10 DJs worth seeing live

Kris Adams

Image from an EDM Event where DJs are performing.

By Kris Adams, Staff Writer
October 3, 2016

DJs  are the new rock stars of the world. Electronic Dance Music grew from being an underground club-like form of music to becoming a billion dollar industry. DJs are taking over mainstages at huge festivals, topping charts, and selling out iconic arenas. Here are ten DJs or DJ-groups one must see in concert:

  1. Oliver Heldens

His debut-single “Gecko,” inspired a whole new house-genre called future house and led to tremendous support from the very top DJ’s of the world. Ever since the release, he followed up with singles such as “Koala, “Shades of Grey” and “The Right Song,” which all have proved that the 21-year-old Dutch DJ is going to stay on top for years to come.

  1. Axwell /\ Ingrosso

This Swedish duo established themselves very early on as top DJ’s, formerly being two-thirds of the group “Swedish House Mafia,” which was behind hits such as “Don’t You Worry Child,” “Who’s Gonna Save The World” and “One” With Pharrell. The group decided to split their ways after years of success, but later on Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso found their way back together and once again raided the EDM-world with songs like “Sun Is Shining” and “On My Way.”

  1.   David Guetta

The French DJ is one of the most recognized artists we know today. With collaborations with artists such as Sia, Kelly Rowland and Rihanna, he became one of the first to bring mainstream artists into the EDM-industry. In addition, he is behind countless of smashing hits like “Titanium,” “Bad,” Sweat,” and “This One’s For You.”

  1.  Dillon Francis

Crowned the “King of Moombahton,” Dillon Francis gained popularity very fast with a promising genre that somehow faded away. Although Moombahton fell into the shadows, Dillon Francis continued to rise and develop into an EDM star. Blending electro house with bass-driven Trap and groovy Moombahton vibes, his tracks “Masta Blasta,” “Get Low” and numerous remixes are festival favorites on mainstages around the world.

  1. Laidback Luke

Not famous for any big hits, but one of the most skilled DJs out there, Laidback Luke has pioneered the DJ industry for more than a decade with his excellent skills. Playing mainly electro house, the Dutch DJ performs all over the world at both clubs and festivals. Rather than playing his latest song as others would do, he chooses to read the audience and give it what they want or needs to get hyped, a key-ability a world class DJ must have.

  1. Hardwell

Hardwell topped the DJ Mag Top 100 two years in a row in 2013 and 2014. It is for good reason as his combination of huge tracks and solid sets have placed him among the best of the best. Breaking through with his single “Spaceman” and the vocal version “Call Me A Spaceman,” Hardwell has headlined festivals all over the world.

  1. Martin Garrix

Breaking through at the age of 16, Martin Garrix has topped headlines all over the world and is still is not of the legal age for drinking alcohol in the United States. With huge tracks like “Animals,” “Wizard” and more recently “Don’t Look Down” featuring Usher, the young Dutch DJ is slowly but surely taking over the world. At such a young age, with so much success, he will be surely around for decades to come.

  1. Skrillex

From Los Angeles, Sonny Moore blew away the minds of his fans with dirty, monstrous and wobbling basslines. Starting as a singer in a rock band, Skrillex later became one of the most iconic artists of EDM. His sets are bass driven, rhythmic, extremely energetic and most definitely worth to see live.

  1. Major Lazer

With hit-making producer Diplo as the protégé of this trio, the group started out as five members meeting in Jamaica, mainly producing dancehall and reggae tracks. Major Lazer gained popularity rapidly and broke through with the track “Bumaye (Watch Out For This)” in 2013. Following up with tracks like “Bubble Butt,” “Get Free,” and others it would make it into the mainstream industry. The most successful track yet “Lean On” has more than 1 billion views on Youtube. Although their numbers speak for themselves, the live performance is a one-of-a-kind show where all genres get mixed in together and create a show that must be experienced.

  1. Tiesto

The man, the legend. Tiesto started off in a local club in the Netherlands. For about two decades, Tiesto has reinvented himself from being a classic Trance DJ to becoming a part of the best House DJ’s. His experience in the booth and on stage is unlike any others. With legendary songs like “Forbidden Paradise” and radio favorites like “Red Lights,” Tiesto is a DJ all EDM-lovers must see live.