Armin van Buuren News
De Hofnar And Kav Verhouzer Are Back As Dukewood With New Single ‘Blindly’!
Since their first release as Dukewood – named ‘Don’t Stop’, remember? – De Hofnar and Kav Verhouzer haven’t exactly been sitting still. Several single releases and with an ever-growing audience later, the two long-time friends and party starters deliver ‘Blindly’, another upbeat dance track with even more tropical influences this time. More than ‘Don’t Stop’ – going towards 1.5 million streams – this one goes back to the tropical roots of these two!
De Hofnar is one of the founders of the melodic/tropical house genre. This made him a streaming millionaire and let him perform all over the world. His talent was also seen by the fathers of the current dance music, Tiësto, Laidback Luke, Pete Tong, and Armin van Buuren asked De Hofnar to make official remixes for them. De Hofnar: ‘’It’s just amazing when legends like these ask you to make remixes of their tracks. I still can’t believe this’’. De Hofnar believes he is a provider of joy for people. De Hofnar says: ‘’My name means court jester in Dutch. I believe that as a DJ I’m the court jester for people all over the world. That’s why I live my slogan: You’re the kings and queens and I’m just here to entertain you.’’
Kav Verhouzer is a DJ/producer but mainly an energetic party maker hailing from the Netherlands. It all began with the success of his track ’Hot Skin’ together with Sam Feldt which hit over 21 million streams on Spotify, and the release of the bootleg ‘Nothing Really Matters’ of Mr Probz, which hit over 10 million streams on Soundcloud, These two tracks were the beginning of an explosion of streams on his Soundcloud and Spotify channel and opened the doors to gigs all over the world. This wasn’t unnoticed by Spotify itself as Spotify chose him as one of the Spotify Spotlight Artists for 2016 in The Netherlands. The confidence of Spotify in Kav Verhouzer was paid back by his track ‘Get What You Came For’ together with BullySongs, which was in the Dutch Pop Charts and reached over 19 million streams. Kav Verhouzer his star was rising further after his platinum record ‘Stap Voor Stap’ With Dutch rapper Sjaak. The track was featured at number 11 in the Dutch charts.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
A State of Trance reveals first artists for Rotterdam 2027 with Armin van Buuren five-hour set, exclusive vinyl show and new b2b performances
A State of Trance has announced the first artists for its Rotterdam 2027 edition at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 26 and 27. Armin van Buuren will play a five-hour set on Friday. He will then appear twice on Saturday with a solo set and an exclusive vinyl performance. The announcement also includes Aly & Fila b2b John O’Callaghan, Key4050, Giuseppe Ottaviani & Hypaton and Vini Vici b2b Space 92. More artists will follow.
First Artists Announced for Rotterdam 2027
At the centre of Friday’s four-stage program is Armin van Buuren’s five-hour set.
View this post on Instagram
Aly & Fila b2b John O’Callaghan also brings three established trance names together for one of the biggest collaborations announced so far. Friday’s lineup includes Alex M.O.R.P.H., Ben Gold, Billy Gillies, Ciaran McAuley, Dash Berlin, David Forbes and Farius. Modeā, Ørjan Nilsen, Push and Richard Durand will also perform on February 26.
The following night expands to five areas and introduces several more combinations across Rotterdam Ahoy. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Hypaton, Key4050, NRG2000 b2b SUPERSTRINGS and Vini Vici b2b Space 92 are among Saturday’s first names. The lineup also includes BLR, Driftmoon, Enigma State, Factor B, Mark Sixma, Olly James, onTune and Ruben de Ronde. Sarah de Warren, Talla 2XLC, The Rocketman, XiJaro & Pitch and Youna complete the names announced so far. Ferry Corsten will also play a b2b set, with his partner still to be announced.
Before the main Saturday program begins, Armin van Buuren will play an exclusive vinyl set. Guests with official hotel packages and Early Access tickets will have access to the performance. He will then appear again later for his solo set. This separates the vinyl performance from the main five-area program and gives Saturday two different Armin van Buuren sets.
A State of Trance Marks 25 Years
The Rotterdam 2027 announcement follows the 25th anniversary of A State of Trance, which began as a radio show in 2001. The weekly broadcast now reaches millions of listeners across 84 countries. Over the years, A State of Trance has also hosted more than 100 events across five continents. Rotterdam remains the flagship destination for its large-scale event and brings its international trance community together over two nights.
The first artists announced for 2027 reflect that history while introducing several combinations created specifically for the weekend. Long-established names include Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan, Ferry Corsten, Ørjan Nilsen and Richard Durand. Pairings such as Vini Vici b2b Space 92 and NRG2000 b2b SUPERSTRINGS add less familiar combinations to the two-day event.
More artists and program details are still to come, while day and weekend tickets are now available for A State of Trance Rotterdam 2027.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Armin van Buuren releases new [UNVRS] documentary exploring dancefloor psychology, human connection and the impact of his five-hour A State of Trance sets
For 25 years, A State of Trance has brought people together through radio, events and dancefloors. That shared experience is now the focus of Armin van Buuren’s new 10-minute documentary, The Psychology of the Dancefloor. He created the film with psychotherapist Rachel Giddings during his debut residency at [UNVRS] in Ibiza. It asks why music can make strangers feel connected and why a crowd can create a sense of belonging. The documentary also looks at why some moments stay with people long after the night ends.
View this post on Instagram
Inside The Psychology of the Dancefloor
Filmed during Armin van Buuren’s five-hour sets at [UNVRS], The Psychology of the Dancefloor follows the crowd as each night develops. Psychotherapist Rachel Giddings joins him in examining how people react when thousands hear the same breakdown, build or climax together. Their conversations explore the emotional response behind those moments and how a room full of strangers can begin to feel connected through music.
Each Monday gives that experience several hours to develop, with Armin van Buuren playing five consecutive dates from September 7 to October 5. The extended sets allow him to guide the room through different parts of his sound while the documentary pays close attention to how the crowd responds along the way. Those reactions become part of the story as the night changes from one moment to the next.
Speaking about the film, Armin van Buuren says the people in front of him are where “the real magic happens.” He also questions why music can affect people so deeply and why strangers can suddenly feel part of something together. That perspective keeps the documentary grounded in the people experiencing the night and the emotions they take home with them.
25 Years of A State of Trance
The five-week residency also marks 25 years of A State of Trance, which first began as a radio show in 2001. It now reaches around 44 million listeners across more than 80 countries, while more than 100 A State of Trance events have taken place across five continents. What started through weekly broadcasts has grown into a global community that regularly comes together in person.
Celebrating that anniversary through five-hour sets in Ibiza gives Armin van Buuren time to revisit what A State of Trance has meant to people over the years. The Psychology of the Dancefloor adds a more personal layer to that anniversary by asking what people actually carry away from those nights. After 25 years of bringing listeners together, the film looks beyond the music itself and into the memories, emotions and connections that keep people coming back.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Armin van Buuren appears as drag queen Daisy Belle on Make Up Your Mind while speaking about LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusivity in dance music
Armin van Buuren surprised viewers after appearing in drag on the Dutch television show Make Up Your Mind as mystery queen Daisy Bell. The RTL 4 program transforms well-known Dutch personalities into drag queens, while its panel tries to work out who is behind each character. During the latest episode, Armin van Buuren kept his identity hidden until host Carlo Boszhard announced his name. The panel and audience then gave him a standing ovation.
Armin van Buuren Revealed as Daisy Bell
Panel members Fred van Leer, Nikkie de Jager and Francis van Broekhuizen all reacted with surprise when Armin van Buuren revealed his identity. Fred van Leer was particularly surprised that an internationally established DJ had agreed to take part in the show. Nikkie de Jager also praised his transformation after he stepped out of character.
View this post on Instagram
Preparing to become Daisy Bell required around five hours in makeup. Performing in heels also gave Armin van Buuren an entirely new challenge. After the reveal, he joked that he was happy to still be standing and described the experience as fantastic. Speaking about drag itself, he said, “It’s simply art.”
Why Armin van Buuren Chose to Take Part
Armin van Buuren explained that he does not normally agree quickly to television appearances. However, the message behind Make Up Your Mind convinced him to make an exception. He also connected his decision to the events he organizes and the people who attend them.
“I organize events myself and I want everyone at my events to be able to be themselves, because unfortunately that is not possible everywhere,” he said following the reveal. His comments reflect the wider message behind Make Up Your Mind, which regularly promotes acceptance and freedom of self-expression. Previous participants and panel members have also discussed the importance of allowing people to express themselves without facing judgement for being different.
For Armin van Buuren, appearing as Daisy Bell therefore carried a purpose beyond surprising viewers with an unexpected television appearance. His participation connected the message of Make Up Your Mind directly to what he wants people to experience at his electronic dance music events. He wants attendees to feel comfortable being themselves without feeling pressure to hide who they are.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
-
EDM Music3 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 18: HALŌ, HUGEL, Sara Landry & More
-
EDM Festival News3 weeks agoLost Lands Announces Full Set Times and Streaming Details
-
EDM Festival News4 weeks agoTomorrowland Winter 2027 Dates and Ticket Sales Announced
-
EDM Music2 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 25: Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren & More
-
EDM Music4 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 11: David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Skrillex & More
-
EDM news4 weeks agoTiësto Revives ‘In Concert’ for 2027 Stadium Show
-
EDM Festival News4 weeks agoDjakarta Warehouse Project Unveil First Lineup Phase For DWP 2026
-
EDM news3 weeks agoNoisia Announces Return with Amsterdam Comeback Show
