I dont think mainstream is bad at all, i get kinda frustrated when certain songs dont get the recognition that they should, ie Fragma - Toca Me was never played on the radio untill they mixed the vocals with it and released Tocas Miracle, i always knew it would go big!

Yeah, that's true. I thought the original was better.

The problem with mainstream stuff is that even a shit song can do well whereas some of the best underground stuff will never be heard by the record buying public and therefore not do well even though it's just as worthy of success.

Apparently, Trance music is the new mainstream, so hey maybe we are the part of the dreaded mainstream!!! Hehe.. I agree that trance is "mainstream" in the electronic music listening culture cuz it's the most popular electronic music out right now.. but it's obviously not mainstream in the general public, at least that's how it is where I live.. but so what, I'm still gonna love trance no matter what peeps think!!! Grr I had more to write but I forgot.. anyways.. as long as you love what u listen to it's all good!!!

latez...

I'm not sure if I should be envious of you people in Europe. They idea of Trance being played on the radio is completely foreign to me. In the area I live (USA midwest) the only time you might here trance on the radio is at like 1:00AM on a saturday night because there's some special show on dedicated to techno. And those shows are mostly house with the occasional trance song.

On the one hand, at least I don't get tired of songs because of radio play, but on the other hand, the net is the only real place to find new trance music.

ohm, you've got nothing to be envious about. Trance is in no way mainstream in Europe. Just take a look at MTV-europe which, I guess, is about as mainstream as you can get. Britney Spears, Destinys Child and other designer-acts with the occassional latino tracks (Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin) thrown in is the order of the day there.
In fact all I get from DJs when I ask for Picotto or Tiesto is a puzzled look. People are very conservative here...

The reason why trance is't played on the radio more frequently (In Canada). Is because it is still considered Underground, anything without vocal Basically. I remember one of my DJ friends saying that they wouldn't let him spin this particular track at the club because it was too "Underground" as they put it. Never the less it was an awesome track at the time back in the day and still is. The track was Gouryella - Gouryella. I let ppl listen to the trance and soon as there is a remix ppl flock to it. Example: Spoild & Zigo - More and More.
I heard one time this DJ at Space play this song..and he ended up playing the (Flickman Remix). In my opinion not the better remix of that track comparing with the Vocal Original. BTW if u hear that track when you are driving in or around the toronto area... its me

Well, there's a few things I think about the state of mainstream music (ie. there's *tons* of amazing music out there but everyone listens to britney spears :P)

1) Trance is gaining alot more mainstream acceptance than lets say, happy hardcore or jungle :P

2) Most people my age (I'm 17) know about electronic music.... quite a few like it actually (raves would be pretty popular if there were more than ummm.... 2 venues in the city), but it still isnt on the level of what rock + rap are here obviously (ugh.... rap)

3) People are stupid WHY??? Why would anyone possibly say britney spears is better than even the worst trance song, and eminem is better than DJ hype?
OK I'm done complaining for today!

Most of the people have false informations about electronic music. Most of them think songs without lyrics are useless and tracks without 'live' instruments are cold and dead. I have heard really crazy stories about electronic composing. For example a former classmate of mine thinks electronic composing is only pressing a 'Compose' button in a PC program and the computer gives you a song. Incredible!!! And he's not the only one who thinks like this.

Peace!

YEZy

Let's make things clear: I'm from Holland ,the no.1 trance country in Europe ( with all respect for Germany and the UK), and trance is NOT (yet) mainstream here!! And when I say "trance" I mean the trance we are talking about on this site. Of course you can hear trance on the radio but that's only on little radiostations or in the weekends at night.
The big radiostations only play commercial trance like Darude, Alice Deejay, DJ Jurgen, DJ Jean, ATB, Milk Inc. and so on.... If you ask a regular person to name some trance he will certainly give you one of this names!!!
So don't think you hear "real" trance (trance like we disguss on this site) all day on the radio!
It's a fact though that trance is becoming more and more mainstream music over here... for example we have a tv-station (TMF) which broadcasts every saturday evening some live sets. Sometimes they broadcast clips like Alibi - Eternity, Gouryella - Tenshi, Johan Gielen - Beauty of Silence etc.

Conclusion:
1) commercial trance is mainstream here, but the "underground" trance isn't!! (mmmm..... this sounds very stupid! )
2) morbius: although Eminem is no trance he still is the man!!!! and his songs are f#cking GREAT!!!

MASSOL!

"Isn't that the crappy music they play at raves? All ravers are gay."
sounds familiar to me, anyone else? :P

Hey, at least they know electronic music exists

Sorry to say so, Jukx, but Holland is *not* "the no. 1 trance country in Europe".
Although you've may have a head start through your easy-going drug policy, trance is a movement that can't be categorized as belonging mainly to some geographic region. Your trance-icons (although very very musical) aren't really the innovators of the genre, and the true trance-gatherings are held in Ibiza and Berlin anyway.
However, your country-men are very adapt at making "our" music digestible for an wider audience, as is the case with Vengaboys, Alice Deejay and (dare I say) Ferry Corsten.

I'm sorry for sounding bitter, but your country really can't take credit for something this wonderful on its own. We are a global movement, which this site is a good example of.

Here are few facts that should be said to the electronic music hating mainstream:
1 - Progressive trance music (like Bt and Chicane) has much more emotion then any boring acoustic guitar song!
2 - People that read lyrics of mtv hits and try finding meaning to it are fucking stupid and don't know how to enjoy music

THERE I SAID IT! muahaha

any comments?