Pete Tong Interview on Dance Music in the US

[kooper1980]

Pete Tong is a stalwart of the dance music scene and has been for getting on for 30 years. He's a legend IMHO.

I think the point regarding 'EDM' is that for many people outside the US it represents the recent explosion of mainstream, top40 dance music, which has been taken on board by the US mass market for the first time. Right from the off money has been thrown at it to create very slick, impressive shows, all very safe and palatable for the US mass market who previously have shown no interest in house music before.

The article was alluding to the complete constrast of the explosions of dance music in the US right now and elsewhere, particularly in the UK, back in the late 80's/early 90's. Then it was very much an underground, edgy movement, rising out of economicalły difficult times - there was a feeling for change about it. The acid house/warehouse parties were often illegal and very much DIY affairs, there was no table service, glamourous nightclubs, no 'rock star' djs, ie a complete contrast to the 'EDM' scene in the US right now, Vegas being a case in point. The banker would be raving next to the traveller, the emerging dance music scene broke down barriers and boundaries, it was a massive cultural change in the UK and across Europe at the time.

Obviously times have changed and its difficult to directly compare the 2 explosions of dance music, but one had big cultural impacts, the other is more about making money out of mass market appeal for 'EDM' right now, oh and looking 'cool' for celebrities.

Great post mate!!

I agree with the sentiment that Tongy is a legend. His friday night show on Radio 1 was perfect for getting yourself ready to hit the town. "The weekend has landed" was many a clubbers motto up and down the UK. His nights at Mambo in Ibiza were rock solid. That beach outside was packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder. Watching that sunset with a beer in your hand, listening to Pete Tong play some sensual Iberican house music was a staple of every trip to the island!! LEG-END!

[Nicky H]

Don't forget Tongy was dj'ing on sound systems and clubs in the 70's, was responsible for the first house music album in the UK, and started FFRR records - look it up on Discogs if you're wondering who he signed.

Then he started the essential selection.
Anyone who slags him off has no idea of the history of house music.

[backtothefront]

Great post mate!!

I agree with the sentiment that Tongy is a legend. His friday night show on Radio 1 was perfect for getting yourself ready to hit the town. "The weekend has landed" was many a clubbers motto up and down the UK. His nights at Mambo in Ibiza were rock solid. That beach outside was packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder. Watching that sunset with a beer in your hand, listening to Pete Tong play some sensual Iberican house music was a staple of every trip to the island!! LEG-END!

Definitely Kooper - 'welcome to the weekend

Don't forget Tongy was dj'ing on sound systems and clubs in the 70's, was responsible for the first house music album in the UK, and started FFRR records - look it up on Discogs if you're wondering who he signed.

Then he started the essential selection.
Anyone who slags him off has no idea of the history of house music.

Absolutely Nicky, and great point about his involvement in music before House came along.

I also think he has a fairly unique overview, in that he's been intimately involved in dance music from the off and has been at the top for the duration, not faded at all. Therefore I would suggest his view has gravitas and should be noted.

[loverocket]

Yes, music USED TO BE awesome and Pete Tong would play a nice Iberican set.

The good ol' days when house was house.

Let's hope they return soon.

And I hope Disclosure is not the future.

>

[Karlos Santos]

Yes, music USED TO BE awesome and Pete Tong would play a nice Iberican set.

The good ol' days when house was house.

Let's hope they return soon.


And I hope Disclosure is not the future.

>

Correction. House music IS awesome . Pete Tong is STILL awesome he doesn't HAVE to rely on his past but its there so why not just recognise that.

The Good Ol' days never left they are still here.

...and Disclosure aren't the future they are the present.

For the love all things bright and beautiful stop being a bell end.

There I said it.

>

[Era 7]

Almost all professional DJs who have been doing this awhile, respect Guetta for what hes done to the sound, and the outlook of a DJ. I print you up in the "Im in the minority crowd" name tag for the future.

if by so called "professional DJs" you mean the circle jerk that makes up the top 10 on DJmag that wouldn't dare say anything bad or speak their mind, because the guy is on their next collab, then you are probably right.

[loverocket]

if by so called "professional DJs" you mean the circle jerk that makes up the top 10 on DJmag that wouldn't dare say anything bad or speak their mind, because the guy is on their next collab, then you are probably right.

balls ^

...and Disclosure aren't the future they are the present.]

well at least Disclosure is a step up from the recent garbage.

Has Pete Tong rubbed them up yet?

>

[loverocket]

Pete Tong: "People aren’t stupid – they’re watching what’s going on. I feel validated in that sense: [with the new artists I support] I am not knocking on a door that’s never going to open."

That's why Pete Tong has a new show here in Miami where he plays all the hot hits from the Beatport Top 10. No kidding. It's sponsored by Beatport.

On the cutting edge for all the smart people out there.

>

[keithace]

go sit in a corner...

[balakoth]

Love rocket just doesnt want music to evolve. He'd be happier if we all still playing Disco records on our first generation technics