Golden Era EDM throwback mix featuring classic dance music tracks from 2011-2014
Every genre of music has its defining era – a time when it takes a quantum leap from being a subculture to mainstream, resonating with a universal audience. For Electronic Dance Music (EDM), this defining period came to be known as the Golden Era from 2011 to 2014. A time when EDM dominated the airwaves, captivated the global youth and permanently etched itself into the fabric of popular culture.
With the advent of the second decade of the 21st century, the world witnessed a musical revolution, as EDM artists skyrocketed into mainstream prominence. Icons such as Avicii, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, Eric Prydz, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, Deadmau5, and many others not only redefined the dance music landscape but became pop culture phenomena.
Their tracks, each an anthem in its own right, resonated with a generation seeking unity and liberation. These beats pumped life into nightclubs, brought euphoria to festival grounds, and fostered a sense of belonging in shared exhilaration. Such was the impact of this era that these artists’ tracks are still reminiscent of youthful nostalgia and emblematic of the invincibility of EDM.
2011 marked a turning point for EDM in America as the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) shifted from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. This move transformed Vegas into the global EDM capital. It also sparked a wave of opulent nightclubs like Marquee, XS, Hakkasan, and Omnia, which provided world-class platforms for EDM artists to showcase their talent and created the perfect backdrop for this electronic renaissance.
The Golden Era was also characterized by the blossoming of EDM sub-genres, with progressive house, dubstep, and trap music becoming popular amongst fans. Artists became more experimental with their sound, blending traditional music elements with electronic beats, resulting in the creation of unique and lasting soundscapes.
It was during this time that EDM’s influence began to permeate into pop music. Collaborations between EDM and pop artists became common, giving birth to chart-topping hits that brought together fans of both genres. Notable examples include Calvin Harris’s work with Rihanna, David Guetta’s collaboration with Sia, and Swedish House Mafia’s union with John Martin. These collaborations were not only commercially successful but also played a pivotal role in elevating the popularity of EDM.
The Golden Era of EDM was a period of growth, experimentation, and mainstream acceptance for the genre. It was a time when EDM shed its underground roots to enter mainstream consciousness, driven by a new generation of innovative artists and a world ready to embrace the electronic revolution. This era ignited a flame that continues to burn brightly in the hearts of dance music fans worldwide, forever marking its indelible impact on the musical timeline.
My friends and I fondly remember the uplifting anthems and electrifying nights from a decade ago. A good friend of mine, Austin Carr, recently requested I curate a throwback podcast mix featuring hits from this Golden Era. His request was not only to satiate his nostalgia but also to recreate the vibes from the memorable days and nights at venues like the Jones Pool and Hotel Nightclub back in 2012 in Kansas City.
Some of my favorite songs of all time came from this Golden Era of EDM. The uplifting, euphoric anthems created a shared experience for everyone on the dance floor. This Golden Era of EDM podcast mix strives to encapsulate the essence of this transformative period in EDM history. The selection features tracks that evoked the feeling of unity and shared excitement that only this genre can offer. The goal is not just to provide a musical journey back in time, but also to create a nostalgic experience that stimulates your senses and transports you back to those magical nights.
Familiar tunes reverberate through this mix – tracks that not only defined this period but also changed the face of EDM forever. You’ll encounter the captivating melodies of Avicii, the energizing beats of Swedish House Mafia, the captivating progressions of Alesso, the hypnotic rhythms of Eric Prydz, the dynamic compositions of Calvin Harris, the immersive tunes of Kaskade, the innovative sounds of Deadmau5, the pop crossovers of David Guetta, and many others. Every beat, vocal, and melody promises to reignite the cherished memories woven into the fabric of this Golden Era.
This mix isn’t just about the songs themselves, but the powerful nostalgia they evoke. These tracks provided the soundtrack to some unforgettable memories during those amazing years. With the release of this mix, I hope to remind you of the joy, freedom, and unity that the Golden Era of EDM gifted us.
So, as the afternoon skies embrace the evening, turn up the volume, close your eyes, and let the music take you on a journey back to one of the most exciting eras in EDM history. Enjoy the ride!
Full track list:
- Dirty South & Alesso (feat. Ruben Haze) – City of Dreams
- Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso & Ryan Tedder – The Calling
- Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn – Till Tonight X David Guetta feat. Avicii – Sunshine
- Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch – Sweet Nothing
- David Guetta feat. Sia – Titanium
- Zedd feat. Foxes – Clarity (Tiesto remix X original mix)
- Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Gregory Kay – In My Mind X Sick Individuals – Skyline
- Afrojack & Shermanology vs. Anger Dimas & Bassjackers – Can’t Stop Me RIA (Hardwell Mashup)
- Afrojack feat. Eva Simmons – Take Over Control
- Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette – Hello
- Calvin Harris feat. Ayah Marar – Thinking About You
- Eric Prydz – Every Day
- Pryda – 2Night X Oasis – Wonderwall
- Otto Knows – Million Voices X Coldplay – Fix You
- Nadio Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji – Pressure (Alesso remix)
- One Republic – If I Lose Myself (Alesso Remix)
- Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child X Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South remix)
- Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B remix)
- Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
- Kaskade vs. Sebastian Ingrosso & Tommy Trash – Eyes Reloaded (Kaskade mash-up)
- Steve Aoki & Wynter Gordon – Ladi Dadi (Tommy Trash remix)
- Tim Berg – Seek Bromance
- Lana Del Rey – Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais remix)
- Sultan & Ned Shepard feat. Quilla – Walls
- Edward Maya feat. Vika Jiggling – Stereo Love (Molella remix)
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (A-Trak remix) (Club edit)
- Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello & Laidback Luke – Leave the World Behind
- Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone (Deadmau5 remix)
- Kaskade – 4AM (Adam K & Soha mix)