O que dizer sobre 2017?
Foi possivelmente um dos anos mais interessantes da Dance Music. Com muita diversidade, qualidade e até inovação. Grandes festivais internacionais produziram cartazes excepcionais, cheios de diversidade, talento e qualidade. Vimos sets incríveis, vimos novas festas, novos conceitos, álbuns que certamente serão dos melhores nas próximas décadas.
Em Portugal, os festivais produziram a melhor formação para as datas, novos festivais nasceram, como Leiria Dance Floor, Open Air Wipeout e outros como The BPM Festival fizeram de Portugal a sua nova casa. Novas discotecas, novos artistas e, acima de tudo, a cultura da musica eletrónica cada vez mais forte, que se aproxima lentamente para ser uma das mais fortes.
Isto não é um prémio, é apenas uma maneira simples de reconhecer aqueles que fizeram algo incrível este ano e merecem ser reconhecidos.
Então, o que dizer sobre 2017 Existem apenas palavras. No entanto, uma coisa é certa de que 2018 será ainda melhor.
- Pete K – Releasing various tracks under Release and ZeroThree Records, he is now one of the best diamonds Portugal has on offer.
- Holly – For such a young producer, almost unknown in Portugal, Holly found success and a home oversees. Today he is one of the most international DJ & Producers on offer, and soon one of the best in Portugal (If not already!)
- DJ Ride – Does not need introductions, if we look at DJing there just ins’t anyone who comes even close to this guy. DJ Ride has been a wolrd champion alongside Stereossauro.
- Kura – After long years of being unnoticed, today is regarded as one of the best producers in Portugal. Kura has produced with Hardwell in various occasions and it is without a doubt one of the key players in Revealed Records.
- Lick Vilamoura – The Algarve’s club arrived and took everyone by storm with a summer lineup that you only get to see in Ibiza.
- Brunch #9 – What a party ladies and gentleman, the festival in it’s self is already amazing and worthy of an award. However, Brunch #9 with Kölsch, Michael Mayer and more was superb. Hats off.
- RFM Somnii – There is no arguing that RFM Somnii are the most stable and reliable Dance Music festival in Portugal. Producing great quality events and regular lineups without repeating names. The weekend is more special due to the location and after parties.
- Neopop – Well, when you give us regular parties with high quality such as Solomun, Paco Osuna, host a stage at The BPM Festival and have your own Festival with the quality that it does, you will win this category.
- Cristoph – One of the most solid young producers out there. Supported by Eric Prydz, Cristoph took his changes and achieved excellence.
- Armin Van Buuren – There isn’t much to say, Armin is reliable, consistent and a legend in Trance. Can’t get much better than Armin.
- Kölsch – Kölsch revolutionized techno, with his energy and melodic infused sets and productions. Kölsch also released an album this year, and what an album it was.
- Third Party – For all of the Dance Music fans out there, Third Party had an amazing year. With Release Record parties becoming a staple and the release of their first studio album “Hope”. The album was dubbed as one of the best this year by fans.
- EDX – A legend, the guy does everything, he does tech house, deep house, trance, progressive, everything. But what sets him apart from the rest isn’t the fact that he is versatile. It’s because he dominated them all, EDX maintains quality over the various styles. That is remarkable.
- Hardwell – To many world’s number one DJ and Producer, but here, he is the best Big Room artist. Hardwell had one of his best years, releasing various high profile tracks, taking his label to new heights and achieve the incredible. Did you know he was the first DJ to perform on a F1 podium after a race?
- Skrillex – One of the best producers out there, without a doubt a genius. But where he has really shined lately is Trap and Future Bass.
- Camo & Krooked – Austrian Drum and Bass duo who killed it this year. This duo went all out this year releasing and amazing studio album, astonishing everyone with their sets and producing what we think was the best essential mix of the year.
- Ran-D – What can we say? If anyone mentioned hardstyle this year, we will think of Ran-D the raw DJ & Producer might of just had his best year of his career.
- Moderat – You might or might not know this trio. They aren’t or are a band they don’t themselves. But we do know they are absolutely spectacular and deserver every bit of respect.
- BluePrint by Ferry Corsten – Listen, if you haven’t listen to it. This is one of the best albums of the decade. Amazing work by Ferry especially on the version with voice overs.
- Bootshaus – Without doubt one of the best clubs in the world, super consistent, with a variety of artists and genres. Supporting both AAA artists and underground.
- Release Records – This year Release Records parties were incredible, special mentioned to Ministry of Sound. But the one that won our hearts over was Release ADE. The night was amazing as a whole, but the end was special with our man Pete K on the decks. Incredible.
- Tomorrowland – Everyone loves Tomorrowland, everyone wants to go to Tomorrowland. The truth is, although comercial, this year they really diversified the lineup and we love to see this. So this award is yours and deservedly so.
- ID&T – Well, they just produce the best festival in the world and a few other events that are on the top 5 of most people. It made sense offering this award to ID&T.
- Anjunabeats – There are a handful of labels that can truly say they are consistent and reliable in their releases and quality. But one thing is for certain, they managed to raise the bar even further this year. That is truly remarkable.
- ABGT – Little radio show managed to maintain such loyal fan base, the #AnjunaFamilly always show up, with quality track selection by Above & beyond, incredibly well organized and just a wonder to listen to on a Friday to start off the weekend.
- Honorable Mentions: /// Kaiser-T for the breakthrough and creating something new in the Hardstyle scene in Portugal, not to mention being one of the biggest ambassadors for the style. ///. Saving Light for being one of the best trance tracks of the year, absolutely incredible work from Standerwick, Gareth Emery and Haliene. ///. ZeroThree for being one of the most concisitente and high quality label of 2017, finding talent is a fine art which they nail. /// Lux Frágil, Gare Porto, Printworks and Ministry of Sound for being some of the best clubs in Portugal and the World (respectively). ///. Brunch Electronik (MAG Events), Fuse Records, Bloop Records. NeoPop, Live Productions, East Lisbon Afters, Kremlin, Industria, Club 118, Pedras do Couto and LX Music to the continuous support and growth for the Portuguese dance music culture.
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