As the esteemed host of BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix and Essential Selection programs, Pete Tong has kept a finger pressed on the pulse of global dance music for the better part of two decades.
Though broadcasting from the old continent, where electronic dance music dominates the mainstream airwaves, Tong's influence also began seeping into the budding American EDM scene with the launch of Evolution, his syndicated Internet radio show on iHeartRadio in 2012. Add his work as a producer, DJ, and FFRR label head, and it's clear why Pete Tong is so widely recognized as the world's chief electronic dance music tastemaker.
Crossfade caught up with the eminent Mr. Tong to get his top five predictions for the biggest hits of Winter Music Conference, Miami Music Week, and Ultra Music Festival 2014.
See also: Pete Tong on Commercial Dance Music: "The Craft Has Gone Up to Another Level"
Ten Walls' "Walking With Elephants"
"It was the underground anthem at BPM this year and it's been in very limited supply since," Mr. Tong says. "Dark, naughty, and addictive -- like Heath Ledger's Joker."
Guy Gerber & Dixon's "No Distance"
"Guy is probably one of the most underrated producers on the scene, in my opinion -- always weaving beautiful musical patterns and rhythms. And now he teams up with RA's number-one DJ to produce this anthem -- amazing."
Hot Natured's "Benediction" (Lxury/Nic Fanciulli Remixes)
"2012's summer song is back with brilliant new mixes from rising UK star Luxry and Mr. Saved himself. Might be a genuine hit this time round."
Oliver Heldens' "Gecko"
"Another young Dutchman blows up on YouTube and Beatport via the Spinning and Musical Freedom production line, but this time it's much more housey. Loving his work and his remixes, and very excited to have him on FFRR for worldwide release.
Tong Flynn Rogers' "Hear Me Now"
"This was the result of a fun session with Tom Flynn and my main man in London, Paul Rogers. We actually came up with three parts to this. But the first is coming out on Pets for Miami, and it's been driving people crazy in my sets this year."
No preview available of "Hear Me Now." Trainspotters: Keep an ear out for it during WMC, Miami Music Week, and Ultra Music Festival.
All Gone Pete Tong Pool Party Miami 2014. Friday, March 28. Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. The party starts at noon and ends at 11 p.m. Tickets cost $80 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Call 305-532-7715 or visit surfcomber.com.
Pete Tong. With Seth Troxler and the Martinez Brothers. Sunday, March 30. Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami. The show starts at 6 a.m. and tickets cost $50 to $60 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Call 305-375-0001 or visit clubspace.com.
Pete Tong. As part of Ultra Music Festival 2014. Saturday, March 29. Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $399.95 plus fees via ultratix.ticketfreak.com. Visit ultramusicfestival.com.
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.
