About Electro dance
French Electro dance (also known as Tecktonik and Milky Way) is a style of street dance typically performed to electro house music. It incorporates elements from various dance styles, including industrial dance, Moroccan chaabi, disco, vogue, waacking, hip-hop, and freehand glowsticking. The style emerged in the 2000s in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, particularly at the Metropolis nightclub, and later spread internationally. Fast-paced techno and electro house music, often imported from Northern Europe, is commonly used for Tecktonik dancing.
Electro dance emphasises arm movements, drawing from glowsticking techniques such as freehand patterns, the figure eight, and the concept of a leading hand (in which one hand geometrically follows the other). The style also incorporates disco-inspired poses and angular movements. Lower-body movement typically involves shuffling steps and rhythmic footwork performed in time with the music, sometimes incorporating elements of toprock and b-boy-style footwork, reflecting hip-hop influences.
The term "Tecktonik" is a registered trademark originating in Paris, which has created legal restrictions on the commercial use of the name. The creators of the Tecktonik brand, including Cyril Blanc, artistic director of Metropolis, have sold official merchandise such as clothing, compilation CDs, and energy drinks.
Electro dance is associated with France. Explore related traditions below or compare it with the most popular dance styles in the United States.
Related dances
Gavotte
French dance, taking its name from a folk dance of the Gavot
Tourdion
Renaissance French dance
Java
dance which was developed in France in the early part of the 20th century
Minuet
French folk dance, which over time became a court dance, in 3/4 meter and moderate tempo
Can-can
music hall dance presentation