​5 dance music legends dominating Secret Solstice

As the history of music continues to expand with each new release, material produced by iconic artists of the past proves to stand the test of time. With that, legacy acts, veterans of the music industry and experienced tastemakers who have already left their mark are currently seeing a resurgence on festival lineups, and Iceland’s Secret Solstice is leading the charge.

Taking place in Reykjavik from June 15 - 18, Secret Solstice features an eclectic lineup of both local and international talent from across the musical spectrum. Judging by the enlisted artists, the festival recognizes the importance and relevance of those who laid the foundation of a culture as well as those shaping the future of the industry progress.

In the event that a respected and essential artist is overlooked on the Secret Solstice lineup this year, Mixmag has outlined why each is an absolute must see. Whether they pioneered a genre or innovated with rhythm and sound, these acts stand out as dance music legends. And their past accomplishments are only half of it...

Find more details and ticket information regarding all Secret Solstice events here.

For many seasoned dance music fans, The Prodigy needs little introduction. The trio of Maxim, Liam Howlett and Keith Flint helped pioneer a hard hitting electronic style called big beat, which swept across Europe in the early 90s. They can be credited with bringing the genre to the mainstream due to a series of chart topping tracks, but it was their live performances that allowed them to truly stand out.

In 1997, the year they released their third album ‘The Fat of the Land’, The Prodigy headlined Glastonbury and made a major statement during the performance. ‘Firestarter’ was of course a clear standout and the essence of that memorable evening stayed with them throughout their career. Today they hold nothing back from delivering the high-octane, lively, raucous nature of their music.

The band’s producer Liam Howlett talked about their ethos in more recent years: “The Prodigy right, we’re proud of our roots and we can not be lumped in with the fuckin’ formula dance music by numbers crew. They’re the fuckin’ jokers that stop this music getting taken seriously. Skits on Saturday night live takin’ the piss? That’s where it’s ended up… That’s not what electronic music is about. The lazy DJ’s, they have to be exposed. I’ve gone out of my way on this album to not have any of those things that people attach to dance music now… there’s no fucking typical snare builds or that bollocks.”

Expect the trio to pull out all stops at Secret Solstice to showcase how it's properly done.