2023 wasn’t just another year in the electronic dance music industry. We saw veteran DJs release genre-defying tracks and rising talent transform into festival headliners. The past 12 months of EDM music has set a new standard. While the nostalgic early 2000’s progressive house era may be over, a new era is starting- and it’s only just begun.
Of all the DJs who have dropped beats on stages around the world, there’s a few who rise above the rest. Here is our list of DJs who took over in 2023:
Knock2
This is certainly a name we’ve been hearing a lot of this year. 2023 was a landmark year for the San Diego native. From playing Coachella to his signature warehouse shows, the 23 year old has been quickly selling out shows across the globe with his “midas touch”, and has received support from some of the biggest names in the industry including Henry Fong, DJ Snake, Tiesto, and Dillon Francis. And- this is just the beginning for Knock2.
Mau P
He is the creative mastermind behind ‘Drugs from Amsterdam’; he is Mau P. This Dutch DJ has had one of the quickest rises to fame that we’ve ever seen. Releasing banger after banger, 2023 was an iconic year for Mau P. He also is the only artist to be featured twice in the Top 10 Most Played Tracks at Tomorrowland 2023.
John Summit
We can’t forget about everyone’s favorite former accountant. The Chicago native has accomplished so much this year that it’s truly hard to keep track of. From selling out Red Rocks to securing a residency at LIV Las Vegas to playing his biggest show ever at LA’s BMO Stadium, the 29 year old is unstoppable. His track ‘Where You Are’ with Hayla was even noted as one of the most played tracks at EDC Las Vegas in 2023. In addition to releasing chart-topping EDM anthems all year long, Summit also announced his joint venture Everything Always with Australian DJ Dom Dolla.
Maddix
Dutch DJ and producer Pablo Rindt also turned heads this year. His fusion of big room and techno has garnered attention throughout the EDM scene, as did his plugin “Maddix Rumble”. 2023 has seen skyrocketing popularity in the tech house and techno subgenres, and Maddix is a name that sits at the top.
Skrillex
Industry veteran Sonny Moore, known professionally as Skrillex, made a huge return to the scene this year. With not one, but two comeback albums, a historic Madison Square Garden rave, and award-worthy Coachella performance with Fred Again and Four Tet, he certainly had quite a year. His album ‘Quest for Fire’ has even been ranked in the Billboard Top 15 Dance Albums of the Year. 2023 was the ultimate comeback for Skrillex, and his EDM return has only just begun.
James Hype
2023 was certainly a year of hype for English DJ and producer James Hype. And we can honestly tell you- he truly lives up to the hype. His larger-than-life social media and stage presence has gotten him noticed by dance music lovers across the globe, and has landed him gigs at some of the world’s most famous venues like Hï Ibiza and Club Space Miami. James is also known as one of the best remixers of his time, amassing over 100 million streams from his mixes of artists like Meduza, Bruno Mars, and Rita Ora.
Amelie Lens
Techno royalty Amelie Lens made waves in 2023. From achieving career milestones like playing Tomorrowland and Awakenings to touring across the U.S. and Asia, Amelie certainly left no crumbs. To top it all off- she did it all while pregnant! The 33 year old, together with her husband Farrago, introduced the world to their daughter Kiki this week on her Instagram page. This year was quite a year for the young-mother, and she will continue to take the techno world by storm.
Anyma
Co-founder of Afterlife Records and the other half of Tale of Us, Anyma is the solo project of Matteo Milleri. The Berlin-based DJ has taken electronic music to the next level this year through this project, where he combines his melodic techno sound with mind-blowing visuals generated by blockchain technology. Aside from doing dozens of shows around the world for his ‘Genesys’ album this year, Anyma also graced the stages of Tomorrowland and Primavera Sound.
Indira Paganatto
The past 12 months of this Spanish DJ’s career have been nothing short of extraordinary. From headlining some of the best clubs and festivals around the globe like Awakenings, Tomorrowland, and EDC Las Vegas, to receiving support from techno stars like Charlotte de Witte and Nina Kraviz, Indira’s 2023 resume is truly impressive. Her signature blend of psytrance and techno has contributed to her rise to fame, and she will definitely continue this rise in the coming years.
