The Reign Of A New Era In Electronic Music: How Long Will The Modern Tech House Surge Last? – Magnetic Magazine

Connor Phillips • Dec 11, 2023
Born from the fusion of techno and house, tech house has evolved into a global phenomenon over the last few years. Fans of this genre should learn the foundational elements of tech house, its sub-genres, and its unique characteristics that have contributed to its meteoric rise.
The roots of Tech House trace back to the early ’90s when “Evil” Eddie Richards, regarded as the Godfather of Tech House, received a cassette from Mr C with the labels “tech” and “house.” Tech house emergence was initially as a DJing style, a reaction to trends in the U.K. acid house and rave scene, along with commercial handbag house. The U.K. tech house scene fostered a sense of community, focusing on music rather than the DJ, and rejecting excesses.
Tech house music today is characterized by the blend of techno’s essential structure, rhythmic patterns, and stripped-down arrangements with the sophistication and sounds of house. Sub-genres like minimal tech house emerged in the 2000s, emphasizing detail, simplicity, and the reduction of sounds. Artists like Michael Bibi, Djoko, and Jamie Jones have all played pivotal roles in shaping the minimal tech house scene, known for its groovy nature and minimalistic approach.
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Although tech house is somewhat divisive and can sound different in various regions, the genre has gained immense popularity. Regarding event brands, labels, and promoters, Circoloco and Elrow have become synonymous with tech house, hosting events that consistently keep this genre alive.
Through the last decade, labels that have expanded and might eventually be passed the torch are John Summit’s Experts Only, Claude VonStroke’s Dirtybird, Mark Knight’s Toolroom, and Fisher’s Catch & Release Records. These are contenders as they continue to host takeovers and even their festivals, such as Dirtybird Campout and CampINN.
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While John Summit, Mau P, Fisher, and Dom Dolla seem to be the poster boys for tech house, many before them paved the way so that they could become the widely acclaimed acts they are.
Chris Lake is still one of the top artists in the modern electronic music circuit, but this veteran is also partly responsible for it bleeding into the mainstream. Other DJs that helped boost tech house exposure are The Martinez Brothers, Damian Lazarus, Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, and Green Velvet, to name just a few.

Charting the evolution of tech house, it stemmed from an attitude to a defined genre with musical rules and boundaries by the late ’90s. The mid-to-late ’90s witnessed the first golden age of tech house, with U.K. labels shaping the sound. However, as tech house spread globally, it slowly distilled into a set of repeatable ideas, losing some of its original excitement.
By the start of the 2010s, labels like Hot Creations and Toolroom contributed to defining tech house. Yet, a media and popular backlash emerged by the mid-2010s, criticizing tech house for becoming formulaic and loopy. 

Even though it is a subjective opinion, some artists and listeners have shared that there is a slight lack of emotion and innovation in tech house. Some artists attempt to create remixes and edits of popular songs because it will fuel listeners and social media content, with less emphasis on being creative and pushing the boundaries of sound.
AI can be a useful tool in certain instances, but when utilized to make entire tech house tracks, it takes away from the individualism and sentiment of the genre. It is crucial to honor the roots of tech house and keep aiming to break the mold with new soundscapes and melting genres.
If one thing is for certain, house music as a whole is here to stay. The genre has reached complete acceptance in clubs and festivals across the planet and encompasses a rich history that music fans have an undying appreciation for.
Regarding tech house, as a distinct sound, it will likely continue to evolve and grow even further during the next couple of years. There is no set time that it will come to a halt or take a dive. These trends happen over time, and it is more of a transition than a stop-and-start process.
Based on previous eras of house and techno sub-genres, it can be expected that a different electronic music style or variation will triumph in North America by 2030. The total market share that house music has will remain around the same. However, the relevancy of the sub-genres within it is constantly shifting,
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One prediction is that techno will be the next tech house in North America. Arguably still the biggest rave and underground space in Europe, techno is starting to thrive in electronic music hotspots like Los Angeles. Warehouses in LA have hosted top-tier artists like Richie Hawtin and Charlotte De Witte.
NYC and Miami are modern breeding grounds for techno as well. NYC has a solid balance of underground and more prominent techno names that play at venues like The Basement and the Avant Gardner complex. In Miami, Ultra RESISTANCE’s newest club, M2, holds down the fort, booking acts like Layton Giordani, Sama’ Abdulhadi, and Sasha & John Digweed. Outside venues, outlets and event brands like 6AM Group are partly responsible for techno’s recent growth. 
Another prediction is that melodic techno will be the next major electronic music genre. It has already taken off in South America, Europe, and Asia through labels like Afterlife. There are also smaller labels spreading melodic techno in the U.S., like Stan Kolev and Matan Caspi’s Outta Limits Recordings, based in Miami. Also, melodic and progressive houses, such as Anjunadeep, are still highly cherished and relevant today.
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A third possibility is dubstep. Dubstep and bass music has also exploded, with many new festivals focused on bass music since the pandemic. Artists can hold their sold-out festivals and takeovers, such as Excision, Ganja White Night. Subtronics and Zeds Dead each having their labels.
However, bass music is in a space where it doesn’t compete with house music, people have shown to enjoy both. So, one would most likely not be capable of replacing the other. These two genres will hopefully thrive together as the influence of dance music exponentially rises.

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