May 2, 2025 – by Chris
The electronic music landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with exciting developments in releases, festivals, and technology. Whether you’re a casual listener, avid raver, or music producer, this week brings noteworthy news that showcases the dynamic nature of the electronic music scene.
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ANTS Metalworks Launches at Ushuaïa Ibiza This Weekend
One of the most anticipated events of the Ibiza 2025 season kicks off this Saturday, May 3rd, as the iconic ANTS brand transforms Ushuaïa Ibiza into a futuristic industrial complex called “ANTS Metalworks.” This immersive party series will run every Saturday until October 4th, bringing cutting-edge house and techno to the White Isle.
The opening party lineup features an impressive array of talent, including Green Velvet performing back-to-back with Skepta in their ANTS debut, resident Andrea Oliva pairing with Nic Fanciulli, and special B2B sets from Chelina Manuhutu with Syreeta, and Manda Moor with Sirus Hood.
According to Electronic Groove, the full summer lineup includes heavy-hitters such as Adam Beyer, Boris Brejcha, Nicole Moudaber, Pete Tong, and Paul Kalkbrenner, making this one of Ibiza’s premier underground music destinations for 2025.
The production promises to be spectacular, with the venue reimagined as “an epic industrial world where advanced robotics toil on a never-ending assembly line, producing an army of ANTS,” according to the official description. Ibiza Spotlight describes how “not everything is as it first seems” in this environment where “the machines are evolving, showing signs of intelligence.” Attendees can expect towering structures, innovative audiovisuals, and next-level production transforming the space every week.
Notable Electronic Music Releases This Week
May 2nd brings several notable electronic music releases worth adding to your playlists:
Flume’s new album “We Live In A Society” drops today, marking the Australian producer’s first full-length release since 2022’s “Palaces.” Early reactions show a user score of 61 based on nearly 1,500 ratings.
For techno enthusiasts, Eptic delivers “Darkstar,” a hard-hitting collection that has already garnered positive reviews with a user score of 76.
Fans of experimental electronic music have reason to celebrate with Djrum’s “Under Tangled Silence,” which is earning critical acclaim with an 87 score from critics and 79 from users.
The Flower Kings release their new album “Love” on the InsideOut label today, offering a fresh take on progressive electronic sounds.
In the more mainstream electronic sphere, MotherEarth and Tigerblind recently released “Spacebound” on Armada Electronic, creating what reviewers describe as “a cosmic journey through sound that connects the universe to earthly dance floors.”
Dance music titan Armin van Buuren has collaborated with Brazilian superstar Alok, singer-songwriter Norma Jean Martine, and DJ/producer LAWRENT for “Euphoria,” a high-energy club anthem that masterfully blends progressive and deep house elements.
Electronic Music Industry Valued at $12.9 Billion
The electronic music industry continues to demonstrate impressive growth, with the IMS Business Report 2025 valuing the global electronic music economy at $12.9 billion. This comprehensive analysis was presented at IMS Ibiza, the annual summit that examines electronic music, culture, technology, and business.
According to MusicWeek, IMS co-founder Ben Turner stated that “the IMS Business Report continues to evolve each year, with more robust data and the benefit of over a decade of compilation” allowing for meaningful comparisons within the industry.
Key findings from the report show that the presence of electronic acts on global festival lineups has increased to 18%, up from 13% in 2021. Ibiza remains a central hub for the dance music community, with club ticketing revenue reaching €150 million, reflecting a 6% increase despite a dip in event volumes.
Gender representation is gradually shifting within the industry as well. AlphaTheta, a prominent DJ equipment manufacturer, reports that its registered female user base has grown to 16% in 2024, indicating slow but positive progress toward greater diversity.
For the fifth consecutive year, independent labels have increased their market share, now reaching 30% of global label revenues. While major labels maintain dominance, regional and digitally native players in the global south are steadily gaining ground.
Electronic Music Production Technology Innovations
The electronic music production landscape is experiencing significant innovation in 2025, with several noteworthy developments emerging from NAMM 2025, the premier music technology convention.
Synth enthusiasts are buzzing about Behringer’s announcement of the BX-1, a clone of the legendary Yamaha DX-1 FM Synthesizer with analog filters. The company has also teased the JT-16, an authentic replica of the iconic Roland Jupiter-8 analog polyphonic synthesizer with 16 voices. According to MusicTech, Behringer is “back at NAMM after ten years” and will be showcasing “groundbreaking new products.”
For software-focused producers, U-he has unveiled Zebra 3, the long-awaited third generation of its modular synthesizer plugin, which is currently in alpha testing. Korg has introduced multi/poly native, a plugin version of its reimagined Mono/Poly synthesizer that “draws inspiration from its classic early ’80s Mono/Poly” and incorporates features from recent synths.
One of the most innovative new controllers comes from Melbourne Instruments with their Roto-Control, a touch-sensitive motorized MIDI controller for hardware and software. Attack Magazine describes it as having “eight motorized (and touch-sensitive) knobs, user-definable haptics, high-res screens for every control, and enough internal memory for 16,000 assignments.”
For those who prefer a more traditional synthesizer experience, Sequential’s Prophet-5 fourth edition remains a top choice in 2025, offering the classic sound with modern features “such as USB connection, and aftertouch and velocity on the keys.”
In the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) space, FL Studio 22 has cemented its position as a favorite among beatmakers and electronic producers, with its user-friendly design, powerful Piano Roll, and enhanced audio recording capabilities. According to MusicRadar, FL Studio is “great for beginners” due to “its ease of use” and features a step sequencer that “works brilliantly for beatmakers.”
Ableton Live 12 remains a top choice for electronic music producers in 2025, with LANDR calling it “great for sound design and music creation, especially if you produce electronic music, pop music, hip-hop or beats.” It now includes additions like the Meld multitimbral polysynth, Granulator III, and improved MIDI editing tools.
Leading electronic music artists have shared their visions for the industry’s direction in 2025, with several notable trends emerging.
Many producers foresee a continuing evolution of genre fusion, particularly the blending of “ambient and healing frequencies with Electronic music, creating immersive and transformative musical experiences,” as one artist explained to Mixmag Netherlands.
Afro House is repeatedly mentioned as a genre poised for significant growth, with one artist predicting it will [“continue to catapult BUT progressive house also starts to make a comeback
Upcoming Electronic Music Festivals
May kicks off festival season for electronic music fans, with numerous events scheduled worldwide:
Beyond Wonderland returns to the legendary Gorge Amphitheatre for a spectacular electronic dance music party, bringing Insomniac’s signature production and lineup to the breathtaking natural venue.
For those in Europe, Brighton UK hosts a major electronic festival from May 2-4, while Amsterdam welcomes electronic music fans for an event on May 10-11.
Ubbi Dubbi brings a diverse array of electronic acts to Texas this month, offering everything from house and dubstep to techno and trap.
For those seeking a tropical experience, Kahuku, Hawaii hosts an electronic music festival on May 9-10, while El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea welcomes electronic music enthusiasts on May 8-10.
As electronic music continues to evolve and expand its influence globally, this week’s developments showcase the genre’s vibrant ecosystem of artists, events, and technologies. Whether you’re planning to hit the dancefloor in Ibiza, explore new releases, or upgrade your production setup, there’s never been a more exciting time to be involved in electronic music.