Electronic music pioneer Sven Väth has never been afraid to speak his mind, and his recent remarks strike right at the heart of today’s DJ culture. In his words:
“It comes as no surprise that today’s DJ stages resemble more and more a Rock’n’Roll arena: fireworks, explosions, pyrotechnics – the full glitter package. Of course, it’s perfect fodder for social media stories, for the endless stream of self-promotion. Yet the music itself is increasingly pushed to the background.”
From Club Culture to Arena Shows
Väth highlights a transformation that many fans have noticed: the rise of the DJ as a stadium entertainer. Massive LED walls, fire cannons, and endless confetti showers dominate festival stages. These spectacles are tailor-made for Instagram stories and TikTok clips, feeding the cycle of self-promotion that has become inseparable from modern nightlife.
But as Väth points out, there’s a cost. The essence of DJing—the music itself—is too often pushed aside. The booth becomes less a place of artistic expression and more a stage for ego-driven performance. DJs are celebrated not just for their tracks, but for how many fireworks explode behind them.
The Exceptions That Keep the Spirit Alive
Still, Väth insists that hope remains. There are artists who resist the pressure to dazzle with gimmicks, instead focusing on the craft of selection, flow, and atmosphere. These DJs seduce the crowd without cheap tricks, proving that charisma can come from sound alone.
In Väth’s view, this is the “sexy” side of performance: a DJ who commands attention with music, not pyrotechnics.
What Do We Really Want From Electronic Music?
The veteran DJ’s critique opens up a vital conversation: should electronic music be about spectacle, or about sound? For some, the visual fireworks are part of the fun. For others, the true magic still lies in the darkened club, where the only glitter comes from the rhythm and flow of the night.
At a time when social media shapes almost everything, Sven Väth’s words are a reminder that the core of electronic music culture has always been—and should remain—the music.
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