Beatport Connect: Three Themes Shaping the Future of Electronic Music

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to buy the ticket, book the flight, and show up. That’s what I did when I flew from Miami to Los Angeles for Beatport’s first Connect conference. It was a day filled with conversations on authenticity, technology, and community in the world of dance music.

As I filled my journal with wisdom from panels featuring Dillon Francis, Francis Mercier, INFAMOUS PR, Wasserman, Insomniac Records, and more, three themes emerged that every artist, manager, and fan should pay attention to.

1. Authenticity is the New Currency

The conversation on “Breaking Through in the Attention Economy” set the tone: in an era where 15 seconds of virality can make or break a career, the real path to longevity is authenticity. Fans want to connect with who you are beyond the music: your story, your quirks, your passions.

Dillon Francis joked, “Everyone’s starting a run club, so I started a walk club.” The message? Stand out by being yourself.

Francis Mercier echoed the same idea in his closing session: artist development should start early, with a focus on building an authentic brand and finding what makes you unique. From there, the right team, people who are genuine fans themselves, can help you scale. His advice to young DJs was simple but powerful: “Own who you are and be daring.”

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the throughline of a sustainable career.

2. Technology Can Amplify, Not Replace

Panels on both AI and streaming pointed to a similar conclusion: technology is a tool, not the artist.

In “AI & Creativity,” 65% of attendees said they were optimistic about AI. The consensus? Use it to enhance workflows and streamline processes but never let it replace the human connection that fans crave. Copyright and ownership questions still loom, but one thing is clear: music is about soul, not code.

The “From Streams to Stages” discussion made the same point. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are invaluable for testing new tracks, tracking fan reactions, and finding your superfans. But metrics alone don’t tell the whole story. The best records take time to build.

A practical takeaway: release music on a six-week cadence, but don’t reduce your art to data points. Consistency and patience matter as much as strategy.

3. Community is the Heartbeat

Whether talking about the future of EDM, nightlife, or live experiences, one message kept surfacing: community is everything.

Panelists noted that EDM is more global than ever, with growth strongest in underground spaces: warehouse parties, after-hours raves, and intimate club nights. Fans are drinking less, wellness is on the rise, and dance music is finding new intersections with fitness and lifestyle. The focus is shifting from profit to experience.

The “Nightlife, Identity & Safe Spaces” panel drove this home beautifully. The dance floor, they reminded us, is a space of empowerment and universal acceptance, a melting pot, where people can fully express themselves. The goal is simple yet profound: to bring everyone together under one disco ball.

Francis Mercier also emphasized community in his own way. He spoke about building relationships with fans through dinners, sightseeing, and small gestures like messages after shows: “A little message can go a long way.”

Final Reflection

By the end of Beatport Connect, my notebook was full but my biggest takeaway could be summed up in one sentence: authenticity, technology, and community are the three pillars shaping the future of electronic music.

For me, it was more than just a conference. It was a reminder that while the industry evolves globally and technologically, the heart of dance music remains deeply personal. It lives in the fans who show up, the artists who dare to be themselves, and the communities we build together on and off the dance floor.