Armin van Buuren News
From Chart Topper To Underground Raver: The Techno Turn Of Oliver Heldens
On Saturday Oliver Heldens played on the mainstage at EDC Las Vegas under his other alias HI LO doing a B2B set with Eli Brown to a packed mainstage crowd. Oliver Heldens has never struggled to pull a crowd, but this was a huge moment in his career with it being his first ever mainstage show under his HI LO alias. This is a moment he has been building up to for over 10 years as he has been slowly growing this alias and developing his skills in making techno. He has had a big shift in the type of music that he makes over this time that has taken him from dominating the charts to now being a huge name in the techno scene.
Back in 2014, Oliver Heldens had a hugely successful year releasing two of his biggest songs ‘Gecko (Overdrive)’ and ‘Koala (Last All Night)’ which would launch him into the charts in the UK even achieving a number 1 hit with ‘Gecko ‘(Overdrive).’ These songs would establish his signature future house sound that he would continue to use to create plenty more massive hits. But even this early on in his career he was showing flashes of his techno potential on his collaboration with Sander Van Doorn, ‘This.’ The thundering kick and thick bass mixed with his future house bounce were just a taste of what was to come, already showing his capability to add his own twist to techno.
In 2015 the anonymous alias HI LO would make its first appearance with the release of ‘Crank It Up’ which gained a lot of attention from artists and fans alike. Only a few weeks after the release of ‘Crank It Up’, Oliver Heldens would reveal that he was the face behind the HI LO alias and would also reveal that he was launching his own record label Heldeep Records. The first release on Heldeep Records would be a HI LO track called ‘Renegade Mastah’ that was massively successful going on to receive over 28 million streams on Spotify. Though not straying too far from his usual sound, in an interview with UKF in 2015 he said, “The music I make as HI-LO is more bassline driven and ‘underground’. The typical Oliver Heldens sound is way more melodic.” He kept on releasing more big tracks as HI LO and started to incorporate them into his live shows laying the foundations for a hugely successful alias.
Over the next few years, the HI LO tracks kept coming though remained very much a side project in comparison to the music being released under Oliver Heldens. But eventually there began to be a bit of a shift when 2020 came around and all of a sudden, the HI LO name started to creep into centre stage. Usually during his live shows, Oliver Heldens would only sprinkle in a couple of his HI LO tracks but on April 25th 2020 he put up a DJ set on his YouTube channel where he did a full half hour of HI LO music alongside some techno tracks from other artists. This was well received by fans and would become quite common on the various livestreams that he would do over lockdown. He was diving deeper into the world of techno and taking his sound to a darker place with songs like ‘Zeus’ and ‘Kronos’ which really set the tone for his subsequent HI LO releases and starter taking him further into the underground scene.
To help take his tracks to the next level he decided to collaborate with Reinier Zonneveld who was already a well-established name in the underground techno scene. Oliver Heldens had been following his work and had become a big fan of his style and his record label Filth on Acid which led to their first collaboration ‘Saw of Olympus’ in 2021. This track was Oliver Heldens fully embracing his techno side with a heavy, echoing kick and plenty of bass that shook the dancefloors. Working with Reinier Zonneveld allowed him to learn a lot and he would continue to learn more and more about techno as he collaborated with more giants of techno like Will Clarke, T78 and Eli Brown over his coming songs.
With this new catalogue of heavy HI LO techno bangers, it was finally time for the next step which was doing live sets under the HI LO alias. Once lockdown had ended in 2021, the HI LO name could finally start hitting the stage with shows at the likes of 013 Poppodium and Seismic Dance Event where he could unleash his new sound. The thundering techno of HI LO was certainly a big jump from the usual music of Oliver Heldens, but it was a huge success which lead to more and more shows under the alias at the likes of Ultra Europe and Tomorrowland. As the love for HI LO from the fans grew, more of the alias’s tracks started to appear in Oliver Heldens’ live shows with a mashup of his track ‘Flying Octopus’ and the acappella from ‘Lovely’ by Billie Eilish and Khalid being a highlight of his shows that was adored by the fans.
After all those years the HI LO name has gone from a small side project to being one of the biggest names in techno. Under this alias, Oliver Heldens has now collaborated with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Alan Fitzpatrick, Danny Avila, Space 92, and performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world. In only the past few years HI LO has launched from being solely underground to now being on the mainstage at EDC which is an incredible achievement. Oliver Heldens has managed to take this alias to heights beyond what anyone would have thought 9 years ago, and he certainly isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Against All Ødds unleashes his latest track ‘Out Of Control’ via Giolì & Assia’s RESURRECTION imprint, blending cinematic tension with soaring energy.
Against All Ødds has released his newest single, ‘Out Of Control’, via Giolì & Assia’s RESURRECTION imprint. The track offers fans a euphoric journey through cinematic soundscapes and pulsating club energy. With his distinct vision, the DJ and producer once again demonstrates his ability to merge melody and intensity into a track designed for global dancefloors.
Moreover, the single highlights how far the artist—real name David Mimram—has pushed his craft. Known for past successes including ‘Unity’, ‘Agartha’, and ‘Faded’, he has quickly earned recognition across the industry. In fact, his productions have received support from a who’s who of electronic music, ranging from Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Miss Monique, Paul van Dyk, David Guetta, Joris Voorn, to Yotto. Each endorsement underscores his growing reputation as one of the scene’s most exciting rising names.
At the same time, ‘Out Of Control’ feels like a defining moment in his career. The track builds with hypnotic layers, unleashing waves of euphoric release that embody his forward-thinking approach to dance music. By combining modern melodic structures with festival-ready drive, Against All Ødds continues to carve out a unique identity that resonates with fans worldwide.
Ultimately, the single captures what he has always stood for: music that unites listeners in moments of collective release. With ‘Out Of Control’ now out on RESURRECTION, Against All Ødds solidifies his reputation as a visionary act whose trajectory shows no signs of slowing down.
‘Out Of Control’ is available now on all major streaming platforms.
EDM Festivals in September 2025 are guaranteed to keep the momentum rolling as summer transitions into fall.
From legendary brands making global moves to underground takeovers and bass-heavy spectacles, here’s your guide to the top EDM festivals you won’t want to miss this September.
Tomorrowland x Insomniac
Dates: Aug 29 – Oct 18 (majority of shows in September)
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Two titans of dance music, Tomorrowland and Insomniac, join forces inside Las Vegas’ cutting-edge Sphere for a once-in-a-lifetime set of shows. Expect immersive visuals, boundary-pushing production, and a lineup featuring DJ Snake, Alan Walker, Subtronics, and more. This historic collaboration sets a new benchmark for festival experiences.
Ultra Japan
Dates: September 13–14
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Ultra returns to Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park with its signature brand of high-energy stages, global superstars, and local talent. The 2025 edition brings Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, and more alongside Asia’s rising EDM acts. With Japan’s passionate crowds and futuristic setting, Ultra Japan is always a standout.
Experts Only
Dates: September 20–21
Location: New York City, USA
With the record label going from strength to strength, John Sumit‘s Experts Only brand is now expanding with it’s very first festival. Taking place in the heart of NYC, the debut will see a headline performance from John Summit himself along with Kaskade b2b Cassian, Pete Tong, Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, and more.
Lost Lands
Dates: September 19-21
Location: Legend Valley, Ohio, USA
Excision’s bass music mecca is back, bringing the dinosaurs, the pyro, and enough sub-bass to shake the earth. Lost Lands 2025 promises the heaviest dubstep, riddim, and drum & bass lineups of the year with sets from Acraze, SVDDEN DEATH, Rezz, and of course, Excision himself. Expect massive production, late-night sound camps, and a community vibe like no other.
Together Festival
Dates: September 5–6
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
One of Southeast Asia’s biggest EDM gatherings, Together Festival takes over Bangkok with a mix of mainstage giants and regional talent. Past editions have hosted Martin Garrix, Zedd, and Marshmello, with 2025 inviting Afrojack, Paul Van Dyk, Sub Zero Project, Topic, and more.
PRIMER Music Festival
Dates: September 6–7
Location: Athens, Greece
Set against the backdrop of the historic Greek capital, PRIMER has quickly become a must-stop on the European circuit. Known for blending top-tier headliners with a Mediterranean vibe, this year’s edition welcomes Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, Purple Disco Machine, and more.
Beonix
Dates: September 19–21
Location: Limassol, Cyprus
On the shores of the Mediterranean, Beonix brings a mix of house, techno, and progressive sounds to Cyprus. With stages designed around art and immersive visuals, the festival creates a sleek balance of music, design, and seaside relaxation. Artists like Armin van Buuren, Roger Sanchez, and Boris Brejcha are expected.
Caprices Festival
Dates: September 19-21
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Caprices is set high in the Swiss Alps with panoramic mountain views. This boutique festival draws house and techno purists for intimate sets from the scene’s best. Think Franky Rizardo, Loco Dice, and Cassy paired with breathtaking alpine backdrops.
Nocturnal Wonderland
Dates: September 13-14
Location: Southern California, USA
As North America’s longest-running rave, Nocturnal Wonderland continues to enchant with colorful art, glowing lights, and a diverse lineup across drum & bass, house, trance, and bass. Hosted by Insomniac, the festival mixes nostalgia with cutting-edge production for a true rave wonderland.
CRSSD Festival
Dates: September 27–28
Location: San Diego, USA
Held at San Diego’s Waterfront Park, CRSSD has become the West Coast’s premier house and techno festival. With its oceanfront skyline views, palm trees, and craft food and cocktails, the vibe is unmatched. The 2025 edition is set to feature Purple Disco Machine, John Summit, Jamie Jones b2b Adam Ten, and more.
From the futuristic Sphere in Vegas to the alpine peaks of Switzerland, September offers some of the most diverse EDM festivals of the year. Whether you’re chasing underground grooves, mainstage anthems, or bass-heavy madness, the month is stacked with choices around the globe.
UNTOLD X wasn’t just a festival, it was a four-night celebration of music, unity, and pure magic in Cluj, Romania.
We just got back from UNTOLD X and honestly, it was unreal. Our team’s first time in Romania and it couldn’t get any better than this. Four straight nights in Cluj with over 470,000 people from all over the world, and every night felt bigger than the last.
Post Malone kicked off his European tour, and the whole stadium was packed singing along. The start of the show with ‘Texas Tea’ to the pyro and energy during ‘Rockstar’ and the closing with ‘Congratulations’ was something to remember for ages. The country rockstar persona definitely suits him.
Armin van Buuren gave us a three-hour marathon set that turned into this massive love letter to the crowd, he even walked down into the audience under a sea of phone lights, waving the Romanian flag while wearing the Romanian football team jersey. Goosebumps.
The Avicii tribute with Sandro Cavazza was as emotional as it could get. When he sang ‘Without You’, tens of thousands of people sang along and the whole place lit up. It felt like everyone was united in that moment.
The lineup was stacked. Garrix blew us away with his special set and the fireworks at the end of his set with ‘High on Life’ were unforgettable. Tiësto did a special extended set just for the 10th anniversary. Don Diablo premiered his new show concept for his upcoming tour. And then you had the special act, Salvatore Ganacci turning the stage into a living room and Alan Walker with his cinematic visuals and an energetic set.
Alok brought team of dancers and the whole set was probably the highlight of the festival. The visuals, the production, the music and the crowds energy were just unmatched.
It wasn’t just about the mainstage either. The Galaxy stage had heavyweights like Dom Dolla, ARTBAT, Adriatique, and Black Coffee, proper house and techno journeys that went late into the night. The festival had so many different vibes, from chill daytime sets in the park to full-on raves at night.
What really stood out though was how much UNTOLD leaned into the experience beyond the music. There were food stalls, games, fashion corners, even a special kids’ area and a sensory space for kids with neurodiverse needs. They even brought in cancer survivors from Youth Cancer Europe to meet artists, it really felt like a community, not just a festival.
This was the 10th edition, and they made it clear it was both a celebration of the last decade and a teaser for what’s next. They’re already talking about “UNTOLD One” in 2026 as the next chapter. If this anniversary was any indication, it’s going to be on another level.
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