By: Erin Slayter (www.thesweatymouse.com)

The dance scene of the 90’s was filled with late-night raves in abandoned warehouses with sometimes not much more than literally, two turntables, a microphone, some fog machines and messes of sweaty party goers rollin’ through the break of dawn. This wasn’t necessarily due to lack of talent. The late 90’s and early 2000’s had plenty of hot DJ’s and techno artists worthy of note, and some have evolved into today’s scene; an active, ever expanding, more sophisticated selection of musical experiences all designed to keep the party going.

A quick scan across the Nation for Untz-filled New Year’s Eve plans offers something for fans from coast to coast. Here in the Midwest, Chicago will be the hotbed for multiple days of partying with some of electronica’s best. As today’s electric scene has become well mingled amongst many jam fans, it’s great to see long weekends and festivals that bring together the best of both worlds. 

Kicking off the electronic festivities on Thursday will be Pretty Lights, fresh off a jam-packed fall tour filled with special guests at nearly every stop along the way.  Michal Menert will be one of PL’s featured guests on the 30th along with Major Lazer.  The NYE show has already sold-out. However, as of Christmas Eve, fans could still snag tix to the Thursday (12/30) PL show and the official after-party show at MID with Tipper, Alex B’s newest incarnation Paper Diamond, and SAMPLES.

If you’re among the many shut out for NYE PL tickets, fear not, there’s still plenty of techni-shrouded fun to be had in Chi-town. Thanks to the producers at Silver Wrapper, fans can get their NYE livetronica dance fix with Future Rock at the Kinetic Playground along with special guest DJ Thibault, MindElixir, and Lo Bounce.  For those heartier souls looking for a little wobble to ring in their New Year, Bass Science will be headlining the Portage Theater in Chicago's northwest suburbs.

Check out "From Now Till...," recently released from Paper Diamond:

As well as the "Wobble Factory DJ Mix" from Tipper:

And finally "Phantom Murder" from SAMPLES new album "Choose Your Own Adventure":