The global electronic music scene continues to ride high, with the freshly released IMS Business Report 2025 confirming what many on the ground have felt all along. The culture is thriving, the numbers are up, and the sound of the underground is echoing further than ever.
According to the report, put together by Mark Mulligan and the team at MIDiA Research, the global electronic music industry hit $12.9 billion in 2024, showing a 6 percent year-on-year growth. That’s a little slower than 2023’s 9 percent surge, but with the post-pandemic live boom settling and streaming growth beginning to plateau, it’s a solid gain that reflects a strong and resilient ecosystem.
Indie Labels, Afro House, and Drum & Bass Lead the Charge
One of the most exciting shifts this year is the continued rise of independent labels, who now account for 30 percent of global label revenues. The majors still dominate, but smaller, regional players and digitally native scenes are carving out real territory. Local culture and grassroots energy are proving they can compete on a global scale.
On the genre front, Afro House and Drum & Bass are leading a new wave of energy. Afro House in particular has exploded on platforms like Beatport, jumping from the 23rd to the 4th most searched genre. UK Garage and Jungle are also making a comeback, especially among younger producers and DJs. SoundCloud uploads for UKG doubled last year, showing that this sound is more than just a revival.
A Half-Billion More Fans? Believe It.
Electronic music didn’t just grow economically. It pulled in a huge new global audience. Across Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, 566 million new fans were added in 2024 alone. That’s not just growth. That’s a full-on cultural wave.
Mexico, India, and Brazil were the biggest drivers of new listeners on Spotify. Mexico alone saw a 60 percent spike in its electronic music listener base. African scenes also made serious moves, with Amapiano and Afro House pushing the needle and proving that electronic music’s future is global, decentralised, and diverse.
Ibiza Still Rules, Even with Fewer Parties
The Balearic beacon still burns bright. Despite fewer events, Ibiza’s club ticketing revenue rose to €150 million last year. Higher ticket prices and an increasing demand for high-end nightlife experiences kept the island’s reputation rock solid. And that figure doesn’t even include VIP sales, so the real economic impact is even bigger.
Festivals, AI, and the Future
Festivals remain one of the biggest engines of revenue. Electronic acts now account for 18 percent of global festival lineups, up from 13 percent in 2021. The Superstruct group’s $1.4 billion acquisition spree proves there’s still serious money in live music, and electronic artists are front and centre.
Meanwhile, AI-powered music creation is moving into the mainstream, with more than 60 million people experimenting with generative music tools. Around 10 percent of music fans now create tracks or lyrics using AI, showing that the line between listener and creator is fading fast.
Gender Progress and Platform Power
There’s still work to be done on gender balance in the scene, but signs of progress are visible. AlphaTheta, the company behind Pioneer DJ gear, reports a growing female user base, now at 16 percent. SoundCloud is also seeing more activity in micro-genres, particularly within the UK scene, which continues to spark innovation.
All in all, 2024 wasn’t just a good year. It was proof that electronic music is more than a sound. It’s a global culture that’s expanding, shifting, and connecting people like never before. Whether you’re sweating it out in an Ibiza club or posting beats from your bedroom in Mumbai, the message is the same. The future of electronic music is wide open.
