‘The Block,’ a shipping container converted into a stage by Beatport to spotlight emerging DJs, is proving it has more mileage than most artist development programs.The mobile stage is working through a multi-stop run on this year’s festival tour from the barnstorming Breakaway brand, which was named as the best event organizer of 2024 in our list of the year’s top industry leaders.
Beatport launched the partnership with an electric takeover at Breakaway Atlanta back in May and is now chugging along toward its next dates, Breakaway Carolina from September 25-26.Each stop follows the same format.
Local and regional artists submit their work, a handful get selected through competition, and the winners land a coveted 45-minute set on ‘The Block’ stage, sharing a bill with more established names like EDM.com Class of 2024 star DJ Susan.Breakaway, for its part, has built a reputation as one of the more accessible festival brands in the country, expanding into new cities while keeping ticket prices and production choices geared toward nascent festivalgoers.
Pairing that audience with Beatport’s talent pipeline is a win-win: Beatport makes dreams come true in a literal sense, while Breakaway gets programming that feels tied to the local communities it’s trying to reach.“Breakaway has grown to be one of the most authentic festival brands in the country, connecting with younger audiences in cities and states we rarely get a chance to reach,” said Ed Hill, Beatport’s Chief Brand Officer.
“Together, we can continue to build on a concept that truly moves the needle for these communities of DJs.” ‘The Block’ first appeared at the UK’s Junction 2 Festival, then moved to Creamfields Liverpool, where more than 20 competition winners performed alongside bigger acts.The concept crossed the Atlantic earlier this year with a debut at Miami’s Winter Music Conference, setting up what’s become a broader push into North America.
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