Indie Dance vs Nu-Disco
By Alan More
Indie dance crosses indie and alternative rock with dance music.[1][2][3] Nu-disco is a modern revival of late 1970s disco, made with synthesizers and DJ edits.[4][6][7]
| Indie Dance | Nu-Disco | |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Indie and alternative rock crossed with dance music.[1][2][3] | A modern revival of late 1970s disco.[4][5][6] |
| Production | Songs, guitars and live-played parts alongside programmed beats.[1][3] | Synthesizers, often alongside DJ edits of old disco records.[4][7][8] |
| Touchstones | New York's DFA label, home of LCD Soundsystem, which tied indie rock to the dance floor in the early 2000s.[3][9] | Producers such as Todd Terje, known for disco re-edits.[7][8] |
Sources
- [1] Wikipedia: Alternative dance (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [2] NPR: Exploring the Madchester music scene of the '80s and '90s (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [3] Beatportal: Left To Indie: Reclaiming the Spirit of Indie Dance (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [4] Wikipedia: Nu-disco (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [5] Vice: The Constant, Unfiltered Queer Joy of Nu Disco (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [6] NPR: A Rational Conversation: How Deep Is The Disco Revival? (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [7] NPR: Todd Terje: A Defining Dance Track (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [8] FACT: A Decade of Space Disco (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [9] Bandcamp Daily: The Expansive Catalogue of DFA Records (accessed 2026-10-27)
Frequently asked questions
Are indie dance and nu-disco the same?
No. Indie dance comes from indie and alternative rock meeting the dance floor, while nu-disco is a modern revival of late 1970s disco.
Does indie dance use guitars?
Often, yes. Indie dance tends to keep songs, guitars and live-played parts alongside its programmed beats.
How is nu-disco made?
Mostly with synthesizers, often alongside DJ edits of old disco records, as in the re-edits of Todd Terje.