Big room

Big Room, also known as "big room house" or simply "big room," is a sub-genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emerged in the early 2010s. Though its roots can be traced back to progressive and electro house styles, big room largely evolved from the festival and arena culture where vast spaces necessitated bigger, more anthemic sounds. Hence, as the name suggests, it was crafted with the intention of filling these large venues with vibrant, energetic soundwaves.

The genre's prominence came into full effect during the explosion of EDM in the U.S, particularly in music festivals such as Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival. This was a time when artists such as Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Nicky Romero, and W&W, among others, were beginning to attain a worldwide fame. These artists and their potent big room anthems became synonymous with the genre, establishing them as key ambassadors.

Big Room usually features extended build-ups followed by a drop that contains minimalistic drums, simple 4/4 beats, enormous, reverberant synthesized drum sounds, a lot of tension, and thunderous basslines. The main melody or climax, often euphoric and uplifting, comes after a quieter, melodic breakdown. The genre can frequently exhibit influences from trance, hardstyle, and even Latin music.

Whilst it has its critics who argue it's formulaic and lacks complexity, big room house's upbeat, energetic nature and its ability to unite thousands of club-goers or festival-attendees with its high-octane tunes make it hugely popular. Moreover, its simplicity lends itself to danceability— a crucial factor in EDM genres.

In terms of international reception, the genre has been incredibly popular in countries like The Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium, which have longstanding electronic music cultures and host some of the biggest music festivals worldwide. The U.S. has also embraced big room, with its popularity spiking along with the general boom of EDM in the 2010s. However, its influence can be felt globally, in places where electronic music festivals and EDM are popular.

Despite a slight dip in popularity due to a surge in more bass-heavy genres like trap and dubstep, big room has remained a stalwart in the EDM scene. Distinguished artists like Armin van Buuren and David Guetta have also contributed to the genre. Notably, the former with his track 'Blah Blah Blah', and the latter with 'Bad', both maintaining the genre’s essence while experimenting with new sounds.

Interestingly, big room has also sparked a sub-genre termed "commercial big room," characterized by shorter, radio-friendly versions of the otherwise extended tracks, featuring vocals and pop-influenced elements.

While big room might not be the trendiest genre at the moment, with electronic music being a rapidly evolving industry, its infectious energy, and anthemic nature promises that it will remain a staple of festival lineups and club nightlife for a long time to come.