2016 is geared to be EDM’s biggest year yet. It has fully risen from the underground to the mainstream and budded into a whopping 7-billion-dollar industry! With artists like JackU (Diplo and Skrillex) getting widespread notoriety by winning coveted Grammy awards and collaborating with high-profile artists such as Justin Bieber, EDM is clearly no longer confined to clandestine warehouse parties. Crossovers between pop music and EDM have become increasingly popular and there is absolutely no sign of EDM slowing down in 2016.

EDM Hotspots in the USA

In 2015, we saw a massive increase in the popularity of EDM music and festivals in the USA. In 2016, we project even larger growth in these areas and more. The map below depicts the exponential growth of EDM hotspots in the USA, most of which are not surprising.

We have also seen a change in the reason why people attend one EDM event over another. In 2016, we predict that the lineup and location will be the largest contributing factors when making the decision of which EDM Festival or event to attend.



Artist Watch

We have put together a collection of artists that we expect to take EDM festival stages by storm in 2016. Expect nothing but top-notch performances from these DJs this year.

MarshMello

Taking a page from mystery-producer UZ’s book and donning a mask, Marshmello had an amazing year in 2015 and is set to ascend to the top of the EDM hierarchy in 2016. Marshmello’s mysterious presence permeates more than just his appearance; when you go to his booking agent’s website instead of finding the typical copy boasting his accolades like you would from most producers it simply states “Hi I’m Marshmello”.

Marshmello burst onto the trap and future-bass scene when he posted the track “WaVeZ” on Soundcloud which immediately received shares from many prolific producers including Skrillex. Skrillex even went a step further to include Marshmello’s track “FinD Me” on his “Skrillex Selects” collection. Marshmello is always dropping new material on his Soundcloud has even crossed over into the world of video games, providing a remix for E-Sports giant League of Legends.

While no one but the EDM-elite likely know Marshmello’s true identity we know one thing for certain… the future is bright for our young bass hero.

NGHTMRE

NGHTMRE’s rise to the top is something that most bedroom producers only ever dream of. After Skrillex dropped a then unknown track in his headlining set at Ultra in 2015 the world demanded to know who produced it. That producer was NGHTMRE. There was no looking back for NGHTMRE as he proceeded to headline shows all across Austrailia and the United States.

With his own custom-blend of trap and dubstep, there is absolutely no question as to why NGHTMRE has been receiving support from the biggest names in EDM. You can expect immense tracks and shows from NGHTMRE in 2016.

The Satin Jackets



German music producer Tim Bernhardt and lead performer Den Ishu formed in 2010 to create what has become one of the most original electro-pop groups of the last decade. These two talented musicians have been steadily releasing remixes and original material on the Belgian record label Eskimo Recordings for years, but 2016 marks the first time they have ever released a full length album.

Titled “Panorama Pacifico” their debut album features cameos from many different vocalists, hailing from LA, Berlin, London, Belgium and more. This duo’s fresh take on Nu-Disco and Electro-Pop is bound to please the masses once their album hits digital retailers and store shelves in April. You can check them out on Facebook and listen to their album preview here.

Ellen Allien

Ellen is the founder of the prolific record label BPitch Control which is home to artists such as Modeselektor and Apparat. With eight full-length albums under her belt she shows no sign of slowing down in 2016. She is a resident at DC10 in Ibiza and Nitsain in Barcelona, as well as at major festivals such as Melt and Name. These coveted DJ spots make Ellen one of the leading female voices in the world of Techno. All her sounds can be found on here Soundcloud and be sure to follow her on Twitter.

Gina Turner

Born in New York, Gina Turner grew up attending clubs like Shelter and Sound Factory. Drawing inspiration from these places, she moved to Boston and gained her own radio shows on 88.9 WERS and 99.9 WECB. With releases on Ultra and Sound Pellegrino, as well as a radio show on Sirius XM’s BPM, Gina Turner has proven that she is much more than just a shadow of her equally talented husband Laidback Luke. Gina’s Soundcloud absolutely kills and she is very active on Twitter!

Louisahh!!!

Louisahhh!!! grew up in a musical household, learning to play multiple instruments before she even began to consider her love affair with DJing. She moved to LA in 2006 where she performed as one half of NYCPARTYINFO. Subsequently, she met Danny Daze who utilized her as a vocalist on a track with Senor Stereo titled “I Am The Beat”.

Louisahhh!!! has been putting out hybrid Nu-Disco/Electro records for years and has recently made the move to a more techy sound. Her recent EP on Maelstrom is nothing short of extraordinary. We absolutely love her Instagram and she has a plethora of excellent material on her Soundcloud.

Magda

Magda became a mainstay in the Detroit techno scene when she was recognized by Techno king Richie Hawtin. Magda is not just a fixture in the techno scene however. She is a bit of a renaissance woman, dabbling in everything from producing her own tequila and art. Magda has toured all over the world and her ability to DJ Minimal is unparalleled.

She has a TON of recorded DJ mixes over at her Soundcloud and you can stay in touch with her artistic exploits by liking her on Facebook.

Maya Jane Coles

Born in London, Maya’s career can only be described as explosive. She has graced the covers of over 14 magazines in 8 countries, and her music has received over a whopping 2.5 million channel plays on Soundcloud. Maya Jane Coles’ relaxing house sound has caught the attention of many ears, as well as resulting into her breaking into the mainstream with bookings at major festivals like Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival.

Check out London’s finest house export over at Soundcloud and Facebook.

EDM Fashion and Festival Attire

EDM is no different from other genres of music in the fact that it has fashion trends that are exclusively associated with it. EDM Fashion has become so ubiquitous that ravers and festival heads can be identified solely by their looks. 20-somethings can be found wearing EDM attire at college campuses all over the country. Festival attendees accessorize with fluffies, light-up glasses, and other LED accessories. Depending on what festivals you are attending you will want to accessorize accordingly.

EDC is definitely one of the more colorful events and taking the time to assemble some really cool kandi beforehand could help you potentially forge new friendships at the fest. EDC is also a good festival to show off your ability to glow with products like these sick glowing el wire frame glasses. Modesty is not something that should be considered when attending EDC, so be bold and go all out!

HARD is a very intense rave but the style of clothing is fairly different from the likes of a fest such as EDC. At HARD expect to see lots of guys wearing graphic tees and girls in high-waisted shorts. Kandi is actually not allowed at HARD, so keep that in mind if HARD is on your list of summer festival destinations this year. A lot of festivals have fairly comprehensive lists of what is and isn’t allowed for attendees to bring with them, so make sure you check for these lists on each festival’s website before you purchase your tickets.

If neon hats and shutter shades are your sort of thing then you will fit right in at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Fl. Other than exquisite Cuban cuisine Miami is known for pretty much one thing; girls in bikinis, so dressing scantily-clad is is a very common occurrence at Ultra. The fashion at Ultra is similar to EDC, but since it’s in Miami wearing practically nothing is totally acceptable, and even encouraged. In fact, at Ultra nothing more than a bathing suit and a pair of aviators will do.

When it comes to different types of EDM eyewear there is definitely no lack of variety, with everything ranging from Chrome Spiked Kaleidoscope Goggles, to the more traditional, standard pair of sunglasses (neon of course). Regardless of how simple or how extreme you want your eyewear to be, we suggest that you always bring a pair of sunglasses to your next EDM festival. No one wants to get stuck out in a field at high-noon with no protection from the sun. Sunglasses can even come in handy during the evening at an EDM festival, as your eyes might need a temporary rest from the barrage of LEDs and Lasers firing from the main stages. Sunglasses are an absolute must because they allow you to protect yourself while still looking stylish!

The Top 3 EDM Festivals

#1 EDC Las Vegas, June 17th – 19th

EDC Las Vegas has become practically as much as an institution as EDM itself. EDC has eight stages this year in addition to its breadth of carnival rides, so there definitely won’t be a lack of entertainment at this power-house three-day festival. EDC also has an art area featuring fire-breathing metal creatures, three-dimensional wooden superstructures, and a convenient Carnival Square packing all the amenities that you would expect from a festival this size.

EDC is always a blast regardless of the city it is held, but the Las Vegas version of this festival is most definitely one of the most over-the-top festival experiences in the entire world.

More information and the full artist line-up can be found here.

#2 Electric Zoo, Sept. 2nd – 4th

Each year since 2009 dance music has taken over a small municipal island in NYC in the form of the music festival Electric Zoo. This truly unique location squeezed right between Manhattan, The Bronx and Queens is over nine miles long offers festival attendees the opportunity to visit one America’s most iconic cities over Labor Day weekend. Electric Zoo’s lineup incorporates both a mix of legendary DJs like The Chemical Brothers and Frankie Knuckles, as well new school masterminds like Kaskade and Steve Aoki. This festival boasts five stages, including a hidden treehouse area.

Over the seven years that this festival has been around it has steadily continued to grow in entertainment and production value, and while the lineup has yet to be announced for 2016, there is no doubt that this year’s Zoo will be just as successful as the previous ones before it. A weekend pass is only $229, fairly priced given the amount of festival competition there is this year and Electric Zoo’s reputation for having excellent lineups. All things Electric Zoo related can be found here.

#3 Paradiso, June 24th – 25th



Paradiso’s slogan is “Digital Meets Nature” which captures the essence of this music festival perfectly. This all night dance fest engrosses you with lights, lasers, and EDM and takes place in a serene gorge in the beautiful state of Washington. The combination of shimmering river with throbbing subwoofers makes this festival one of the most sought after EDM/Camping destinations for ravers all over the country.

There is no shortage of EDM superstars at this event. Previous years’ lineups have included Kaskade, Avicii, Above and Beyond and more. If you can only go to one or two festivals this year and you really enjoy the outdoors, then you should consider attending Paradiso this summer.

Complete Festival List

Lastly, we leave you with a full list of almost every major EDM festival in 2016. Share with your friends!

MARCH:

March 4 – 6 | Ockeechobee, FL – Oceechobee Music & Arts Festival 2016

March 5 – 6 | San Diego, CA – CRSSD Music Festival 2016

March 10 – 12 | Ocho Rios, Jamaica – Paradise Lost Music Festival 2016

March 11 – 12 | New Orleans, LA – BUKU Music and Art Project Festival 2016

March 11 – 20 | Austin, TX – South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival 2016

March 16 – 18 | South Padre Island, TX – UME 2016

March 18 – 20 | Miami, FL – Ultra Music Festival 2016

March 19 – 20 | California – Beyond Wonderland Festival 2016

APRIL:

April 2 | Winter Park, CO – Festival: Minus Zero 2016

April 1 – 3 | Denver, CO – SnowBall Music Festival 2016

April 7 – 10 | Austin, TX – Euphoria Music Festival 2016

April 15 – 24 | Indio, CA – Coachella Music Festival 2016

April 16 | Houston, TX – Something Wonderful 2016

April 23 – 24 | Mexico City, Mexico – Vive Latino Music Festival 2016

April 30 | Tempe, AZ – Wet Electric 2016

MAY:

April 29 – May 1 | Las Vegas, NV – Further Future Music Festival 2016

April 29 – May 1 | Austin, TX – Levitation Music Festival 2016

May 19 – 22 | Durham, NC – Moogfest 2016

May 20 – 22 | Atlanta, GA – Shaky Beats Music Festival 2016

May 20 – 22 | Gulf Shores, AL – Hangout Music Festival 2016

May 22 – 23 |New York City, NY – EDC New York 2016

May 22 – 25 | Tampa, FL – Sunset Music Fest 2016

May 25 – 30 | Bradley, CA – Lightning in a Bottle 2016

May 27 – 29 | Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival 2016

May 27 – 30 | George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival 2016

May 28 – 30 | Detroit, MI – Movement Festival 2016

JUNE:

June 2 – 5 | Wilseyville, CA – Fire Drums 2016

June 3 – 4 | Mariposa, CA – The Untz Music Festival 2016

June 3 – 5 | Bethel, New York City, NY – Governors Ball Festival 2016

June 9 – 12 | Great Stage Park, TN – Bonnaroo 2016

June 10 – 13 | New York City, NY – Mysteryland Festival USA 2016

June 14 – 16 | Las Vegas, NV – EDM Biz 2016

June 17 – 19 | Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands – Best Kept Secret Festival 2016

June 16 – 19 | Barcelona, Spain – Sonar 2016

June 16 – 19 | Reykjavik, Iceland – Secret Solstice Music Festival 2016

June 16 – 19 | Dover, DE – Firefly Music Festival 2016

June 16 – 19 | Rye, CO – Sonic Bloom Music Festival 2016

June 17 – 20 | Dufur, OR – What The Festival 2016

June 16 – 18 | Boonville, CA – Sierra Nevada World Music Fest 2016

June 17 – 19 | Las Vegas, NV – EDC 2016

June 17 – 20 | Durfur, OR – What The Festival 2016

June 17 – 19 | Dover, DE – Firefly Music Festival 2016

June 23 – 25 | Odense, Denmark – Tinderbox Festival 2016

June 24 – 27 | Rothbury, MI – Electric Forest Festival 2016

June 25 – 26 | Toronto, CA – Digital Dreams Festival 2016

June 25 – 30 | George, WA – Paradiso Festival 2016

June 25 – July 1 | Ottawa, ON – Escapade Music Festival 2016

June 26 – 30 | Island of Pag, Croatia – Hideout Festival 2016

June 30 – July 3 | Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival

JULY:

July 3 | Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest 2016

July 6 – 10 | Zamardi, Laka Balaton – Balaton Sound 2016

July 7 – 9 | Salzburgring, Austria – Electric Love 2016

July 9 | Eindhoven, Netherlands – Extreme Outdoor Fest 2016

July 7 – 17 | Quebec City, Quebec – Quebec City Summer Music Festival 2016

July 8 – 10 | London, United Kingdom – Wireless Festival 2016

July 8 – 10 | Kelowna, British Colombia – Center of Gravity Music Festival 2016

July 14 – 16 | Budva, Montenegro – Seadance Festival 2016

July 14 – 17 |Port-Barcarès, France – Electrobeach Festival 2016

July 14 – 17 | Merritt, British Colombia – Pemberton Music Festival 2016

July 14 – 17 | Split, Croatia – Ultra Europe 2016

July 14 -17 | Benicassim, Spain – FIB 2016

July 15 – 17 | Mendocino, CA – Northern Nights Music Festival 2016

July 22 – 24 | Seattle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party Festival 2016

July 22 – 26 | Fredericton, New Brunswick – Future Forest Music Festival 2016

July 21 – 25 | Golden, British Colombia – Motion Notion 2016

July 29 – 31 | Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza Music Festival 2016

July 29 – 31| Montreal, Canada – Osheaga Music Festival 2016

July 30 – 31 | Toronto, Canada – Veld Music Festival 2016

July 30 – 31| Los Angeles, CA – Hard Summer Music Festival 2016

AUGUST:

August 5 – 7 | San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Music Festival 2016

August 5 – 8 | Saimo River Ranch, British Colombia – Shambhala Music Festival 2016

August 6 – 7 | Baltimore, MD – Moonrise Festival 2016

August 12 – 14 | Somerset, WI – Summerset Festival 2016

August 11 – 14 | Darrington, WA – Summer Meltdown 2016

August 11 – 14 | Manitoba, Canada – Meme 2016

August 12 – 15 | Tidewater, OR – Beloved Festival 2016

August 5 – 7 | San Francisco, CA – Outside Land Music Fest 2016

August 27 – 28 | Atlanta, GA – Imagine Music Festival 2016

SEPTEMBER:

September 1 – 5 | Stroud, OK – Backwoods Music Festival 2016

September 2 – 4 | Hillsboro, OR – Faerie Worlds 2016

September 2 – 4 | New York City, NY – Electric Zoo Festival 2016

September 2 – 4 | Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot Music Festival 2016

September 2 – 4 | Chicago, IL – North Coast Music Festival 2016

September 5 – 6 | El Paso, TX – Sun City Music Festival 2016

September 5 – 6 | Oklahoma City, OK – MYSTIK SANCTUARY 2016

September 8 – 10 | Spencer, IN – Hyperion Music Festival 2016

September 9 – 11 | Kansas City, MI – Dancefestopia Music Festival 2016

September 16 – 18 | San Diego, CA – KAABOO Music Festival 2016

September 17 – 19 | Tokyo, Japan – Ultra Japan 2016

September 30 – October 9 | Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival 2016

OCTOBER:

October 19 – 23 | Amsterdam, Netherlands – Amsterdam Dance Event 2016

Houston, TX – Something Wicked 2016

October 28-30 | New Orleans, LA – Voodoo Experience Music Festival 2016

NOVEMBER:

November 4 – 5 | Orlando, FL – EDC Orlando 2016

DECEMBER:

Dec 31 – January 1 | Seattle, WA – Resolution 2016

Did we miss an event? Comment below and let us know!

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