Everyone should already know that spinning the decks is one of the most lucrative of musical careers, as demonstrated by Forbes’ list of the year’s highest paid DJs, but who is actually the best at it?
Well, according to the latest results of a huge ongoing poll, the electronic elite most likely hail from Europe and simply love touring Australia.
For its 20th year running, DJ Mag has published the results of its annual Top 100 DJs poll, as Billboard reports, putting the vote to its discerning EDM readership and the general public to decide on the coveted clubbing and electronic music title, with some interesting results.
Topping the bill is 25-year-old Robbert van de Corput, better known by his stage name Hardwell, the Dutch progressive and electro-house rising star beating out countryman Armin Van Buuren to the #1 spot.
Not only did Hardwell claim victory over Buuren – a five-time winner of the DJ Mag poll – but he’s the youngest ever winner of the competition, presented with the award at this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event by legendary producer and Daft Punk collaborator, Giorgio Moroder.
Interestingly, the poll-topping Hardwell is just one of many featured on the DJ Mag list that are heading to Australia to perform in the near future. In fact, of the Top 25 DJs voted in, 17 of them are headed Down Under in the next six months.
Trance specialist Armin Van Buuren may play second fiddle on the Top 100 list, but he’s on the top of the bill for the forthcoming Stereosonic 2013 lineup, playing alongside a number of artists on DJ Mag‘s poll, including Frenchman David Guetta (#5), Dutch producer Nicky Romero (#7), Dutchman Afrojack (#9), Sweden’s Alesso (#13), Netherlands duo W&W (#14), Scottish star Calvin Harris (#15), UK’s Above & Beyond (#17), Swedes Sebastian Ingrosso (#18) and Axwell (#19), plus Egyptian twosome Aly & Fila (#20), and Zedd (#24).
The huge 2013 bill, which includes more than 300+ local and international acts, means Stereosonic is expanding to two days for the first time ever for this year’s edition, which has come as little solace to the stuffy local council and residents of Claremont in Perth, who are concerned the festival’s patrons – which it previously labelled the “worst ever” – would rather squat than book accommodation for the two-day event. Additionally, Warped Tour promoter AJ Maddah was equally disparaging about Stereosonic punters when relocating the punk and hardcore festival to avoid a clash with the electronic dance music event.
More of the DJ Mag–polled elite are headed to Australia as part of the Future Music Festival 2014 lineup, which has ensnared a selection of the highly acclaimed contingent, including headliner Deadmau5 (#12), German trance producer Markus Schulz (#21), and Australia’s own Knife Party.
Meanwhile, dubstep kingpin Skrillex – who slips just out of his Top 10 position to #11 from last year’s poll – is jetting to Australia for New Year’s to headline Beachlife, the new music festival on Surfer’s Paradise touted to replace Summafieldayze, as well as Bondi’s Shore Thing NYE.
Top 25 DJs
According to DJ Mag Top 100 Poll
1 – Hardwell (Future)
2 – Armin Van Buuren (Stereosonic)
3 – Avicii
4 – Tiesto
5 – David Guetta (Stereosonic)
6 – Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
7 – Nicky Romero (Stereosonic)
8 – Steve Aoki
9 – Afrojack (Stereosonic)
10 – Dash Berlin
11 – Skrillex (Beachlife/Shore Thing)
12 – Deadmau5 (Future)
13 – Alesso (Stereosonic)
14 – W&W (Stereosonic)
15 – Calvin Harris (Stereosonic)
16 – Nervo
17 – Above & Beyond (Stereosonic)
18 – Sebastian Ingrosso (Stereosonic)
19 – Axwell (Stereosonic)
20 – Aly & Fila (Stereosonic)
21 – Markus Schulz (Future)
22 – Daft Punk
23 – Headhunterz
24 – Zedd (Stereosonic)
25 – Knife Party (Future)
Stereosonic 2013 Dates & Tickets
Sydney: Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December – Sydney Showgrounds
Perth: Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December – Claremont Showgrounds
Adelaide: Friday 6th December & Saturday 7th December – Adelaide Showgrounds
Melbourne: Saturday 7th December & Sunday 8th December – Royal Melbourne Showgrounds
Brisbane: Saturday 7th December & Sunday 8th December – RNA Showgrounds
Two-day pass – $199.95 + bf. Tickets and info at: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/stereosonic
Future Music Festival 2014 Dates & Tickets
Saturday 1 March Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds **NEW VENUE**
Sunday 2 March Perth, Arena Joondalup
Saturday 8 March Sydney, Royal Randwick Racecourse **MAJOR RENOVATIONS**
Sunday 9 March Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Monday 10 March Adelaide, Adelaide Showgrounds **NEW VENUE**
For tickets and info head to: www.futuremusicfestival.com.au
