Drumcode Records has long been a pillar of excellence for independent record labels in the dance/electronic scene. Adam Beyer‘s imprint has been bringing techno to the masses since it was established in 1996, and now, 28 years later, it’s still going stronger than ever. Between the caliber of its releases and the rigorousness of its touring schedule this year, Drumcode further affirmed its status as one of the dance/electronic genre’s preeminent record labels, prompting its recognition as Dancing Astronaut‘s 2024 Label of the Year.
Drumcode’s 2024 release calendar reflects a balance of both quantity and quality. This is true not only of the productions, but also of the artists behind them; over the past year, Drumcode welcomed outputs from an accomplished cast of underground A-listers, including Eli Brown, HI-LO, Massano, Layton Giordani, Vintage Culture, Odd Mob, and of course, the label boss himself. Eight of the Beatport’s 10 top-selling Techno Peak artists released with the label this year, which, with its 130,000 sales on the Beatport store, led Drumcode to become the best-selling Techno Peak label on Beatport this year. Drumcode’s music was streamed for more than 155 hours across digital streaming platforms (DSPs) in 2024, a statistic that comes as no surprise, considering that releases like “When I Push” (Eli Brown, Layton Giordani, OFFAIAH), “PATT (Party All The Time) [Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet Remix],” and “Simulator (Odd Mob Remix)” (Adam Beyer, Green Velvet), commanded both DSPs and the live circuit.
But no ironclad case for Label of the Year merely comes down to music, and naturally, for Drumcode, that’s just where the story begins. In dance/electronic’s live space, there are few — if any — labels that can match Drumcode’s robust international presence. Beyer’s stronghold featured in festivals across five continents, hosted a global, branded tour that included its first-ever stops across Asia, and held its biggest UK show to date (at The Drumsheds in March). In total, Drumcode sold more than 91,000 tickets to its branded events in 2024. While Drumcode’s inexhaustive list of quality releases helps solidify its candidacy as one of the year’s top labels, its vigorous touring schedule and overall prominence in the live sector ultimately cements its status as such.
However, it’s impossible to crown Drumcode as Dancing Astronaut‘s Label of the Year without acknowledging its equally impressive longevity. It’s remarkable that a label that has been around for nearly three decades years can still feel so fresh and so innovative, particularly in the dance/electronic scene, where this type of tenure is a true rarity. Yet even after all these years, Drumcode is still at the forefront of techno — a space that is as robust now as it ever has been — and as an independent label, no less, which is a true testament to Beyer and his team.
The label’s mission statement opens with, “Drumcode is more than a label, it’s a movement.” Although that sentiment rang true this year, Dancing Astronaut doesn’t give out a Movement of the Year award, so Drumcode will have to settle for the next best thing. Dancing Astronaut is proud to name Drumcode its 2024 Label of the Year.
Featured image: Drumcode, The Drumsheds
