Editorial
The History Of: Adagio for Strings
If you’re a fan of Tiësto, chances are you already know this masterpiece. The renowned Dutch DJ and producer’s track ‘Adagio for Strings’ stands as a testament to the genre-defying nature of the electronic music he creates.
Originally composed by Samuel Barber, an American musician, in 1936, the piece underwent a stunning transformation when Tiësto adapted it for the EDM scene in the early 2000’s.
The Journey
The journey of ‘Adagio for Strings’ begins with Samuel Barber, an American musician and composer, known for his emotive and powerful compositions. The piece was originally part of his ‘String Quartet, Op. 11’, but gained widespread recognition when arranged for string orchestra. ‘Adagio for Strings’, with its hauntingly beautiful melody and profound emotional depth, became a staple in the realm of classical music.
As beautiful as it sounds, the piece has a truly horrific past. It made its entrance at a poignant juncture, as America grappled with the lingering effects of the Great Depression and Europe teetered on the brink of a second world war. ‘Adagio for Strings’ also became the nation’s unofficial anthem for mourning, as it was used at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s funeral and after John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Throughout the decades, the piece was used to evoke a sense of solemnity, most notably in the 1986 Vietnam War movie, ‘Platoon’. Here, the Adagio resonates repeatedly, capturing the pain and devastation synonymous with war.
By the 1990’s, ‘Adagio for Strings’ was still as popular as ever. An English musician and record producer by the name William Orbit released his version of the piece under the name ‘Barber’s Adagio for Strings’ in 1995. Orbit’s version was originally released on his album ‘Pieces in a Modern Style’, and was then re-released in 2000 by Warner Music. This album reached No. 2 in the UK album charts. ‘Barber’s Adagio for Strings’ was also the first single release from the album, as well as a dance music version of the track by Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten.
The Turning Point
While countless others have contributed to the growing and continued popularity of ‘Adagio for Strings’, Tiësto is the main reason the song is repeatedly played on stages across the world as a dance music anthem. By the early 2000’s, Tiësto was a pioneer in the world of electronic music, which led him to take the bold step of reinterpreting this classic gem. The now 54-year-old released his version of the piece as a single in 2005- the fourth single from his album ‘Just Be’, and it quickly became a sensation in the EDM community. His composition adopts the medoly of the piece, originally in ¾ time, and transforms it into a 4/4 time signature. Tiësto’s adaptation retained the soul-stirring essence of Barber’s composition, while infusing it was a pulsating electronic beat, creating a sonic experience that transcended traditional boundaries. The juxtaposition of classical orchestration and electronic elements in ‘Adagio for Strings’ displayed Tiësto’s ability to bridge the gap between two seemingly disparate music genres.
The track’s impact was felt far beyond the dance music scene. ‘Adagio for Strings’ became a true anthem, not only for electronic music enthusiasts but also for a broader audience seeking a profound and emotional sonic journey. Its soaring melodies and climactic builds made it a favorite for both intimate show settings and enormous festival stages.
The Tiësto Effect
The success of ‘Adagio for Strings’ marked a pivotal moment for Tiësto, propelling him further into the global spotlight and contributing to a more mainstream acceptance of electronic music. In 2013, his version was voted by Mixmag as the second greatest dance record of all time, directly behind Daft Punk’s 2000 release ‘One More Time’.
Today, ‘Adagio for Strings’ is still played on festival stages across the world. It has also been featured in various film soundtracks and played at historic events over the years. Tiësto’s version has become an iconic representation of the EDM genre as a whole, and its ability to evoke deep emotions and connect with its listeners on a visceral level.
The year 2025 delivered electrifying moments that transcended the festival grounds, with millions tuning in online to witness the biggest names in electronic music. From the pulsating energy of Tomorrowland to the intimate intensity of Boiler Room, these are the ten DJ sets that commanded the world’s attention, ranked by their official view counts.
Just last year, we saw the #RespectTheCreators campaign call for better credits for electronic music posted on social media. Samples and remixes are common in EDM, but sometimes it’s difficult to make sure everyone gets credited. Spotify looks to be fixing that, after acquiring a third-party service that will supercharge its song credits.
For as long as EDM has existed, sampling has been a core part of the experience. Before DJs became their own creators, their job was to spin other people’s records to create new (but ultimately derivative) music. As the scene developed, we got the tools to make our own sounds, but samples and vocal chops are still great accompaniments that artists rely on.
For commercial work, every sample needs to be cleared of any copyright concerns. This often includes royalties, but in the more underground and enthusiast scenes, some artists just ask for credit if they get sampled by other creators. It’s a simple concept that is reflected in many online spaces. On YouTube, it’s common courtesy to credit and link to other YouTubers if you use their material. A better example of paid collaboration happens with online casinos that host slot games. Casinos don’t make the games; they just host them, so each one is there as part of a deal with the original developer. The developer gets fully credited, with some form of revenue share agreement.
While the internet made it easier to get your work out there and form new partnerships, it also brought us social media. This led to a lot of online promotion using clips of festivals or DJ sets, and often they’d include some music. The song itself might be properly credited in the industry, but when it’s aired over social media, that credit doesn’t make it to the millions of people who see the clip. It’s up to the uploader to credit the song playing at the time, but some don’t, either out of carelessness or because they don’t actually know the many samples involved in a piece of music. This is why the #RespectTheCreators hashtag started.
Spotify’s Expanded Song Credits
In November, Spotify acquired WhoSampled. WhoSampled is arguably the best service online for samples, covers, and remixes, showing how iconic tunes have been repurposed by other creatives. The service is staying independent, but behind the scenes, its vast trove of data is getting plugged into the Spotify ecosystem.
This empowers Spotify to deliver three new features. One of them is About the Song, explaining the creative process behind songs when it’s appropriate. The other two – SongDNA and Song Credits – are great assets for the EDM scene. SongDNA maps out the connections between songs, including sampling. Song Credits then goes in-depth to credit as many people as possible. Not just the DJ, but relevant songwriters, producers, and even performers for percussive and orchestral samples. Spotify also provides a way for artists to update and correct their song credits.
A fully fleshed-out Spotify crediting system could make it much easier to credit EDM songs on social media. Artists and promoters can drop a link to the Spotify listing, showing everybody who worked on a track. It promotes the DJ, but it also promotes the unsung heroes who originally provided sampled material. It makes the crediting process easier, more convenient, and hopefully more common in our industry.
As 2025 comes to an end, it is time to look back on the artists who have dominated the decks this year. From remarkable performances to unique releases, these are EDMHouseNetwork’s top 10 DJs of 2025.
1. Sammy Virji
Leading the lineup following a fantastic year, Sammy Virji has been carving his place in the scene for a long time.
However, 2025 has been a different kind of special for the British artist, who not only packed out the Freedom Stage at Tomorrowland and Coachella‘s Sahara Tent, but also celebrated the release of his second album.
Titled ‘Same Day Cleaning,’ it showcases Virji’s iconic UKG sound, highlighted by collaborations with the likes of Chris Lake, Skepta and Salute.
2. KI/KI
As 2025 wraps up, KI/KI heads into the new year after an incredibly productive run. Her music touched every corner of the globe, whether she was on stage or not.
Her ‘What’s A Girl To Do’ remix took the scene by storm, entering the DJ’s top three most streamed songs of all time. Besides this, KI/KI joined forces with Armin van Buuren to shake the Johan Cruyff Arena during AMF, delivering a Dutch masterclass B2B.
The two also collaborated in the studio, creating ‘Put Your Bassline,’ a track that became AMF’s first official anthem. Even months after its debut, it remains a highlight in both artists’ sets.
3. Max Styler
Contender for DJ of the year, Max Styler has done it all in 2025. From launching his label, ‘Nu Moda‘, to releasing heaters and playing to massive crowds, Styler made 2025 his year.
The future American icon put out four singles and two EPs in 2025, showcasing a relentless work ethic that was rewarded in October. Max Styler was crowned the number one producer of the year by 1001Tracklists.
His standout song of the year, ‘London’s On Fire’ landed in July and has since become his sixth most-streamed release to date.
4. Disco Lines
Disco Lines’ 2025 could be summed up in just three words when it comes to releases: ‘No Broke Boys.’ This track went places, becoming a summer hit and a serious contender for song of the year.
Achieving over 400 million streams in just five months, the record has hit the biggest stages around the world, just like its producer, who spent the year taking it on the road.
Disco Lines landed at festivals like EDC, but the highlight has been his sold-out Red Rocks debut in April which saw nearly 10,000 people in attendance.
5. ZULAN
Marking the list’s first newcomer, ZULAN has had one of the strongest rises toward the mainstream of the industry. She debuted Coachella at the DoLab back in April, when she also released her first ever song.
‘Forever’ gained attention quickly, drawing in listeners for the two releases that followed in 2025: ‘Campeón’ and ‘Match My Speed.’ While these first songs signal a bright future for ZULAN as a producer, she’s already a star on the decks.
Her tour created memorable nights in cities like Paris, New York and Monterrey, establishing ZULAN as one of the year’s most exciting performers.
6. BUNT.
BUNT. remained a big name of the scene in 2025, driven by significant collaborations as well as a massive world tour. Known for his electric parties, the artist premiered the ‘In The Greater Round Tour,’ a series of 360° shows across the globe, most of which sold out.
After the 2024 hit ‘TRIPPIN,’ BUNT. returned this year with another smashing record. ‘Spaces,’ his collaboration with The Chainsmokers was his biggest release of 2025, reaching almost 13 millions streams on Spotify
7. SIDEPIECE
SIDEPIECE have not gone unnoticed this year, in fact, they were one of the hottest names on every lineup. Maintaining their signature tech house identity, SIDEPIECE have been everywhere in 2025, with songs like ‘Cash Out’ featuring Bobby Shmurda and ‘Cry For You’ leading their roster.
Besides official releases, the duo also continued their ‘SIDEPIECE Treat‘ project, a series of free-download remixes published on Soundcloud. This year, they delivered heater edits of tracks like ‘Rich Baby Daddy’ and a ‘Somebody I Used to Know × Where I’m From’ mashup.
Live performances kept SIDEPIECE busy throughout the year, with the DJs playing high-energy sets at some of the best festivals and clubs across the US. Before their We Belong Here show in New York City, they even threw a pop-up party in a pizzeria.
8. ALLEYCVT
Another rising star of the scene, ALLEYCVT made the most of her 2025. Some of her biggest standout moments include performing at EDC Las Vegas, as well as debuting on the Monstercat label with ‘BELIEVE’, her collaboration with LEVEL UP.
2025 also marked the year she released ‘9 Lives,’ a debut EP consisting of five songs.
It has been a major breakout year for ALLEYCVT, and she shows no signs of slowing down as she prepares for the ‘9 Lives’ tour, set to kick off in January 2026.
9. Cloonee
From the first release of the year, Cloonee has been on a roll. He was named Beatport’s artist of the month in April, and lately has been ranked among the best-selling tech house artists of 2025.
Tracks like ‘X-Rated’ and ‘Not Gonna Be Your Boo’ have been on repeat for fans all year, while setting new trends in the house music scene.
July was a big month for Cloonee, as he headlined the biggest show of his career. Organised and promoted under his own label’s name, the Hellbent weekender brought a stacked lineup with likes of Chris Lorenzo and Riordan to Los Angeles’s Factory 93.
10. HNTR
HNTR reached new milestones in 2025, delivering two of the year’s most loved remixes. Released in February, ‘Stephanie (HNTR Remix)’ earned major DJ support, landing in the sets of Martin Garrix, Alok and David Guetta.
Building on that momentum, he followed up with ‘Shook Ones, Pt. III,’ a remarkable rework of Mobb Deep’s ’90s hip-hop classic.
Releases like these won him a spot on 1001Tracklists’ ‘Top 101 Producers 2025’ list, but also secured him slots at major venues around the world, including the renowned Bootshaus and 808 Festival in Bangkok.
-
EDM Festival News1 week agoElectric Forest Announces 2026 Lineup
-
EDM Artist News3 weeks agoTiesto Returns To Trance & Announces Album
-
Editorial2 days agoThe Top 10 Most Watched DJ Sets of 2025
-
Editorial3 weeks agoEDM Festivals You Can’t Miss, December 2025
-
Editorial3 weeks agoFaithless ‘Insomnia’ 30th Anniversary: The Track That Defined an Era
-
EDM news4 weeks agoTiësto Hints Return To Trance Music
-
EDM news2 weeks agoMartin Garrix Announces 2026 Americas Tour
-
Editorial4 weeks ago69-Year-Old Woman Goes To Her First Rave In ‘Judgement’ Documentary
