The Most Unexpected Moments In The History Of Electronic Dance Music

Even though it is one of the newer genres to emerge, electronic dance music still has a lengthy and fascinating history. Throughout its existence, many superstar DJs have entered the spotlight seemingly out of nowhere, along with jaw-dropping guest performances.

Other instants have proved equally alarming, like crazy festival highlights or the sudden loss of dance music icons. We rounded up the most shocking moments across the era of electronic dance music; check them out below.

Beyoncé Wins Grammy For Best Dance/Electronic Album

One of the more insane moments in dance music over the last couple of years, Beyoncé’s Renaissance won the 2023 GRAMMY for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album. Disbelief and frustration spread across longtime ravers and dance music fans when this happened. Many have accused Beyoncé of using her massive following and influence to bully her way to the top of a minor genre with an album with traces of dance and electronic. Either way, this unexpected update removed the rose-tinted glasses on many industry and non-industry folks alike about how Grammys are doled out, a sentiment exacerbated by a subtle jab from Diplo suggesting that she likely bought the Grammy. 

The other nominees were all veterans in the electronic music space, consisting of Diplo (Diplo), Bonobo (Fragments), ODESZA (The Last Goodbye), and RÜFÜS DU SOL (Surrender). Many music fans believe ODESZA or RÜFÜS DU SOL should have taken home the GRAMMY. Keep in mind that freakin’ Fred Again… also dropped music this year as well. Overall, this unexpected update gave the entire dance community the Ick and it’s one we won’t forget anytime soon. 

Avicii’s Death

From the brilliant mind Tim Bergling, Avicii was a trailblazer and dance icon. His chart-topping anthems like “Levels” and “Wake Me Up” and his incredible blend of folk and electronic music skyrocketed the genre’s popularity.

The challenges and pressures of being an artist, such as being on tour nonstop, were extremely tough for Avicii. In 2016, he retired from touring and performing live. Then, in 2018, Avicii’s passing left the dance music community heartbroken. He will become one of the greatest artists of all time across every genre.

Of all the unexpected moments in this list, Tim’s death likely has had the longest repercussions on the industry and scene overall. His music is still being played, updates and hidden gems from his career continue to be released, and anyone you chat with will say that we lost an icon far too soon. 

Swedish House Mafia Splits Up

In 2012, Swedish House Mafia was ranked 12 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 Poll. “Don’t You Worry Child” and “Save The World” were festival favorites at the time. Despite the substantial momentum SHM has built up, they suddenly decided to split on June 24, 2012. On March 24, 2013, SHM executed its final performance (or so we thought) at Ultra Miami.

Although their fans and dance music were devastated, the trio has united again. They returned with their hugely successful album Paradise Again last year and launched a worldwide tour. So, while the news at the time was undoubtedly shocking and quite unexpected, the group’s reunion not long after makes you wonder if it was an actual retirement or just a clever marketing ploy… either way, it seemingly worked, and the people love them for it. 

Martin Garrix Drops ‘Animals’

There is an abundance of tracks that have had a substantial impact on dance music. One of the most prolific festival tunes of all has been Martin Garrix’s “Animals.” Not only did this track help explode Garrix’s career as an artist, but it also defined an era of the genre and festival culture. The ID was teased countless times by household-name DJs, from Hardwell to Bassjackers, until it was revealed that Garrix was the producer behind it. Following its release, Garrix became the youngest DJ, just 17 at the time, to top DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll. 

And while we at Magnetic usually aren’t amazed too much at all by the overall viciousness of commercial EDM industries and often turn a blind eye to all of its updates, it’s hard to deny the cultural impact that this song had on the industry overall. That is shocking enough to us who could feel the waves of this song and its influences as far away as the Techno and house stages at festivals during this time. 

Bassnectar Lawsuit And Getting Cancelled

At the time of this incident, Bassnectar was arguably the biggest name in bass music. At the time, He had his festival and cultivated a widespread audience of diehard fans. This news seemingly came out of left field, flipping the bass community on its heels.

With the lawsuit and sexual abuse allegations hitting the outlets of Rolling Stone, VICE, Billboard, and here at Magnetic Magazine it set a precedent for victims to speak out against their abusers, no matter how much influence they had. Since then, many other dance music artists have been called out and canceled for their heinous acts.

And while the news was shocking when the headlines were breaking, the industry was quick to recover as other more talented and overall better people filled the void and stepped into the limelight, proving definitively that this scene has no room for scumbags. 

The Rise Of Skrillex 

Skrillex was well-known for being in the emo post-hardcore band From First To Last. No one believed that when he transitioned to dance music, he would have changed the world and the genre as we know it.

Skrillex has won eight GRAMMY Awards, more than any other in electronic dance music history. His second EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, has left a crucial legacy throughout dubstep. He has teamed up with some of the hottest names in music during his ongoing career, including Diplo, Rick Ross, Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, and plenty of other A-listers. 

His sound came out of nowhere and caught the scene by storm. His sonic uniqueness, coupled with the fact that he’s often touted as one of the nicest guys in the entire industry, make it no wonder why he’s achieved the level of megastardom today. Where 99% of producers these days chase trends and follow-suits, Skrillex’s takeover of the entire industry throughout the mid-2000-teens and beyond is a testament to the power of having a unique sound (and just being a nice person) on your career.

Tiësto Releases ‘Kaleidoscope’ And Shifts His Signature Sound

This felt strange to the entire dance music community when it occurred. Kaleidoscope marked the departure from his overall style to transition into one of the first artists to represent the coming major change. Tiësto went from one of the best progressive artists to headlining mainstages across the globe and being a top 5 universal DJ, according to DJ Mag’s yearly poll.

This is/was probably a move that was only unexpected to those who had loved the artist back in his In Search Of Sunrise days where he helped usher in new waves and movements in the trance music world. Anyone who had only recently gotten into dance music likely saw this as an exciting transition into a far more commercial sound…. but man they don’t know what they’re missing. #WeMissTheOldTiësto.

Flume Eats A** At Burning Man

The dance music community was stunned after this on-stage moment was filmed and shared across the web. While many saw this as a hilarious bit of a DJ going a little too crazy at Burning Man, others were appalled by the incident. Usually, what goes down at Burning Man, stays at Burning Man, but not in this case.

However you feel about the graphic nature of the deed, it’s safe to say that it was ridiculous and something nobody expected. 

Pretty Lights Announces Comeback And Tour

After nearly five years of silence, Pretty Lights returned with a giant 27-date tour and new music earlier this year. This was the first officially new music since his remarkable 2017 hit, “Rainbows & Waterfalls.”

The Soundship Spacesystem Tour has sold out at basically every stop, including three consecutive nights at the Brooklyn Mirage and a headlining performance at Suwannee Hulaween.

Baauer’s ‘Harlem Shake’ Goes Viral

In January 2013, internet personality Filthy Frank uploaded a comedy sketch to YouTube of him and a group of his friends wearing funny costumes and dancing outrageously to the “Harlem Shake.” Parodies went viral the following month; then spin-off videos erupted across the internet and social media.

This song is the beginning of the meme era, where any song can go platinum due to someone making funny or engaging content around it. A song that has recently followed in its footsteps is Jengi’s “Bel Mercy,” whose streaming numbers skyrocketed after a video of a baby on a mountain dancing to it was spread throughout TikTok and helped catapult the song to the top of some of the biggest charts in the world, making it the first instrumental-based track to do so in decades.

Daft Punk’s Alive Tour Redefines Audio-Visual Experiences In Dance Music

The debut of Daft Punk’s Alive at Coachella in 2006 was a paradigm shift. It is one of the prime sources of what the festival mainstage atmosphere has descended from. No group had utilized technology to create a sonic and visual experience like that before. The pyramid, stage design, and optical component were integral to Daft Punk’s success on this tour. 

Shooting At Beyond Wonderland 2023

This was a horrible tragedy that left the dance music community speechless. James Kelly opened fire at the campgrounds of Washington’s The Gorge during Beyond Wonderland, killing two attendees and severely injuring three.

An active-duty member of the U.S. Army at the time, James claimed he was hallucinating on mushrooms and believed the world was going to end.

GRiZ Goes On Hiatus

Announced earlier this year but just happening less than a few weeks ago, the saxophone-wielding bass music phenom GRiZ has gone on an indefinite hiatus from touring. He has voiced his desire to spend more time with family and friends. Doubling down on the surprise element, he dropped his latest EP Ouroboros on a whim, bringing smiles to fans’ faces.

DJ DIESEL Revealed As Lost Lands 2018’s Special Guest

It was not well-known that retired basketball icon Shaq was a huge dubstep fan, and even a superstar artist in the making. That was before he was unveiled as Lost Lands 2018’s special guest performer, throwing down one of the weekend’s hardest and most electrifying sets.

Today, DIESEL has proved he is much more than a “celebrity DJ.” The 7-foot-plus headbanger has played at countless venues and festivals. Some of his greatest accomplishments have come this year, debuting his festival, Shaq’s Bass All Stars, and dropping his inaugural album, GORILLA WARFARE.

David Guetta’s George Floyd Shoutout

Similar to the Flume incident, this moment was outright bizarre. After the tragic murder of George Floyd, David Guetta gave awkward condolences, saying “shoutout to his family!” into the mic during a live-streamed performance. Several people called his comments ignorant and disrespectful, while others jumped on their computers to make a variety of viral memes surrounding shoutouts.

Four Tet, Fred Again.., And Skrillex Headline Coachella 2023

Following the unprecedented announcement of Frank Ocean dropping out of Coachella 2023’s Weekend 2 headlining performance, this gave way to a legendary b3b. On insanely short notice, Four Tet, Fred again.., and Skrillex filled the Sunday night slot. Despite Frank Ocean fans being upset by the news, this will become one of the most iconic moments in dance music history.

ACRAZE And Mau P Blow Up After Releasing Monumental Singles

While less objectively shocking, seeing these artists go from small acts to headliners is a magnificent surprise. ACRAZE’s “Do It To It” has amassed over a billion streams, being the anthem of multiple festivals in 2021 before and after it dropped.

Taking a similar path, rising house and techno artist Mau P (previously Maurice West) exploded onto the scene with his debut single, “Drugs From Amsterdam.” These artists are now in the highest tier of DJs, with these releases contributing to their success.