This Summer, Beatport teamed up with Ballantine’s Scotch whisky as a part of their True Music platform to present a series of live streams that focused on some of the most influential and up-and-coming artists, collectives, and spaces in three major US cities: New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Revered for highlighting local music scenes in cities across the world, the series marked Ballantine Scotch whisky and their True Music platform’s US debut as we traveled to focus on these three major hubs of dance music in America.

After hitting each respective city two times for six separate streams, the series proved to be a massive success, showcasing unique performances from stunning locations with 26 different artists who have made a name for themselves through each city’s underground scene.

Having amassed hundreds of thousands of views online, we take a look back at the marvelous sets that stretched from sea to shining sea and welcomed Ballantine’s Scotch whisky and their True Music platform to the shores of the USA.

For Beatport’s first adventure with Ballantine’s, we traveled to New York City for a rooftop livestream in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint, offering incredible views of the city for a five-hour session from four of the city’s most revered selectors: Julia Govor, Kim Ann Foxman, Mike Servito, and Justin Cudmore.

Beatport and Ballantine’s second round in NYC came in June for a special Pride 2021 live stream at Seret Studios in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Curated by the queer-owned collective & resource platform Community Bread, the event was hosted by one of NYC’s iconic nightlife personalities & staunch LGBTQ+ activists, Xander Gaines. Check out the showcase’s inspired performances from four ingenious LGBTQ+ acts — Jasmine Infiniti, quest?onmarq, SHYBOI, and The Carry Nation.

After New York, Beatport and Ballantine’s took a flight to the Golden State for a dance music session in The City of Angels, Los Angeles. Posting up on a rooftop overlooking the Venice Boardwalk, we kicked things off with four of LA’s most beloved party starters: PENNYWILD, J. Worra, Justin Jay, and Mija.

Beatport’s second LA adventure with Ballantine’s was a Downtown dance music escapade near the city’s Arts District. The livestream ran from day to night with performances from a handful of the LA’s most respected underground players, including Tara Brooks, Marques Wyatt, Doc Martin, and a triple b2b session from the Surround crew — Heidi Lawden, Jeniluv, and Masha Mar.

Making our way to The Magic City, Beatport and Ballantine’s were eager to get to Miami for the first-ever live stream at one of the city’s best-known party spots, Space Park. The high-flying event went off without a hitch, showcasing brilliant sets from four of the freshest and most cherished acts on the Miami club circuit, Danny Daze, Jubilee, Ashley Venom, and ULTRATHEM.

For Beatport’s final Summer adventure with Ballantine’s, we touched back down in the Sunshine State to deliver a joyous exhibition from the new and wildly unique speakeasy and music venue, Floyd Miami. The livestream wrapped things up nicely, with performances from four of the city’s underground experts: Jean Pierre, m.ONROE, Kate Ozz, and Nii Tei.

Ballantine’s True Music aims to represent, support and promote inclusive music culture and over the past seven years, has championed local music communities and cultures globally, from Spain to Poland and South Africa to Brazil, giving a stage to diverse talent. Supporting over 300 artists across 50 events in 16 countries, Ballantine’s True Music has been an ally to underrepresented groups, working to ensure fairer representation on line-ups with 46% of artists featured being POC, 33% being women and 12% being LGBTQ+. Ballantine’s acknowledges there is work to be done to improve representation and increase equity, both across True Music and the wider music culture landscape and is committed to continuing to support this.

To find out more about Ballantine’s True Music, head to www.ballantines.com