Celebrating global culture through
music and art. Peace, love, fun.
Everywhere.
Everyone.
Worldtown is a collective of global musicians and artists, raising the bar for what it means to be creative changemakers.
Worldtown started as a party in 2011 by two DJs and a group of international friends. It since has evolved and expanded to include an 8 piece live band (Worldtown Soundsystem), record label, apparel/accessory brand, record pool, and not-for-profit community service network.
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Worldtown aims to inspire positive social change by bringing awareness to local issues through fundraising and community service. WT has helped locally with urban farming, hosting workshops, and teaching students music therapy to name a few – they aim to make real, tangible change and inspire thousands along the way. Worldtown Citizens is a community of people from all backgrounds passionate about sharing energizing music and expansive art, unifying through connection, and inspiring action.
Worldtown DJs bring their unique energizing take on house music that focuses on international culture, voice, and rhythms. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria and Vermont, USA, Worldtown International founding members and DJs Ben Arsenal and Oluwafemi have been wowing audiences with their seamless integration of electronic music and world beats sine the duo’s inception. Their sets feature the best of international dance music, smoothly mixing house, Afrobeat, funk, and dancehall into a non-stop groove that motivates dance floors around the world.
An Excursion Through Eclectic Beats: Worldtown Soundsystem's Resonance Across Venues.
The ensemble of Worldtown Soundsystem is an eclectic mix of talented musicians, each bringing a unique flair to the band’s vibrant sound. At its helm is Ben Arsenal, the producer and founder, orchestrating the rhythmic beats alongside Gary Dann on drums and Pablo Batista on percussion. The rhythm section is further enriched by Julian ‘Jay Powerz’ Hinson on bass and Zach LoPresti strumming the strings on guitar. With Dan ‘Basskitty’ Keller on sax, the band introduces a touch of jazz. The compelling voice of the band is carried by a dynamic vocal quartet – Zeek Burse, Fawziyya Heart, Anessa LaRae, and Stephan Burse, each contributing to the harmonious and energetic persona of WorldTown Soundsystem.
The ethos behind Worldtown Soundsystem lies in the amalgamation of diverse musical cultures, skillfully brought together by artists from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This intentional fusion aims to create a cohesive musical ensemble that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, offering a rich, harmonious sound that is as varied in its influences as it is in its membership. Through this blend, Worldtown Soundsystem endeavors to celebrate global culture, embodying a vibrant intersection of musical traditions in a singular, united group.
The diverse cultural tapestry of Worldtown Soundsystem is reflected in its members, who hail from a variety of backgrounds. From the Eastern European roots of Dan Keller to the Puerto Rican heritage of Pablo, and the African-American backgrounds of Vanessa Loray, Zeek Burse and others. Ben Arsenal, originating from Vermont, encapsulates a different regional perspective. Co-founder and art director Oluwafemi is from Nigeria.
Worldtown Soundsystem’s musical journey has been greatly enriched by a diverse array of cultural influences, beyond just the roots of its members. While Ben Arsenal hails from Vermont, his time spent immersed in various cultures has had a profound impact on the band’s unique sound. Notably, he has delved into Portuguese, spent significant time in Brazil, and been deeply influenced by the European EDM styles of Switzerland and elsewhere. His exposure to these diverse cultural and musical backgrounds has added layers of richness to Worldtown Soundsystem’s repertoire, infusing their performances with a global sensibility that transcends boundaries.
The fusion of these cultural influences is not limited to electronic dance music (EDM) alone; Worldtown Soundsystem’s eclectic sound encompasses global rhythms, Latin and African influences, as well as elements of soul and even jazz at times. While they do reside within the EDM genre to some extent, their music is a unique blend that defies categorization, making them stand out as a genre-bending force. This diversity in their musical palette allows them to connect with a wide range of listeners, creating a universal appeal that speaks to the shared language of rhythm and emotion.
Worldtown Soundsystem’s unique musical journey reflects the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, where diversity and innovation are celebrated. As the global dance music industry continues to flourish with an annual growth rate of 30-35%, Worldtown Soundsystem is positioned to ride this wave of success. With their ability to adapt, collaborate, and transcend musical boundaries, they are well-equipped to captivate audiences and continue making their mark on the vibrant EDM and global music scene.
Introduction
The realm of music is boundless, a playground where every beat resonates with the heartbeats of the audience, creating a tapestry of experiences. Worldtown Soundsystem, an ensemble known for its global rhythm fusion, epitomizes this essence, sweeping across various venues and leaving behind a trail of exhilarated audiences. This case study delves into the variance of venues they’ve graced and the remarkable attendance they’ve garnered over 64 shows, transcending boundaries, and uniting over 35,000 souls in the symphony of eclectic beats.
Challenges and Objectives:
Worldtown Soundsystem faces challenges common to the modern music industry such as reaching broader audiences, securing venues for performances, and navigating the digital music landscape. Their objectives encompass the continuation of their mission to celebrate and fuse global cultures through music and art, expand their listener base both domestically and internationally, and secure opportunities for live performances in varied venues. They also aim to leverage digital platforms for wider reach and engagement, and foster collaborative partnerships with other artists and music industry stakeholders to further enrich their multicultural musical journey.
Variance in Venues:
Worldtown Soundsystem’s journey through different venues is a testimony to their versatility and ability to adapt to diverse settings, each with its unique ambiance and audience. From the pulsing heart of Philadelphia’s music scene to the serene settings of Abington Art Center, each venue was a new canvas for Worldtown Soundsystem to paint their musical imprints. The data showcases a variety of venue types including festivals, art centers, private events, online streaming platforms, and more traditional music venues.
Media Appearances:
Worldtown Soundsystem has also made notable appearances on media outlets, showcasing their unique sound and message to wider audiences. They were featured on WXPN, a respected music platform, further establishing their presence in the music scene. Moreover, their participation in the news segment with the Wawa Welcome America Festival not only broadened their exposure but also aligned with their mission of celebrating global culture through music and art, resonating with a broader community and enriching the multicultural musical landscape they thrive in.
Engagement and Reach:
Over the course of 64 shows, Worldtown Soundsystem engaged with an audience totaling over 35,000, a remarkable feat that underscores their growing resonance among diverse groups. The band’s ability to pull in crowds, whether it’s a free-entry community event or a ticketed exclusive show, reflects their wide appeal and the magnetic allure of their performances.
Financial Aspect:
The ticket pricing ranged from free to a high of $95, with an average price (excluding free events) of around $30. This pricing strategy not only made their music accessible to a wider audience but also catered to exclusive segments, thus optimizing their revenue streams.
Highlight Shows: Some of the notable shows include their performance at the Fishtown Music Festival, which drew 875 attendees, and the electric vibe they created at Brooklyn Bowl with 588 attendees. The self-produced event ‘Departed at Doc’s’ was a sold-out show, underscoring their growing popularity and ability to independently attract and entertain a dedicated audience.
Online Engagement:
Their venture into the digital realm with ‘Love From Philly’ (online streaming fest) amassed a whopping 5000 virtual attendees, showcasing their ability to transcend physical boundaries and connect with a global audience.
CONCLUSION:
The expedition of Worldtown Soundsystem through various venues is more than a tale of numbers; it’s a narrative of musical camaraderie, of how the universal language of music can turn any place into a haven of rhythmic ecstasy. Their journey reflects the quintessence of what music can achieve – a boundless connection, a shared vibe, and a collective experience that resonates across different venues and audiences.
The Worldtown Soundsystem has certainly made waves in a thriving industry. As of 2023, the dance music industry is booming with an annual growth rate of 30-35%, significantly higher than the pre-pandemic rate of 15-20% annually. The industry’s valuation stands at an impressive $11.3 billion, driven by various revenue streams including live dance music clubs and festivals, both of which are experiencing a surge in popularity. The genre also seems to be resonating well with younger audiences on platforms like TikTok, where engagement rates for dance music are skyrocketing, even outpacing other genres like hip-hop. This is a global trend, with Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and dance music being identified as the fastest-growing genre worldwide.
The onset of this explosive growth can be traced back to around 2015, when digital revenues in music worldwide surpassed physical revenues for the first time. This shift encouraged more people to listen to music through personal devices, which in turn impacted how music, particularly dance music, is mixed and produced. EDM and dance music mixes are now believed to be easier to craft and more enjoyable to listen to compared to other genres like rock. Some of the wealth amassed in this genre is noteworthy, with top artists like Calvin Harris, Tiesto, and David Guetta having a net worth of $300 million, $170 million, and $150 million respectively. Though these figures may fall short when compared to top artists in hip-hop, rock, or pop, the rate at which wealth is growing in the dance music genre is unparalleled.
The live music scene is a major contributor to this growth. Summer EDM festivals, in particular, are lucrative ventures for artists in this genre. Unlike other genres, the success of dance music festivals transcends geographical boundaries, drawing crowds from all over the world. New EDM festivals are being established in countries as varied as Cuba, Panama, Vietnam, and the Philippines, underlining the global appeal of this genre. In the United States, the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is the biggest EDM festival, with over 410,000 attendees in the past year, making it the fourth largest festival worldwide.
These trends and statistics highlight a favorable competitive landscape for bands like Worldtown Soundsystem. The robust growth, global audience, and lucrative live music scene present abundant opportunities for the band to continue expanding its reach and growing its fan base. Through 64 shows, Worldtown Soundsystem has already entertained over 35,000 attendees, a remarkable achievement that aligns with the broader upward trajectory of the dance music industry.
Future Recommendations:
Based on the insights gained from the contemporary music scene and the evolving trends within the DJ, house music, and world music fusion genres, the following recommendations are made to ensure WorldTown SoundSystem stays ahead of the curve and continues to captivate audiences:
Embrace Digital Platforms and Streaming Services 1/8
Continue To Collaborate with Other Artists 2/8
Leverage Social Media for Engagement and Promotion 3/8
Explore New Genres and Sounds 4/8
The electronic music scene is continuously evolving, with new sub-genres and sounds emerging. Stay updated with the latest trends within and outside your genre, and be open to experimenting with new sounds and production techniques.
Invest in High-Quality Production 5/8
High-quality sound and video production can significantly enhance the audience’s experience, both online and offline. Investing in good production can help in creating a more polished and professional image, which can, in turn, attract more listeners and performance opportunities.
Expand Live Performances and Touring 6/8
Live performances are a crucial aspect of growing a fan base and providing unique experiences. Consider planning a tour or participating in music festivals to reach new audiences and showcase the energy and multicultural essence of WorldTown SoundSystem live on stage.
Community Engagement and Social Responsibility 7/8
Engage with the local and global community by supporting social causes and participating in charity events. This not only helps in building a positive image but also connects with audiences on a deeper level, creating a loyal and engaged fan base.
Educational Outreach 8/8
Given the unique fusion of different musical cultures within WorldTown SoundSystem, there’s an opportunity to engage in educational outreach programs to share the richness of these diverse musical and cultural traditions with younger audiences.
An Excursion Through Eclectic Beats: Worldtown Soundsystem's Resonance Across Venues.
Worldtown is a collective of global musicians and artists, raising the bar for what it means to be creative changemakers.
Worldtown started as a party in 2011 by two DJs and a group of international friends. It since has evolved and expanded to include an 8 piece live band (Worldtown Soundsystem), record label, apparel/accessory brand, record pool, and not-for-profit community service network.
