Influences: Darren Styles Shares the Tracks That Shaped His Sound Ahead of XOYO Birmingham
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Darren Styles has spent decades at the centre of UK rave culture.
From early hardcore roots through to global festival stages, his sound has always balanced energy with emotion. That connection doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built from years of listening, learning, and absorbing what works on a dancefloor.
With his return to XOYO Birmingham set for 18th April, these influences give a clear view into what drives him. Not just sonically, but emotionally.
You can hear it in his sets. You can feel it in the way his records land. This is where it comes from.
Liquid - Sweet Harmony [XL Recordings]
“This is one of those tracks that just captures a moment in time perfectly. It’s got that real rave spirit, but there’s also something really uplifting and emotional about it which has always stayed with me. That balance between energy and feeling is something I’ve always tried to bring into my own music. When I first heard this, it made me realise that dance music didn’t just have to be about beats, it could actually make you feel something. Even now, you still hear elements of that sound coming back around, and I think that influence is always there in the background of what I do.”
The Prodigy - Your Love [XL Recordings]
“The Prodigy were a massive influence on me early on, and this track is a big part of that. It’s got a rawness and energy that really stood out, especially at a time when the scene was still finding its identity. There’s something quite simple about it, but it hits hard and it sticks with you. That idea of creating something that feels powerful without overcomplicating it is something I’ve always taken into my own productions. It’s also a reminder of how important attitude is in music, not just the technical side of things.”
Headhunterz - Scrap Attack [Scantraxx]
“This track was a big moment for hardstyle and definitely had an impact on me as well. The scale of it, the way it builds, the melodies, everything about it just feels massive. It showed how far the harder styles could go in terms of production and emotion. That combination of power and melody is something I’ve always connected with, especially coming from a UK hardcore background. You want people to feel something but also have that drive on the dancefloor. Scrap Attack really nailed that and it’s a track I still respect a lot.”
Paul van Dyk - For An Angel [Vandit Records]
“This is just a timeless trance record. The melody is so simple but so effective, and it’s one of those tracks that instantly takes you somewhere when you hear it. It had a big influence on me in terms of how important melody can be in dance music. You don’t always need loads going on, sometimes it’s about finding that one idea that really connects. I’ve always been drawn to that euphoric side of things, and tracks like this definitely played a part in shaping that in my own sound.”
The Stone Roses - Fools Gold [Silvertone Records]
“This might not be a typical dance track, but it’s one that’s always stuck with me. It’s got a groove and a vibe that just pulls you in and keeps you there. Growing up in the UK, bands like The Stone Roses were such a big part of the culture, and I think that influence carries over into electronic music more than people realise. For me, it’s a reminder that feel is everything. Whether it’s a band or a dance track, if it’s got that groove and atmosphere, it will connect with people.”
There’s a clear pattern across these choices. Emotion and energy sit side by side. Rave, trance, hardstyle, indie. Different worlds, but the same core idea. Music has to move you first. The rest follows.
That’s exactly what you get at a Darren Styles set. Big moments. Strong melodies. No let up. And when he steps into XOYO Birmingham later this month, you already know what the goal is. Connection. Movement. Release. Everything these records represent, played out in real time.
Darren Styles
XOYO Birmingham
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