Armin van Buuren News
Techno: A Year In Review
As 2024 comes to a close it’s time to look back on what has been a thrilling year in techno where there have been plenty of huge headlines.
Continuing on from 2023, Charlotte De Witte once again was crowned as the highest-ranking techno artist on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJ’s list climbing 2 spots to number 16. She has had another incredible year that has continued to establish her status as the queen of techno with her dropping ‘Roar’ which has fast become one of her biggest tracks along with having further development and success with her record label KNTXT. She also added to her long list of firsts as she became the first female and techno artist to close the mainstage of Tomorrowland Brazil where she enchanted the crowd with more of her awesome new music.
When it comes to firsts this year Oliver Heldens also had a big one as he would perform his first mainstage set under his HI LO alias at EDC Las Vegas. He performed this set alongside Eli Brown who has also been killing it this year most notably with his track ‘When I Push’ which has been blasting through speakers all around the world. 2024 has seen Heldens shift his focus over to his HI LO alias where he has thrived making some of the biggest techno tracks of the year such as ‘My Fantasy’ with Maddix, ‘Now Love Will Begin’ collaborating with Armin Van Buuren, and ‘Paradise’ alongside Danny Avila. Having had such a monumental rise throughout this year with his HI LO alias it’s exciting to see where he’ll go with it leading into next year.
Though if we’re talking about names in techno that have had massive development this year then of course we have to talk about this years techno sensation, Sara Landry. After gaining a lot of attention following her explosive Boiler Room set in 2023 which has gone on to amass 7.5 million views on YouTube, Landry has gone on to be one of the biggest names in electronic music this year. Back in July she made her Tomorrowland mainstage debut where she became the first ever hard techno artist to perform on the mainstage. With her insane amount of success this year she now finds herself on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list at number 75 and as the highest ranked hard techno artist. This year has also seen her release her debut album ‘Spiritual Driveby’ which has been an absolute sensation garnering over 23 million streams on Spotify already.
This year has even seen Reinier Zonneveld become a Guinness World Record holder for the longest electronic music live performance. He took to the stage at Karren Maar Festival for 11 hours and 11 minutes where he would make all the music live with synthesizers and drum computers through the entire set which is a monumental achievement. Throughout the year he has continued to release banger after banger with an impressive 6 of them passing the million-stream marker on Spotify with ‘Hard Kick Cheap Thrills’ taking the top spot for him with 1.4 million streams.
It has been an incredible year for techno artists and fans alike with amazing music coming out all year and some amazing moments. What’s been your favourite moment in techno this year?
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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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