Opinion
By James Pavel
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has raged back with shinier lights than ever before, ushering in a culture of the most shallow and vain creatures to ever represent fans of popular music.
The music itself is groundbreaking if you focus solely on the creations of DeadMau5 and Skrillex. They have revolutionized the genre, and along with a handful of other near-household names, have made DJ shows one of the most glorified tickets on the concert market.
As with any mass trend that develops, a culture forms. Goth culture, hipster culture and hip-hop culture are all planted in the dark and moist soil of music.
The civilization that EDM has cultivated is one of little substance, shallow thought and complete buffoonery.
EDM is life-altering. Well at least that’s what virtually anyone between the ages 15 and 30 will tell you. Unlike other fans of music, there is no casual nod or humble acknowledgement that, yes; they are indeed a fan of rock music, or blues music or metal music. If you are a fan of EDM, you behave as though it is the vortex of everything that is important and that anything that has not been swallowed up by this musical Kraken is deemed archaic and dull.
While The Rollin’ Stones and Jack White are models that immediately come to mind when one discusses rock n’ roll on a general level, Pauly D from Jersey Shore and random douche bag from across the apartment hallway come to mind when EDM tragically comes up in conversation.
The EDM scene is dominated less by the architects of the sound and more by the characters that rejoice in its spastic noises.
No musical scene is more about being seen by others than enjoying what is being presented than EDM. While one is treated to seeing Beyoncé up close at a pop show, or Muse at a rock venue, there is actually very little to observe at a dance party. The lights and visuals are astonishing, but one would hope that they could never compare to actually seeing a live, human performer in the flesh. Dance shows are structured around the individual present. The ridiculous outfits, the drugs that have altered hundreds of perceptions and the complicated dance moves are what the concert tickets are purchased for.
There are little to no lyrics contained in an EDM song. This makes sense because the show is focused on the self-absorbed fan. If megalomaniac “fan” had to memorize lyrics, sing four verses and a refrain along with thousands of other mere mortals, the attention would no longer rest solely on their naked shoulders.
Anyone can claim EDM as their favourite because such little is demanded in exchange.
To be a true fan of Oasis, one would hopefully recite the lyrics of “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” verbatim. To show one’s affection for Jay-Z, you put your diamond in the air and pledge allegiance to the ROC.
Yet EDM is available to the masses free of effort, allowing the self-obsessed to claim false loyalty to the temple of Dance.
Millions have discovered that EDM is a celebration of the individual, and not a group gathering of fans paying tribute to a band or artist that has moved them all in such startling fashion.
It is the social-media generation finding yet another outlet to demonstrate how astonishing they truly are, thereby ignoring the talents of professional musicians in favour of drooling in a mirror of vanity.
EDM has allowed pop and rap to incorporate its sound and has been torqued by the likes of Ke$ha and Justin Bieber as the scene continues to steamroll any competition. Nobody can cry foul, because there is no true “face” of EDM.
It has no concrete identity because the artist or group performing is not the star of the show. They are merely the backdrop to a mass self-absorption spectacle that allows anyone to participate as long as their ego is sufficiently massive and they can withstand blaring music and shuttering lights.
It is not the music that is tedious or irritating, but only the egotistical culture that surrounds its pulsating rhythms.
James Pavel 
I would honestly be offended by this opinion if it were based on knowledge or fact, but your opening statement about Skrillex and Deadmaus “revolutionizing” the genre is a clear indication that it is not based on either. Ironically, “shallow thought” would be how I would describe this entire post.
It doesn’t make any sense to suggest that the EDM scene is based on ego, when you say yourself that there is no face. The entire point of the “no face” is that is indeed about the music. People dress in “ridiculous outfits” and perform “complicated dance moves” because they love the music and love to dance. The entire point of the EDM scene is to be free and do what you want, without worrying about judgement.
It’s extremely clear from your narrow view that you are one of the millions of judgemental people that the majority of EDM lovers are looking to escape from. You describe a hardcore fan of Oasis as hopefully knowing the lyrics to Don’t Look Back in Anger, which leads to the suggestion there is a standard or criteria that needs to be “hopefully” met in order to be considered a true fan.
It is this lack of judgement that bothers you about EDM, and it is the very reason why we continue to dance and love and accept each other no matter what.
P.L.U.R
Please, it’s kind of noble of you to try to absolve the sins of what I assume are your peers, but it’s not working.
“The entire point of the EDM scene is to be free and do what you want, without worrying about judgement”? “It is this lack of judgement that bothers you about EDM, and it is the very reason why we continue to dance and love and accept each other no matter what”?
HA, don’t make me laugh. Maybe you’re thinking about a Paul McCartney concert. Have you been to a rave? Unless you’re attractive, young, able-bodied, fit, and culturally in-tune with Millennials, you are going to be judged and rejected so hard you won’t even know what hit you! The culture surrounding so-called “EDM” is all about judgement, being cool, and being very serious about not being serious. There is no room for diversity.
Read this article about what ruins a rave:
http://elitedaily.com/music/music-news/the-30-things-everyone-absolutely-hates-about-raves/
One of the worst thing that could possibly happen to the entitled, privileged EDM goer is, God forbid, someone ugly stand before their fun-loving, alcohol-chugging royal highness!
Or what about the complete lack of ethnic and cultural diversity at most EDM events? Think about it before you try to justify it.
Like the OP said, the music is great. The artists are great. But the culture and the “fans” are obscene.
Mr Pavel,
I don’t know how to reach you any longer, so I hope this comment finds you well.
I was reading an article on Father John Misty, former Fleet Foxes drummer and emerging folk-rock icon. A quote of his instantly reminded me of the above post:
“Dance music is so fucking fascist,” Tillman spits. “I’m talking about the aesthetics. Show me a fucking dance person who’s saying something. The artifice of dance music may not reek of sanctimony, but none of those artists are doing anything that’s going to put what their audience expects them to do in jeopardy. Also, if there are lyrics, they’re pure nihilism.”
He starts to sing. “‘Tonight! Is the last night! Tonight forever tonight!’ Check back with me in ten years when EDM is fucking disco.”
Just thought you would enjoy that, because I sure as hell did.
A link to the article: http://www.spin.com/articles/father-john-misty-fear-fun-tour-2013/
If you hate electronic music search on Facebook for NO Electronic Music. Goodbye
So here’s my opinion: EDM talks about living the moment, which is ok, but superficial. Life it’s not only about dancing and having fun, you know? While some have fun, other people is suffering. You can’t always avoid your problems, you must learn to face them. So life is also for learning. And music is a good way to teach and to learn. The world needs guiding music that gives deep messages about life. Heartfelt music, the one that gets under your skin and feels you. That music requires a lot of charism, talent and knowledge. It’s so special and unique. True art. I just think It would be really sad to lose that.
That’s why I don’t like is modern music being mostly represented by EDM.There should be room for other types of music, not only dance music. So everybody would be happy. Artists should stop thinking so commercially and start thinking more artistically. Make all types of music and not only the one that gives higher profits and fame. After all, business is important, but not the essence of life.
And musicians, please, don’t ever stop making beautiful heartfelt music and bringing humanity into this world.