Image via Complex Original
The electronic dance music scene revolves around the DJ; there's no way around it. The DJ educates the listeners, the people in the crowd, and provides the beats that make them move. The problem? Not everyone has the funds to hit the clubs on a regular basis. People want to hear dance music now more than ever, it seems, and you need to hear the music outside of the club, but in a proper context. That's where the radio show comes in and the idea of Evolution Radio popping up on terrestrial radio dials in the U.S. makes sense. The UK has the dance music radio scene on lock, although with the rise of Internet and satellite radio, new platforms for the finest DJs in the world are quickly manifesting.
Spanning both sides of the Atlantic, the DAD guide to the best weekly EDM shows covers all genres and dance music needs.
Essential Mix
Station: BBC Radio 1
Airs: Saturdays, 1AM GMT
Genre(s): Multi
The idea here is brilliant: Just give a DJ two hours to showcase their wears. It's one of those shows where anyone calling themselves a DJ aims for a slot. The format is open, so many have played to the title, giving listeners a dose of tracks they feel is "essential," or it can be just an awesome journey through a particular DJ's sound.
A State Of Trance
Station: Sirius XM - Elecric Area
Airs: Sundays, 9PM ET
Genre(s): Trance
There's a reason Armin van Buuren has been named the #1 DJ in the world a record-breaking five times. Yes, he puts on incredible shows, and his solo records and remixes have been some of the brighest in all of dance, but it's his global radio show that has propelled him to legend status. The show has also inspired his world-tours, recently celebrating his 600th episode including a sell-out show at New York's famed Madison Square Garden. With an estimated 20 million listeners, Armin's show is truly a marvel.
Skream & Benga
Station: BBC Radio 1
Airs: Fridays, 11PM GMT
Genre(s): Bass Music
When the BBC picked Skream and Benga to host the "Dubstep Show," many fans around the world rejoiced. Skream had been maintaining his "Stella Sessions" show on Rinse FM, which started back in the pirate days. Anytime Skream and Benga were on the show together, you knew it'd be pure jokes and great beats, and they thankfully kept that going when they moved to Radio 1. They are responsible for breaking some serious tunes and as the bass music scene has evolved, so have they. Their "130 at 11:30" highlights some of the housier bits they are digging, and their "garage shoutouts" segment is always hilarious. All in all, a great representation of the genre.
Carl Cox Global
Station: Sirius XM - Elecric Area
Airs: Mondays 9PM ET
Genre(s): Techno, Tech House
The techno god has already surpassed the 10 year, 500 show mark with his "Global Broadcast," and with the amount of mixing we've already heard from him in 2013, we have to ask: How much time does Carl Cox spend behind the decks?! As Carl explains it, "I play and listen to music all over the world, and Global is my way of indulging myself in my favourite tracks and sharing what I’m passionate about with other dance music lovers around the world." What more do you need, really?
Pete Tong
Station: BBC Radio 1
Airs: Fridays, 9PM GMT
Genre(s): Multi
Formerly known as Essential Selection, Pete Tong's self-titled show has been a mainstay on dance airwaves for years. Tong routinely debuts new tunes across the dance spectrum and he's become one of the most essential selectors in the world through his work on the radio.
Mista Jam
Station: BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra
Airs: Saturdays, 11PM GMT
Genre(s): Bass Music
MistaJam runs a number of shows for Radio 1 and 1Xtra, but there's something about his Saturday sessions that trump the rest. He puts on those headphones and drops the sounds you need to get through the weekend. It's damn near a club on the airwaves. MistaJam's humor and mastery of a wide variety of styles puts him ahead of the competition.
Diplo & Friends
Station: BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra
Airs: Sundays, 1AM GMT
Genre(s): Multi
Diplo getting a special mix show on Radio 1? We immediately approved. Then we found out it was to feature some of the best DJs, both established and up-and-coming, providing hour-long mixes? Every week? We're in. The selection of sounds is diverse, and feats like getting Avicii to drop an atypical set—and for it to go over big? That pretty much says it all.
Butterz
Station: Rinse FM
Airs: Sundays, 7PM GMT
Genre(s): Grime
Elijah and Skilliam have been at the forefront of the grime scene for about seven years, turning the Butterz blog into a well-respected brand that includes a label and their four-year-old Rinse FM show. They keep the show current, mostly playing tunes produced within the last six months and focusing on new, ermerging sounds.
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Friction
Station: BBC Radio 1
Airs: Sundays, 3AM GMT
Genre(s): Drum & Bass
Friction had huge shoes to fill replacing Fabio and Grooverider's long-standing reign as the dnb kings of Radio 1, but he attacked it just like he attacked the dnb game: He did things his way. He's an expert mixer, and has an ear for the wide-array of drum & bass styles, be it from his own bag or from the guests selectors.
Group Therapy Radio
Station: Sirius XM - Elecric Area
Airs: Saturdays 4AM ET
Genre(s): Trance, Progressive House, Big Room House
Hosted by Above & Beyond, Group Therapy Radio features the Anjunabeats heads playing a wide range of house and trance, both from their acclaimed label and from many other talented artists and imprints. They bring a mix of everything, from flashbacks of vintage big beat sounds to huge tunes from the up-and-comers. Need more? How about guest mixes from some of the EDM scene's finest?
DJ Bailey
Station: Ministry of Sound
Airs: Tuesdays, 5PM GMT
Genre(s): Drum & Bass
We know, this show literally just started airing, but Bailey's already killing it. He ran the 1Xtra D&B show for a little over a decade, a run came to an end last year. Getting picked up by Ministry of Sound this year was perfect for fans who want to hear his exemplary representation of the dnb scene. Bailey's selection, piles of dubplates, and ear for talent help elevate this show from being dope to one you can't miss.
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Hardwell On Air
Station: Sirius XM - Elecric Area
Airs: Saturdays 12AM ET
Genre(s): Big Room House, Progressive House, Electro House, Tech House
Hardwell's one of the biggest names in the house scene right now—as a producer, labelhead, and DJ. His "Hardwell On Air" show has been running strong, focusing on the hugest tunes to come his way. With a prime slot of midnight on Saturdays, we imagine many of you too-young-to-hit-the-clubs fans are at home, tuned into Hardwell's show. Add a strobelight and some glowsticks to the crib and you might feel like you're there.
Crazy D & Hatcha
Station: Kiss FM
Airs: Wednesdays, 12AM GMT
Genre(s): Dubstep
While Kiss FM only gives Hatcha and Crazy D an hour to do their thing, they pack in a mighty punch. Hatcha's selection of dubstep runs the gamut, although he is well versed in the deeper side of the scene. Crazy D on the mic is always welcome, as he knows how to keep the chatter to a minimum. Hatcha also has an array of guest DJs come in for some legendary back-to-back sets (just check out how insane his set with Von D was). Great show in a tiny package.
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Thomas Gold's Fanfare
Station: Sirius XM - Elecric Area
Airs: Saturdays 7PM ET
Genre(s): Big Room House, Electro House, Progressive House, Tech House
Berlin's Thomas Gold always has a smile on his face and big tunes on his decks. His "Fanfare" show has been running strong for a year, always stacked with some of the fiercest tunes out there. The compact timeframe lets us hear more tunes and less talk, which is always a great diversion.
Uncle Dugs
Station: Rinse FM
Airs: Fridays, 11AM GMT
Genre(s): Old Skool
Dugs runs the only old school show on Rinse FM, and does it perfectly. Whether he's bringing in vets like Goldie and having hours-long conversations about their upbringing, or just dropping tunes that defined the dance music scene, you will get a proper education anytime you tune into his show.