the impression I get though is the economic depression is finally catching up with what remains of the “creative industries” – for instance although the production quality of new trance is better than ever they aren’t making the high budget videos what used to go with the tunes in the 2000s (as there aren’t many outlets to show them, MTV Europe has been highly downsized and shifted into Poland or somewhere like that instead of TVAM building)

Also the newer artists seem to have way less kit in their studios (OK there’s VSTs and computers, but I’d expected Ørjan Nilsen to have way more gear (maybe its the North European minimalist ethos).

Some are even using their laptops for making tunes “on the run” between gigs when I would have thought they’d prefer a full size studio – I only use a laptop at work or at home when I have to as I prefer full size keyboards/controllers and other kit..

Certainly even ID&T is reporting less punters at their events in NL than ever before, and the Dutch radio stations are moving away from underground dance genres back towards commercial dance and even piratenhits (Dutch language pop songs which are based on traditional Teutonic oompah music. I listen to them more for language practice than the musical content, though admit that I am starting to like it a bit :laugh_at:)