Latest news with #DJMag
The Star
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
QuickCheck: Was a dance track played on air and in malls on its 25th anniversary?
IN TODAY'S digital age, the success of a song is often seen in how it goes viral on social media, but back in the day, it was all about airplay and charts. Twenty-five years ago, iconic Eurodance track "Sandstorm" by Darude was released internationally and went on to become Finland's most commercially successful single of all time. Is it true that to mark the occasion, radio stations and shopping centres throughout the country played the track simultaneously? VERDICT: TRUE Taking to his official social media channels, Finnish DJ and producer Darude shared the news that the track was played simultaneously throughout his home country on May 8, 2025. "What an honour. At 9.15 this morning, radio stations and shopping centres across Finland came together to play Sandstorm at exactly the same time to celebrate 25 years! "You could hear it in malls, schools, everywhere! Thank you everyone," Darude said in his Instagram post. The DJ and producer also announced that Sept 6 would be the Helsinki date for his #STORM25 tour. Meanwhile, industry magazine DJ Mag reported that Sandstorm was one of Finland's most successful commercial singles of all time, having spent 17 weeks in the upper reaches of the country's dance chart upon release. It added that the track had initially been released in Finland in October 1999, but was re-released globally in 2000. DJ Mag also said the track had since become a viral sensation multiple times over, having gained momentum as an online meme in the past decade or so. It also reported that in 2018, it had even become the alarm sound of an actual sandstorm detector and most recently was featured in the trailer for the new Bandai Namco action RPG Sand Land. What an honour. At 09:15 this morning, radio stations and shopping centers across Finland came together to play Sandstorm at exactly the same time to celebrate 25 years! You could hear it in malls, schools, everywhere! Thank you everyone! > > — Darude (@Darudevil) Darudevil/status/ 1920512285455360329?ref_src= twsrc%5Etfw ">May 8, 2025 SOURCES: - sandstorm-played- simultaneously-finnish-radio- stations-celebrate-25th- anniversary - darude-sandstorm-act-alarm- actual-sandstorm-detector
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Brazilian DJ Alok wants to 'keep art human'
As artificial intelligence begins to creep into the creative realm, one DJ aims to uplift the power of human artistry. Last Saturday, Brazilian DJ Alok — whom DJ Mag notably ranked the No. 4 DJ in the world — made his debut appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where he took the Sahara stage at golden hour. He was accompanied by Brazilian American singer Zeeba and "Sweet But Psycho" hitmaker Ava Max, as well as 50 performers from the dance company Urban Theory. Wearing masks and metallic gloves, the dancers used their hands to mimic machine-like movements, which they call "tutting." The man-made spectacle, which appeared almost computer-generated, served as a reminder to 'keep art human,' as Alok's T-shirt read during the performance. ' I'm just trying to [use my] platform to [uplift] the voices of a lot of artists that are afraid about what AI is doing,' said DJ Alok in a Zoom interview. Alok, along with creative director Fabio Soares, envisioned this performance as a living art installation, hoping to contrast the mechanical movement of dancers with ongoing AI efforts to automate creative fields. ' When humans are connected on the same purpose and synchronized, we can do stuff that is extraordinary, but we have to also trust each other,' said Alok of the concept. 'If one dancer makes a mistake, it can compromise all of them.' Ahead of the Coachella performance, Alok uploaded a teaser clip to his more than 29 million Instagram followers. In the comments, some expressed both skepticism and surprise at the ability of humans to perform such precise movements. At the very top of the responses, Alok pinned a postscript message for added clarity: 'This is not AI.' ' How crazy is that?" Alok marveled. "That people do not believe that humans can do this kind of stuff anymore, like everything has to be AI." The 33-year-old electronic artist acknowledged that certain software tools have helped him extract vocals, samples and instruments necessary to form creative beats. Yet he doesn't believe AI should replace artistic sensibility, 'because to create art, you need to touch the soul.' 'I'm not against AI. I'm just [concerned] about how we use it. Because anything in the world can be used to do damage or create good things right?' said Alok. He recalled a drone show he did two years ago when performing at the United Nations in New York. After the show, he said someone from Ukraine's embassy approached him crying and saying, "because in my country you use drones to kill each other and make war.'" The beat maker — born Alok Achkar Peres Petrillo in Goiânia, Brazil — is no stranger to the cause of social justice. In 2020, he used royalties obtained from his popular gaming character in "Free Fire" to fund his own nonprofit organization, the Alok Institute, which boosts social and environmental initiatives in Brazil, Africa and India. ' If you asked me 10 years ago if I cared about all this stuff, I would say no,' he said. Two years ago, following a major depressive episode, Alok journeyed to the Amazon rainforest to connect with Indigenous groups. The experience changed his outlook on life. 'I was doing songs to work on the beats, they were doing songs to heal, you know?' he said, hinting at its irony. The experience inspired him to use his platform to aid in the preservation of Indigenous languages. Through his institute, Alok unveiled a humanitarian project and album titled 'The Future Is Ancestral,' which showcased Indigenous music from eight communities across Brazil. Its release came days before an annual protest in the nation's capital, where Indigenous groups convened to demand more land protections. The album received praise from UNESCO and the United Nations; the song 'Pedju Kunumigwe,' sung by the Guarani Nhandewa people, was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Latin electronic music performance in 2024. 'As an artist, we have the responsibility to try to push culture forward through art,' he said. 'That's why art has to be made by humans.' Alok and Urban Theory will return to the Sahara stage on Saturday, April 19, at 4:10 p.m. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival and Southeast Asian Cultural Celebration to Ignite Global Festive Fever
JINGHONG, China, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In May, Xishuangbanna is set to become the global spotlight for music and culture. Hosted by Xishuangbanna Lizhong Culture Media Co., Ltd., the 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3 at the Xishuangbanna Ethnic Sports Stadium. Taking place in the heart of the tropical rainforest, the event will present an unprecedented eco-style, trend-setting music festival, and is expected to be one of the most unmissable electronic music events of 2025. The festival integrates the vibrant atmosphere of traditional culture with the high-energy rhythms of modern electronic music, merging natural ecology, ethnic heritage, and technological trends. Using music as its core medium and electronic sound as its outward expression, BEJF is committed to redefining the spirit of Southeast Asian celebration. More than 20,000 attendees will witness a grand fusion of tradition and future, nature and technology, the East and the world. In terms of lineup, top-tier DJs from around the globe will gather, including several from the DJ Mag Top 100 and artists from internationally renowned labels. Featured performers include Dutch duo Yellow Claw; Ummet Ozcan, the Dutch producer known for pioneering throat singing in electronic music through his track "Xanadu"; global dance music icon Quintino; well-known Dutch producer Jay Hardway; emerging Dutch artist Lavern, performing in China for the first time; the electronic duo LUSU; and French house representative Hugo Cantarra. In addition, multiple Chinese DJs and producers will also perform on stage in Xishuangbanna. Tickets are now officially on sale through Damai, Showstart, Maoyan, Piaoxingqiu, and Douyin Live Events via their websites, apps, or mini-programs. It is worth noting that, thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy for ASEAN countries, international visitors can enter with ease and fully enjoy this globally energized electronic music celebration. Xishuangbanna offers convenient transportation, with direct access via air and high-speed rail. Most Southeast Asian countries are just 3 to 4 hours away, while seamless transit is available for travelers from Europe and North America. Xishuangbanna is home to China's most well-preserved tropical rainforest ecosystem and is known as the "Kingdom of Flora and Fauna" and the "World Gene Pool." The region's diverse ethnic groups have created rich cultural traditions through centuries of ingenuity, including rainforest culture, Pu'er tea culture, Dai medicine, water culture, agricultural heritage, and distinctive folk customs. The area is well connected, with convenient access by air and rail, making it easily reachable from across Southeast Asia and beyond. The festival will feature an awe-inspiring "Rainforest War Elephant Totem" stage, with a massive central elephant sculpture offering a powerful visual and auditory impact. The venue will include various thematic zones, including an electronic dance arena, an ethnic culture exhibition area, and a technology interaction experience zone. The 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3. Music fans from around the world are invited to gather in this tropical celebration of rhythm and energy, embarking on a magical journey into the heart of electronic sound.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival and Southeast Asian Cultural Celebration to Ignite Global Festive Fever
JINGHONG, China, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In May, Xishuangbanna is set to become the global spotlight for music and culture. Hosted by Xishuangbanna Lizhong Culture Media Co., Ltd., the 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3 at the Xishuangbanna Ethnic Sports Stadium. Taking place in the heart of the tropical rainforest, the event will present an unprecedented eco-style, trend-setting music festival, and is expected to be one of the most unmissable electronic music events of 2025. The festival integrates the vibrant atmosphere of traditional culture with the high-energy rhythms of modern electronic music, merging natural ecology, ethnic heritage, and technological trends. Using music as its core medium and electronic sound as its outward expression, BEJF is committed to redefining the spirit of Southeast Asian celebration. More than 20,000 attendees will witness a grand fusion of tradition and future, nature and technology, the East and the world. In terms of lineup, top-tier DJs from around the globe will gather, including several from the DJ Mag Top 100 and artists from internationally renowned labels. Featured performers include Dutch duo Yellow Claw; Ummet Ozcan, the Dutch producer known for pioneering throat singing in electronic music through his track 'Xanadu"; global dance music icon Quintino; well-known Dutch producer Jay Hardway; emerging Dutch artist Lavern, performing in China for the first time; the electronic duo LUSU; and French house representative Hugo Cantarra. In addition, multiple Chinese DJs and producers will also perform on stage in Xishuangbanna. Tickets are now officially on sale through Damai, Showstart, Maoyan, Piaoxingqiu, and Douyin Live Events via their websites, apps, or mini-programs. It is worth noting that, thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy for ASEAN countries, international visitors can enter with ease and fully enjoy this globally energized electronic music celebration. Xishuangbanna offers convenient transportation, with direct access via air and high-speed rail. Most Southeast Asian countries are just 3 to 4 hours away, while seamless transit is available for travelers from Europe and North America. Xishuangbanna is home to China's most well-preserved tropical rainforest ecosystem and is known as the 'Kingdom of Flora and Fauna' and the 'World Gene Pool.' The region's diverse ethnic groups have created rich cultural traditions through centuries of ingenuity, including rainforest culture, Pu'er tea culture, Dai medicine, water culture, agricultural heritage, and distinctive folk customs. The area is well connected, with convenient access by air and rail, making it easily reachable from across Southeast Asia and beyond. The festival will feature an awe-inspiring 'Rainforest War Elephant Totem' stage, with a massive central elephant sculpture offering a powerful visual and auditory impact. The venue will include various thematic zones, including an electronic dance arena, an ethnic culture exhibition area, and a technology interaction experience zone. The 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3. Music fans from around the world are invited to gather in this tropical celebration of rhythm and energy, embarking on a magical journey into the heart of electronic sound. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xishuangbanna Lizhong Culture Media Co., Ltd.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival and Southeast Asian Cultural Celebration to Ignite Global Festive Fever
JINGHONG, China, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In May, Xishuangbanna is set to become the global spotlight for music and culture. Hosted by Xishuangbanna Lizhong Culture Media Co., Ltd., the 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3 at the Xishuangbanna Ethnic Sports Stadium. Taking place in the heart of the tropical rainforest, the event will present an unprecedented eco-style, trend-setting music festival, and is expected to be one of the most unmissable electronic music events of 2025. The festival integrates the vibrant atmosphere of traditional culture with the high-energy rhythms of modern electronic music, merging natural ecology, ethnic heritage, and technological trends. Using music as its core medium and electronic sound as its outward expression, BEJF is committed to redefining the spirit of Southeast Asian celebration. More than 20,000 attendees will witness a grand fusion of tradition and future, nature and technology, the East and the world. In terms of lineup, top-tier DJs from around the globe will gather, including several from the DJ Mag Top 100 and artists from internationally renowned labels. Featured performers include Dutch duo Yellow Claw; Ummet Ozcan, the Dutch producer known for pioneering throat singing in electronic music through his track "Xanadu"; global dance music icon Quintino; well-known Dutch producer Jay Hardway; emerging Dutch artist Lavern, performing in China for the first time; the electronic duo LUSU; and French house representative Hugo Cantarra. In addition, multiple Chinese DJs and producers will also perform on stage in Xishuangbanna. Tickets are now officially on sale through Damai, Showstart, Maoyan, Piaoxingqiu, and Douyin Live Events via their websites, apps, or mini-programs. It is worth noting that, thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy for ASEAN countries, international visitors can enter with ease and fully enjoy this globally energized electronic music celebration. Xishuangbanna offers convenient transportation, with direct access via air and high-speed rail. Most Southeast Asian countries are just 3 to 4 hours away, while seamless transit is available for travelers from Europe and North America. Xishuangbanna is home to China's most well-preserved tropical rainforest ecosystem and is known as the "Kingdom of Flora and Fauna" and the "World Gene Pool." The region's diverse ethnic groups have created rich cultural traditions through centuries of ingenuity, including rainforest culture, Pu'er tea culture, Dai medicine, water culture, agricultural heritage, and distinctive folk customs. The area is well connected, with convenient access by air and rail, making it easily reachable from across Southeast Asia and beyond. The festival will feature an awe-inspiring "Rainforest War Elephant Totem" stage, with a massive central elephant sculpture offering a powerful visual and auditory impact. The venue will include various thematic zones, including an electronic dance arena, an ethnic culture exhibition area, and a technology interaction experience zone. The 2025 BEJF Xishuangbanna International Electronic Music Festival will be held from May 1 to 3. Music fans from around the world are invited to gather in this tropical celebration of rhythm and energy, embarking on a magical journey into the heart of electronic sound. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xishuangbanna Lizhong Culture Media Co., Ltd.
