"A great DJ can play totally different every night. It’s not a setlist. It’s a feeling." - Richie Hawtin
There’s an interesting interview with Richie Hawtin over on Las Vegas Weekly. In it, he discusses commercial vs underground, the scene in Las Vegas, and the difference between electronic dance music in Europe and the US.
The most interesting part for me, though, was when he gave his feelings on “DJs as rock stars”. Back at “ground zero” for acid house here in Europe (1988), the precise point of the DJ scene was that DJs were not superstars, they were part of the party – all together as one. Richie feels that in the recent explosion of EDM stateside, and the spread worldwide from that, some of that has been lost.
Here are a few words from the interview (you can read the full interview at Las Vegas Weekly):
“I think music in America, and this emanates across the world, everybody wants to be a superstar. Everybody wants to actually cut themselves off from people. Everybody wants to be on a pedestal.
“And one of the reasons why electronic music is so f*cking great, and why it’s seen 25 years of success, is that … for the longest time the industry — the people in the industry, the people running the labels, the people running the booking agencies — they’re really down to earth.
“People were accessible. You go to a great club with a great DJ, traditionally the DJ is right there with the people. The best place for me to place is as close to the people as possible. So there wasn’t this big disconnect between fan and audience.
Everybody wants to be a superstar. Everybody wants to actually cut themselves off from people. Everybody wants to be on a pedestal.
“It’s a little bit disappointing how that’s happened in America. It’s really like the whole rock star, hip-hop mentality. You know, these unreachable people. … It’s not a rock concert where you just make a bunch of visuals and have a bunch of people onstage and project to the audience, doing your songs.
“Electronic music, and clubbing, is about an energy transfer. You send some frequencies and energy to the people, they send it back to you, and then you actually change and modify. That’s why a great DJ can play totally different every night. It’s not a setlist. It’s a feeling.”
As a European, and as a DJ who’s been doing it since the 90s, I find myself agreeing with Richie about this. But I’d like to know what you think. Is there room for the “rock star DJ”? Or have we lost our way a little in the X Factor era?
So, should DJs aspire to be the next generation of rock stars, or would you prefer DJ culture to be a reaction precisely against that kind of thing? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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Tags: richie hawtin, rock star DJs
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There shouldn’t be room for rock stars in rock, either.
/punk rock attitude
[ link ]Well put, there may well be some truth in that too.
[ link ]Couldn’t agree more!
[ link ]I can only speak for myself, but I prefer being part of a large human circuit…I send my love and energy out to the people, and in turn, they send it back to me…we feed off of each other…the better they feel, the harder and better I want to DJ.
I don’t want to be cut off from anyone when I DJ…the energy is precisely why I love doing it. It’s not a hippie, New-Agey thing. It’s a spiritual thing for me. I’m not a religious person, but I feel that music is a language that is universal. It connects us, and DJs are like musical shamen. We owe it to the people to give them the best set every time we step to the decks.
[ link ]I can totally agree, but you blew my mind.
[ link ]Well said!
A friend of mine has described DJ ing similarly for a long time and I agree completely … it’s what I aspire to when I play music for people.
[ link ]Wow!!! Otis, your comment above is one of the best I have read about DJing…Inspired me
[ link ]Not sure I agree. Not because rock star status is something I aspire to, but because of the circumstances that might lead to someone being revered.
[ link ]Firstly, many modern EDM producers have blurred the line between a live set and DJing (think Orbital/ Daft Punk/ Prodigy) and these guys are top selling artists, and kind of deserve to be on a huge stage at a huge concert with huge amounts of people loving them. But yeah ok, not really DJ, these are genuine music stars, if not rock stars.
Next, being a rock star DJ is not something many set out to do. Only with hard work and maybe a bit of luck will you be one of the few who become worldwide household name DJs. And if you put in the work and are revered, then well done I say.
Lastly, there is an implication in the term “rock star DJs” that suggests wild parties and throwing TVs from hotel windows/ crashing the Roller in the pool etc. The same goes for “rock star football players” and actors and so on. There are many rock stars who lead a low profile lifestyle, like most DJs in fact. Is it THAT BAD to be just famous for your music/ mixing?
I think what Richie is saying is more about abstraction from the crowd in a club, but look at the picture of him above – miles away from his colossal crowd..
I don’t honestly think that DJs have changed into aspiring rock stars. I think people started to revere DJs like rock stars, whether they want it or not.
Interesting points. The picture is my fault, although it does show that Richie is someone who has played such venues himself as well as intimate places.
[ link ]Heheh yeah, it’s easy for him to say “don’t aspire to be a rock star DJ”, already being a household name/ massive venue/ dare I say “rock star” DJ.
[ link ]I guess it is all about how you define the term, and his opinion of aspirations.
In many walks of life you get the old skool bitching about the new school. It’s a bit tiresome.
Good DJs know how to drive the party, but you can not drive efffectively from the back seat. The more you separate yourself from the party both in class and attitude, the less effective you are. I’ve hung out with a lot a rock stars over the years, and the ones that succeed typically are down to earth and part of the reality. The difference is pretty simple though between DJs that work a crowd, like a good cover band, and those that play for themselves and claim to produce.
[ link ]The reason why in the US you see a change is that in that back in the 90s music success changed with soundscan and the merger of radio stations to be owned by 2-3 owners across the country controlling what people listened to. Labels could then monopolize and make big money managing the closed system. What killed this was a combination of internet and satalite radio creating consumer choice to not be stuck with the 100 one track formula artists, so the formula changed. Now all the artist managers are looking for the next thing, confused, and have gravitated to a success of producers who decided to gt their stuff heard with success by trying to be DJs. Half can’t beat mix, and are scared of turntables. Doesn’t make then any less musical and doesn’t take away from thier production talent or a the talent they have to create enjoyable tracks for us real disk jockeys who know how the manage disks. I’ve seen videos from these rock star DJs though talking about how to make a DJ set by preparing each song and burning to a cd, then placing into a cd play and moving the crossfader. Really? That’s not DJing in my book. It’s also lame performance skills. Let the cd player play, then point your finger to the sky like your gods gift to mankind. Working the crowd, changing attitudes to the positive with you music and mixing, which required being part of the crowd is all much more important. A good track only goes so far and does not constitute superstar DJs. I much prefer the days of Jellybean breaking tracks from unknown musical talent like Madonna and knowing that by playing an unknown in the middle of your set was a risk, but if your a real DJ you know if it will work because you are a real part of your crowd.
Totally agree with Gordon!!! I was trying to write that, but I guess U were faster! Well, I’m just a beginner but I have an opinion about that…
[ link ]Most rock stars were once anonymous people. And if they got “there”, they had the “je ne sais quoi” for it, either hard work (for most) and luck (for some!!).
If I would easily become a “groupie” to all djs that I really admire, I don’t see a problem to see that happening worldwidely, but the important thing is to keep connected with your audience, for sure.
Funny story. About 2 years ago, D.Guetta went to play in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, Carnival time. The people who went to see were interested to hear eletronic music, and of course, see Guetta playing live. Some friends that have been there confessed me to be disappointed. They told me the “opening djs” (the local ones!) did a much better job, and Guetta was just playing his own stuff… I guess that says a lot about Connection! Not saying that he isn’t good (if the guy is famous now, he had many years just like a lot of us… playing underground.), but maybe at the day he wasn’t able to read the crowd.
It’s all about connection. To be a star, well, that happens. U have to be good or have luck for it. There are a lot of fame seekers (a little ambition in life is not too bad!) but I really hope that the “good ones” win in the end. I’ll be happy when I see happy smiles in the crowd and people who appreciate my work. That’s rewarding enough for me (and of course, if that helps to pay the bills, even better!).
“The best place for me to place is as close to the people as possible.”
100% Agree
On big stages (and i don´t play huge stages..) i can feel so disconnected that i think about my next food shopping list, it´s like watching it all on Tv, it loses it´s nerve for me.
I want to be so close to the dance floor so people can drag my clothes.
[ link ]/Casca.dj
I am small time so have no choice but to play near the crowd. Should I ever have a festival stage with thousands of people I will be walking out to that set with every milisecond of my set planned. Where I am in relation to that particular crowd will not change one second of the set I perform.
[ link ]I do agree that being next to the crowd allows you to flow with the atmosphere better, but if you get to the point where you are doing huge gigs, presumably the crowd are there to see you do your thing, and trust you enough to get on with what you do. I think the need for flexibility diminishes with crowd size, if only for the aforementioned reason.
Kinda disagree…
Fatboy Slim sold out stadiums
Sasha and Digweed flew across the Atlantic on Concorde to get to Twilo
Tiesto played at the Olympics
DJs have been playing to huge crowds on massive stages and been paid thousands for at least 20 years (probably longer)…
The only difference is that rock stars have been doing on bigger stages, to bigger crowds and earning more money…for longer.
[ link ]Great article but isn’t Hawtin kind of a rockstar DJ? I mean the Spanish and Italians treat him like some sort of God. I saw the launch of the new plastikman show last August in amnesia and it was like a rock concert.
[ link ]I would like to say that yes, a synergy between DJ and dancers is vital, and the underground is always better, and the typical such stuff.
However, to be perfectly honest, this rockstar stuff is awesome for DJs and dance music in general.
Before you get ready to slice my throat with your vinyl records and bash my brains in with your record crates (sorry for the jab at traditional DJs), hear me out.
1) DJs are more commonplace now. With the increased awareness of dance music, and dance culture, more people are embracing the music, and hiring Djs to bring some life to an otherwise dull room. I played a three hour set of commercial house to middleschool kids last night, and they ate it up! Before the Guetta and Solvieg storm this would never have been possible, I would have been stuck jamming out to Jonas Brothers and the latest hip-pop song telling all the ladies to drop it to the floor.
2) Bigger production and rockstar status make DJing an economically feasible thing. I have yet to meet one person who honestly would refuse an advancement in their life and living status. If you could make 40,000 a year by doing underground club nights or 1,000,000 a year playing festival stages, which would you honestly choose?
3) Most people who hate on something because it has lost its “underground” status are more fans of the status then the actual thing. For instance in this situation, many people who object to the music and scene becoming popular do not love the music, for if they did, they would be happy to share and spread the awesome tunes. However, they instead like the feeling of being part of something “exclusive” and “underground”, and think that they are better than the public because they have something that the public doesn’t.
So there are my two cents, if you don’t agree, that is fine. I do understand the DIY ground level feeling of playing sets in crowded rooms. That type of show is awesome, and I am not trying to disparage it in any way, however, don’t write off “rockstar” gigs just because they are popular.
As far as the ego goes, lets be honest, if you produce anthems that bring hundreds of thousands of people together and spread positive vibes…. well, you can “Jesus Pose” all you want. you have earned it.
[ link ]Right on!
[ link ]Don’t agree with point 3. Underground scenes get watered down when they go commercial. The quality of the music goes down as people TRY and make a particular sound, rather than express themselves. Crowds change, the people that go to nights change. Its the fashionable dat ruin it IMHO
[ link ]I have to agree and disagree now that you brought this up. Yes, in some instances, it can damage a large chunk of a genre. Everyone trying to make Skrillex songs is a solid example of what you were saying, so I do get that. But, it can do awesome things too, like Sweedish House Mafia getting airtime on radios with Solvieg, Calvin Harris, and Afrojack producing a bunch of top 40 tracks and spreading dance music. So I suppose that you have to take the good with the bad.
[ link ]Disagree on point 2)
I’d love to make $40K doing underground clubs. What’s so wrong about (lots of people) doing that?
Does everybody and everything in the USA have to be about chasing Million dollar superstar status? Is everything about making it to be the 1%?
I dunno, if I wanted to worship the elite, I’d go to Wall Street, not a club. I’d hate to see dance music go this way, but maybe it already has.
[ link ]With the money aside, wouldn’t you like the chance to spread your love of music and the tunes themselves with more people?
[ link ]Speaking from experience I can honestly say no. I’ve designed web pages with 20 million hits. My animations were broadcast nationally on a US cable channel with 9-10 million subscribers. (that’s my avatar) But I’m most proud of the moment when somebody I met at a party said she liked my a flyer so much she hung it up on her wall. I think maybe 300 people saw that flyer.
I think you’re creating a false dilemma by saying “If you could make 40,000 a year by doing underground club nights or 1,000,000 a year playing festival stages, which would you honestly choose?” preceded by “I have yet to meet one person who honestly would refuse an advancement in their life and living status.”
You’re implying two dangerous things here (hopefully unintentionally):
1) Anybody who makes $40K must be second rate.
2) Anybody who doesn’t pursue $1M salaries is refusing to advance (and make the best of) themselves.
That brings out the crotchety old leftist in me.
Variations on these argument and assumptions are being used to justify the 1% at the expense of the 99%. I don’t think that’s what you’re trying to do, but I think your line of reasoning tends towards it. So whether we’re chasing money, attention, popularity or whatever – I find it empty and destructive materialism. I don’t like this trend of “let’s worship the king” I see everywhere in the US and Asia. I think its a symptom of something much more disturbing.
BTW, I wholeheartedly agree with your points 1 & 3.
[ link ]I totally disagree with #3, as well, & honestly am a little offended/insulted that you would say we are more fans of the status & don’t love the music? It’s quite the opposite. It is because we love the music so much that we are “hating” on the changes being made to our once underground sound. The commercialization of it has made the sound change and brought new people into it who are the ones truly not in it for the music, e.g., people going to festivals just to wear costumes (or lack thereof) & go to take whatever popular club drug is cool at the time & then the rare ones who OD are the ones who bring media attention to the scene which reverberates back to the underground. So there is a huge difference between the two “cultures.” I was born in Hungary and grew up for a lil bit in Germany, as well, so have listened to dance music my whole life. Started going to raves in the late 90s back when people did actually dance with each other & not while staring at the DJ. & while I will admit I get starstruck seeing Paul van Dyk it is more because I envy that he has been in the biz for so long & is so great to his fans. He is a rockstar in my heart, as are other legendary DJs, but like some other DJs who have been named here, he doesn’t see himself as a rockstar, either, & remains totally accessible to his fans (as evidenced by my picture with him & autograph).
It’s hard for me to grasp that I have to plan & book to go to an event like a year in advance nowadays just because all the hoopla surrounding “EDM” nowadays. I’m used to $40 tickets that don’t sell out until day of (versus selling out the day they go on sale) & knowing who I’m paying to see (versus buying my ticket then learning the lineup 8 mths later). It’s ridiculous.
I will also admit that back in the late 90s my only wish was to hear “For An Angel” on the radio. Now here it is & all I hear on the radio is techno, EDM/Hip Hop, etc. But it’s not the same. I’m glad DJs still have their satellite radio shows that I can tune into to hear real dance music, not the commercialized mainstream crap on the radio.
[ link ]Completly agree with you Tímea Renáta… Most of the crowd of EDM festivals that take place in my country are the ones that were described in your post. That people come to the parties to show off or just to get high. They dance whatever is the dj plays for them…
[ link ]Stars are only in the sky my friends…
“Star status” is a media production to be able to charge more and make us think we get more as we pay more, let us feel special and premium and bla bla bla
The more you get into music and the scene the more you realize you can get a better experience and listen to better music by paying less and attending smaller gigs
All the rest is “stary” bullshit =)
[ link ]One thing many have to understand is the difference in mentalities between someone who is “deep” and “heavy” on the music and scene versus the weekend warriors who see big EDM fests and thus want to go nuts on a weekend.
The “deep in the scene” people either came from or somehow got into the old way of rave culture. The whole connection of not just the DJ and crowd, but the whole room. They would go out to be part of something and feel a communal sense of happiness. They want to hear the DJ’s sense of taste and thus share in a wonderful experience with 50-10,000 people.
The “weekend tourist” more came from a background of rock and rap concerts where a performer was worshiped by the masses. They go to scream their lungs out at a single face. They want to see a celebrity. Some want to be worshiped as well (VIP tables, booths, etc). They are more into seeing SHM or Skrillex on a big stage with a huge light show over some simple space with a DJ on one side interacting with the crowd. In many ways, they look down at the “with the people” DJs because they play themselves off as “commoners” and not “superstars”.
Bear in mind, and I say this to every complainer, worry-wart, and even big name with opinions…all this is just a trend. What’s going on now IMHO is the same thing as what happened in the early 90s, the early 00s with trance, etc. Every 7-10 years it seems the mainstream world “gets it” and thus it all blows up. Eventually though those people move on and some new rock or rap sound takes over…leaving EDM back in the underground to retool and redefine itself.
I agree it’s great to have a world where you can do both. Where you can be the “with the people” DJ in a small club, or push to be the big superstar at a festival. Why worry? Just enjoy it for now and have fun in your own way.
Even the underground folk who are in a deep angst on all the Top 40 dance should just lighten up and look for ways to educate the mainstreamers. Don’t get more “dark” and “away”, but lighten up your sound and see how many people from that mainstream crowd will want to venture down the rabbit’s hole and thus become the “deep in the scene” people.
That’s how it’s happened for generations now.
[ link ]Testify, brother.
[ link ]I really hope it’s just a trend & your post was very well said. However, I can’t remember any time in my 28-year existence where dance music was being played on mainstream radio. I think this is not a “trend” but is in fact here to stay & will only blow up more. EDC Vegas was only in its 2nd year & I think they said it grew by 100k people (& sold 300,000 3-day passes @ $300 each for GA, you do the math–according to one article I read).
I do have to say, though, that looking at videos from Sensation, all the Q-Dance festivals, and other European dance music events, the crowd is usually staring at the DJ who is on an amazing huge stage with lights galore. So it pretty much is like a rock concert everywhere now, rather than people having any actual room to dance and feel the music in other ways than sitting on top of someone’s shoulder staring straight…
[ link ]I totally agree. When I am doing a gig, I love to be as close to the people as possible. I think it adds to the atmosphere and I can feed off of thee energy better. There is no room for “rock stardom” in DJing. If the crowd and the DJ are on the same level ( literally) then It far more easier to connect with the crowd and read them.
[ link ]Hawtin is exactly right… and although we may perceive him as a rock star DJ… he sees himself and acts like just another dance music fan.
In the 90′s/early 2000′s people used to dance on the dance-floor facing each other, and now everyone faces the same direction which is the DJ booth, and I think this is wrong. Its the dance music that should be exciting, not the person who is playing it. Also we now have this whole ‘iphone’ filming and picture taking going on that is making its way from dull rock concerts into the big dance music events. Clubbing is not/should not be like going to a rock concert. Its a tribal thing with a collective feeling.
I remember going to see Danny Tenaglia in London once, and he actually put up a screen up around the DJ booth so that no-one could see him and just focus on the music. I used to love going to clubs like ‘The End’ where the DJ booth was in the middle of the crowd. This whole feeling seems to be lost in the modern clubbing world.
I happy for DJ interaction and love to feed off the energy of the DJ if you can see they are really feeling the vibe but it needs to be from the same wavelength and level as the crowd, not from a ‘Im up here, look at me’ type situation.
People say that Sasha and Digweed are Superstar DJ’s… They are very well known because of their reputation and legacy in dance music, but the point is that they don’t see themselves as being above the crowd, and are extremely normal people that are just passionate about music and sharing it.
[ link ]I’ve heard though in the highlight of Manchester’s Hacienda that the crowd would also worship the resident DJs. Phil might have better knowledge on this though.
[ link ]True. DJs back then were totally accessible though (they were usually knocking out mixtapes at £10 a go to a big queue of punters at the end of the night… )
[ link ]Tony Wilson certainly felt that was the case.
[ link ]Richie is number 1!!!! no doubt!!!!!
[ link ]I think a good example of how to be popular yet still down-to-earth today is deadmau5. He has millions of fans and sold-out worldwide tours, but look at his Facebook or Twitter. It’s full of random crap about his cat or how his computer isn’t working or whatever. He does livestreams into his studio to show his fans how he works, or just to rant about random, normal crap. Another good example is Bassnectar, with the family photos, all that stuff he does with his fans.
[ link ]talked like a uckin genious!! this guy is allways ahead of his time! if it wasnt for him we wouldnt even use laptops to dj…
[ link ]Well, at least it is somebody as relevant as Richie whoever making these keen observations. Canadian/Euro snobs always know what’s up, but I would like to point out that electronic music is older than 25 years… but of course Richie whoever knows that because he is so clearly not romanticizing his roots at all. The sweeping generalizations about Americans are really top notch. If this guy were just some irrelevant twat speaking about this 15 years past his prime, I would think he was jealous that no one gives a damn who he is.
[ link ]Rock star Djing was inevitable once DJ’s started getting record deals. Contracts were the gift and the curse of DJing.
[ link ]I never really considered guys like Guetta, Tiesto, or even Daft Punk true DJs. They’re producers. But of course when you’re selling thousands or millions of records, you kind of have to do live shows. The problem with EDM though is that you can’t really recreate or perform it (I know there’s exceptions that I’ll mention later). I believe they “DJ” as a way to perform. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hating on these guys. I enjoy their music. But they’re not what I consider a great DJ.
A good DJ (in my opinion) is a guy that usually doesn’t play his own music, that can be versatile and can keep a party going and can adapt. Like everyone mentioned above it’s like being connected to the crowd and partying/dancing with everyone. I don’t think these kind of DJs will ever be rock stars because they’re just playing everyone else’s music. No ones going to be looking at them the whole time; they’re just caught up in the party.
With that said, I don’t think there’s really a real “rock star” DJ. Only producers that adapt to play live. Some producers throw a CD on in which they’re not even DJing. Some will actually put on a show and play some live instruments (such as the Bloody Beetroots). Then there’s turntablist who perform, but still don’t fall under my definition of DJ.
[ link ]Steve Aoki, threw cakes at people at Ultra, and he always popping champagne and doina other stuff.
[ link ]Diplo, brings people on stage to dance
And others ive seen use those foam guns.
“DJ” Blend def interacts with his crowd
Just seems more of a personal choice thing.
what i dont understand is why famous/superstar dj’s dont share their opinions on sites like this – or dare being part of the future of djing…
what does richie hawtin have to say about this article ? am waiting for his comment,,,
i have been following a few dj tech blogs for a few years and have never seen a comments from any of the “dj stars” every one wants to be like…
i wonder if dj tiesto has heard of a program called “traktor pro”…
[ link ]It’s not actually that fun playing on a massive stage away from the crowd. It feels more like playing to yourself in the bedroom than in a club with the crowd.
[ link ]I still think EDM is this way – even the biggest stars interact with their fans and each other in ways that other artists don’t. While not wholly on topic, my favorite thing about EDM, DJing in general, is that, short of a few rotten apples, everyone involved seems genuinely interested in helping each other. I know I personally have had a DJ friend that I met just twice give me his old ID so I could go into all the clubs, I’ve had promoters give me advice and hook ups, and even had a well known and respected producer give me production lessons for cheaper than guitar lesson at local stores. The entire culture is still very down to Earth, and even the hugest of the hugest of stars, including Knife Party, Skrillex, KTN, etc. etc. are all friends and help each other out. Artists like Deadmau5 constantly livestream and talk with their fans through social networking sites far more than any “rockstars” and it’s truly amazing.
[ link ]Personally, when I go to shows, I want a bit of the rockstar element in there. It’s absent from the more “underground” stuff, having an artist that everyone idols, because everyone is such good friends around here, but at huge shows such as Excision or Big Gigantic, I want to have someone to look up to during the event, it adds to things. As long as the artists don’t lose sight of what’s important (Rusko cough cough), I think it’s more than fair for them to get a little recognition. Just my two cents yo
You can’t fault what Ritchie Hawtin says because it’s true. The world is changing dramatically and the way it’s changing is set up for a new paradigm, a new society completely. It’s the end of a top down, hierarchical system. It’s an age when information becomes paramount and the inevitable rise of the individual. But, people are scared of their own power and change, so they cling to their old beliefs. They would rather believe in anything or anyone else other than themselves, hence the superstar dj, etc. It’ll take time, maybe decades, but the change is inevitable
[ link ]Hawtin connects being a dj exclusively with electronic music?? As if you cannot mix other genres…
[ link ]Come on ,we all know its all about celebrity,fake tan,big boobs,posing for facebook,dj’s jumping on the latest band wagon whilst pretending to be underground,
[ link ]The acid house vibe died yrs ago,the facebook generation have to be the most pretentious,sycophantic group of people yet…
Never understood the appeal of the big festivals,who wants to go stand in a field looking up at a dj and his pals shuffling in the booth…
Rather cynical, I must say. I don’t think you can write off a whole generation and win the argument.
[ link ]I wonder what Hawtin would be saying had his preferred taste in music been a bit more mainstream?
[ link ]I think Ritchie pegged it when he said that it’s important to be in touch with the crowd. Be anything you want so long as you do that.
[ link ]This comes off very old school vs new school and so we have to recognize that change is inevitable. The pedestal DJ is there now because of the height of electronic music. I mean it even has it’s own acronym these days, EDM. What Ritchie says is true however those days are possibly gone! I was there when underground house was big late 80s early 90s. When “house was a feeling”. Although that feeling different from todays. I remember dancing and dance battles. I remember the DJ’s picking up on the vibe of the dancers and dropping the tunes!! Now we don’t necessarily have that atmosphere(please correct me if I’m wrong!) Most of the current clubbers don’t know how to dance, they experience the music through large gatherings and common feeling about the music!! The “feeling” in my opinion, got bigger and changed venues!!
[ link ]