A survey of post-pandemic nightlife, with Shawn Reynaldo
Oct 5, 2023
auto_awesome
"A survey of post-pandemic nightlife" with Shawn Reynaldo, creator of the popular First Floor newsletter and author of a recent book on the evolving nature of electronic music culture. They discuss the impact of social media platforms on club culture, the rise of DJ-as-influencer, the decline of musical gatekeepers, and the legacy of Red Bull Music Academy. The conversation also explores the changes in DJ culture, the role of physical spaces, and the absence of choice in post-pandemic nightlife.
The rise of technology and social media has influenced the behavior of DJs, who now need to maintain a strong online presence to succeed in post-pandemic nightlife.
Platforms like Instagram and Boiler Room have reshaped the way electronic music is discovered and consumed, emphasizing appearances, fashion, and visual spectacle.
The decline of traditional gatekeepers and the rise of algorithm-driven platforms have made it harder to discover new and diverse music, limiting exposure for independent artists and stifling funding for music culture.
Deep dives
Changes in Nightlife Post-Pandemic
Post-pandemic nightlife has seen a return to packed venues and intense energy. However, the presence of large crowds has led to some awkward behaviors and a shift in the way people act in nightlife contexts. The rise of technology and social media has also influenced the behavior of DJs, who now need to maintain a strong online presence to succeed. Overall, the culture of nightlife has become more intense and visually focused, with the concepts of escapism and presence taking on new meanings.
The Influence of Platforms Like Instagram and Boiler Room
Platforms like Instagram and Boiler Room have reshaped the way electronic music is discovered and consumed. Instagram's visual nature prioritizes appearances and fashion, while Boiler Room's live streams emphasize spectacle. These platforms have influenced the role of DJs, who are now expected to be influencers in addition to being skilled selectors. The focus on visual mediums has led to a shift in the club experience, with shorter, high-energy sets and the inclusion of familiar pop songs to cater to audience expectations.
The Role of Gatekeepers and Technology
The decline of traditional gatekeepers, such as magazines, combined with algorithm-driven platforms has had a significant impact on electronic music culture. The rise of technology and streaming has made it easier for artists to gain exposure but has also led to a saturation of content, making it harder to discover new and diverse music. The emphasis on familiarity and popularity in algorithms has limited the exposure of artists with lower ceilings and stifled the funding of independent music culture.
The Evolution of Electronic Music Culture
Electronic music culture has shifted from its futurist origins to a more nostalgic and recycled state. The focus on past eras and sounds has resulted in a loss of the genre's original emphasis on the future. The culture has become more accessible, but has also become more superficial, with a greater focus on appearances, spectacle, and the role of influencers. The physical space of clubs and the communal experience they once provided have been devalued in favor of online interactions and consumer-driven preferences.
The Legacy of Red Bull Music Academy
The Red Bull Music Academy was an unconventional brand activation that funded high-quality music journalism and events. Despite being associated with an energy drink company, it allowed for creative freedom, resulting in respected work and collaborations with underground and electronic music figures. Its legacy is twofold: it created opportunities for artists and journalists to work on well-funded projects and exposed a void in the industry for deep-dive journalism and niche events that has yet to be filled by other brands or publications.
The Future of Electronic Music and Pop Influences
While aesthetically unappealing to some, the rising incorporation of pop music in electronic music culture is intriguing on an intellectual level. The younger generation embraces pop influences without the hang-ups of previous generations, allowing for more artistic freedom and experimentation. This fusion of ideas from different genres and eras can lead to innovative styles and push the culture forward. Despite the current superficiality associated with mainstream pop, there is hope for more interesting developments in the future that will incorporate pop elements while shaping a new direction for electronic music.
This week, our regular programming resumes with a survey of the state of post-pandemic nightlife, from ubiquitous Britney Spears remixes to artists griping that DJing is “embarrassing” now. Joined by Shawn Reynaldo, creator of the popular First Floor newsletter and author of a recent book of essays on the evolving nature of electronic music culture and the industry that surrounds it, Emilie and Andrea return to their music-writing roots to explore why going out feels weirdly different than it did in the before times — and the strange and subtle ways that our offline experience of electronic music is being shaped by the ways we discover and consume it on the internet.
We discuss how platforms like Instagram and Boiler Room are reshaping what club culture looks and sounds like, the rise of the DJ-as-influencer, and why the decline of the so-called “musical gatekeeper” might have actually been a bad thing for music. Finally, we try to parse the legacy of Red Bull Music Academy, the long-running electronic music incubator and publication that cemented the energy drink company as a weirdly generous patron of the arts, and also happens to be where Emilie and Shawn first met.
