Electronic Music Dethrones Indie on TikTok as Festival Lineups Reflect Genre's Growing Influence

As the number of views of TikTok videos with electronic music soars past that of indie, the genre is no longer just pulsing through clubs, but powering pop culture's algorithm.

The rise of EDM on TikTok is a signpost for where global listening trends are heading, and the numbers are hard to ignore. In 2024, TikTok videos tagged with #ElectronicMusic garnered over 13 billion views globally, a 45% leap from the previous year, For the first time, those figures outpaced content using indie and alternative music tags, The Guardian reports.

The genre's breakneck momentum has even left hip-hop and indie, longtime dominant forces on the platform, trailing in growth. Videos tagged with electronic music were made in droves, with over 100% year-on-year growth in creation, particularly tied to themes like fitness, fashion and travel. 

"Dance music has become more accessible and big in the commercial sphere," said Toyin Mustapha, TikTok’s Head of Music Partnerships for the UK and Ireland. "We are seeing the breaking down of boundaries for artists, and TikTok is part of that."

That influence echoes across the industry’s biggest stages. According to recent data from ROSTR, electronic dance music artists comprised a commanding 39% of Coachella's 2025 lineup, a staggering shift for a festival similarly once known for its indie and rock foundations.