Armin van Buuren News
i_o Releases Huge Rework Of Ian van Dahl’s 2000 Classic ‘Castles In The Sky’!
‘Castles In The Sky’, the iconic classic from Belgian band Ian van Dahl, enjoyed quite the run in dance music land when it was released shortly after the turn of the millenium. Immediately catching the ears and eyes of the global dance music crowd, the record became a major hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #3 in the UK Singles Chart and #1 in the Scottish Singles Chart. That was two decades ago, meaning it’s about time that the classic comes surging back to life. And none other than i_o is making that happen, issuing his rework to celebrate the original record’s twenty-year anniversary.
Following on i_o’s hyper-melodic ‘In My Head’, this next release of his on Armada Music pushes boundaries whilst paying homage to a bona fide classic that helped shape dance music culture. Juggling heavy, tremor-inducing Techno beats with swirling melodies and heavenly vocals that make listeners reminisce about the original track, ‘Castles In The Sky’ makes for a sonic experience that transcends genres from start to finish.
Seeing as his first-ever release only dates back to 2017, it’s safe to say that i_o has risen to prominence particularly quickly in the past few years. Before signing exclusively with Armada Music, he released on Deadmau5’s Mau5trap and Andrew Rayel’s inHarmony on a regular basis and sent sparks flying on remix duty for top-flight artists such as Above & Beyond (‘Alchemy’), Armin van Buuren and Tempo Giusto (‘Mr. Navigator’) and Deadmau5 (‘Imaginary Friends’). On the live front, i_o immediately staked his claim as a headline act: he completely filled out the 30,000-person floor of EDC Las Vegas’s Circuit Grounds in its opening minutes, hosted his own underground warehouse event called ACID RAVE in downtown Los Angeles, and sold out his ‘444’ album tour, which is based on his three-part album series (‘ACID 444’, ‘NRG 444’ and ‘AM 444 (feat. Lights)’).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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