The SFX - Live Nation Battle Has Begun

I apologize for two Pasquale posts in a row, but you can honestly ignore that last one because this is much more important. As rumors suggested over a month ago, Insomniac has partnered with Live Nation. Why is this important? Well for one thing, there are only two main players in the American EDM game now: SFX & Live Nation. Interestingly enough, both promotion networks were started by current SFX CEO Robert Sillerman (the former SFX sold its promotion network to Clear Channel over a decade ago and became the basis for what is now Live Nation). The current SFX network hosted over 1400 shows since 2012 through its companies that include Disco Donnie Presents, ID&T (Sensation, Tomorrowland, Q-Dance, Defqon), I-Motion, Miami Music Group (LIV & Story), and Life In Color (there are a few other crucial acquisitions that I can't publicly disclose at the time of this writing). Live Nation now has control of HARD and Insomniac, as well as promoters within other music and entertainment scenes. This leaves us with Ultra Music Festival as the only major festival that is not involved in this game. I firmly believe that this will not affect Insomniac's trademark style of production (see Pasquale's statement here), however it does leave many questions unanswered as to how corporatizing our lifestyle of choice will end up for both attendees and investors alike. Stay tuned for more.

By Edward Fancher

Insomniac & Dick Clark EDM Awards Show Coming in 2014

Today's EDMBiz conference at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas saw a huge announcement from Insomniac owner Pasquale Rotella. After all the shenanigans of the DJ Mag Top 100 and the Al Walser Grammy fiasco, something needed to be done. Dick Clark Productions, responsible for The Golden Globe Awards as well as the American Music Awards and The Academy of Country Music Awards will be teaming with Insomniac to hopefully change the status quo. While I'm a firm believer that music isn't something that can be judged or ranked, of course determining relative popularity is relevant to the promoters and artists who live off of booking fees. Pasquale had some comforting words and I will be cautiously optimistic that he can do a good job given the obvious challenges: "I'm confident that our partnership will create an event that is focused on recognizing creativity without politics, and that it will celebrate all the elements that go into making dance music such a beautiful experience for the fans." 

By Edward Fancher

"Out Of Sight" - The Bloody Beetroots ft. Paul McCartney

The only thing these two have in common is their knighthood, which in Sir Bob's case is self-anointed. When Rolling Stone broke the news to us late last week we didn't really know what to think. But now that the song has finally premiered our doubts have been cast aside. "Out Of Sight" is an bass-on-blast, arena sized track that highlights truly the best of each of these characters, despite Paul being given just a "featured" on the track alongside Youth.

Guitar riffs are Bob's game and he starts the production off with a simple riff which seamlessly settles over the drums and builds. In an enervating dance debut, McCartney jumps into the mix soft through the Beatles style interlude but ends the track screaming in a record that truly defies his age and the stale sounds dominating our airwaves. This is The Beetroots' biggest moment to date and perhaps the most sincere, passionate mainstream collaboration to rock our scene yet. Grab your copy on Ultra Records today.

Out now on iTunes!

By Edward Fancher

New L.A. Mayor Garcetti Wants EDM Festivals Back In The City

After years of having to flock outside the city to dance into the night, Los Angeles EDM fans may soon be getting their fix at home once again. The newcomer Eric Garcetti held a "Ask-Me-Anything" press conference via Reddit last night in anticipation of his taking office in a few weeks, and it didn't take much prodding to hear his outright support for electronic music events. Eric obviously feels the pulse of the youth, having held a fundraiser with Steve Aoki spinning at Avalon earlier this year, where he deemed L.A. the epicenter of electronic culture. Having looked at the impact on cities like Los Angeles and Miami he stated outright that he will support the return of music festivals to the Coliseum. The famed venue is in the process of a management shift from nine board members down to three (still pending), which could very well help speed up the approval process for promoters. Garcetti made it clear last night that he "want[s] some signature festivals here in L.A., the music capital of the world." So there you go nightowls, it's time to rejoice.

By Edward Fancher

Bob Marley's Legend To Be Remixed by Pretty Lights & More

It's tough to get rights to songs as coveted as Bob Marley & The Wailers' Legend, much less to give them a dance music spin. Either way Ziggy & Stephen have given the go ahead to a Legend Remixed album, co-produced by the two brothers alongside one of LA's most prominent EDM radio jockeys Jason Bentley, who you may know as the man who lobbied to add a dance music category to the Grammys back in 2004. All suspicions aside, a quick look at the tracklist reveals some of dance music's best candidates for the job. Apart from the obvious Pretty Lights, whose successful remixing career has included takes on Led Zeppelin (the first track we posted on this site), is a long roster of producers who seem to fit the bill. I myself am really anticipating the RAC, Beats Antique, and Thievery Corporation takes on these classic reggae tracks. Surprises on the listing include mashup pioneer Z-Trip and Drum & Bass trailblazer Photek. The album is set for release on June 25 on Island/Def Jam. 

Tracklist

1. Waiting In Vain (Jim James Remix)
2. Stir It Up (Ziggy Marley Remix)
3. Three Little Birds (Stephen Marley and Jason Bentley Remix)
4. Could You Be Loved (RAC Remix)
5. No Woman No Cry (Stephen Marley Remix)
6. Get Up Stand Up (Thievery Corporation Remix)
7. Satisfy My Soul (Beats Antique Remix)
8. I Shot The Sheriff (Roni Size Remix)
9. Exodus (Pretty Lights Remix)
10. Easy Skanking (Stephen Marley Remix)
11. One Love/People Get Ready (Photek Remix)
12. Redemption Song (Ziggy Marley Remix)
13. Is This Love (Jason Bentley Remix)
14. Jamming (Nickodemus and Zeb Remix)
15. Punky Reggae Party (Z-Trip featuring Lee “Scratch” Perry Remix)
16. Buffalo Soldier (Stephen Marley Remix)

By Edward Fancher