EDM
Actually, EDM means Electronic(ally produced) Dance(able) Music, hence it is initially an umbrella term for all genres that follow this definition. Around 2010, EDM became a marketing term, especially in the US-American music industry.
Characteristics of EDM are a big sound, lots of breaks and a strong focus on the so- called drop. Tracks frequently include vocals, often sung by pop artists. EDM is more »pop« than »underground«, some might describe it as the »commercialized version of techno«. Other than techno or house EDM is not intended as club music and often played in a big festival setting like Tomorrowland (Belgium) or Ultra Music Festival (Miami, USA).
Other than club music like techno or house is rather focusing on the collective dance experience, EDM is more »party music« where the dj is kind of an animator and the center of attention like a rock star. While – especially the German – techno scene regards EDM as kind of a »swear word«, some artists like German trance veteran Paul van Dyk even prefer their music to be called electronic dance music.
Nevertheless, EDM has its roots in techno, house and trance, especially the big, epic sound of Dutch trance, which have been combined with elements and attitude of pop. Dutch trance dj/producer Tiësto, known e.g. for his version of Samuel Barber’s »Adagio For Strings« (2005), was the first dj to perform solo in a stadium in front of 25.000 people (Tiësto In Concert, 2003).
More and more techno, house or trance artists embarked on a more pop-like mainstream sound. Notable examples are Eric Prydz from Sweden and »Call On Me (feat. Steve Winwood)« (2004), Bob Sinclar from France and »Love Generation (feat. Gary Pine) (2005), fellow Frenchman David Guetta with »When Love Takes Over (Feat Kelly Rowland)« (2009) and »Titanium (feat. Sia)« (2011), deadmau5 from Canada and »Strobe« (2010) as well as Dutch dj/producer Martin Garrix with »Animals« (2013) and Calvin Harris from Scotland and his hit »Summer« (2014).
Other genres found their way into EDM, too. US dj/producer Skrillex , known e.g. for »Bangarang« (2011), is often credited to have developed dubstep’s »EDM-version« brostep. Other examples are US dj/producer Marshmello and his future bass/EDM track »Alone« (2016) or Australian dj/producer Timmy Trumpet and his Melbourne bounce/EDM track »Freaks (feat. Savage)« (2014).
One of the biggest EDM stars was probably Swedish dj/producer Avicii , known for hits like »Levels« (2011) and »Wake Me Up (feat. Aloe Blacc)« (2013).
