Forbes’ recently shared an article about Armin van Buuren that has taught me one thing; Buuren is a dance music purist, he is in this business for more right reasons that most artists. Forbes’ article shines light on Buuren’s opinion of Dance music today, the corporate influence on Dance music, and why Ibiza will always be better than Vegas.
It’s no secret that Las Vegas is a top-shelf scene for electronic dance clubbers, and, more now than ever, big-name DJ’s have signed residency to mega-clubs like: Light Nightclub, Hakkasan, and Encore Beach Club. This is great for those clubs and those who visit Vegas, but dance music isn’t something domestic, it’s loved and practiced internationally.
Armin references Ibiza an epitome of the movement and addresses the cons of the Vegas scene. “The people that skipped playing Ibiza this year probably do it for money,” Armin tells Forbes, “[The comparisons] don’t really do it justice. Ibiza is Ibiza. It has its own culture, its own sound.”
With mega-star DJ contracts like Tiesto, Calvin Harris and Deadmau5 being able to secure huge multi-million dollar paydays, it’s no wonder everyone is skipping Ibiza for the money. Whether this will have an impact on Ibiza is yet to be seen, but even Pete Tong has been vocal about the issue lately saying “Only the strong and innovative will survive”.
Armin also talks about the corporate involvement in dance music: “As soon as something gets big, more money gets involved. I’m really curious to see if this is a bubble that’s going to burst or if it’s going to stay around–if it’s going to be as strong in five or 10 years from now.”
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