Avicii News
Online Gaming to Interactive Festivals: How EDM Has Changed Since the ’90s
The history of EDM shows how what started in underground warehouse parties is now shaping festivals, pop culture, and digital spaces alike.
In the 90s, electronic dance music, or EDM, was the underground sound of the moment. It lived in the shadows, in secret warehouse raves, abandoned fields, and dingy clubs. It was a subculture, a community built around a shared love of a repetitive beat and being an outsider. Fast forward to today, and that same sound is the soundtrack to some of the biggest festivals on the planet, a dominant force in pop music, and a key part of the world of online gaming.
There is no denying the epic story of how EDM has gone from fringe to the frontline of global culture. It’s a story of technological innovation, commercial explosion, and a fundamental change in the consumption of music. Here, we consider the shifts in EDM since its roots in the 90s rave culture, and the forces behind its seemingly unstoppable rise.
From Secret Raves to a Global Movement
Because early EDM was sort of secretive, the scene was super underground. The vibe was the PLUR culture: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Raves were illegal parties, their locations divulged on fliers and via whispered telephone calls. The music was raw and diverse, and it was broken up into tribes like techno, house, trance, and jungle. The DJs were legends within it, and unknown outside of it. Individuality became secondary to the collective experience of the music and the dance floor.
The first of these followed as the sound began to go mainstream in the late 90s/early 2000s. Acts like The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and Daft Punk came along. They began to receive attention in film and television commercials, and their music videos were played on MTV. For the first time, this electronic sound was being exposed to the general public, not as an underground subculture but as a cool option for pop music. And it set the stage for what was to come.
The Rise of the DJ as a Rock Star
The next big shift was the DJ becoming a global superstar. In the 2010s, with the rise of bro-step and progressive house, Skrillex, Avicii, and David Guetta became household names. This new wave of EDM was bigger, louder, and more melodic. It was festival crowd ready.
This was the era of the drop. The music was built around building tension and releasing it in an explosive bass and synth crescendo. This created a shared emotional moment for tens of thousands of people at once. As a result of this, DJs were no longer just playing records; they were performers, the main attraction. They commanded huge fees, had elaborate stage productions with pyros and LED screens, and flew around the world in private jets. The anonymous figure in the dark corner of the club was replaced by a modern-day rock star.
The Festival Experience
The festivals grew as the DJs did. Small festivals like EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland Belgium, and Ultra Miami became weekender extravaganzas. These aren’t just music, they are total experiences! They are pop-up fantasy worlds with carnival rides, art installations, costumed performers, and high production values. This festival boom turned EDM into an industry. These are billion-dollar events and a rite of passage for millions of people. Instead of the small, local, and personal vibe of a ’90s rave, it became a big, shiny production. This combination of super festivals made EDM mainstream.
The Digital Age: Streaming, Social Media, and Gaming
The Internet played a role at each stage of EDM’s trajectory. It was essentially through online forums and file-sharing that the music got out in its early days. Finding new artists and genres is easier than ever today, with streaming services such as Spotify and Soundcloud. A new producer can create a song in their bedroom, upload it to the Internet, and it can go viral overnight, entirely without involving traditional music industry middlemen. Additionally, artists have used social media to engage directly with audiences and fans. DJs post behind-the-scenes content, new music, and shows on Instagram and TikTok. This has fostered a community and a loyal sense of belonging to the scene.
More recently, EDM has found itself as the go-to music choice for gamers. Players strap into and blast EDM; the consensus online is that it helps to “lock in” and enhances gameplay performance. This has become so mainstream that a quick search on platforms like Spotify for Gaming EDM will give you thousands of playlists that are specifically tailored to this.
Game developers have noticed this trend and incorporated it into their games. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 use the music genre heavily in their soundscape, and games like Fortnite host virtual EDM concerts with artists like Marshmello.
EDM (electronic dance music) has become increasingly integrated into niche gaming scenes, like the iGaming industry. Video slot developers often feature EDM for its background music; Microgaming even developed a game in collaboration with Deadmau5, and many other sites include the music as the background soundscape for their live dealer rooms.
These platforms understand it’s not just about having bonuses for their site—like the highly contested no deposit bonus—but also about maintaining a game library that follows and caters to popular gaming trends. In an industry where trends evolve rapidly, failing to adapt quickly can leave operators falling further behind the competition, making it essential to stay in tune with what players want.
The Sound Spreads
The big-room festival sound was the dominant sound of the 2010s. But the EDM landscape is now more diverse than ever. As the mainstream sound got more commercial, fans and artists started looking for something different. And that’s led to a big resurgence of the genre’s roots.
Today, there’s a scene for almost every subgenre imaginable. The deep, hypnotic techno and house grooves are filling clubs from Berlin to Ibiza. More melodic and emotional genres, like progressive house and trance, still have global followings. And new sounds are emerging all the time, blending hip-hop, pop, and world music with electronic beats. So, the genre never gets old and has something for almost every taste.
Avicii’s world is about to open up once again, the late producer’s team has teased Stories on Stories, a new mini-series arriving November 6.
Avicii fans just got hit with something unexpected and honestly, a little emotional. Avicii’s official Instagram account posted a short story of his voice, explaining he had “every session filmed” for his 2015 album, Stories. The next slide? A black screen with the words: “Stories on Stories. A mini Youtube series. November 6.”
If you’ve known and loved Avicii for a while, you know how special Stories is in Avicii’s discography. Released in 2015, it was his second studio album, and the last one he completed during his lifetime. It showed a different side of him, showcasing his talent as a music producer beyond just EDM.
We’ve always known Avicii poured everything into Stories, but now hearing that “every session was filmed” makes this feel huge. There’s a chance we’ll finally get to see the creative process of those songs- not just the music, but the mindset.
It’s been years since Avicii’s passing, but his music still hits us all deeply. We’ve had documentaries like Avicii: True Stories and I’m Tim that dove into his journey and struggles, but this feels different. For longtime fans, this could be a beautiful look back. For newer ones, it’s a chance to experience the Stories era with new eyes and find out what made it such a defining project.
We don’t know much yet, but November 6 is officially circled on the calendar. Until then, keep an eye on Avicii’s official accounts. If the teaser is any indication, there’s a lot more to Stories than we’ve ever seen before.
Avicii’s ‘Stories’ turns 10 in 2025, a genre-blending album that reshaped EDM with influences from pop, rock, and country.
October 2, 2015. That’s when Avicii dropped Stories — an album that didn’t just evolve his sound, it expanded what EDM could be. As we approach the Avicii Stories 10th anniversary, it’s time to reflect on its lasting impact.
Instead of doubling down on the festival-ready style of True, he went rogue. Stories pulled from pop, rock, reggae, even country, and still carried that unmistakable Avicii melodic punch. The features alone showed how far he was pushing: Chris Martin (Coldplay), Wyclef Jean, Zac Brown (Zac Brown Band), and Sandro Cavazza, who would later become a longtime collaborator. Martin Garrix also had a hand in co-writing, including on “Waiting for Love.”
The industry wasn’t sure what to make of it at the time — too polished for purists, too experimental for mainstream radio. But that tension was the point. Stories showed EDM didn’t have to live inside the big-room formula. It could stretch, blend, and tell stories without losing its connection to the dancefloor.
Ten years later, it’s clear the album helped lay the groundwork for the genre-blending sound dominating electronic music today. Avicii didn’t just change direction with Stories — he changed the rules for everyone.
From festival main stages to viral TikTok moments, these are the 10 most streamed EDM songs of all time, showing the genre’s massive reach.
In the ever-evolving landscape of music, Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has secured its place as a global phenomenon, influencing not only club scenes but also mainstream culture. As of August 2024, the most famous EDM songs ever provide a snapshot of the genre’s enduring popularity and its ability to transcend traditional boundaries. These tracks represent the pinnacle of EDM, resonating with billions of listeners worldwide and showcasing the genre’s unique blend of infectious beats, captivating melodies, and collaborative spirit.
10. This Is What You Came For – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna (2.02 Billion Streams)
Rounding out the top ten is “This Is What You Came For,” a collaboration between Calvin Harris and Rihanna. With 1.82 billion streams, this track showcases Harris’s knack for creating infectious beats paired with Rihanna’s powerful vocals, making it an enduring favorite in the EDM community.
9. Roses – SAINt JHN & Imanbek (1.09 Billion Streams)
Imanbek’s remix of “Roses” by SAINt JHN transformed the original track into a deep house sensation. The remix’s viral success on social media platforms like TikTok played a significant role in its 1.95 billion streams, making it one of the most famous EDM songs ever.
8. Faded – Alan Walker (2.2 Billion Streams)
“Faded” by Alan Walker is a hauntingly beautiful track that captivated listeners worldwide. With its ethereal vocals and powerful beat, the song has amassed 1.99 billion streams. Walker’s signature sound has made “Faded” a timeless piece in the EDM world.
7. Lean On – Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MØ (2.4 Billion Streams)
“Lean On” is a track that revolutionized the EDM scene with its unique sound. The collaboration between Major Lazer, DJ Snake, and MØ resulted in a global phenomenon, accumulating 2.14 billion streams. Its catchy hook and innovative production set a new standard for EDM hits.
6. Happier – Marshmello & Bastille (2.4 Billion Streams)
Marshmello teamed up with Bastille to create “Happier,” a song that balances emotional depth with an uplifting beat. With 2.19 billion streams, “Happier” has become a staple in the EDM genre, loved by fans for its relatable lyrics and danceable rhythm.
5. One Kiss – Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa (2.5 Billion Streams)
“One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa is a track that epitomizes the sound of summer. Its infectious beat and sultry vocals quickly propelled it to the top of the charts, and it remains one of the most streamed EDM songs of all time with 2.24 billion streams. The song’s success highlights the perfect blend of Harris’s production skills and Lipa’s distinctive voice.
4. Let Me Love You – DJ Snake & Justin Bieber (2.6 Billion Streams)
“Let Me Love You” is a seamless fusion of EDM and pop, brought to life by DJ Snake and Justin Bieber. The track’s catchy chorus and smooth production have made it a global hit, racking up 2.2 billion streams. It’s a perfect example of how EDM can cross over into mainstream pop while maintaining its electronic roots.
3. Wake Me Up – Avicii (2.8 Billion Streams)
Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” is not just a song; it’s a milestone in the evolution of EDM. By merging folk elements with electronic music, Avicii created a track that was both innovative and widely accessible. With 2.4 billion streams, “Wake Me Up” continues to inspire and resonate with listeners long after its release.
2. Something Just Like This – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay (3.3 Billion Streams)
Another massive hit from The Chainsmokers, “Something Just Like This” features the iconic band Coldplay. The song blends electronic beats with rock elements, creating a universal appeal that has led to an astonishing 2.7 billion streams. Its uplifting lyrics and memorable melody have made it a favorite across various music platforms.
1. Closer – The Chainsmokers & Halsey (3.4 Billion Streams)
At the top of the list is “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey, a track that became an anthem for a generation. Its nostalgic lyrics combined with a catchy, minimalist beat have helped it achieve nearly 3 billion streams. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its wide appeal and the powerful collaboration between these artists.
These ten tracks not only represent the pinnacle of EDM success but also highlight the genre’s ability to innovate and adapt over time. From festival anthems to crossover pop hits, these songs have defined the sound of a generation and will likely continue to dominate playlists for years to come. Whether you’re a seasoned EDM enthusiast or a casual listener, these tracks are a must-listen, with many being counted among the most famous EDM songs ever, capturing the essence of what makes electronic dance music so universally appealing.
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