2019: A year in music
Very few years have managed to shock and delight in equal measure in the same way that 2019 did. Led by three returning Swedes, and the tragic loss of an iconic dance music frontman, this was truly a dramatic 12 month period for the industry. From Martin Garrix losing his crown as the #1 DJ in the world, to Tiësto sobbing on stage, here’s a special We Rave You guide to 2019: A year in music…
TOMORROWLAND WINTER ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL DEBUT EDITION
To most, the term ‘Tomorrowland’ immediately evokes mental images of that iconic mainstage, flags everywhere, and fun in the sun, as thousands flocks to Belgium every summer to share their joy on the famous livestream. Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, and many more, performed to over 25,000 visitors as the snowy edition on the Alpe d’Huez got off to a successful start!
PRODIGY FRONTMAN KEITH FLINT COMMITS SUICIDE
It was with great sadness, that on the 4th March 2019, the world learned the news of Keith Flint‘s passing. The former frontman of iconic rave group ‘The Prodigy‘ had unspecified amounts of cocaine, alcohol and codeine in his system when he passed away, as an inquest ruled suicide as his cause of death. The dance music world subsequently held various tributes to one of the genre’s most important figures.
COLONEL SANDERS’ FINGER-LICKIN’ FAILURE AT ULTRA MIAMI
As far as PR stunts go, the EDM world hit a new low in March when a shameless ad from fast-food giants KFC saw ‘founder’ Colonel Sanders, aka a man in a giant helmet of the fictional character, play a short set on the mainstage of Ultra Music Festival in Miami. The move was roundly criticised, and fellow masked mogul, Marshmello, slammed the stunt, labelling it as ‘lame’ on his Twitter account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvnIWAPAk5Y/
AVICII RELEASES NEW POSTHUMOUS SINGLE, AND ALBUM
In April, Team Avicii issued a statement to let fans know that a new single, titled ‘SOS’ was to be released posthumously. The track, made in unison with Aloe Blacc, who provided vocals on the Swede’s 2013 hit ‘Wake Me Up’, proved a huge commercial success, and preceded the release of new album ‘TIM’ in June, which included the long-awaited Chris Martin (Coldplay) collaboration ‘Heaven’.
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA REUNITE WITH TRIO OF NIGHTS IN STOCKHOLM
Despite marking their comeback with a surprise set at UMF 2018, Swedish House Mafia had revealed that their ‘official’ comeback would take place in their home City of Stockholm, as thousands of ravers travelled to the Tele2 Arena in May to witness a trio of performances in Sweden. The shows were widely praised, with SHM displaying a series of mind-bending visual productions, and airing two new tracks in the shape of ‘It Gets Better’ and ‘Underneath It All’.
MARTIN GARRIX CANCELS SHOWS – AND PERFORMS ON CRUTCHES
As one of dance music’s hardest-working DJs, the news that Martin Garrix would have to cancel his upcoming shows in June, hit the Dutchman harder than most. After suffering an ankle injury in Las Vegas, Garrix was temporarily disabled, but going the extra mile for his fans, the young maestro was soon back on the touring circuit, performing via a special crutch to support his leg on stage. Now that’s dedication!
TIËSTO CRIES ON STAGE AFTER DROPPING ‘WITHOUT PENNY’
More than a year after Avicii’s passing, many of his closest friends were still suffering to come to grips with the loss, and never was this more evident than during Weekend One of Tomorrowland. Tiësto broke down in tears live on stage whilst playing this incredible edit, titled ‘Without Penny’, and the clip soon went viral all over the world throughout the rest of 2019. We miss you, Tim.
https://www.facebook.com/weraveyou/videos/1129500257233806/?v=1129500257233806
FREEDOM STAGE COLLAPSES AT TOMORROWLAND 20TH ANNIVERSARY
The 20th anniversary of Tomorrowland was certainly full of more drama than ever before, and alongside Swedish House Mafia reportedly pulling out at the last minute, the famous Freedom Stage was also rendered completely out of bounds for Weekend Two following Eric Prydz’ Holosphere show. Fans were instead forced into a small outdoor area by the stage, following record heat in Belgium, with a temperature of 40.2°C (104.4°F) going down as the hottest ever recorded in the country.
DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE REGAIN DJ MAG TOP 100 CROWN
Having first gained the crown in 2015, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike were rewarded for a hectic year in October, as they regained their title of #1 DJs in the World, during the DJ Mag Top 100 poll. The result, announced live at AMF, saw the duo deny Martin Garrix a record 4-in-a-row. The rest of the poll also saw record-high positions for Marshmello, Don Diablo, and Oliver Heldens, who all finished in the Top 10.
THE WORLD REMEMBERS AVICII AT SPECIAL TRIBUTE CONCERT
What finer way to round off 2019, than by honouring the mercurial talent of Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, as thousands gathered for a special remembrance concert in Stockholm. The night included many highlights as vocalists such as Rita Ora turned up to perform special live versions of Avicii’s biggest hits, with David Guetta even premiering an unreleased Guetta x Avicii x Afrojack collaboration to the crowd.
2020 PREDICTIONS
With many fans left frustrated by the complete lack of new Swedish House Mafia music in 2019, next year will surely prove the moment that the Swedes choose to unleash a flurry of new tracks. Having already teased their A$AP Rocky collaboration in numerous live shows, a rumoured USA Stadium Tour is also on the cards. Elsewhere, David Guetta continues down his deeper, darker, path. In addition to producing several underground tracks under his Jack Back alias, he’s also struck gold via a studio partnership with MORTEN, and this pairing looks set to dominate the electronic scene in 2020. We’re also tipping a return to touring for Hardwell, and a tough battle for the DJ Mag crown with the ever-popular Don Diablo sure to rise once again, whilst Martin Garrix will also be desperate to regain his crown as he fends off the advances of Armin van Buuren and reigning champs, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.
Whatever happens, We Rave You will, of course, exclusively bring you the news first every step of the way, so buckle in and prepare for 2020… It promises to be the most iconic so far.
From all the team at We Rave You: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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