Is DNB on the way out?

Source: UCSA.

University of Canterbury Students’ Association (USCA) President Luc Mackay says student music tastes are changing, ahead of the university’s increased-capacity O-Week.

“A few years ago, students were into DNB, but now tastes have transitioned more into house and garage”, Mackay said.  

“We try to provide a little bit of everything to encourage as many people to attend as possible.

“The music might not be your thing for a set or two but there will be something for you; it is about the overall festival experience.” 

The University of Canterbury’s O-Week lineup is made with other universities, local promoters, and the help of the USCA Executive, MacKay said, aiming to cater to diverse and ever-changing student tastes.

MacKay also told Canta that the USCA has “increased the capacities for all [its] events in order to cater for the increased demand seen over the last few O Weeks which has largely been driven by increasing student numbers at UC, and a lack of events during Covid-19 to go to.

“We’re proud of the range of events we develop and put on for our students and are constantly looking at how to improve and capture the student body so that they feel that these experiences are reflective of themselves.” 

Crumpled club night co-founder Anna Clinch said it’s tricky to keep up with student music tastes, but agrees it is shifting away from drum and bass.

“The market for fun, sexy house music has always been there, it just seems like the more events out there, the more people getting around it” she said.

“[Crumpled co-founder] Max Rodhouse and myself thought about what was missing from the Christchurch music scene in 2023, we both enjoy the bass music genre however noticed there was a gap missing for a club night that makes people move” Clinch said.

While Mackay could not disclose the exact numbers of tickets sold to ORI ’24 so far due to commercial sensitivity, as of February 9th, all UCSA Combo tickets have sold out, First Base is 80% sold, and Toga is 90% sold.