The 1990s: a decade that witnessed electronic music’s spectacular ascent into the mainstream, reshaping subcultures and leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. It was a transformative era, arguably the last to instigate such widespread musical change before the internet fully took hold. This was the decade that cemented electronic dance music’s (EDM) place in popular culture, setting the stage for its continued evolution and dominance.
For those immersed in the underground scenes of the early 90s, it felt like witnessing the last gasp of true counter-culture before everything went hyper-commercial. The “14-year cycle” of musical revolution seemed to culminate in this decade, right before the internet and digital platforms created a massive, globalized music industry. This new machine rapidly absorbed emerging trends, leading to an explosion of microgenres and a music landscape too vast for any single person to fully grasp. The 90s also foreshadowed the decline of physical record stores, a poignant marker of the shift towards digital music consumption. Imagine New Year’s Eve 2000, dancing at an open-air festival in the Australian outback – a symbolic peak, before a new era dawned.
Living through my twenties in the 90s, the underground rave scene was a revelation. It was about rejecting mainstream constraints and embracing artistic freedom. Turning away from major label expectations to produce purely underground techno was a conscious choice, a commitment to the authenticity of vinyl culture, where releases were intentionally kept exclusive and under the commercial radar. This was about staying true to the underground spirit.
The 90s dance scene wasn’t just about the music; it was a cultural and social phenomenon. Gathering in crowds, dancing together under open skies or in gritty clubs for days, was a powerful act of unity and expression. It was more than just partying; it was a statement.
And let’s be honest, the energy of the 90s dance scene was unique in many ways!
