Dancing Astronaut’s 2024 Label of the Yr: Drumcode Data – Dancing Astronaut

Drumcode Data has lengthy been a pillar of excellence for unbiased report labels within the dance/digital scene. Adam Beyer‘s imprint has been bringing techno to the lots because it was established in 1996, and now, 28 years later, it’s nonetheless going stronger than ever. Between the caliber of its releases and the rigorousness of its touring schedule this yr, Drumcode additional affirmed its standing as one of many dance/digital style’s preeminent report labels, prompting its recognition as Dancing Astronaut‘s 2024 Label of the Yr.

Drumcode’s 2024 launch calendar displays a stability of each amount and high quality. That is true not solely of the productions, but in addition of the artists behind them; over the previous yr, Drumcode welcomed outputs from an completed forged of underground A-listers, together with Eli Brown, HI-LO, Massano, Layton Giordani, Classic Tradition, Odd Mob, and naturally, the label boss himself. Eight of the Beatport’s 10 top-selling Techno Peak artists launched with the label this yr, which, with its 130,000 gross sales on the Beatport retailer, led Drumcode to grow to be the best-selling Techno Peak label on Beatport this yr. Drumcode’s music was streamed for greater than 155 hours throughout digital streaming platforms (DSPs) in 2024, a statistic that comes as no shock, contemplating that releases like “After I Push” (Eli Brown, Layton Giordani, OFFAIAH), “PATT (Celebration All The Time) [Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet Remix],” and “Simulator (Odd Mob Remix)” (Adam Beyer, Inexperienced Velvet), commanded each DSPs and the reside circuit.

However no ironclad case for Label of the Yr merely comes all the way down to music, and naturally, for Drumcode, that’s simply the place the story begins. In dance/digital’s reside area, there are few — if any — labels that may match Drumcode’s sturdy worldwide presence. Beyer’s stronghold featured in festivals throughout 5 continents, hosted a world, branded tour that included its first-ever stops throughout Asia, and held its largest UK present to this point (at The Drumsheds in March). In complete, Drumcode bought greater than 91,000 tickets to its branded occasions in 2024. Whereas Drumcode’s inexhaustive checklist of high quality releases helps solidify its candidacy as one of many yr’s prime labels, its vigorous touring schedule and general prominence within the reside sector in the end cements its standing as such.

Nevertheless, it’s unimaginable to crown Drumcode as Dancing Astronaut‘s Label of the Yr with out acknowledging its equally spectacular longevity. It’s exceptional {that a} label that has been round for practically three many years years can nonetheless really feel so recent and so progressive, notably within the dance/digital scene, the place any such tenure is a real rarity. But even in spite of everything these years, Drumcode remains to be on the forefront of techno — an area that’s as sturdy now because it ever has been — and as an unbiased label, no much less, which is a real testomony to Beyer and his workforce.

The label’s mission assertion opens with, “Drumcode is greater than a label, it’s a motion.” Though that sentiment rang true this yr, Dancing Astronaut doesn’t give out a Motion of the Yr award, so Drumcode must accept the following smartest thing. Dancing Astronaut is proud to call Drumcode its 2024 Label of the Yr.

Featured picture: Drumcode, The Drumsheds

Tags: Adam Beyer, Drumcode, Eli Brown, hi-lo, Layton Giordani, massano, Odd Mob, Classic Tradition

Classes: Options, Music