TikTok has been changing the way people discover music, and techno is the latest genre caught in its wave. Scroll through your feed and you will see grainy rave clips, sped up tracks from the 90s, and viral DJ moments shot from packed dance floors. It is fast, intense, and designed to grab attention. But what does this mean for the music and the culture behind it?
Some say TikTok is helping techno grow. Others worry it is watering it down.
Old tracks, new life
Classic techno is showing up everywhere on TikTok. A Jeff Mills beat or a Thomas Schumacher track might suddenly become the soundtrack to a party clip or a meme. These are not new songs. They are legendary tracks that are being rediscovered by a younger crowd.
For many Gen Z fans, TikTok is their first real introduction to techno. It is not about knowing the history or the roots. It is about the sound and the feeling. That can be exciting, but it also makes longtime fans nervous. They worry the music is losing depth as it gains popularity.
DJs going viral
Some artists are getting huge from short videos. DJs like Shlømo, OGUZ, and Charlie Sparks have seen massive growth thanks to viral clips of their sets. People love the energy, the crowd, the lights. One video can lead to thousands of new fans and more bookings.
What used to take years in small clubs can now happen in a few weeks. That kind of fast success is new to the scene, and not everyone is sure how to feel about it.
Some fans are not happy
There is a divide. Some longtime ravers think the TikTok version of techno misses the point. The platform cuts out the slow build and emotional depth that many associate with the genre. It turns the music into short, flashy highlights.
There is also a trend of making songs just for TikTok. Tracks built to go viral, not to be played in a dark room at 3 a.m. That shift makes some people feel like techno is becoming more about image than sound.
Sound and culture are not the same
There is another layer to the conversation. People often confuse culture with sound. Just because a track trends online does not mean it lacks quality. And just because someone found techno through TikTok does not mean they cannot love and respect the scene.
Some fans are quick to label anything new as fake or inauthentic. But techno has always evolved. It has taken influence from other genres and gone through big changes. The gatekeeping makes it harder for younger fans to feel welcome, even when they are genuinely passionate about the music.
So is TikTok good or bad for techno?
It depends. If you believe techno should stay underground and untouched by trends, TikTok feels like a threat. But if you believe in growth and fresh energy, it might be a powerful tool.
TikTok is not going anywhere. Neither is techno. The key is finding a balance. The music can stay true to its roots while also reaching new people. Techno can still be deep and emotional in a club at 5 a.m. and also be exciting and shareable online.
Maybe the future of the scene is not about choosing one path. It is about making room for both.
