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Electronic Music Steps Out of the Garage. Long confined to the night, electronic music is now entering the most official arenas of sport. From Eric Prydz’s viral Fitness choreography in 2004 to industrial techno performances in figure skating, sport is amplifying the reach of electro.
While electronic music is gradually seeping into the world of sports, a few iconic moments have helped anchor this connection in the collective imagination. It’s impossible not to mention the Call on Me music video by Eric Prydz (the one we all had stuck in our heads at some point), now legendary for its over-the-top aerobics class choreography. Though bordering on parody and kitsch, it clearly links music and movement.
The Body and the Machine
Beyond rhythm and energy, electronic music powerfully affects cognitive function. Repetition, build-ups, textures, and altered perceptions act as tools to modulate an athlete’s focus. It helps enhance concentration by altering their state of consciousness, thereby boosting performance. According to a 1999 study by sports psychologist Costas Karageorghis, songs especially those with a medium tempo and no lyrics can induce a “flow state”: that immersive moment when an athlete is fully absorbed in their performance, seemingly without effort, dopamine flowing in their ears. The most immersive, transcendent tracks become the athlete’s best allies.
An Artistic Statement
While electro can certainly enhance performance, it is first and foremost a bold artistic choice a sign of modernity and a desire to stand out. In more artistic disciplines, it breaks the mold, giving new momentum to elite performers. For instance, French ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron chose an intense, technical routine set to a new wave/industrial-inspired soundtrack by BFRND at the European Championships earning them the silver medal.
They’re not the only ones using electronic music to leave a lasting impression. Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles also performed to a medley from Hyper Opus, an album by French producer Calling Marian, much to the artist’s surprise:
“My first reaction was total shock and disbelief. I never imagined I’d have anything to do with the Olympic Games,” she told BFMTV.
In the end, it’s a chance for a genre as rich as electronic music to shine at the level it deserves becoming institutionalized through one of the most universal and unifying platforms: sport.