Techno music has quickly risen in popularity through radio play, concerts and raves throughout Baton Rouge.
Electronica music website Synthopia defines techno as pure electronic music, originally designed for dances, that combines the sound of classic German electronica with an American urban feel. It originated in Detroit in the ’80s, but its popularity was short-lived until now.
Now, techno’s comeback can be seen throughout the Baton Rouge area in bars and concert halls that hold techno-themed events.
Techno group Archnemesis and Baton Rouge natives High Top Kicks played at the Varsity Theatre this past Friday. Baton Rouge resident Christopher Howeth attended the show and described it as “insane.”
Howeth said he had not previously known of either band, but he attended the concert because of his interest in the genre.
“Techno music is great because unlike all other music you don’t just hear it, but you can feel it with the bass and the fast beats, and you can see it with the LED lights,” Howeth said. “You can’t get that with any other genre.”
Reggie’s Bar in Tigerland now holds “Techno Tuesdays” each week with no cover charge. Danny Marx, geography freshman, said the venue plays “sick” techno music throughout the night and have LED light shows that go along with the music.
“I’m glad to see the rise of techno in Baton Rouge,” Marx said. “Holding techno events is a great way to attract college students.”
Techno is not only growing in Baton Rouge, however. Zak Goossens, business freshman, said techno is even larger back in his hometown, Chicago.
“Back home, techno is huge and has been for a few years,” Goossens said. “Me and my friends often went to raves or just threw lights at parties.”
The genre is sweeping the nation, with songs like “Hold it Against Me,” “Bass Down Low,” “Stereo Love” and others hitting the Billboard charts.
Techno artists like Deadmau5, David Guetta, DJ Tiesto and Basshunter are also raking in recordbreaking album and concert ticket sales.
DJ Tiesto, one of the largest techno disc jockeys in America and Europe, will play at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans on March 7.
Techno music’s growth doesn’t seem as if it has reached its peak in Baton Rouge, Marx said, with many upcoming local events yet to come.
 
 
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Contact Devon Walsh at [email protected]