Why Do Techno Parties Increasingly Choose Rawstyle as the Closing Act?
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Introduction
More and more often we see techno festivals closing their evenings with an unexpected twist: Rawstyle closing sets. This is a trend we already know from the harder styles scene, where Rawstyle parties often end with even harder genres such as uptempo. But why do people now also choose these hard closing sets at techno parties, where normally the evening ends with a quieter vibe?
The powerful energy of Rawstyle creates a climax that techno fans increasingly appreciate after a long night of deep, repetitive beats. This is very similar to what we see in the harder styles, where audiences like to close with increasingly heavy music. In this blog, we explore this crossover between techno and Rawstyle, why it’s so popular, and which festivals and DJs are embracing this trend. We also provide tips for those who love these hard closings, and for those who prefer to stick to pure techno.
1. The Rise of Rawstyle and Harder Endings in Techno
In the world of EDM (Electronic Dance Music) we see a clear trend: the need for increasingly harder and more intense music is growing. This pattern is already clearly visible in the rawstyle scene, where artists often end with even faster and heavier genres such as uptempo. Rawstyle DJs increasingly reach for uptempo to give the audience an ultimate energy boost at the end of their sets. We see this at major events such as Supremacy, where almost every Rawstyle act ends their set with uptempo to end the evening spectacularly.
This need for harder closings is also reflected in the increasing collaborations between Rawstyle and uptempo artists. Think of tracks like Get Rich by Dual Damage and Lunakorpz, or Life's a Bitch by Rejecta and Spitnoise, which show how Rawstyle increasingly merges with uptempo to create an unprecedented climax. This trend highlights how the demand for more intense closings continues to excite the audience and add a new dimension to the festival experience.
The trend towards harder closings is now also spreading to the techno scene. More and more techno DJs are responding to the demand for more energy by adding rawer, harder elements to their sets. This has led to the rise of Rawstyle closings at techno parties, which at first seemed unusual in a genre that usually ends with subdued beats. DJs like I Hate Models and Dax J are increasingly embracing this crossover by closing their sets with more intense sounds.
In addition, techno DJs are increasingly collaborating with Rawstyle artists, such as Basswell, who is known for his mix of hard techno and Rawstyle. These collaborations reinforce the crossover, and we now see techno DJs performing more often at Rawstyle events. A typical example of this is the rise of the lung-clap dance, which is often seen at techno parties, something that was originally a characteristic of Rawstyle events. This highlights how the boundaries between genres are increasingly blurring.
This development has made Rawstyle a logical choice to close techno parties, where the demand for intensity and energy in both scenes comes together. The audience craves a strong climax, and Rawstyle delivers just that.
2. Why Rawstyle is Suitable for Closing Sets and DJs Who Embrace It
Rawstyle is becoming an increasingly popular choice for closing sets at techno parties, mainly because of the intensity and energy it brings. Where techno often ends with hypnotic, minimalist beats, Rawstyle offers that hard, raw ending that techno fans increasingly appreciate. Rawstyle’s heavy kicks and high BPM create an exhilarating climax that takes techno parties to a higher energy level, something that is usually missing from regular techno closings. DJs like I Hate Models, Dax J, and Fantasm have embraced this crossover and are increasingly adding harder elements to their sets.
An important factor is the growing overlap in audience preferences. Many techno lovers are also fans of harder styles such as Rawstyle and uptempo, which makes the switch to harder closings logical. After a long night of dancing, the audience often does not want to end quietly, but rather to get rid of all their energy one more time. This crossover between techno and Rawstyle is further strengthened by collaborations between artists from both genres. Basswell , for example, is known for his mix of hard techno and Rawstyle, which perfectly matches the need for intensity at both techno and Rawstyle events.
3. Techno at Rawstyle Events and Rawstyle at Techno Parties
The line between genres is becoming increasingly blurred, which we also see at festivals. More and more often we see a techno stage at large Rawstyle events such as Decibel Outdoor and Intents Festival. This shows how the harder techno sound and Rawstyle seamlessly merge, with artists performing at both techno and Rawstyle events. For example, Fantasm, a techno DJ, recently performed on the Gearbox Hot Pursuit indoor Rawstyle line-up. These types of bookings show that techno and Rawstyle are increasingly going hand in hand, with the energy and raw sound taking center stage.
Conversely, we also see techno DJs on the line-ups of Rawstyle events, which further strengthens this crossover. Vault Sessions and Intercell, two major techno parties, increasingly have a closing act that incorporates raw influences from Rawstyle or hard techno. This trend ties in with the broader need in the EDM world for harder, energetic closing acts, where the boundaries between genres are increasingly blurred.
These changes have made Rawstyle a natural choice for closing techno parties, while at the same time techno is finding its place at harder styles events. A large part of the audience appreciates this new energy, and artists are responding by closing their sets with more intense, raw sounds that perfectly match the growing demand for a climax that ends the night spectacularly.
4. Options for Both Sides: For and Against Rawstyle Closings
Rawstyle closings at techno parties draw mixed reactions. For some visitors, these closings provide an energy boost, while others prefer to stick to pure techno without the hard influences of Rawstyle. Here we offer options for both camps.
Advocates of Rawstyle Closings
For fans of Rawstyle and hard closings, the combination of techno and Rawstyle is perfect. After hours of deep beats, they are looking for an exciting climax full of energy. The intense kicks and raw sounds of Rawstyle give them the chance to close the night with maximum intensity.
- Why is it so appealing? The power, the raw sound, and the opportunity to let loose one more time.
- Festivals that offer Rawstyle closings:
- Intercell and Vault Sessions are known for their hard techno with influences from Rawstyle in the closing sets.
- Awakenings and Dour Festival regularly experiment with harder, raw closing acts.
- Decibel Outdoor and Intents Festival offer techno stages, but often close with Rawstyle or uptempo acts for that extra energy boost.
- Verknipt and Rotterdam Rave are also festivals where harder closings with Rawstyle or uptempo are increasingly common.
For those who are not fans of Rawstyle Closings
On the other hand, there are festival goers who prefer to end the night with a subtle, deep techno set without the transition to harder genres. For them, there are festivals that stay true to their pure techno vibe, without Rawstyle influences.
- Why attractive? These closers are calmer, more melodic, and stay true to the core of techno.
- Festivals that stay true to techno:
- Dekmantel, Time Warp, and DGTL are well-known examples of events that stick to pure techno from start to finish.
- Loveland and Sonar Festival offer deep, hypnotic sets without the harder closing acts that Rawstyle fans crave.
- Junction 2 and Kappa FuturFestival also remain completely within the techno spectrum, without forays into uptempo or Rawstyle.
For an overview of all upcoming festivals, check out the Ravefit Techno Festival Calendar . If you're new to the festival world, check out our blog about the Top 10 Hard Techno Festivals for Beginners to get a good start.
Closure
The rise of Rawstyle closings at techno parties reflects a broader trend in the EDM world: the growing demand for harder, more energetic closings. Similar to the harder styles scene, where parties are often closed with genres like uptempo, more and more techno parties are looking for an explosive climax to end the night. This crossover between techno and Rawstyle seems to appeal to both techno and Rawstyle fans, indicating that the boundaries between these genres are becoming increasingly blurred.
But will this trend last? Will Rawstyle closings become a permanent fixture at techno parties, or will they remain a niche within the wider techno scene? While there are more and more festivals embracing this crossover, such as Intercell, Vault Sessions, and Decibel Outdoor, there is also a large audience that clings to the pure, minimalist closings that techno is known for.
We're curious to hear what you think! Do you like the hard closings that Rawstyle brings with it, or do you prefer a more subdued end to a techno event? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what your favorite closing is!