Electric Zoo - Labor Day Weekend!

Ferry Corsten: Amid an arsenal of flashing lights, mesmerizing pyrotechnics, ascending fireworks and pulsating beats, tens of thousands of people are singing at the top of their lungs to his classic productions and latest hits. They clamor to get as close to the stage as possible at a recent concert to get a better view of the man pulling the strings behind the decks. From Malaysia to Melbourne, Lebanon to Los Angeles, the scene is eerily similar, with dance music fans the world over experiencing the latest show of a living legend. Few DJs can inspire this level of pomp and furor.

But then again, few have reached the levels of Ferry Corsten.

It's easy to get hyperbolic and excessive when talking about DJs, but with dance music pioneer Ferry Corsten, whose musical productions and DJ sets have combined trance, house, and electro, the facts speak for themselves: Best Producer of the Year (Ericsson Music Awards). Best Trance DJ (Ibiza DJ Awards). And consistently voted as one of the Top 10 DJs in the world for almost a decade according to DJ Magazine. Since his immersion on the scene in the late 1990s, the Dutch musician has amassed best-selling albums, nearly a dozen gold singles, and countless other awards. Still, as longtime fans already know, Corsten has never been one to rest on his laurels.

This DJ/producer, who has just toured with his Twice in A Blue Moon: The Experience show, has played to hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe and has been busier than ever strengthening the link between his own musical production and DJ show elements. Based on his last artist album of the same name (featuring the hugely successful singles "We Belong," "Radio Crash," and "Made of Love" and released on Corsten's own record label Flashover Recordings), the show is just the latest in a career that has melded influential productions with unprecedented live sets. In stark contrast to the typical DJ set that focuses solely on the DJ himself, Blue Moon's 6-hour plus set sees Corsten as only one part of a grand, visual production, bringing the crowd into the party instead of lecturing and dictating like so many of his peers.

It's this humility and desire to interact with his fans which has helped propel Ferry Corsten as one of the most sought after DJs in music. A far cry from the usual arrogant spinner that preaches to his crowd from on high, Corsten has enacted a number of projects designed to get his fans as close to the man himself as possible. In 2007, the DJ began "Corsten's Countdown," a weekly radio show that sees Corsten highlighting his favorite new tracks by artists both known and unsigned. Keeping in line with his desire for full interaction with his audience, fans can vote on their favorite tracks each week, which determines Corsten's Countdown Chart, a Top 10 show at the end of each month. In addition, the recently released DVD Ferry Corsten – Backstage follows the artist as he prepares for both the release of his last artist album and his annual legendary "Full On Ferry" event in Rotterdam. In addition, Corsten recently launched www.FerryCorstenVIP.com, one of the most extensive artist sites that allows subscribers exclusive content and unprecedented access into Corsten's life.

It's a life that has been virtually raised on music. As a 9-year old kid growing up in Holland, Ferry Corsten became obsessed with both The Soul Show and Disco Mix Club, shows that specialized in club music and introduced Corsten to deejaying. Cut to the mid-1990s and a wildly prolific Corsten can be found producing two to three releases a week under a dizzying amount of aliases (System F, Gouryella) and record labels before starting Tsunami, his first imprint. His sixth release for the label, the trance anthem "Out of the Blue," went Top 20 in the U.K., sparked a massive bidding war for the producer and revolutionized dance music production. Since then, Corsten has remixed tracks from everyone from U2 to Moby to Public Enemy, released three albums under his own name and put out a myriad amount of compilations (Trance Nation, Passport) and singles under various guises.

While the producer is best known for his trance classics, Corsten has also been known to push boundaries creatively and has always been keen to switch up his musical style when the mood hits him. The producer released 2006's L.E.F., an updated version of the classic electro Corsten loved growing up that earned the #1 spot on iTunes upon its release.

2010 is set to be one of Ferry Corsten's busiest years yet. In addition to an upcoming album celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ultimate trance anthem "System F: Out of the Blue," Corsten is busy preparing his latest compilation album with exclusive material and another full-length under his own name with an accompanying grand production tour set to kick off sometime next year.

It's an ambitious schedule, but one in which Ferry Corsten has built his career on in past years. Someone who has had as many hits, rocked as many dance floors, produced so many classics, as Corsten would be forgiven for taking a hiatus and basking in the accolades. But there are still future classics to be made and people the world over to be entertained. And with a master who has already proven himself time and again running the show, the legend's career is just starting.

Nicky Romero: .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ......

.... Official Biography,

It was January 6th, 1989 when young Dutchman Nicky Romero saw his first light of day. Born and raised in a small city called Amerongen, Nicky developed an interest for music at a very young age. At the age of 6 he hit his first snare drum after joining a marching band and this is where it all kicked off for young Nicky. After saving up for a little while, Nicky obtained his first drum kit and started banging away at it like there was no tomorrow. For the next three years there was only one beat to be heard in the Romero household, Nicky's beat, practising the drums day and night. Being bored with the drum kit, made way for a brand new set of turntables. Studying and practising his mixing skills were mainly what Nicky's life consisted of at the time. Already flirting with the idea of making his own music and rocking the crowds some day. When Nicky finished school, the path was clear and the objective was set, producing music became not only a career, but a way of life! The very first musical offerings Privilege and QWERTY by Romero were snatched up by a small boutique label called 'Once Records' the 'Romero sound' was born. Next to having a few more releases on small independent imprints, there was a remix for Tony Cha Cha and Sidney Samson: 'Get On The Floor' that whirled up a storm of publicity. All the aforementioned achievements, left one more aspect of the production game in need of conquering; the bootleg. Producing his own interpretation of David Guetta's 'When Love Takes Over' resulted in instantly becoming the so called talk of the town with thousands of hits on Youtube and posts on various influential music blogs, Nicky made his entrance into the global scene. Releasing 'My Friend' really paved the way for Nicky. The track released on Spinnin' Records shot to a 4th place in the overall Beatport top 100 download chart and straight to the top spot on Dutch portal Dance–Tunes. This success resulting in the worlds top artists supporting almost everything Nicky releases nowadays. People the likes of Tiesto, Fedde Le Grand, David Guetta and Sander Van Doorn all often feature tracks by Nicky in their sets. All these accolades make for Nicky being one of the hottest, most sought after producers and remixers on the planet today. With remixes for Green Velvet, Tiesto, Flo-Rida and David Guetta the outlook for 2011 is a promising one. Nicky's tour schedule for 2011 is also filling up nicely. Getting invited to play Ultrafest during the WMC and a two-week tour in Australia already pencilled in, leaves just enough time to tour the US and travel through Europe rocking the crowds where ever he plays. All this next to maintaining one of the busiest production schedules know to man, Nicky Romero has truly entered the top realm within the global dance scene...

.. .. ..Nicky Romero can be found at:.... http://www.twitter.com/nickyromero.. http://www.youtube.com/nickyromerotv.. http://www.myspace.com/nickyromeromusic.. http://nickyromero.hyves.nl.. http://www.nickyromeromusic.nl..

David Guetta: You may think you have never heard of David Guetta before, but you have definitely heard a Guetta track at the club or on the radio. This French DJ and house music producer has been heatin' up the Euro club scene for decades now, but it was the release of several international smashes that have made Guetta beats the hottest tracks around. The DJ kept the dance floor poppin' with the hits "When Love takes Over," featuring Kelly Rowland, and "Sexy Chick," featuring Akon, and is now bringing his club bangers to your area. The David Guetta Tour 2011 has been announced and you can catch the House DJ burning up venues across Europe and North America this summer.

Guetta was a renowned DJ throughout clubs in Paris and Ibiza, but it was the musical partnership that he developed with American singer, Chuck Willis, that brought both producer and singer international acclaim. Guetta and Willis released the single "Just a Little More Love" in 2001, and saw the single quickly rise up the French and British Pop charts. Guetta kept producing hit dance singles throughout the decade and placed several more singles in the upper reaches of the Euro pop charts. It was with the track "Love is Gone," also featuring Willis, that Guetta broke into the US charts in 2007. Since then, David Guetta tour dates are quick to sell out and he has become one of the most sought after producers in pop music.

The 2009 release of One More Love, was what truly marked Guetta's entrance into the realms of superstardom. The album's first single, "When Love Takes Over," featuring Kelly Rowland, raced to the top of several international singles charts and won the 2010 Grammy for Best Dance Recording. Guetta's greatest success came when he produced the Black Eyed Peas' international dance hit, "I've Gotta Feeling," which remains the highest selling digital single of all time and earned Guetta a Grammy nod for Best Recording. One More Love also spawned the hits "Sexy Chick" and "Getting' Over You," and solidified Guetta's position as the world's premier DJ hit-maker. In support of One More Love, David Guetta tour dates have the house musician traveling across North America and Europe, spinning his beats at club venues and getting people on the floor. Don't miss out on the chance to experience Guetta's pulsating beats: keep yourself updated on the David Guetta tour dates using Eventful as your source.

Pretty Lights: Derek Vincent Smith, better known by his electronic DJ persona "Pretty Lights" has been an innovator in the progressive breaks movement since he released his first album "Taking Up Your Precious Time" in 2006. Pretty Lights tour dates are currently scheduled nationally throughout Summer, 2011. Known for his blending of atmosphere over banging hip-hop beats, Pretty Lights has been rockin' local clubs since his early days as a student at the University of Colorado - Boulder.

Pretty Lights quickly broke out onto the national scene by booking tour dates at famed festivals such as Bonnaroo and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Pretty Lights continues to tour and produce music, however, he is making waves in the industry for changing the way his fans access his music. Since January, 2011, Pretty Lights began releasing new music under his own Pretty Lights Music imprint for free online. While perfecting his electro-hip-hop blend in the studio, Pretty Lights concert dates are scheduled throughout 2011 ensuring that his fans get to experience his club thumping beats first hand. Feel the energy and experience the emotion of Pretty Lights, make sure you use Eventful as your source of information for upcoming Pretty Lights tour dates.

Laidback Luke: Luke is laid back about everything except music. Since landing a new entry – 46 – in DJ magazine's Top 100 DJs Poll of 2008, it's clear that Holland's homeboy is on fire like never before. It's why he was selected to ignite the Stealth Live! CD series with a near perfect club mix. Why he was snapped up for a weekly Friday show by French station Radio FG. Why his own party, Super You&Me, is such a winner. Why he is bustin' up bassbins from Australia to the Americas – and ripping up a storm working with everyone from Diplo to Tiësto. Yes, Luke's stratospheric success befits his world-beating talents and is reaching new levels of hotness in 2009! 2009 is Luke's craziest year yet. His collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia, 'Leave The World Behind', was an Essential New Tune on Pete Tong's Miami show – and, as of July 2009, is Beatport's best-selling track of the year. His Super You&Me party at club Louis during WMC was also an incredible success, starring some sick tag-team antics from Diplo & A-Trak before Luke closed the show. Plus, Luke & Diplo have produced a dancefloor slayer called 'Hey' on Southern Fried. This is supported by DJs like Kissy Sell Out, on his Radio 1 show, where Luke's track with Lee Mortimer, 'Blau', received airplay. Naturally, Luke's remix talents are equally in demand – just see Martin Solveig's 'Boys & Girls' and MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend's 'Heartbreaker'. To top it off, he has remixed David Guetta and traded remixes with Tiësto. Meanwhile, Luke's own killer track 'My G*O*D* (My Guns On Demo)' is scorching floors, and he's always testing new artillery on his travels. Touring in 2009 has seen Luke continue to blaze a trail from Australia to Ibiza, where he played for David Guetta's Fuck Me I'm Famous party at Pacha, and with Roger Sanchez for Release Yourself at Amnesia. Further marking his transition to major league status, this year has also seen him nominated for best House DJ in Ibiza's DJ Awards.

Luke (Luke van Scheppingen) was born in Manila, Philippines, but grew up in the Netherlands. He loved guitars, graffiti, hip-hop and house, and found a mentor in Dobre (Chocolate Puma). He was just a teenager when he began producing, taking the 'laid back' tag from Snoop Dogg's 'Gin & Juice'. Yet by 1995 he was putting out tracks and from 96 was remixing for established artists, in addition to DJing professionally. Once beating a Dutch DMC champ in battle, Luke showed the world how he rolls: skilfully fusing an array of flavours, edits, bootlegs and a cappellas into a slick signature style. He even released an album, Psyched U, in 1999. But it wasn't until Virgin signed 'Rocking With The Best' and released his 2002 album, Electronic Satisfaction, that his profile soared. Luke's Dance Valley anthem, 'We Can Not Get Enough', then blew up. He also mixed his first compilation, Windmill Skill. His discography was therefore already looking prolific as he remixed Daft Punk (who were a huge early influence), Murk, Oliver Lieb and Tom Stephan. And to up the output in 2004, he introduced his own label, Mixmash.

Luke's alliance with the Swedish House Mafia first came to fruition when he remixed 'Sexy F**k' for Steve Angello's Size in 2006, and with Angello produced 'Otherwize Then'. These marked the start of an annual tradition of making music with the Swedes. Thus in 2007 Luke joined forces with the guys for 'Get Dumb', while his other tracks exploded on Size and Stealth. He then revitalised Mixmash via 'Rocking With The Best 2007', before showcasing a deeper sound on his Afterdark Vol. 3 mix for Stealth alongside Roger Sanchez. Around this time, his new residency at Amsterdam club Paradiso – Super You&Me – also started poppin'.

In 2008 Luke released 5 tracks, 18 remixes and played almost 200 DJ sets – including his first Radio 1 Essential Mix. Another Mixmash smash, and one more Essential Tune, came from his working with Kanye West's tour DJ A-Trak for 'Shake It Down'. Others making the Essential grade included his remixes of Underworld and Chromeo. It was a year that also saw him make an enormous impact on Ibiza. After playing at Amnesia, Pacha and Eden, he produced/remixed every track on his Ibiza Closing Party mix for Mixmag. And he ended the year with 'Show Me Love', by Luke & Steve Angello featuring Robin S, which entered both the Buzz and Cool Cuts Charts, and even reached 11 in the UK's official singles chart.

DJing and producing relentlessly, and innovating musically like nobody else, more chart-busting, club-shaking times lie ahead for Luke. At this point, scrolling through his achievements may be exhausting enough, but imagine living that diary, my G*O*D*. His secret? Well, a clue is in the pure energy that he transmits and the martial arts that he practises. Yes, Luke has good 'kung fu', always keeping an ear to the ground while his music rockets skyward!

Above & Beyond: CONNECTION. If one word sums up the phenomenon of Above & Beyond then that is surely it. Whether it’s the thousands of A&B fans singing their lyrics back at them in concert halls from Beirut to Brixton, or the millions that tune in for their weekly radio show Group Therapy, connection – real human connection - is at the heart of all things that define Above & Beyond.

Much like acts like The Smiths or Joy Division before them, Above & Beyond find themselves embedded at the heart of their fan’s lives. Some walk down the wedding aisle to their songs, others ink their bodies with their lyrics, often a proud couple will choose to get engaged at one of their gigs. All that pledge their loyalty to them, are moved in a way that goes beyond most electronic music out there. Above & Beyond is Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamaki and their story is one of constant movement. From their early days as hotly tipped producers to their current global standing, Jono, Tony and Paavo have remained as down-to-earth and determined as ever – always focused on the next goal. Over their 11-year history, this dedication has continually paid off.

The only dance act in history to win the Essential Mix Of The Year twice (for both their 2004 and 2011 efforts), the London-based trio have remixed greats like Radiohead and Madonna, played to one million people on the Barra Beach in Rio de Janiero (New Year’s Eve in 2007) and even had their track “Buzz” chosen to soundtrack the launch of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo in the Mojave desert.
And as these landmarks rack up, the non-stop pulse of their global touring keeps them connected to their growing international fanbase. Each week brings another crowd, another country and often another continent, while their weekly TATW radio show now reaches over 30 million people worldwide. A band first and foremost, Above & Beyond are songwriters as much as they are DJs and their second album “Group Therapy” has taken their sound to new heights. The follow-up to 2006’s widely acclaimed debut “Tri-State”, the album draws on musical reference points as diverse as French cosmic pop heroes Air, American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley and soundtrack master Hans Zimmer. “We are always looking to explore new territory but try to operate in our own way rather than just trying to follow trends,” explains Jono. The combined result on “Group Therapy” was unmistakably Above & Beyond – a cohesive album that was described by Mixmag as “the artist album of the year”.

 At the heart of the album’s allure, of course, were songs of loves lost, confused and found; sung by the distinctive Richard Bedford and former Faithless singer/songwriter Zoë Johnston. “Songs have an impact which is quite unparalleled in art,” believes Tony. “Poetry can be powerful, great literature is another great informer and educator, but few of us can remember any significant words from the great books or poems we read. But something amazing happens when you put words to music.” Featuring two BBC Radio 1 playlisted singles (“Sun & Moon” and “Thing Called Love”) and a Sirius BPM Chart #1, the album’s many songs have connected in a way that so few dance tracks – vocal or otherwise – ever manage. “Since releasing our Group Therapy Album last year, it's brought us even closer to our audience around the world,” explains Paavo. “The one thing I didn't expect to happen on the scale it has, is how people from around the world have shared their stories with us as they go through amazingly positive or incredibly difficult times in their lives. It's really touched us all and feels like a driving force for new creativity.” In the months since its release, the intense atmosphere at Above & Beyond’s increasingly ambitious live performances has redrawn the parameters of the DJ set. While so many superstar DJs place themselves at the heart of their performance, Above & Beyond’s focus is always on getting closer to their crowd and making them part of the action. Whether that is by bringing fans up on stage to press the play button on their CDJs or communicating with the fans via their visual screens, the effect is to make everyone in the room feel like they are part of an experience that is at once epic, immersive and interactive. “Some time ago we realised that on the best nights we have it's always a three way thing: us, the music and the people, and we see improving the communication between all three as helping a good party turn incredible, “ explains Paavo. “The soundsystem, lights and visuals are all there to help people connect to the music, with each other and with us better. A Group Therapy experience, ideally, is positive, uniting and life-affirming for all involved.” Throughout this process, Above & Beyond have continued to release forward-thinking instrumental club music – such as their own tech-fused rollercoaster “Formula Rossa” – on their renowned Anjunabeats label. An essential part of their story, the label is now in its 11th year and has helped to nurture artists like the London-based innovator Mat Zo, the eclectic genius Andrew Bayer and Russian star Arty. Independently spirited but run with ambitious vision, the label has grown like a family.
“Dance music tends to be very short term, but we aim to release records that will leave a lasting impression on people and are listened to in years to come” explains Jono. “We try to operate in our own way rather than trying to follow trends.” Like just about everything they turn their attentions to, it is labour of love as well as a collaboration of the trio’s energies. 
De La Soul weren’t wrong. Three is the magic number. And in Above & Beyond’s case, the magic is spreading faster than ever before.

Andrew Bayer: ..

A-Trak: When I was 13 I took my bar mitzvah money and bought myself some turntables and a mixer. I practiced for about 18 hours a day. Then I came out of my basement, packed my lunch and won a bunch of world championships. Joy! I formed a DJ crew called the Allies with Craze and friends. We toured the world for a while... I guess I've been touring for the last 11 years. Time flies.

In the late 90's my brother and I ran an indie hip hop label called Audio Research. Most of you now know my brother as the mustachioed half of Chromeo. But I digress. In 2004 Kanye West hired me as his official tour DJ and I've worked closely with him ever since, both on stage and off. Then last year Nick Catchdubs and I founded a new record label: Fool's Gold, dedicated to bringing you the crème de la crop in club music. I also produced a bunch of tracks for Kid Sister and did a string of remixes for various gentlefolk. Expect some more A-Trak releases this year and I foresee an album in ze pipeline. Now let's boogie woogie.

HARDWELL: ..

..Let us introduce to you – Hardwell!....

At just 21 it’s fair to say he’s ‘been around’ if you take into consideration his achievements over the past 18 months. His passion for music, in particular his love of all things house, has helped this multi-talented producer climb his way to the top. Hardwell’s overall talent is recognised by the dance music industry as a new, exciting and refreshing take on a scene that continues to evolve and with an apparent everlasting shelf life!....

“Guess What”, a recent co-production with Chuckie, is likely to be one of the most played underground house records of the past two years, his “Show Me Love vs. Be” bootleg of Steve Angello and Laidback Luke’s track was one of the biggest dance hits of last year and “MRKRSTFT” has been included in almost all of the house compilations of 2008. ....

On top of this pronounced success stories, Hardwell has also topped the leading Dutch chart ‘Dance-Tunes.com’ a grand total of 6 times in the past 12 months. He has also taken up remix duties for artists such as Chris Lake, Funkerman, Laidback Luke, Sharam (Deep Dish), Steve Angello, Booty Luv and Hi_Tack amongst others…need we go on?....

Hardwell's series of "Eclectic Beatz" belong to the best selling mix albums of the last few years.....

Behind the decks Hardwell never fails to deliver, his exceptional technical skills, variety of music and that added personal touch make him stand out, and he’s ready to bring this to the masses. ....

There’s a new kid on the block, and he’s here to stay.....

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