MUMBAI: In context with dance music, India has become quite evident, be it with international dance music gigs happening in India or the international discussions based on ‘India as emerging market in dance music’. Whichever is the case artistes and businesses have started understanding the crest of emerging Indian market in dance music. In 2012, 5th International music summit (IMS) in Ibiza was also a catalyst in presenting India globally.
During the summit Sunburn Inceptor and Percept Limited joint managing director Shailendra Singh had said, “There are 600 billion young people below the age of 25. It’s not a joke.”These strong words from Singh had for sure seeped strong message into minds of many present there. “It was quiet an eye opener when we were told about the 600 million people on the way of the age 25. It was quiet a massive market for EDM. After talking to Nikhil (Chinapa), Shailendra (Singh) and Simon Dunmore (during the IMS), it helped me understand Indian platform. I was very keen to come and experience it in India. I thought it will be great opportunity,” said Matthew Charles, DJ residing in Middle East. He will be playing at the MTV bloc party, in Juhu next week. DJ Opiuo who is a Kiwi and calls Australia his home will also do his debut performance in India at the MTV block party.
Performing in Sunburn dance music festival for more than four years, Dunmore said, “It was initially couple of people (during sunburn festival) now it’s around 40-50,000 people. Indian communities are travelling all over the world. I have seen Indians in Europe also; now we can see the whole movement take effect as they spread the word.”
With no strings attached to this form of music it has been changing and getting more party goers on the dance floor. Dunmore said, “The whole business of music has been changing because of technology. This change is for better. It’s become so mechanical and technology driven that I feel that there is a lack of human element.” Dunmore had been in DJing for over 25 years and has adapted to new forms and genres as well as performing traditional sense of music involving vocals.
He added that multiple DJ’s platform is the way things in dance music scenario are receded. This multiple DJing have been spreading globally.
“In Australia in the year 2012, everyone were enthralling with many international dance events. Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are the three major cities growing for electronic dance music,” said Opiuo.
Charles said, “There have been a global recession but this has not affected events from happening, maybe people want to stay away from stress so they are partying and socializing more. It had been a strong year for European market and party is busy and many music had been released.”
Last couple of years, United States have witnessed an explosion in Electronic dance music, which is still growing. EDM had originated from US. “Previous years, Electronic dance music played a dominate role. Now in Europe and UK, Deep House Sounds has become extremely popular. There is much more diversity with sounds to popular dance music. It’s super healthy as far as I am concerned,” said Dunmore. Charles added Deep and electronic house has a strong response in India. “India is an exciting place culturally. Dance is culturally there but I want to get the funkiness in the country with my own style,” said Opiuo.
Dunmore emphasized that India is a country with a huge population and even if a small per cent of these people embrace dance music it will be a huge market.