Tech house is a subgenre of house music that blends the groove and soul of house with the mechanical, hypnotic elements of techno. Characterized by repetitive basslines, percussive loops, and minimal vocal samples, tech house dominated clubs and festivals in the 2010s-2020s.
Ibiza & Club Culture
Tech house became the sound of Ibiza’s super clubs (Pacha, Ushuaïa, Hï Ibiza) in the mid-2010s. DJs like CamelPhat, Fisher, Patrick Topping, and MK (Marc Kinchen) defined the genre’s groovy, bass-heavy sound. Fisher’s “Losing It” (2018) became a crossover hit, topping dance charts worldwide.
Festival Mainstreaming
Tech house moved from underground clubs to festival mainstages, with Tomorrowland, Ultra, and EDC booking tech house DJs. The genre’s accessibility (catchier than minimal techno, less aggressive than big room house) appealed to broader audiences.
Production & Sound
Tech house typically sits at 125-130 BPM with rolling basslines, shuffled hi-hats, and chopped vocal samples. Tracks are designed for extended DJ sets, building energy through subtle changes rather than dramatic drops.
Sources:
- Beatport tech house charts:
- Ibiza club scene: https://www.residentadvisor.net/