Uptempo: What is Uptempo
Share
Uptempo is a subgenre of hardcore techno and one of the fastest-growing genres in the Harder Styles. It's known for its extremely fast kicks and relentless beats.
One of the defining features of uptempo is its tempo of 200 to 220 BPM, which makes it one of the fastest subgenres of hardcore. Hearing that speed on a festival rig delivers enormous energy and brutal bass.
Another hallmark of uptempo is the use of heavily distorted kicks and snares, creating a powerful, aggressive sound. The genre often features chopped vocals and distorted samples to build a raw, heavy feel.
Uptempo has its roots in the hardcore scene, above all in the Netherlands, where a group of DJs and producers started experimenting with faster and more heavily distorted kicks. The genre has won over a lot of new fans since.
The best-known uptempo festivals include Snakepit and Titanium. They draw fans from around the world to see DJs like Major Conspiracy, Dimitri K, Cryogenic and The Dark Horror. Current dates are in our festival calendar.
Uptempo is growing fast. Plenty of DJs use uptempo tracks to close their hardstyle or rawstyle sets at maximum power, and more and more producers from those genres release uptempo tracks of their own. It's a genre worth hearing – though if you've never listened to faster electronic music, it takes some getting used to. You only really get the feeling for it at a festival, surrounded by the crowd.
200 BPM and up
Our Uptempo Collection has hoodies, oversized shirts, shirts, tank tops, beanies and belt bags. Every piece is printed or embroidered in Cologne only after you order.
