Fans of trance worldwide can now relive one of the genre’s biggest moments of the year. Armin van Buuren has released the full recording of his set from A State of Trance 2026, captured during the festival’s milestone 25th-anniversary celebration at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands.
The two-hour performance showcases Armin van Buuren in his most recognizable form: guiding the crowd through waves of uplifting melodies, driving basslines and emotional vocal moments. The set reflects the sonic identity that has defined the ASOT universe for more than two decades, blending classic trance structures with contemporary festival energy.
The Origins of A State of Trance
The story of A State of Trance began in 2001, when Armin van Buuren launched the radio show on Dutch station ID&T Radio. Initially conceived as a platform to spotlight emerging trance and progressive records, the weekly broadcast quickly grew into one of the most influential programs in electronic music.
Over the years, ASOT expanded far beyond its original radio format. The show now reaches millions of listeners across more than 80 countries, while the brand has evolved into a full ecosystem that includes festival editions, compilation releases, a dedicated record label and global touring events. Milestone broadcasts — such as the ASOT 500 and ASOT 1000 celebrations — have drawn massive audiences both online and in arenas around the world, solidifying its place as one of trance music’s central institutions.
25 Years of the ASOT brand
The 2026 edition marked a significant moment for the brand, celebrating 25 years of A State of Trance. Hosted once again in Rotterdam, the festival brought together artists from across the genre’s timeline, from established pioneers to rising producers.
Across multiple stages and large-scale audiovisual production, the event paid tribute to the sound that helped define the global trance movement while continuing to push the genre forward for a new generation of listeners.
Armin van Buuren: Trance Forever
Few artists have shaped the trajectory of trance music as profoundly as Armin van Buuren. Born in Leiden in 1976, the Dutch DJ and producer rose to international prominence in the late 1990s with releases such as Blue Fear and Communication, tracks that helped establish his melodic yet energetic approach to trance.
Throughout his career, van Buuren has achieved a string of milestones: multiple chart-topping singles, a long-running radio empire and festival with the ASOT brand, the Armada record label of course and a reputation as one of the most consistent festival headliners in electronic music. He has been voted DJ Mag’s No.1 DJ in the world five times, a record that reflects both his technical longevity and his deep connection with fans.
Beyond the stage, van Buuren has become a central ambassador for trance culture — curating releases through his labels, championing emerging producers and continuously evolving his sound while remaining anchored in the genre’s emotional core.
A Global Community
Releasing the full ASOT 2026 set online underscores one of the brand’s core philosophies: trance is not just a sound, but a community. While thousands experienced the celebration live in Rotterdam, millions more can now revisit the performance through the official recording.
In that sense, A State of Trance continues to function as both archive and catalyst, documenting the genre’s history while shaping its future.
And with more than two decades of broadcasts behind it, the message remains clear: the state of trance is still very much alive.
📷 : Cover Photo Credits / Courtesy of Armin Van Buuren
