What started in the underground clubs of Chicago has always been more than just a genre. Since the early 1980s, the hypnotic beats and steady rhythm of house music have inspired deep connections, personal expression, and liberation for people who needed it the most.
From the hot and sweaty dance floors of warehouses to the lasers and neon-lit stages of global festivals, this genre of music has shaped cultures and united communities. Now, that same energy has found a new life among students in Los Angeles.
In LA, house music is no longer just something you hear in nightclubs. For students and many others, it is becoming a common ground that is shaping everything from wellness to fashion to community.
What once used to be a niche underground genre is now taking root in student life, spreading beyond Loyola Marymount University and connecting with schools across the country. Students who might have once chosen to spend their weekends at fraternity houses or bars have traded that in for special DJ lineups, immersive lighting setups, and hours of dancing in curated art spaces scattered around LA.
The underground events are often discovered through word-of-mouth or last-minute Instagram drops, adding to the fun of the nightlife scene.
“It’s not just about the music,” said Olivia Guinan, an LMU student and DJ. “It’s about connecting with people who are all there for the same reason.”
For many young people, house music is more than just nightlife, where the music, fashion, and wellness elements all intertwine. At a time when students are seeking a sense of belonging and authenticity, these parties provide a break from everyday pressures and reality, providing a space where individuality and unity can coexist.
Jonathan Lauer, Head of the House Music Department at Range Media Partners, notes that the new generation of DJs and creatives is “bringing house music back to its roots in community, while also pushing it forward with visuals, new sounds, branding, and collaborations that not only connect with seasoned ravers, but with a younger audience as well.”
This resurgence also reflects a bigger cultural shift. House music’s roots can be traced back to Black-owned, Chicago nightclubs of the 1980s that were friendly to LGBTQ+ patrons. This serves as a reminder to us that it has always been about creating safe spaces for marginalized voices. Now, as the scene gains more mainstream attention through festivals and streaming playlists, students are rediscovering those roots and adapting them to their own lives.
In LA, where culture spreads quickly from the underground to the mainstream, house music’s rise among students is more than just a trend – it is a movement with history, identity, and community at its core.
An upcoming event to be on the lookout for is on Nov. 5 at Jungle Hollywood, which will be hosted by Guinan and me. The event will feature an all-female lineup of DJs and mark the debut of the LA chapter of Support Women DJs – a collective dedicated to supporting women in the electronic dance music scene.
