He’s been nominated for a Grammy Award, he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics, and he is responsible for the largest single DJ show in North American history for a crowd of 15,000. Yet somehow, you’ll rarely hear his name mentioned, let alone his music, on mainstream radio or TV in the United States. However, Tiesto is quickly becoming the most widely loved spokesman for what is, in my opinion, the most grossly underrepresented musical genre in the country.

But after my visit down to San Diego to watch two of Tiesto’s performances, it’s clear that electro-dance music is blowing up here in America and is already developing a following that rivals the rest of the world’s obsession with the music.

Tiesto’s first performance was during the day at a place called the Wave House, located right on the beach. Thousands gathered to watch him play hits such as “Love Comes Again” and “Moonlight Party” as hundreds more listened from the sand just outside the open-air venue. The concert continued that night at a bank-turned-theater called 4th & B, where Tiesto took many more liberties with the mixing and the effects on his songs, to the point where he was even composing new ones on the spot.

Electro music has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few years, and Tiesto is arguably the best in the world at creating unique new grooves at each of his concerts. What was technologically impossible even a few years ago has now reached a level where turntables, a mixer and a MacBook have become musical instruments in their own rights, and Tiesto’s talent with all sorts of keypads, knobs, buttons and other equally confusing techno elements is unsurpassed.

And for those who are unfamiliar with electronic music, think of it like soccer. It’s a cultural staple to the rest of the world, and its popularity is exploding here in America. And as he gears up for his Bonnaroo performance this weekend, followed by an extensive American tour, think of Tiesto as music’s David Beckham.

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