DJ Mag Top 100: Predicting 2019’s biggest risers and fallers

A full 12 months on from Martin Garrix‘s 3rd consecutive victory in the DJ Mag Top 100 poll, the results of this year’s vote are set to be announced, and will occur next Saturday evening live at AMF. With many of the world’s top DJs set to gather at the iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA during ADE to catch the big reveal, Garrix himself will be looking to make history with a 4th crown in a row. But the Dutch producer will, of course, once again face stiff competition from the likes of Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, and many more.

We Rave You analyse the events of this year’s dance music calendar so far, and predict this year’s biggest movers and shaker in the 2019 DJ Mag Top 100…

RISING:

ALESSO (2018 position: #45)
What a year it’s been for Alesso! Following backlash over his performance at W1 of Tomorrowland 2018, the Swedish prog prince shifted into an entirely different gear from that moment on, stunning crowds with his W2, and Creamfields, performances, in the following month. So far this year, he’s performed a UK tour, headlined the Book of Wisdom mainstage on Friday of Tomorrowland W2, and released a whole batch of fresh music, including ‘Sad Song’, ‘In The Middle‘ and his PROGRESSO Vol 1 mixtape, which included huge hits such as ‘Time‘ and ‘Confession’.

 

DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE (2018 position: #2)
Having secured a spot in the Top #2 for the past 5 years in a row, Belgian duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike continue to amass a huge fanbase globally. Performing another summer-long residency in Ibiza, the pair also headlined Tomorrowland as ‘3 Are Legend’, delivered their ‘Garden of Madness’ show to the Creamfields Steel Yard in Liverpool last winter, and will return there again this December. If anyone can topple Martin Garrix, it will be these two, who previously won the award in 2015.

DON DIABLO (2018 position: #7)
After debuting at number #82 in the DJ Mag poll in 2014, few DJs have enjoyed a rise as meteoric as future house pioneer Don Diablo. The Hexagonian leader has surged in popularity in recent years, gatecrashing the top #10 for the very first time last year. After hosting his FUTURE XL show in Amsterdam last Winter, Don has just staged his ‘FOREVER’ show at London‘s Printworks venue, and even topped the 1001Tracklists poll of ‘101 Top Producers’ in 2018. A top #5 spot could be on the cards this year.

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA (2018 position: #63)
After featuring in the top 10 during their 2011 peak, last year marked the first appearance in the DJ Mag Top 100 for SHM after a 5 year absence. Having only played one show in 2018 (Ultra Music Festival in Miami), the trio already rose to number #63 with a fresh re-entry. And though fans have aired their frustration this year at a lack of new music, a full European tour over summer, including reunion shows in Stockholm, Ibiza, and Creamfields, should see the Swedes making their way into the top half of the 100.

VINI VICI (2018 position: #34)

Powerful psy-trance pair Vini Vici were one of last year’s biggest risers, storming up to the number #34 spot from their previous position at #72. With a hugely fanatical fanbase once again stomping across Europe with them this year, with sets at Tomorrowland, and Armin van Buuren‘s ASOT 900 event in Utrecht, this could be the year that Vini Vici invade the DJ Mag Top 20.

FALLERS:

AVICII (2018 position: #15)
Though Tim’s legacy will never be forgotten, his positioning of #15 was largely down to the increased media coverage surrounding his tragic death in April 2018. With many choosing to opt for Avicii as a ‘tribute vote’, his positioning is likely to fall this year, despite the post-humous release of his third studio album ‘TIM’. Rising as high as the top 3 in his 2012/13 pomp, a position in the top half this year could be considered a respectful spot for EDM’s ultimate hero.

 

MARSHMELLO (2018 position: #10)
Despite tapping into the Fortnite and Twitch communities, Marshmello’s touring schedule was surprisingly quiet this year, with no appearances at the likes of EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland, or Creamfields. On the music front, the release of ‘Joytime III’ provided a salvation for his less commercially focused fans, though there were no singles that could match the success of 2017’s ‘Silence‘ and 2016’s ‘Alone’.

THE CHAINSMOKERS (2018 position: #31)
Previously rising as high as number #6 in the DJ Mag Top 100, thanks to huge hits like ‘Closer‘ and ‘Roses’, The Chainsmokers fell – dramatically – to number #31 in last year’s poll, slipping a massive 25 places. With the duo continuing to release radio-friendly productions, rather than the massive dance bangers they demonstrated around the 2015/16 period, we have our doubts on whether 2019 will be the year they arrest their slide.

The DJ Mag Top 100 results ceremony will take place in one week, on Saturday 19th October at AMF. You can grab the final remaining tickets here if you wish to attend the event, which will also include live sets from Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Coone, David Guetta, Don Diablo, Jonas Blue, Mike Williams, Tiesto, and Timmy Trumpet b2b W&W.

Who do YOU think win this year’s award? Let us know via our social media channels!

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