Toolroom TV presents a documentary, but not just any kind documentary. Rather it’s a unique story, as Mark Knight unfolds how dance music has exploited and flourished throughout the decade.
In 2003, the British broadsheet newspaper, The Guardian, stated that “dance music was in terminal decline”. At a certain point in 2003 there was a decline in dance music, as it was said to be unimaginative and uninspiring, which caused many fans to leave the scene. The decline and rejection of dance music had affected many record labels like Toolroom, Size, Armada, Ed Banger, Cadeza, Buzzin Fly, and Refune. This documentary takes you back in time through the hardships that many record labels had experienced, and most importantly what they have overcome throughout this decade. 
Toolroom TV reaches out to some of the biggest acts like DJ Sneak, Steve Angello, Sub Focus, Hot Since 82, and many more to let viewers hear their perspective of how dance music and the scene has changed, whether it may be for better or for worse.
This is an amazing and insightful documentary, which gives a huge understanding of why some producers may be frustrated in today’s fast growing dance music scene. Many producers discuss how easily accessible it is to produce. Also, Fatboy Slim states how vinyls are not cherished anymore like they used to be. The importance of records is ignored in 2013, and fans can easily snatch all their favorite tracks for free on Beatport, Soundcloud, and even podcasts that can be downloaded on their phone Apps. Even though everyone has the right to express themselves through music and become inspired through other producers, some up and coming DJ’s have had it easier than some of the old school ones, as DJ Sneak states a very valid point of how 99% of these producers are ‘prepackaged’, with their team of publicity, management, etc., easily showing up to their shows and all they have to do is smile… ‘anything but DJing.’
The spread of dance music has affected the entire world, recently acquiring an immense fan base in America. We have adopted dance music and now refer to the infamous term, ‘EDM’ which leads to many questionable thoughts about this phrase. You will see in this documentary how some may say that they see a shift with dance music in the USA as it also seems to be returning slowly to its roots.
Regardless, there may be pros and cons of how dance music and the scene has flourished, but we definitely see that dance music is still alive and will remain alive throughout the next 10 years and onward.
Watch ‘Ten Years of Dance Music: The Documentary’ down below. What is your perception of dance music and the dance music scene in 2013?
