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Surge Hits $6M in First Year With Ambassador-Led Ticket Sales

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Alex Hilburn, co-founder of Surge ticket sales platform, pictured alongside crowd at Kygo’s Palm Tree Music Festival

Surge Hits $6M in First Year as Ambassador-Led Ticket Sales Model Gains Traction Across Festivals

What started as a side-hustle among friends has quickly turned into a breakout year for Surge, with the platform generating over $6 million in ticket sales within its first 12 months. That total comes from more than 35,000 tickets sold, with weekly sales averaging around $115,000 across a mix of festivals, large-scale live events, and branded experiences in the US. The client list already includes names like Kygo’s Palm Tree Music Festival, Hotel EDC, Windy City Smokeout, Shaq’s Bass All Stars, Maxim, and Medium Rare’s Full Throttle Festival, showing early adoption across both music-led and lifestyle-driven events. Behind that growth is a model that focuses less on paid reach and more on how people actually hear about events through their own circles, which is where Surge has started to separate itself in a crowded ticketing and marketing space.

 

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A System Built on People Who Already Attend

The idea behind Surge comes down to something simple that most campaigns overlook. Instead of trying to convince new audiences through ads, the platform works with people who already plan to attend and gives them a way to sell tickets directly to those around them. These are not influencers in the typical sense. They are students, friend group connectors, and people active in nightlife and local scenes who naturally influence where others go.

That thinking comes directly from co-founder Alex Hilburn, who has been involved in generating more than $20 million in festival ticket sales prior to Surge. His approach avoids overcomplicating the process. There is no heavy system to manage and no reliance on extracting user data. Ambassadors are given a clear role and simple tools, and the results come from how those connections already exist in real life. When someone sees a ticket through a friend instead of an ad, the decision tends to happen quicker and with less hesitation, which is exactly what this model leans on.

10,000 Ambassadors and a Consistent Sales Engine

The scale is what makes the model stand out. Surge operates through a network of more than 10,000 active ambassadors, with a presence across over 400 universities. That reach is not just about numbers on paper. It is tied to specific cities, campuses, and music communities, which is why the output shows up clearly in ticket sales.

 

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To date, ambassador-led activity through Surge has passed $10 million in total sales, with some events seeing as much as 30% of their tickets sold through this channel alone. That is a significant share, especially for festivals that usually rely heavily on paid ads and partnerships. Weekly sales averaging around $115,000 also point to consistency, not just one-off spikes tied to a single campaign. Across different types of events, from electronic music to broader lifestyle festivals, the structure has held without needing to be rebuilt each time.

Why Promoters Are Starting to Pay Attention

One detail that stands out is that Surge does not collect or resell fan data. While most marketing platforms focus on tracking and retargeting, this keeps the connection between ambassadors and their audiences intact. For the people selling tickets, it removes unnecessary steps. For event organizers, it means they are tapping into communities that already exist instead of trying to rebuild them through paid channels.

This also comes at a time when traditional digital campaigns are becoming harder to rely on. Costs continue to rise, while engagement does not always follow at the same rate. In that context, a system that works through direct peer recommendations starts to look more practical. Surge is not positioned as the only solution, but based on its first-year performance, it is already being used as a core part of how events approach ticket sales, not just something added at the last minute.

As Surge moves into its second year, the early results are less about hype and more about whether this model can hold across a larger scale of events. With steady weekly numbers, a growing ambassador network, and adoption across major festival brands, it is already showing that ticket sales do not always need to come from paid reach. In many cases, they are already sitting within existing communities, and the difference comes down to how those communities are activated.

With 13 years in the EDM scene, Preetika has built a strong presence around festivals, club culture, and electronic music. Based in Bangkok, she covers all things EDM in Thailand and beyond, with a focus on both local and international talent. She has attended major festivals including Tomorrowland, Ultra Japan, and Creamfields Hong Kong. Since working as a writer for EDM House Network, she has interviewed artists such as Blasterjaxx, James Hype, W&W, R3HAB, Alok, and many others. Her experience and consistent presence in the scene make her a trusted voice for EDM coverage.

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EDC Las Vegas 2026: Must-See Acts at Every Stage

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EDC Las Vegas 2026 celebrates its 30th anniversary with its most stacked lineup ever, spanning seven stages under the Electric Sky at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The 30th anniversary of EDC Las Vegas features the most stacked lineup in the festival’s history. This milestone edition celebrates the kineticJOURNEY theme with rare back-to-back sets, fresh talent, and iconic legacy acts. Among the highlights are the EDC Las Vegas 2026 Must-See Acts, drawing attention from fans worldwide.

New stage designs and unique label takeovers will offer a reimagined experience under the Electric Sky. Let’s dive into the three must-see acts at every major stage, making sure not to miss the EDC Las Vegas 2026 Must-See Acts throughout the weekend.

kinetic FIELD: The Heart of the Festival

As the festival’s epicenter, kineticFIELD hosts the weekend’s most popular acts. Expect a high-energy atmosphere as these legends return to the mainstage.

Laidback Luke b2b Chuckie (Friday): This first ever back to back brings back the golden era of Big Room and Dirty Dutch. Expect “fat” drops and high-octane energy.

Hardwell (Saturday): Marking his first U.S. festival appearance outside of Miami in years, Hardwell’s return to EDC is a decade in the making.

GRiZ b2b Wooli (Sunday): Bass takes over the mainstage as these titans collide. GRiZ brings the funk, while Wooli provides the heavy vibrations.

circuit GROUNDS: Immersive Innovation

Moving from the mainstage, circuitGROUNDS presents rising stars to a massive, 360-degree sensory experience fueled by LED walls and hundreds of lasers.

Levity (Friday): After their viral 2022 Electric Forest set, this trio has taken the scene by storm. Their debut on this massive stage is a career milestone long overdue.

RØZ (Saturday): Hailing from Mexico, this duo delivers a future house sound that feels entirely new. They are a prime example of the fresh talent that Insomniac is championing this year.

Peggy Gou b2b Ki/Ki (Saturday): Two global powerhouses join forces for a rare techno and house crossover that will likely be the weekend’s most talked-about set.

cosmic MEADOW: The Grand Entrance

As you enter the speedway, you are immediately engulfed by the beauty of cosmicMEADOW. This stage acts as a second mainstage, often hosting live acts and eclectic sounds.

MPH (Friday): Leading the UK Bass and Garage charge, MPH is essential for anyone looking for groovy, high-speed rhythms.

DJ Gigola b2b MCR-T (Saturday): This duo brings an edgy, high-BPM energy that perfectly suits the “HARD Records  curated night.

Nico Moreno b2b Holy Priest (Sunday): Closing the festival with industrial sounds, these two will ensure you leave the speedway with your ears ringing and your heart racing.

quantum VALLEY: A Trance Sanctuary

For those seeking a more melodic journey, quantumVALLEY embodies the spirit of the early rave days. Furthermore, EDC Las Vegas 2026 Must-See Acts at quantumVALLEY will provide unforgettable trance moments.

Gareth Emery (Friday): A true master of the genre. Emery seamlessly blends old-school trance melodies with modern production.

Mathame (Saturday): This duo brings a cinematic melodic techno flare to the stage, offering a dark yet beautiful sonic landscape.

Cassian (Sunday): Known for his crisp production and emotional builds. Cassian is the perfect bridge between progressive house and trance.

neon GARDEN: The Techno Warehouse

For the techno heads, neonGARDEN is mandatory. This year, the stage is driven by deep grooves and relentless, fast-hitting beats.

Adriatique (Friday): These Swiss masters excel at long-form, hypnotic journeys that will keep you locked into the groove for hours.

Josh Baker b2b Kettama b2b Prospa (Saturday): A massive UK-centered takeover that promises to bring raw house and rave energy to the stage.

Klangkuenstler (Sunday): If you want hard, uncompromising shranz, Klangkuenstler is the undisputed king of sunday night.

bass POD: The Basshead’s Paradise

If you’re a basshead, you’ll likely spend your weekend at the newly redesigned bassPOD. With dubstep’s growing popularity, this stage feels like the “new” mainstage and is home to some truly EDC Las Vegas 2026 Must-See Acts.

Adventure Club’s Throwback Set (Friday): Revisit the melodic dubstep roots that defined an entire generation of ravers.

Doctor P b2b Flux Pavilion b2b Funtcase (Saturday): The Circus Records legends unite for a historic trio set that is pure bass nostalgia.

Eazybaked (Sunday): Representing the “weird” side of bass music, their sound design is as experimental as it is heavy.

waste land: The No Mads Land

Whether you crave hard techno, frenchcore, or hardstyle, wasteland remains your high-BPM guilty pleasure.

Kuko (Friday): Representing the Unreal Germany takeover on Day 1 of EDC. Kuko delivers industrial techno with euphoric, Shranz-inspired melodies.

Audiofreq b2b Code Black b2b Toneshifterz (Saturday): These hardstyle icons combine their energy for what will surely be the most amped set of the weekend.

DJ Isaac (Sunday): A true pioneer of hardstyle. Isaac’s sets are a masterclass in the history and future of hard dance.

Honorable Mentions:

stereoBLOOM: Don’t miss Bolo’s sunrise set or the heavy house grooves of Chris Lorenzo b2b Bullet Tooth.

bionicJUNGLE: For underground vibes, check out Tiga or the melodic house of HAAi b2b Luke Alessi.

If these artists standout on your radar, be sure to check them out with the official EDC 2026 playlist below! Above all, remember that EDC Las Vegas 2026 Must-See Acts offer experiences you won’t soon forget.

 

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Red Bull Midsummer Announces Global 28-Hour Event

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Red Bull Midsummer Announces Global 28-Hour Event as seven cities connect across Tokyo, Mumbai, Vienna, Berlin, London, New York, and Los Angeles on June 20

Red Bull Midsummer is a global electronic music event series coming to Los Angeles and New York City on June 20 as part of a synchronized 28-hour event connecting Tokyo, Mumbai, Vienna, Berlin, London, New York, and Los Angeles across three continents. The concept follows the sun from Asia to Europe and into the U.S., with real-time broadcast feeds linking each host city as the day moves through different time zones. For its U.S. debut, Red Bull Midsummer will split its focus between The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles and Sunset Park Rooftop in Brooklyn, pairing global names with local artists, collectives, and daytime community activities. The wider event also points to a larger shift in how electronic music events are being presented, where city identity, live broadcast, and global scheduling can turn one date into a shared music experience across several scenes without making every stop feel the same.

How Red Bull Midsummer Connects Seven Cities Across One 28-Hour Event

The main idea behind Red Bull Midsummer comes from how the event uses June 20 as more than a shared date. The series follows the movement of daylight from Tokyo to Los Angeles, connecting Tokyo, Mumbai, Vienna, Berlin, London, New York, and Los Angeles across a synchronized 28-hour event. That structure gives the concept a clear global route: Asia opens the day, Europe carries the middle stretch, and the U.S. closes the event from the East Coast to the West Coast. Instead of presenting seven separate parties under one name, Red Bull Midsummer places each city inside the same timeline, with every location joining the event as its own time zone enters the day.

The city selection also gives the event more range than a standard global lineup announcement. Tokyo opens the route with Vegyn, whose work connects electronic production with left-field club music and wider music culture, while Mumbai brings in Arjun Vagale, a key name in India’s techno scene. The European section moves through Vienna, where FISHER gives the event a larger festival-facing draw, before continuing into Berlin with DJ Seinfeld, linking the project to one of electronic music’s most recognized club cities. London adds Jyoty, whose profile crosses radio, DJ culture, and global dance music, before the event reaches the U.S. with two different coastal identities.

That U.S. stretch is where the global concept becomes more specific. New York brings the event to Sunset Park Rooftop in Brooklyn with a lineup connected to club history, Black electronic music, and contemporary dance floors, including Juan Atkins, Andre Power, BAMBII, UNIIQU3 B2B Shekdash, and Black Rave Culture. Los Angeles closes the route at The Roosevelt Hotel, where TOKiMONSTA, Austin Millz, Noodles, Pangea Sound, Baile World, and STRAWBRY & Friends place the final stop closer to a West Coast daytime event format. The real-time broadcast feed is what brings these parts together, giving each city a live link to the others as the event moves through the day. For Red Bull Midsummer, the format turns the summer solstice into a city-to-city electronic music sequence, with local scenes connected through one continuous global event.

Los Angeles And New York Bring Two Different U.S. Scenes Into Red Bull Midsummer

For its U.S. debut, Red Bull Midsummer separates Los Angeles and New York through two different event formats. The Los Angeles edition begins before the main DJ schedule, with Long Distance World leading a morning community run before The 9AM Banger opens the music program at The Hollywood Roosevelt. From there, the lineup moves through heds, STRAWBRY & Friends, Pangea Sound, Baile World, Noodles, Austin Millz, and TOKiMONSTA, giving the Los Angeles stop a daytime arc that starts with movement, continues through local collectives, and ends with one of the city’s most recognized electronic artists.

New York gives the U.S. debut a different foundation at Sunset Park Rooftop in Brooklyn, where the event runs from 10 AM to 1 AM EST with a lineup tied more directly to club history, Black electronic music, and current East Coast dance music. Juan Atkins, credited in the press release as the originator of Detroit techno, appears alongside Andre Power, Anastazja, BAMBII, UNIIQU3 B2B Shekdash, Black Rave Culture, Ayanna Heaven, PLYR1, and Tim Fields, making the Brooklyn date feel less like a simple rooftop day party and more like a wider club culture program. The press release also notes movement classes from The Ness and The Fit In, which adds another layer to the New York schedule before the event moves into its later hours. Together, the two U.S. editions give Red Bull Midsummer a clearer split: Los Angeles frames the day through outdoor social energy and local creative groups, while New York ties the format to dance music history, community movement, and a longer night-time run.

Why Red Bull Midsummer Fits Into The History Of Daytime Dance Music

Red Bull Midsummer also connects to a longer history of daytime electronic music, from early acid house gatherings to Ibiza’s open-air culture. That reference matters because the event is not only using seven cities to make the announcement feel bigger. Daytime dance music has always worked differently from late-night club programming, especially when open-air settings, sunlight, movement, and social gatherings become part of how people experience the music. By choosing June 20, Red Bull Midsummer ties that history to the summer solstice, using the longest stretch of daylight as the frame for a global electronic music event.

That context also explains why the U.S. editions include more than DJ sets. Los Angeles starts the day with Long Distance World before The 9AM Banger, while New York adds movement classes from The Ness and The Fit In alongside its rooftop lineup. These details keep the event connected to dance music culture without making it feel like a normal club schedule moved earlier in the day. Across the full route, Red Bull Midsummer takes the day-party idea more literally, following daylight across continents while each city contributes its own artists, setting, crowd, and local music references. The result is a format that connects club history, outdoor music culture, and city identity through one shared date.

Red Bull Midsummer Ticket Details And Event Information

Red Bull Midsummer takes place on June 20, 2026, connecting Tokyo, Mumbai, Vienna, Berlin, London, New York, and Los Angeles through a synchronized 28-hour global event.

Tickets for Red Bull Midsummer New York City go on sale May 7 at 12 PM ET. The New York edition takes place at Sunset Park Rooftop from 10 AM to 1 AM EST.

Tickets for Red Bull Midsummer Los Angeles go on sale May 7 at 10 AM PT.  The Los Angeles edition takes place at The Roosevelt Hotel from 10 AM to 10 PM PST.

More information on the full global event is available at Redbull.com/Midsummer, with updates from @redbullmusic. For its U.S. debut, Red Bull Midsummer gives Los Angeles and New York two different roles inside the same global event: Los Angeles closes the route with a West Coast daytime schedule, while New York brings the Brooklyn stop into club history, rooftop culture, and community movement.

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Kaskade & Layton Giordani Collaborate for the Official EDC Anthem

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This Friday, May 8, dance music titan Kaskade and techno powerhouse Layton Giordani release their highly anticipated collaboration, “Meet Again.” The collaboration has been designated as the official anthem for EDC 2026. The track also serves as the lead single for Kaskade’s forthcoming album, Origin //.

Pre-Save/ Out Now: insom.co/meetagain

A New Era For Kaskade

The release arrives at a pivotal moment in Kaskade’s staggered career. Fresh off a monumental return to the Coachella desert last month, the veteran producer used the stage to debut a reimagined live concept and tease nine unreleased tracks from the new album, Origin //. “Meet Again” stands as the cornerstone of this new sonic chapter.

 

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Ascent for Layton Giordani

 

For Layton Giordani, “Meet Again” symbolizes a meteoric rise and transition from the underground to the mainstage. Since dominating the charts in 2024 with the Green Velvet & Adam Beyer collaboration “Party All The Time,” Giordani has become a formidable force in the techno scene. This collaboration marks his definitive transition into the global spotlight, merging his raw club energy with Kaskade’s legendary melodic background.

“When Layton Giordani and I started building ‘Meet Again,’ we knew we needed a voice that could match that intensity that his NYC DNA brings, as well as the Kaskade of it all,” says Kaskade. “Enter Natalie Jane. She’s a powerhouse… The three of us together elevate ‘Meet Again’ to a place we wouldn’t be able to go alone.

 

Sound of The Summer

“Meet Again” sits at a unique crossroads of festival culture. By pairing Kaskade’s signature emotional depth with Giordani’s driving techno foundations—and anchored by a soaring vocal performance from Natalie Jane—the track encapsulates the current spirit of melodic techno and progressive house energy.

​As the official anthem for EDC 2026, the production is engineered for the massive scale of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It captures the core ethos of the carnival, unity and love, while maintaining a sophisticated edge that ensures it will be a staple in club sets and festival mainstages alike.

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