NOVEL WEB Chapter 257: Chapter 257: The Birth of EDM
[Chapter 257: The Birth of EDM]
"Sorry, you can't stay here. We've had complaints from local residents, and you're blocking traffic."
Several Miami police officers stepped out of their vehicles and positioned themselves in front of the protestors. One officer, with both hands resting on his belt and his holstered handgun swinging visibly, stood firm.
The protestors paid no mind; they continued holding up their signs and chanting loudly.
Exchanging brief glances, the officers simultaneously drew their batons.
"Under Florida law, you are under arrest!" the lead officer shouted.
At the same time, some officers tried to snatch the placards from the crowd, sparking a clash. Amid the ensuing chaos, a woman protestor was pushed to the ground.
Seeing the angry crowd nearly closing in, the officers calmly called for backup. Before long, several more police cars arrived, their sirens blaring sharply.
With nearly thirty officers working together, many protestors were handcuffed while the rest scattered like frightened animals.
"A mob," the lead officer spat on the ground.
"James, this isn't your neighborhood, is it?" one backup officer, of equal rank, asked.
"I just happened to be nearby and got here early. The captain ordered it -- someone's got to do the dirty work," James replied, adjusting his cap.
The two officers glanced at the protestors being loaded into vehicles, then looked toward the park across the street. A massive stage, like a modern marvel, towered over a sea of people.
"At a festival this hot, the boys would all get a piece of it," James remarked as he patted his colleague on the shoulder and headed toward his Dodge Charger -- a car that, in ten years, would be discontinued and replaced by the Challenger.
No sooner had the protestors dispersed than another group arrived in pickup trucks. Some parked along the road outside the park, lowered their tailgates, and lifted the plastic covers to reveal crates of bottled water and drinks, while others unloaded their supplies directly into the park and set up makeshift stalls.
A grand music festival like this drew hundreds of vendors.
...
Meanwhile, backstage, Ryan was on the phone with CW Network's head, Dawn Ostroff.
"Yeah, this festival featured two brand-new songs -- including my latest single -- but the problem was, the live broadcast might have to be extended by forty minutes, barely wrapping up on time… uh, that's it." Ryan hung up. In truth, he had decided on the extension days ago, but everything had happened so suddenly that he only notified them today. Dawn readily agreed, even assuring him that whether the show ended at 1 a.m. or 3 a.m., her crew wouldn't budge an inch.
She also mentioned that, although it was only afternoon, over five million people were already tuned in to the live broadcast.
...
"How about it? Need my help?" Taylor Swift, having changed out of her performance outfit, approached Ryan backstage.
After updating her on the viewer numbers, Ryan shook his head. "You just finished your set; you need to rest."
"You act like I'm pregnant -- I don't get tired that easily," Taylor replied with a wink.
Seeing that Taylor genuinely wanted to help, Ryan welcomed her assistance. Together, they kept a vigilant eye on the event, ready to handle any emergencies.
And there were plenty. Mistimed music cues and equipment glitches were minor compared to the dozen or so fights Berwick had already broken up that afternoon -- and many more were bound to happen as night fell.
...
Before long, trouble found them. Two country music performers, recommended by Taylor earlier, got into a heated argument backstage. Without hesitation, Taylor stepped in.
"Cut it out! The lineup was set in advance. If you disagree, let your stage performance decide who's better -- acting tough backstage isn't impressive. Either shut up or get out of here!" she snapped, glaring at the two.
It was the first time Taylor had lost her temper, but her stern presence quickly silenced them. She had long shed her naive image, now handling disputes with ease.
...
By 5:30 p.m., the festival stage began playing a more relaxed set of music, marking a half-hour break. During this time, some crew members fixed technical issues while others grabbed a quick bite.
When the performances resumed, the prime-time headliners took over.
CW's broadcast cut to the studio, where the host and guests discussed the event live. The host even mentioned the festival's "mystery performance segment" in the final moments, teasing the audience before a stretch of sponsor advertisements.
...
Backstage.
"How do I look?" Lady Gaga asked as she was supported by her crew. She wore Alexander McQueen's notorious Armadillo boots, their outrageous height making everyone worry she might suddenly fall.
"Appetizing," Ryan replied literally.
"Want to try it? It's the real deal," Lady Gaga teased as she theatrically lifted a bit of her skirt.
"Better leave it for others," Ryan quickly shook his head.
"You just inspired me -- I've got a new idea. You'll see in a bit!" she said, nodding excitedly.
As Lady Gaga took the stage, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Under a cluster of spotlights, Lady Gaga was draped in vivid red fabric with white, fatty edges -- essentially slabs of raw meat adorning her.
"Florida! Are you ready?!" she roared into the microphone.
Soon, the music kicked in, and she launched into a medley of hit tracks from The Fame album. Not long after stepping on stage, she even managed to fling off her Armadillo boots, singing and dancing to an energetic electronic beat.
Known for her elite training and astounding stamina, Lady Gaga powered through several consecutive songs without gasping for breath, and her voice remained strong throughout.
At the climax of her act, she dramatically tore a strip of raw meat from her dress, then opened her mouth, tilted her head back, and tossed her "performance outfit" into her mouth, chewing vigorously. Although the meat was real, it had been specially treated and was clearly inedible. For the sake of performance art, Lady Gaga went all in.
She bowed to the audience amid roaring cheers, waved, and exited the stage -- officially launching the night's festivities.
...
Immediately after, the famous American punk band Green Day took the stage. In May, they had just released their latest album, 21st Century Breakdown, and performed a series of new songs -- including hits like 21 Guns and Last Night on Earth -- along with classics from their previous album such as Wake Me Up When September Ends and American Idiot.
♫ Don't wanna be an American idiotDon't want a nation under the new maniaHey can you hear the sound of hysteria?The subliminal mind-fuck America.
.
.
Welcome to a new kind of tensionAll across the alien nationWhere everything isn't meant to be okayTelevision dreams of tomorrowWe're not the ones who're meant to followFor that's enough to argue ♫
The lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, sporting a messy punk haircut and heavy smoky makeup, belted out rebellious lyrics with a raw intensity that resonated with youthful defiance.
"That was money well spent," Ryan observed, noting that Green Day had pulled out all their hidden hits.
At that moment, Ryan saw the audience singing and dancing wildly -- some partying energetically, others sharing passionate kisses. Cameras scanned the crowd and eventually focused on a striking young woman whose image was projected on the big screen. In the next second, she suddenly lifted her top toward the camera before the feed was cut.
...
Next to take the stage was Lil Wayne, a newly minted Grammy winner. He naturally performed his award-winning single. Ryan noticed a young buzz-cut singer accompanying him -- Drake, as he was commonly known -- who was there just to gain some experience. Drake's distinct voice left a deep impression on Ryan.
Lil Wayne performed several songs in succession, gradually getting into his groove. In a trademark move, he removed his shirt and sang shirtless before descending to the crowd and standing on a metal railing. Before security could react, he leaped into the crowd and was hoisted by enthusiastic fans. Many stars had done this before -- including Katy Perry, who once nearly had her underwear torn off by overzealous fans -- but it remained part of the spectacle. Today, however, Lil Wayne safely returned to the railing, much to Ryan's relief.
...
Immediately after, Maroon 5 took the stage. Unlike Green Day's raw punk edge, Maroon 5 embraced a neo-soul rock style -- smooth and blending electronic beats with funky rhythms, all highlighted by Adam Levine's distinctive voice that resonated deeply.
...
Then came OneRepublic, which took an entirely different approach. They fused pop rock with R&B and hip-hop rhythms, with bold instrumental choices -- the intro even featured a cello. Their track Apologize, produced in collaboration with the renowned producer Timbaland last year, had catapulted them into the mainstream.
...
Following them was Fall Out Boy, whose style leaned more hardcore yet still ventured into pop territory with their catchy tune The Take Over, The Breaks Over. This band had even been nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys in 2006.
In the realm of new rock, these three bands presented distinct and unique answers, standing in stark contrast to Green Day's unbridled punk sound.
...
"The future belonged to these bands," Ryan remarked to Taylor. Although Green Day's new songs were undeniably catchy, their raw punk sound was growing stale and would eventually be phased out of the mainstream. No one could overcome the limitations of that sound.
"Actually, I had been thinking about trying pop rock for a while," Taylor admitted.
"Synth-pop suits you better," Ryan replied, noting that with him on hand, Taylor didn't need to risk venturing into pop rock and competing with others.
Taylor nodded. "That said, I think all these bands had tremendous potential."
Both she and Ryan believed that the music market in the coming years would blossom with diversity.
After the newcomers, the headlining superstar took the stage.
...
Eminem walked out alone as a vintage piano intro began.
♫ Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
Yo ♫
Eminem gripped the microphone and spoke in a low, deliberate tone. This was his signature rap, Lose Yourself -- the Oscar-winning theme from the movie 8 Mile.
Next, he performed Mockingbird, a tender song dedicated to his daughter, revealing a softer side on stage.
♫ I can see you're sad, even when you smile, even when you laugh
I can see it in your eyes, deep inside you wanna cry
'Cause you're scared, I ain't there, Daddy's wit' you in your prayers
No more cryin', wipe them tears, Daddy's here, no more nightmares
We gon' pull together through it, we gon' do it ♫
The entire audience joined in a massive sing-along. Eminem was, after all, still Eminem.
Finally, Eminem launched into the lead single from his new album, Beautiful. Although this new track hadn't yet achieved the same level of recognition as his earlier hits, its heartfelt lyrics moved countless fans. The song served as a self-portrait of Eminem recounting his recent struggles.
♫ But don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so ♫
In the end, Eminem left the stage amid roaring applause. Yet, the night's performance was far from over.
...
Following Eminem was Katy Perry. She continued the bold, colorful style she had showcased at the Grammys earlier that year, complete with vibrant hues and fruit-themed props that created a festive atmosphere.
...
Next up was Leona Lewis. She first performed the track Unstoppable -- a collaboration with Ryan. The audience reacted even more enthusiastically than they had for Katy; not necessarily for Leona, but because many expected Ryan to make an appearance at that moment. For a brief moment, disappointment spread, but then everyone realized that Ryan was clearly holding back and would likely appear solo later.
Leona then performed two hit singles from the previous year -- Bleeding Love and Better in Time. The crowd's reaction was rather moderate; if her song selection had been sharper, she might have left an even greater impression.
...
After Leona, the stage was handed over to the Black Eyed Peas. As the reigning champions on the Hot 100, the four-member group had created quite a stir with their debut -- on par with Eminem's earlier performance. Unfortunately, the Black Eyed Peas' set was somewhat lackluster, with few energetic moves.
...
Time flew by, and before anyone knew it, it was time for the grand finale -- Beyoncé's entrance.
Although she hadn't rehearsed much and made several demands, her live performance maintained a high energy level. However, it was nothing more than a rehashed tour routine, lacking fresh innovation. Even after her scheduled set ended, Beyoncé did not step off the stage; she stayed on, energetically promoting her upcoming tour in Florida. Completely disregarding that this was the Bad Room Carnival, she treated the event solely as a promotional platform. While promoting her tour was understandable, her time-dragging tactics completely disrupted the subsequent schedule. In other words, she simply did not care about the event.
Had the performance ended that way, all the good impressions built with the audience would have been ruined. By trying to sell a few extra tour tickets, she sacrificed everyone's enjoyment. Fortunately, Ryan had prepared in advance; otherwise, she would have really screwed him over.
...
"It's your turn!" Ryan said slowly into his walkie-talkie.
As Beyoncé's remarks neared their end, a young figure quietly appeared behind her and moved to the DJ booth.
Staring at the sea of people below, Avicii -- wearing a backward baseball cap -- appeared noticeably nervous, even more so than Calvin Harris had been before.
"Don't overthink it. You'll conquer everyone with your new track -- conquer the entire electronic music scene," Ryan's voice came through his earpiece.
At that moment, Beyoncé turned around and was startled to see Avicii appear; she quickly left the stage. The venue fell silent as the audience murmured among themselves -- most didn't even know who Avicii was.
Backstage, Ryan was convinced that by tomorrow, Avicii's name would echo throughout the electronic dance music world.
...
Avicii slowly began his set, his arms still trembling slightly. The pronounced scratching of the turntables and the rapid pulsation of the main beat emerged, soon giving way to an ethereal sound that evoked a sensation of soaring through space for many fans.
Then the rhythm suddenly shifted; the main melody grew forceful as energy steadily built. At the tail end of the verse, a crisp ascending sound signaled the complete explosion of energy in the chorus.
Whistles rang out through the venue as smiles spread across fans' faces and many began moving in time with the beat.
A great electronic set produced an almost magical effect -- it compelled people to dance uncontrollably, much like the infectious atmosphere portrayed in the song's music video. The vibe spread like a virus, starting with one person and gradually engulfing the entire crowd.
♫ Oh-oh, sometimesI get a good feeling, yeahI get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no noI get a good feeling, yeah ♫
The soulful sound stirred every nerve in the audience. As the second chorus kicked in, the venue erupted. Even many celebrity guests still backstage, including Taylor, began swaying to the rhythm.
"You've discovered a real genius!" Taylor remarked as she turned around, only to notice that Ryan had mysteriously disappeared.
...
The cheers from the audience suddenly soared as Ryan finally stepped onto the stage.
He approached the DJ booth but did not take over the set. Instead, he raised his arms in applause, actively helping Avicii pump up the crowd. The originally five-minute track was extended on the fly by Avicii to seven minutes, with an extra verse and chorus added.
"Not enough for you? His name was Avicii -- a young man from Sweden who usually spoke little. One day I asked him what people really heard when they listened to electronic music. He told me it was a transcendence beyond everyday life -- a special, selfless state of pure immersion. And this track is his complete answer! Levels -- from this moment, the song has been released on every major music platform!"
"Thank you all for coming. Tonight's festival is officially over!" Ryan began his farewell.
"Wait... I think I heard someone say they didn't want me to leave," Ryan cupped his ear.
Immediately, a roar of voices erupted from the crowd.
"In that case... how about an extra performance segment? I think that would make it complete! What do you all say?"
The cheers grew even more intense.
At that point, Avicii had quietly slipped away, leaving Ryan alone on stage.
"What do you all think I should perform?" Ryan asked, feigning thought. Then he recited the names of several past hit singles. The crowd's cheers kept growing with each name.
"Some said Wake Me Up, some suggested Harlem Shake, others mentioned Unstoppable, and still others shouted Hymn for the Weekend. I thought those just didn't cut it. This was an entirely new carnival, and accordingly, it needed brand-new music! Don't you agree?"
After stoking everyone's anticipation, Ryan pressed a button. An unprecedented melody emerged… it turned out to be a piano piece.
...
A figure quietly appeared -- it was Ellie Goulding, elegantly dressed. Holding the microphone, her ethereal, otherworldly vocals filled the venue.
♫ You were the shadow to my light
Did you feel us?
Another star, you fade away
Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us alight ♫
Then electronic synthesized music began layering in.
♫ Where are you now?
Atlantis, under the sea, under the sea
Where are you now? Another dream
The monster's running wild inside of me
I'm faded, I'm faded
So lost, I'm faded, I'm faded
So lost, I'm faded ♫
The intense sound of sawtooth waves blended with her ethereal vocals -- two completely different elements that, in that moment, merged perfectly.
Gone was the earlier frenzy and unrestrained dancing; in its place came a hypnotic stillness, an immersive calm that bordered on mind-numbing. In the next second, countless chants intertwined with powerful sawtooth effects, rapidly layering over a short beat until all the built-up energy reached its peak.
All the energy accumulated over the day's performances -- and the contributions of so many top artists -- converged in that moment and burst forth!
Then, as suddenly as it began, everything stopped. Only the fading notes of the piano remained before quickly dissolving into silence.
Countless people gaped in astonishment, as if frozen by a spell. Backstage, nearly everyone thought of one word -- stunning!
Just minutes earlier, no one had imagined that electronic music and vocals could blend so seamlessly. It represented a new ceiling. Ryan had recruited only exceptionally talented artists, and many immediately conceived fresh ideas in their minds.
Many live music critics and reporters realized that Ryan had completely pioneered a brand-new subgenre of electronic music. After that night, EDM would split into two camps -- one represented by Europeans and the other by Americans, or more precisely, by Ryan.
Within days, numerous American media outlets would refer to this style as "EDM (Electronic Dance Music)" to distinguish it from the labels Europeans used -- since, in fact, Europeans never bothered to call it EDM; only Americans did.
And that night marked the birth of EDM...
*****
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