The Spring Break concert scene has seen a shift in recent years. Whereas up until a few years ago, beach concerts generally consisted of Hip Hop and County music performers like Drake, Lil Wayne, and Florida Georgia Line, those acts are being replaced by EDM artists like Steve Aoki, Avicii, Tiesto, and Skrillex – all of whom have surged into the mainstream, making EDM accessible for all.
Just two years ago, music charts were top listed by rock, pop, R’n’B, and even hip hop. It seemed unlikely that electronic dance music (EDM for short) had a place among the list. But in those very short years, EDM’s popularity in the mainstream has grown fast. Best described as addictive and obsessive, it’s a phenomenon that’s out to set the world on fire.
The EDM scene thrived underground for many years in the sweaty ambience of raves and select clubs. It was a slant on dance music, and was as far from any music chart. The producers who devoted their lives to this scene were only recognized by a handful of industry professionals and were never household names.
Enter Spring Break and its domineering effect it can have on a massive crowd of trend-setters. Spring Break festivals around the U.S. began exposing new fans to this genre of music and the revolution got stronger.
Five years ago, South Padre Island hosted its first EDM concert series called UME (Ultimate Music Experience) – a three day event that features some of the biggest EDM acts on the planet. What started off as a very niche concert program for only “interested” fans, has now become one of Spring Break’s most talked about events, with thousands crowding the beach to take in the sounds.
In Panama City Beach, the World Famous Beach Bash – a daytime event recognized in the past by Rolling Stone Magazine as Spring Break’s hottest day party – has now become the Beach Bash Music Fest featuring country and pop performers, as well as top tier EDM acts.
With EDM obliterating the charts, entertaining the masses at festivals and beginning to dominate the Spring Break music scene, it certainly looks like this revolution is here to stay for a while.
