Armin van Buuren News
Ultra Music Festival Unveils Star-Studded Phase 1 Lineup For 23rd Edition!
Ultra Music Festival made its triumphant homecoming to Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami last March, welcoming 165,000 attendees from 112 countries to the sold-out event. The weekend commenced with a custom light-up drone show announcing that Ultra Music Festival would host its 23rd annual edition from Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26, 2023, with Swedish House Mafia headlining.
Ultra has now unveiled its star-studded Phase 1 lineup for the 2023 installment, reaffirming the festival’s legacy as a world-renowned curator of genre-crossing talent.
Swedish House Mafia leads the lineup as Ultra’s flagship headlining act, returning to the festival after their historic unannounced Main Stage comeback in 2018. The trio has spent the last few months showcasing their Paradise Again at arenas across North America, and will continue performing throughout Europe this fall.
Legendary Dutch producer and DJ Hardwell will headline Ultra 2023 after ending his four-year-long hiatus with a surprise closing set on the festival’s Main Stage last March. Having teased a majority of his new studio album ‘REBELS NEVER DIE’ during his unannounced Ultra performance, Hardwell toured the LP across the world before finally releasing the full 14-track album earlier this month.
Ultra will welcome a handful of debut headlining performances that encompass the vast spectrum of electronic music, helmed by Kaskade and deadmau5’ super-duo Kx5. The pair’s debut Ultra performance follows the release of their first two Kx5 singles ‘Escape’ ft. Hayla and ‘Take Me High’, and with the inaugural Kx5 album slated for release in 2023, fans can expect a performance brimming with exciting new music.
In addition to his back-to-back with Kaskade as Kx5, deadmau5 will perform as his techno alias Testpilot alongside Oliver Heldens’ techno moniker HI-LO in a never-before-seen world debut. The HI-LO and Testpilot projects have each garnered widespread respect amongst the underground community, serving as vessels for Oliver Heldens and deadmau5 to vaunt their deepest and darkest records.
Eclectic electronic-pop artist Grimes will also make her Ultra debut with a special DJ set to showcase her futuristic discography. French trailblazer CloZee will bring her highly-anticipated live show to mark her inaugural Ultra Music Festival performance. The classically-trained artist has quickly risen through the ranks of electronic music with her worldly bass sound and organic instrumentation. Representing the bass music genre, Ganja White Night and Subtronics will each make their long-awaited inaugural Ultra performances at the 2023 event.
Marking another first for Ultra, Dutch producer Oliver Heldens and French producer Tchami will take the stage together to fuse their signature house sounds. This back-to-back performance follows the pair’s inaugural collaboration ‘LOW’ with Anabel Englund from earlier this year. Both Tchami and Oliver Heldens have remained a vital part of Ultra’s programming over the years with Heldens recently performing at ULTRA Japan and the upcoming ULTRA Beach Bali event.
Ultra’s esteemed underground concept, RESISTANCE, will once again present a bevy of house and techno’s most in-demand acts across two stages: The Megastructure and The Cove.
RESISTANCE programming will feature Eric Prydz, who will present his highly-rare, technology-driven HOLO show in the Megastructure for the first time, dazzling fans with state-of-the-art visuals and mind-bending light effects. The coveted, holographic experience pushes the boundaries of light and audio technology, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves into the sounds of Eric Prydz.
The RESISTANCE Megastructure will also welcome back Carl Cox, who has remained an indispensable part of Ultra Music Festival since performing at the event’s third-ever edition back in 2001. The iconic British producer and DJ has helped shape Ultra’s legacy with each event. Ultra’s 2022 edition saw Cox debut his live-hybrid performance concept with a mesmeric, three-hour headlining set. The Megastructure will additionally host the return of Afterlife leaders Tale Of Us, who delivered a mesmerizing performance at the 2022 festival.
Over at The Cove Stage, West Coast-based underground label Dirtybird will host a stage takeover fronted by label boss himself Claude Vonstroke.
Armada label boss Armin van Buuren will also host a stage takeover from his global radio show A State of Trance, marking the 11th anniversary of curating performances from the genre’s most prominent talents at Ultra Music Festival. The Grammy-nominated Dutch producer/DJ has been a fixture at Ultra since his inaugural festival performance back in 2008, and holds the record for most entries in the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums Chart, with 21 entries.
In addition to Armin van Buuren, Ultra will welcome world-renowned headliners like Dutch superstar Martin Garrix, who made his Ultra debut in 2014 when he was only 17 years old and has headlined every edition of the festival since then (besides 2018.) The STMPD RCRDS founder recently took center stage at ULTRA Worldwide events like ULTRA Korea and ULTRA Japan, and finally unveiled his critically-acclaimed debut LP ‘Sentio‘ earlier this year.
Three-time GRAMMY award-winner and multi-platinum artist Zedd will return to Ultra’s Main Stage for the first time since 2019. The globe-trotting artist has topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart multiple times and boasts billions of streams across platforms. Zedd is hot on the heels of his colossal ULTRA Japan set, during which he brought his ‘Follow’ collaborator Martin Garrix on stage for a surprise back-to-back performance after joining Garrix for his headlining set the night prior.
Multi-platinum producer and live instrumentalist, Timmy Trumpet will bring his jazz-infused dance music back to Ultra for the 2023 event. The Australian artist has been hot on the ULTRA Worldwide circuit with Main Stage performances at ULTRA Europe, ULTRA Japan, and ULTRA Korea.
One of Brazil’s hottest dance music acts Vintage Culture will return to Ultra’s flagship event following his highly-praised back-to-back set with Claptone in 2022. The chart-topping artist won Producer of the Year at the 2022 Electronic Dance Music Awards and has remained a top-selling artist on Beatport for the majority of the past year.
Canadian producer and two-time winner of Electronic Album of the Year at the JUNO Awards, REZZ is slated to make her Ultra return this March. She initially made her Ultra debut in 2017 and quickly rose to headliner by 2019. In her short yet prolific career, she has released four studio albums, landed a sync in an Apple MacBook Pro commercial, and was featured in the Canadian documentary film Underplayed.
Gryffin will take the stage at Ultra Music Festival as a headliner for the very first time. The classically-trained and multi-platinum selling artist initially made his Ultra debut as a supporting act in 2016 and 2017 but will finally return to Bayfront Park as a headliner for the 23rd edition. His debut album ‘Gravity’ quickly rose to the number one spot on Billboard’s Top Dance/ElectronicAlbums in 2019 and most recently he released his sophomore album ‘Alive’ followed by a string of sizable US tour stops.
Ultra will also welcome veterans to return to the stage including live sets from NGHTMRE and Big Gigantic as GIGANTIC NGHTMRE, as well as the genre-fusing producer and DJ Kayzo.
Fans can relive the magic of Ultra’s magnificent return to Miami’s Bayfront Park last year with the Final Kid’s For The People Aftermovie. The film begins with gorgeous footage of Miami’s scenic locale before unveiling the bevy of enthusiastic Ultra attendees being ushered into the festival grounds for the first time since 2019. Chronicling three marathon days at festival, ‘For The People’ uses innovative filmmaking techniques to show off each stage’s groundbreaking designs, the festival’s eclectic dance music curation, the roster of world-famous headliners, and, of course, the thousands of happy Ultra attendees dancing their hearts out.
A truly stunning filmmaker, Final Kid’s method of video production has become synonymous with the after-movie genre. Clocking up hundreds of millions of views worldwide, his footage is unmatched in the industry as he consistently captures the essence and character of each Ultra event in perfectly packaged form.
Tickets are on sale now at https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Armin van Buuren announces two-day ASOT LA festival for June 2027, marking the first two-day A State of Trance event in the U.S.
For more than 25 years, A State of Trance has grown from Armin van Buuren’s weekly radio show into a global trance platform. Its events now span Europe, Asia and the Americas. Armin van Buuren has now announced its next major chapter in Los Angeles. The city will host the first two-day A State of Trance festival in the United States on June 11 and 12, 2027. The event will bring ASOT back to California on a larger scale, with further festival details still to come.
A State Of Trance Expands In Los Angeles
Armin van Buuren shared the news on October 8 during ASOT LA Unfiltered, an intimate pop-up in Downtown Los Angeles. Organisers invited a small group of attendees to the previously unannounced event. There, Armin van Buuren played a two-hour set before revealing plans for the 2027 festival at ACE*MISSION Studios.
While A State of Trance has held events in California before, including editions in Oakland and Los Angeles, 2027 will mark a first. It will become the first two-day ASOT festival in the United States. The format follows the larger editions already established elsewhere and gives the U.S. event two full festival dates.
A State Of Trance Hotel Joins The Weekend
Alongside the shows at ACE*MISSION Studios, the Los Angeles weekend will also include an A State of Trance Hotel. Previous editions have offered activities around the main festival. These have included pool parties, pre-parties, dedicated hotel events and early access for guests.
A State of Trance has not yet confirmed the exact package or activities planned for Los Angeles. Registration for A State of Trance 2027 tickets and hotel packages is already open. Lineup and further ticket information will follow.
A State Of Trance Celebrates 25 Years
The Los Angeles festival forms part of A State of Trance’s 25th anniversary, adding another major edition to the celebrations. Armin van Buuren launched the weekly radio show in 2001. Over the following two decades, it expanded into compilations, international events and large-scale festivals while remaining closely tied to trance music.
In May 2026, Armin van Buuren released A State of Trance 2026, the 23rd annual installment in the compilation series. The album features three mixes titled Pulse, Frequency and Energy. Artists across the project include Argy, Andrew Bayer, Joris Voorn, Amy Wiles, Farius, KI/KI and Lilly Palmer. ‘Always You’ by Armin van Buuren, Richard Durand and Dicosis also became the official anthem for the 25-year celebrations.
The anniversary celebrations have also extended to Ibiza. A State of Trance began a five-date residency at [UNVRS] in September 2026, running every Monday from September 7 to October 5. Armin van Buuren plays a five-hour extended set on each date alongside invited artists and collaborators. The accompanying A State of Trance, Ibiza 2026 compilation features Andrew Bayer, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Matt Fax, Solarstone, MaRLo, BLR and Richard Durand.
View this post on Instagram
ASOT Continues Into 2027
Before attention turns to Los Angeles, A State of Trance will return to Rotterdam on February 26 and 27, 2027. The event continues the two-day format already established in the Netherlands. Registration for the next Rotterdam edition is already underway as the anniversary celebrations continue into another year.
Four months later, Los Angeles will become the next major stop on the ASOT calendar. Several important details, including the lineup and individual day schedules, have yet to be announced. More information about the A State of Trance Hotel will also follow. Those reveals will complete the picture before the first two-day U.S. ASOT festival begins at ACE*MISSION Studios on June 11 and 12, 2027.
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
-
EDM Music3 days agoNew EDM Friday Oct 9: David Guetta, Armin van Buuren & More
-
Amsterdam Dance Event News6 days agoADE Announces Full 30th Anniversary Program
-
EDM Music3 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 18: HALŌ, HUGEL, Sara Landry & More
-
EDM Festival News4 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 Music1 week agoNew EDM Friday Oct 2: Martin Garrix, Dom Dolla & More
-
Amsterdam Music Festival News3 weeks agoEDM Festivals October 2026: Festivals We Can’t Miss
