebody it will come to them....

quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy On the other hand, this amount of hype that some people have for their favorite DJ can seem a bit excessive. Too much hype can build up a DJ to a 'God-like' status, when in fact they are far from. Yes, they play good music, but so do a lot of other people. What difference does it make that Armin played Seven Cities or the local resident? For God sake, they're just putting a piece of vinyl on a turntable! So what are your thoughts on this? Is hype a good thing? How much is too much?

i think this depends on the individual, their love for the type of music one DJ spins/produces and the impact the DJ's music has had on em....Also it depends on how the DJ interacts....for instance when i see armin it brings a smile on my face just because he's down to earth and truly loves the music.....So if i see anybody other than Armin dropping Seven cities i will love it for sure because i love the song but it won't be the same....

quote:

Originally posted by Sly_Guy What difference does it make that Armin played Seven Cities or the local resident? For God sake, they're just putting a piece of vinyl on a turntable!

This is the way I feel.

However, Ferry still kicks ass.

too much hype in this world, thats why people get dissapointed

i totally agree as well..
to me it is a whole different story if someone is simply a dj..playing vinyl...or if it as a DJ who is also a producer/artist..
i dont care how good a DJ can just mix trax together..anyone can learn that..and i know that there are some dj's who have a crazy style and have that crazy vibe that can bring up the party..i agree that is great..but the ones that are real artists are the dj's / producers who actually spend time in the studio.. have their music released on a piece of wax..having their own sound...now thats a different story..