Popular Isn’t a Bad Thing

Lately in dance music whenever an artist makes that transition from up and comer to mainstream popularity, there’s a certain segment of fans who will not only bash them, but bash you for liking them. We all know one and yet only six months ago they were right next to you at the show singing the lyrics to every song.

And in some cases I get it. “Clarity” never needs to be played again, Swedish House Mafia should stay retired and whatever else. Generally however it’s baffling how so many people can support these artists while they’re crashing on couches and scrounging for dollars before their next show, but as soon as the art that they’ve sacrificed everything to create gets recognized by others, they’re dead.

So why does this happen?

It starts with our need to belong. To identify with something. Whether it’s David Guetta, Skrillex or Pretty Lights early on that identity is clearly defined. The tribe is one. But as others enter the fold, the makeup starts to shift and change. Sometimes the tribe remains, other times they abandon entirely.

When you look at some of the most successful touring acts of our time like Phish, Bassnectar or Dave Matthews Band the core remains, but more importantly are the values passed on from one to another. And even though Phish Heads, the Bassnectar Family and Ants Marching are totally different from one another, something that they have in common is that they are accepting of everyone. Go to a show, be respectful and you will get that back 20x over.

Does dance music have a tribe?

Before the giant festivals with 50,000 people and $5 waters, Soundcloud plays, Facebook likes and music blogs like this one, there was only the dance floor. To rave wasn’t part of your outward expression, it was just inherently part of you. Whatever your scene was it was yours. The identity of an ‘electronic music’ fan was clearly defined. Now it’s everyone.

Feeling the attack from outside forces, fans dug deeper and we threw up walls. We all know people who hate _______ (dubstep, trap, trance, deep house, moombahton), but most of the time it isn’t even about the music. It’s about the fan and culture surrounding the genre. Deep house fans are crass, trap fans are ratchet and if you like Skrillex then I hate you.

We’re still under attack. This same behavior is being repeated with the new generation of fans. I saw a post in a Facebook group today that said something like, “f*ck Porter Robinson, he’s so mainstream now. I’m over him.” Albeit the statement was a little confusing given Porter hasn’t released anything since “Easy”, but even if he’s mainstream why does that mean you can’t support him as an artist?

If we keep abandoning artists because of their popularity, then we’re going to lose any sense of culture that’s still remaining. Those artists need people like you and I to accept everyone and show them the best parts of our scene.

So when your friend says how much they like “I Need Your Love”, it’s time for you to dropbox them a mix that includes “Ready For The Weekend” and “The Girls”.

By no means am I trying to tell you what to listen to. Musical exploration is a self-learning experience that everyone should be open to. But if Disclosure, T.E.E.D or DJ Snake become popular all of a sudden, it’s not a bad thing.

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