ASOT Festival by Alda Events

FEB.21 2015

FESTIVAL JAARBEURS UTRECHT

TOGETHER IN

A STATE OF TRANCE MAGAZINE

PAGE 4

THE ARMIN INTERVIEW PAGE 14

PRODUCTION Q&A PAGE 22

AN AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE PAGE 28

TRANCE AMBASSADORS

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DEAR TRANCE LOVER,

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE A STATE OF TRANCE FESTIVAL UTRECHT 2015! I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR’S EDITION. It’s crazy to think that almost 14 years ago I started this little radio show on a cable-only radio station in the Netherlands. A lot of people at the time told me I was crazy for doing a two hour radio show dedicated to just one style of music EVERY WEEK! The reason I did so was because I was a big fan of radio growing up. I taped a lot of mixes and radio shows and listened to them on a big yellow Walkman riding my bike to school. I always promised myself that if I could ever get the chance, I would do my own show. I love radio. With TV you always have to go through somebody’s front door and invade his or her privacy. With radio, you can just call somebody. It’s much more intimate. It’s like this little friend that’s always there, no matter if you’re happy or sad. Even though the internet and technology is changing our everyday life, radio is still here, pretty much in the same form! That’s really special I think. I’ve been using a State of Trance as the centre of everything I do. I share everything I do with the listener through my show. Whether it’s about a new track or mix I really like, a recent DJ set, or about the fact that I just became a dad. And the listener talks back to me through social media! It’s a two way street now. It gives me the opportunity to use your ears to test new music. Sometimes I’m really excited about a new track and the listener says: “Meh...” And sometimes I’ll play a track I think is ‘ok’, but it’ll turn out to be a massive hit with the listeners! That’s why I say: we make this radio show TOGETHER. Without you, there would be no A State of Trance! Your help makes the show better every week. Without your continuing support and love for Trance and your endless debates online, there wouldn’t be such a community! This is what I’m most proud of.

Colophon The-Reporters Editor in chief: Maaike van der Linden Design: Bram Schinkel Lead editor: Ole Thijs Editors: Milan de Wijs, Edo van den Berg & Mark Verhoeckx Advertisements by: Francois Maas © 2015 Alda Events - Information from this publication may only be quoted with the acknowledgement of Alda Events as the source. No rights may be derived from the information in this publication.

I love to have been a part of 700 weeks of ASOT. It’s wonderful to see the development of Trance as a genre. I remember that back in the early days I had a really, really hard time to fill a 2 hour show with new music every week. Right now, it’s so much more easy. I guess it has to do with the fact that Trance has so many different sub-genres now, which I absolutely love. One thing they have in common: the melody and the beats are still there. It’s all based around them, around that driving force. And I will continue as long as the music keeps surprising me and the genre keeps moving forward. Because even though I love a classic once in a while, I want to look to the future of Trance – and it is looking very promising with all these new guys. I can’t wait to share more ASOTs together with you. Lots of love, Armin van Buuren

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ARMIN VAN BUUREN Even though the A State of Trance events have always been a string of highlights, it seems that your team is stepping up its game for the year 2015 and beyond. How far are you intending to push it? “We went from a single live broadcast to a number of events to a festival. It’s the first time a radio show has its own festival. But I guess the sky is the limit! There are no boundaries to your imagination. We have 750 coming up next year... and then 1000. Who knows where we’ll end up?” The world is truly becoming the dancefloor for ASOT with the addition of a livestream. Quite a challenge as well, we can imagine. How do you succeed? “We can only deliver the sound and the video. The idea is that people invite their friends and have a house party looking at the live broadcast. Radio and internet are so powerful now! You can literally connect the entire world. Imagine if EVERY single radio and laptop in the world would be on... We’d have the biggest dancefloor!” The live video feed is an addition to the radio show as well. How do they relate to each other?

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“A State of Trance is first and foremost a radio show. That means the event never ends when you go home. The idea is to bring radio to life with the broadcast. People can actually see and feel the music and experience the sound of ASOT even more Intensely!” The kick-off took place earlier this month in Sydney and Melbourne in the form of a Celebration Weekend. Was it an example of ‘well begun is half done’? “Well, it’s always quite scary to start with a new concept, a new theme and a new stage design. For months, it’s all in our heads and on paper. When you see it coming to life, it’s always the most magical thing. And I can say: the new stage design worked! The only thing that will be extra in Utrecht is the new Radio Dome, which will now be in a special room so people can see radio being made.” Is there a special reason why Sydney was chosen as the starting point of the festival concept? “Australia has a very big dance music scene and there was a lot of demand for the return of ASOT after the success of 550. It’s also summer there

now so people are extra in the party mood. It just all came ‘together’, haha!” Now you’re at the point of serving your home country with the best trance music available once again. How high on the excitement scale do you find yourself at the moment? “Very high! This is the moment that has been in the back of my mind for months. I collected a lot of new music and composed 5 new tracks for this event and my new compilation. It’s also one of the few times I get to play in my own home country so that makes it extra special.” Traveling the world must have put things in perspective for you. To what extent does hosting ASOT on your own soil stick with you? “I’m Dutch. I was born here and I live here, this is extra special since so many people I know will be there. For me it’s just as big as playing Tomorrowland or Ultra. It’s also the biggest event of the whole tour, with 4 stages and over 30 DJs.” Next up is a special in Miami, after which you’ll move southwards for Buenos Aires; every setting has its own vibe. What is it that makes all

“The idea is that people invite their friends and have a house party with the broadcast.” these destinations so unique? “Well, there’s a lot to say about the atmosphere of Miami and Buenos Aires, but a lot of good things about these locations you can think of yourself. For me, the reason to go there is that it’s the perfect meeting point for trance lovers. Argentina is known for an extreme love and passion for trance and Miami during WMC and Ultra is just perfect, since there are so many people from all over the world gathered for one special weekend.” A wide and colorful range of trance artists perform at the ASOT festivals on various continents. On what basis are they selected? “We always try to have a good mix of young and new talent and more established names. It also depends on the availability of the artists. And now that we don’t have five festivals five weeks in a row, but a more even spread throughout the year, we can have more varied line-ups and more to choose from.” Are there any new found gems or exclusives that you would mark as a ‘must see’? “I’m a real big fan of David Gravell, Mark Sixma, MaRLo, and Bryan Kearney, to name a few.”

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TOGETHER IN A STATE OF TRANCE What is the foundation of this year’s theme, ‘Together in A State of Trance’? “I wanted to do something completely different than last year’s theme. Celebrating 700 episodes of my radio show is a rather special moment. I would never have been able to do this without the community. The show is not only made for the fans, but most of the time also BY the fans. Many don’t realize the importance of their feedback on the music and the show. We make the show ‘together’.” It sounds like going back to the essence, a return to the roots. Is that what the concept called for? “The concept of the radio show has never left its origin. It’s always been the latest and best in a two hour nonstop mix, for almost 14 years running. Always focusing on the new and the young.”

It is a very inclusive motto, referring to the multifaceted crowds and the artists as one united entity. Is that also what you feel and experience when you are on stage? “There’s something very powerful about experiencing music together. It’s a celebration of life. Something happens, it’s hard to explain what, but those who’ve experienced it will know what I mean.”

play it. It’s also very intimate. Radio is like your little friend that always talks to you, no matter what mood you’re in.”

Does togetherness in music have boundaries? “Only the boundaries of your imagination.”

Your fans and listeners fuel a significant part of the engine. How do you get them involved during the radio shows? “Through social media the people talk back. This is what makes the show what it is.”

ASOT RADIO SHOW Let’s go back to the cradle of it all: the A State of Trance radio show. What is it exactly that gives radio so much potential as a medium, looking at ASOT in particular? “Radio is all about the here and now. Everything that’s future (new music) or past (classics or remixes) you can make current because you decide to

700 episodes is a massive number, considering that you have to bring something new and fresh every single time. Where does the energy start flowing? “It all begins and ends with music.”

The number of stations around the globe that broadcast the show is ever growing, even containing some ‘unusual’ countries, like Jamaica. What does this say about the character of the show and trance music in general? “Most weeks all I do is pass on the latest in trance and progressive to the listener. I guess people want to hear it!”

Could you say that every country in the world is now a potential country to be added? “No, there needs to be a certain following for trance. I’m still on a mission to convince a lot of people!”

THE MUSIC AND THE SCENE After a long musical journey you’re still active in the studio. How important is productive output for you? “It keeps me with my feet in the mud, if you will. I need to hear and feel what the people like and what works on the dancefloor. Plus, it would be hard to tie me down. I overflow with ideas.” You’re working on a new artist album at the moment. What can we expect? “All I can say about that is… Watch this space, friends!” While the electronic dance scene has faced a certain shift during recent years, ASOT and yourself have remained close to their core. Is this a conscious move?

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“I always said I would quit the show if I wouldn’t feel enough new sounds and new talent coming up. I love trance and it’s closest to my heart.” It goes without saying that this doesn’t imply that the music is standing still. Could you point out the current developments within the trance sound? “I think the word ‘diversification’ comes closest to a description of what’s happening. You have all these new sounds in trance and classic sounds, each with their own fans. There’s the new, represented by guys like MaRLo, Mark Sixma, Andrew Rayel, Ørjan Nilsen, and the more classic uplifting like Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan et cetera. And a lot in between.” Where do you think that the sound will go in the next couple of years? And how do you intend on steering it in the ‘right’ direction? “There’s no right or wrong in music. It all depends on the people and how they react. I keep following my heart. I love to watch all the new sounds coming in.”

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS In December of 2014, you won a 4x Platinum award for the ‘A State of Trance Year Mix 2004-2013’ series. What does this mean in a world where the sale of CDs is on the decline? “It’s amazing to see how many people want to listen to the mixes again and again. It’s really what makes it all worth it. All these long hours in the studio…” And recently you were chosen as the resident DJ of the brand new Omnia Nightclub in mighty Las Vegas. Quite the honour, isn’t it? “Yeah. It feels a bit strange as the only trance guy, but I guess that’s the whole point!” Sum it up: what is 2015 mainly going to be about for Armin van Buuren and ASOT? “Together!”

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A STATE OF TRANCE 2015 NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREEORDER ON iTUNES

NEWS

Armin van Buuren will soon become a resident at Omnia Nightclub, located in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. The residency marks the beginning of a new partnership with exciting prospects.

RELEASE: MARCH 27TH

2015 IDMAS ARMIN VAN BUUREN PRESENTS RISING STAR FEAT. BETSIE LARKIN SAFE INSIDE YOU TAKEN FROM ASOT 2015

VIVA LAS VEGAS

The International Dance Music Awards are coming up: a prestigious and high standard show that is part of the Winter Music Conference taking place in Miami, USA, from the 23rd ‘till the 28th of March. Music lovers from all around the globe can support their favourites by voting; Armin van Buuren received an impressive 7 nominations in 6 categories. The categories that Armin will be competing in are ‘Best Global DJ’, ‘Best Trance Track’, ‘Best Compilation or Full Length DJ Mix’, ‘Best Trance DJ’, ‘Best Podcast or Radio Mixshow DJ’ and ‘Best Headphones’. And to top things off, Armada Music has been nominated for ‘Best Global Records Label’, a title that the label has earned for five years in a row and that will hopefully be prolonged. Voting ends March 2nd, so you still have a chance to support Armin and Armada Music! Go to www.armadamusic.com/idma2015 to cast your vote.

As Armin explains: “The reason this whole thing is so special for me is because, you know, I finally get a setting in a venue where I can bring my full show. We’ve already been working for months with the people from Omnia to make every show an unforgettable one. To put you in a state of trance. The only thing I can think of is I want rip the roof off. It’s going to be special, you really do not want to miss out.” So... what’s better than having a good trance set after trying your luck in the casino? The first show will take place on Friday March 27th and tickets are available on the website of Omnia Nightclub, with more dates to be announced.

FOLLOW ARMIN VAN BUUREN’S ASOT RADIO ON

21 IDMA NOMINATIONS ARMADA MUSIC

GET SOME ASOT IN YOUR DAILY LIFE Apart from the memories in your mind, it’s always good to take something physical home. Something to show the world that A State of Trance is a part of your life. Tonight you had the opportunity to grab a wide range of ASOT products: T-shirts, hoodies, wristbands, flags, beanies and more, including Armin van Buuren merchandise as well. Did your item sell out before you got a hold of it? Or did you completely miss the stand? No need to worry, the items will be available online at the Armada Shop after the event. Go to astateoftrance.com and take your pick.

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VOTE NOW ON ARMADAMUSIC.COM/IDMA2015

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TOGETHER IN A STATE OF TRANCE The fact that you were present here tonight means that you are connected to a common core, that all of you share in a profound musical essence. Though interconnected on a deeper level, there were different areas where different experiences were awaiting you, representing the various layers of trance music. Did you get a taste of all of them? Or did you stay loyal to one of the realms?

MAINSTAGE 1 Even though two mainstages were installed for this special occasion, this was the biggest area. Trance lovers as far is the eye could see, and you were one of them. In the course of the night, you were drawn from one highlight to another. To make sure that everyone had a proper warmup, Armin van Buuren himself provided the first tunes of the event. He returned later on for his main performance, making it magical as always. Other prominent faces to be found on this stage were Cosmic Gate, Andrew Rayel and Aly & Fila. After witnessing this Major League of trance music, a satisfied return home was guaranteed!

MAINSTAGE 2 Another place for you to be was the second mainstage. Simply because there are so many consistent-quality and talented artists around in the genre, this stage was just as vibrant as its counterpart. A red thread of originality and next-level sounds was formed by the likes of Audien, Arty, and none other than Gareth Emery, leading up to another set by Armin van Buuren, who enchanted the many souls present once again. And while you reached that special yet indescribable state, Omnia and MaRLo took you even deeper into sound, towards the end of the story. The memories of this experience will certainly last.

TALENT ROOM A State of Trance is always looking forward, always trying to provide you with the freshest gems around and the sounds of the future. If you set foot in the Talent Room during this amazing night, you’ll surely understand why these guys are the ones to watch. From Rodg, who kickstarted the journey at this area, to Arisen Flame, who once again proved to be one of the biggest talents around, and from the melodic skills of Hazem Beltagui to the final notes from Faruk Sabanci, they were all great. Let’s just say that the years to come are looking more than bright.

WHO’S AFRAID OF 138 Well, were you? A lot of you have been spotted on the dance floor, so we guess that there were quite some bold 138 BPM junkies among you. This area was about the faster, louder and more energetic sounds of trance. Tonight, these phenomena were brought to you by the ones who know exactly how to turn things up a notch. Combine the experience of Mark Sherry and RAM with the power of guys like Jorn van Deynhoven and Sean Tyas, and you can only agree that this has been a hell of a ride.

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WORLDWIDE FAMILY Meet the worldwide ASOT family! Here’s a shout-out to all these fans from all over the world. They’ve been looking forward to our night of trance in Utrecht, expressing their support and enthusiasm on one of ASOT’s online channels. Whether they’ve physically attended or listened to the radio on this special night, we are connected to all of them through our love for ASOT.

ALEXIS BIERNAT Poland

ANDRES VIVANCO

HIROAKI KAWAGUCHI

Spain

Japan

MIMMI KLINTHEDE

DINA FRANIĆ

JESSICA BORGES

ROLANDO BLOOM

Sweden

Croatia

Australia

DÉBORAH KELLER

ENRIQUE CH

LAUREN MARCUS

LISELOTTE DOLMAN

United Kingdom

Mexico

South Africa

The Netherlands

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THE SHOW MUST GO ON HIGH STANDARD INNOVATORS What you see unfolding on stage at ASOT Festival is directly or indirectly linked to what happens behind the scenes. Two of the lead figures who are in charge of the design and shows are Sander Reneman and Carlo Ruijgers. And they’re all about keeping things high standard and innovative. Read on to find out what that means.

SANDER RENEMAN 250K Can you explain how you try to push yourself a little bit more every year? “Every year we try to create a next level experience for the audience. We’re always trying to add something different, creating new effects in all disciplines. With the use of light, for instance, or by creating a new style in video. We try to get the most out of the production possibilities.” How would you describe the essence and feeling of the ASOT design and show? “A State of Trance is a world tour and our approach is somewhat ‘technical’, due to the requirement that the stage design should be feasible all over the world, without looking different in terms of quality. With this

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year’s ‘Together’ theme we try to embrace the audience more, making them feel more like a part of the show.”

“Armin has distinctive ideas on the concept of A State of Trance and is challenging the whole team to push the boundaries. Since we’ve worked together for several years, I know what fits and how we can add a new creative layer. Together with the team we set up the basics of the tour and show. Then everyone starts working on their own specialization, and we’ll check in regularly with each other to make sure we’re all on the same path and in line.” To do your job, how do you like the Jaarbeurs as a location? “This location is not limitless and that’s what it makes interesting to create the best possible experience within the budget. In comparison to other venues, the Jaarbeurs has a rather low ceiling, which makes things somewhat more complex.”

How long before the event do you really start building on site? “The preparations take months. Because we’ve started creating ASOT Festivals around the world we have to make sure all the festivals have the same look and feel. The preparations on site started on Tuesday with the build. The actual show preparation starts only one day before the show.” ASOT is an international concept, of course. What are your experiences with the differences between countries? “Every country, every place is different. Customs and people are different, but for me that is why this life we live and this job we do is so much fun! If you’re open to others’ ideas and input, you can always come close to what we believe is necessary for the quality standard for A State of Trance. With the right amount of energy every show has its special something, its X-factor.”

What special or unique elements will you use this edition? “The main principle of A State of Trance events is Armin’s eponymous weekly radio show. This year we wanted to bring Armin and his show closer to the crowd. For this, we designed a brand new radio studio which will actually be located ‘frontstage’ so people can now view the broadcast live and interact during the festival.” How is your communication with Armin van Buuren and the rest of the team in the process?

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CARLO RUIJGERS EYESUPPLY You’ve been doing all of Armin van Buuren’s shows for almost five years now. What’s it like to work together with one of Holland’s biggest artists? “Working together with Armin is great. There’s a feeling of mutual respect and faith. We get a lot of space to practice our ideas and we keep each other sharp to maintain a high standard.” How difficult is it to come up with original ideas after such an amount of shows? How do you keep innovating? “We’re constantly dealing with the question how we can make the show better, more beautiful and innovative. Every time we try to take a step in terms of quality. This can be through new techniques or through a different way of thinking.”

Six years ago you decided to push Eyesupply, your production platform, to a higher level by developing it into an actual company. How do you keep it challenging six years later? “In the past years the projects always turned out to be challenging, and we keep it exciting by looking for innovation ourselves. We also try to educate young people and to share our knowledge in order to grow as a company and to be able to accept smaller as well as bigger projects.” Do you work independently, or is Armin’s opinion essential in arranging the shows? “Armin’s opinion is essential in making a good show. I think that every artist has an image of what he wants to expose on stage and what story he wants to tell with his music. These are the handles that we use in designing a fitting visual package.”

use everywhere. Next to that, we make custom images for each stage that fit perfectly and get the best out of that particular stage.” You use a custom made timecode system. Is this exclusively for Armin van Buuren, or do more artists use it these days? “That’s correct. We use this system, that was developed by 250K and Haute Technique, to sync video to Armin’s freestyle set. The system was born out of the wish that we all had for Armin Only. In the meantime it has become a part of Armin’s other shows as well, but there are also other artists and events that use it, such as Hardwell, Amsterdam Music Festival, Afrojack and Dance Valley.”

Can you compare your cooperation with Armin to any other projects, or is the bar higher here than it normally is? “Each and every project carries the same importance for us and we always try to get the best result out of it. Be it Armin, Afrojack or Laidback Luke, they’re all essential to us. The nice thing about working with Armin’s team is that we constantly push one another and have one common goal: a good show. You see that in the end result.” What is the best memory you have from the projects with Armin? Are there things that you would have done differently, looking back on the past years? “Last year’s Armin Only Intense tour was one never to forget. The shows were just crazy and the people were fantastic. However, afterwards you always keep thinking that you could have done an even better job, and that is a good incentive to go on. It’s the drive to create new and better shows time and time again.”

To what extent do you adjust the show and approaches to the venues? Do you bring the same show to every A State of Trance edition, or do you vary? “Each year we have a basic package of visuals that we can

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16.10.2015 17.10.2015

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Every trance lover will agree that ASOT sets a standard, being one of the biggest and influential series of events within the genre. For the edition of 2015, ‘captain’ Armin directed his trusty trance family towards Australia for a Celebration Weekend. Major innovation has been underway in the country’s electronic music scene, strengthening its appreciation for the classic genres as well. So, what better way to celebrate music old and new than with a kick-off show within arm’s reach of Sydney’s iconic Opera House? After the first Sydney night, the weekend went on in Melbourne before coming to a close in Sydney again. Armin played a warm-up set to tease the crowd and then performed for two hours at primetime, releasing mayhem on the dancefloors of both Exhibition Halls and the Homebush grounds. And of course, he invited many talented DJs to both cities, including David Gravell, Alexander Popov and the mysterious Gaia duo.

AN AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATION

Australia’s ASOT weekend was a major success, and if this weekend was any indication, the upcoming world tour is going to be one to look out for!

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ARTIST FEATURES ØRJAN NILSEN

ANDREW RAYEL

Ørjan Nilsen is a regular at the A State of Trance events, but it’s always a privilege to play for him. “I started listening to ASOT shows years ago and ever since ASOT500 I’ve been offered the chance to grow along with it. I started at quite possibly the smallest stage and worked my way up to the biggest one this year, so I’m very proud and looking forward to it!” Of course Armin van Buuren played a big role in Nilsen’s career. “Without him, my musical career would’ve looked very different. Thanks to him I’ve been given many of the opportunities I’ve had throughout the years. To this day he’s a good friend and an important sounding board,” and that goes for new music too, of course! “In 2015 you can expect more vocal tracks from me, and I’m looking forward to making a third album this year. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll have a special surprise for the fans at the end of the year.”

Andrew Rayel is a busy man. Like a certain DJ we know all too well, he hosts his own radio show, called ‘Find Your Harmony’. He travels the world to play at the coolest events worldwide, too. For 2015, his goal is to do everything bigger and better than during previous years. “I want to make more music, have bigger shows, make a new show production and provide fantastic experiences for the fans.” The ASOT Festival feels like coming home to Rayel. “It’s like my second family, ASOT unites the world under one big roof. The radio show as well as the live events have helped the scene of trance music in a massive way. It has helped it grow and helped so many artists, that everyone gladly comes back to play at these events. I’m truly thankful for Armin’s support in ASOT. It has been, and still is, really important to me and everyone else in trance.” Did you know… Andrew Rayel took classical piano lessons for no less than 7 years?

Did you know… Ørjan Nilsens favourite holiday destination is home?

AUDIEN Last year’s new trance entry in the DJ Mag Top 100, Audien, was set to rock Mainstage 2 tonight. Though it’s nice to be appreciated, lists like the DJ Mag Top 100 are a bit weird according to the man himself. “It’s unusual to rank art, in my opinion, but I’m really proud that so many people voted for me. They are the reason I make music,” says the 23-year old. “I’m not focusing on lists and rankings. This year I just want to make hit records and travel to some fun places I haven’t been before.” “Playing at A State of Trance is very special to me. Armin and the ASOT brand were meaningful to me as a fan, then as a bedroom producer and now as a professional artist. I have immense respect for what Armin and his team have built and the success they’ve had launching new talent (myself included!) with this platform. I don’t consider myself a 100% trance artist per se, but ASOT does feel like home.” Did you know… Audien’s favourite animal is the ARMINdillo?

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MARLO Born in The Netherlands, but raised in Australia, coming back to play for the Dutchies is always a strange experience for MaRLo. “It feels like coming home in a way. But on the other hand I have been living in Australia for so long, that it also kind of feels like I’m a guest in my own country of birth.” “Playing at ASOT is unique, the grand scale of things amazes me every time. The production and the amount of people is really overwhelming. And I have great respect for what Armin has done. He first got me passionate about trance with his track communication, but overall he's a huge inspiration in how he has successfully created the biggest label in trance, Armada, the biggest radio show for trance, ASOT, and also the best trance events in the world. It's truly inspiring and drives me to be passionate and work hard at what I love.”

Did you know… MaRLo loves the traditional Dutch snacks honingdrop, osseworst and kroketten? (Separately, though!) A STATE OF TRANCE 25

NEWS ASOT ANTHEM

& REMIXES

ANDREW RAYEL ORJAN NILSEN MARLO JOCHEN MILLER DAVID GRAVELL RUBEN DE RONDE

Go to summerfestival.be

DISCOVER MANY OTHER ARTISTS AND STAGES

MIDDENVIJVER ANTWERP - BE 26 A STATE OF TRANCE

ELECTRONIC FAMILY CELEBRATES ITS 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY On the 18th of July, Electronic Family will be held for the fifth time at the Amsterdamse Bos. Living up to the festival’s reputation, you will be served with the best of today’s uplifting sounds. Even though the lineup is still a secret, ALDA Events is promising you that it will be a more than worthy anniversary. Last month it was launched into the world of trance, a soundtrack of unity that captures the pure feeling that we all know by heart: Armin van Buuren’s ‘Together (In A State of Trance)’. The man himself provided the energy, the build-up and the impact that an ASOT anthem needs and made his message obvious.

In order to reward the loyal Electronic Family visitors and to make sure that they will not miss this special occasion, ticket buyers of all previous editions will get a discount on their ticket. Never attended before? Don’t worry, you can subscribe for the event and enjoy the same discount. Out of all subscriptions, there will be a lucky winner of a trip to one of the next ASOT destinations.

Apart from the magical and uplifting original version, six remixes are also included, tailor-made by Alexander Popov, David Gravell, Mark Sherry, Bryan Kearney, Faruk Sabanci and ReOrder & Standerwick pres. SkyPatrol. Each of them presents a unique interpretation of the theme’s true essence.

Electronic Family is looking forward to celebrating its anniversary with you!

During the months to come, these creations will continue their path to other continents of the globe, where they will touch more souls with their energy. You can still get your digital edition at one of your favorite digital download platforms or grab a physical copy via the Armada Shop.

In case you haven’t subscribed yet, you can still do so at electronicfamily. nl. But be sure to do it right after reading this, as subscription for EF2015 will close Sunday the 22nd of February!

WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT? MIAMI

BUENOS AIRES

Next up on the State of Trance agenda is a special in Miami, on the 29th of March during Ultra Music Festival. The line-up has not been announced yet, but you can expect your favourites to be there. In case you’re not able to make it, make sure to tune in to the live radio stream.

On the 11th of April, A State of Trance will meet Latin American passion during A State of Trance Festival Buenos Aires. Which, by the way, is already celebrating its third consecutive edition. If Argentina is too hot for you, check in with the full livestream to get a taste of the experience.

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Hi, my name is Jonny Murray and I’m from the United Kingdom.

THE AMBASSADORS ARE A TRUSTY TRANCE FAMILY

I have very high expectations of this night. The ASOT events I’ve been to in the past were all amazing and this one is supposed to be even better. I’m sure Armin won’t let me down! It’s a big honour to meet him. I really admire his dedication and it’ll be nice to shake hands with the man responsible for so many happy memories. Music is a very big part of my life. Not only trance, but house, techno and

progressive as well. The thing that I really like about trance is its ability to cause emotional responses more than any other genre. Euphoria, happiness and unity with the crowd surrounding you. I’ve shared great moments with both my own friends, and friends we’ve met along the way. That’s what I love about trance and especially about ASOT. I hope everyone has an amazing night, see you on the dancefloor!

Hey people! My name is Florian Bakker, from Amsterdam. This year’s A State of Trance Festival was very special for a few of our most creative followers on Facebook. Meet the Ambassadors! They sent a quick and witty response when asked for a picture on which we could see them in ‘a state of trance’. These lucky few experienced the night of their life, including a meet and greet with Armin van Buuren.

I’m super-excited to be a special guest at the best trance festival in the world! The venue is massive and the line-up is extraordinary, so I’m really looking forward to escape the everyday life of work and study and party as hard as I can with my friends. Last year I attended A State of Trance and got blown away. This year will be even cooler since I got selected as one of the ambassadors. If I had to describe A State of Trance Festival in three words I would say ‘outrageous’, ‘majestic’ and ‘unforgettable’.

Hi everyone! My name is Charlotte Litten. I’m 30 and I’m from Suffolk. ASOT means a lot to me because it was how I first fell in love with trance music ‘The Sound of Goodbye’ was one of my first favourite trance tracks and is a tune I still completely love. ‘A State of Trance Year Mix 2007’ is my all time favourite mix from Armin, the CD was never out of my car stereo! ASOT was also the first ever rave night I went to with my boyfriend David. We first met in Ibiza in 2012 when I was invited on a group holiday with him. On the second night of our holiday we went to ASOT at Privilege and had an amazing night together, we danced all night right in front of the DJ booth, amazing memories watching Armin and raving together! Armin was the DJ that

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I’ve seen Armin quite some times on TV, internet and at live shows, but I still can’t really grasp the idea of him standing in front of me and talking to him. I hope I’ll think of something to say when I see him, because right now I’m still a bit overwhelmed by the idea of meeting him. Armin is such a big influence in the world of electronic music and I admire the fact that he’s been working on such a high level for so long. I have no doubt that this will be a night that I’ll never forget!

Hello! My name is Elwira. I’m 24 years old. I live in England, but originally I’m from Poland.

made me first fall in love with trance music, so meeting him will be extremely exciting for me. Trance music has given me so many amazing memories, new friends and great experiences! Plus it’s my boyfriend David’s birthday so I’m really pleased I could give him such an awesome birthday present! (I know he’s very excited too!)

Music festivals are a big part of my life, over the past year I’ve attended quite a lot of them, but A State of Trance is always something special. You could say that it’s an important part of my life. If you’d ask any of my friends, they’d tell you I’m obsessed with trance music. Thursday is definitely my favourite day of the week. Ever since I started

to listen to ASOT in 2009, I’ve been trying not to miss any episodes. It has a special place in my heart, so being one of the ambassadors at ASOT festival means a lot to me. I hope this weekend will be the best weekend in my life: trance music, my friends and a meet & greet with the legend Armin van Buuren. And the Netherlands of course. I love this country!

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NEWS MERCHANDISE GIVEAWAY Do you want to make all your friends jealous? This is your lucky day! We’re giving away this awesome snapback from the Armada Store. All you have to do is send an e-mail to info@aldaevents.com and tell us about the first time you got in touch with ASOT. The funniest, most moving or strangest story gets to show off this snapback for the rest of the summer and long after that. Or you could give it a special place in your living room, of course!

TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES SPOTIFY Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance Playlist on Spotify has recently passed the 200,000 followers bar. To give you an idea of how big an achievement that is: the ASOT Playlist is now the second most popular playlist worldwide, just after One Direction with 235,000 followers. Armin was one of the first DJs to actively sink his teeth into the Spotify platform, filling it with releases from his label as well as episodes of the highly anticipated radio show. Last year this already resulted in reaching 1 million followers on his Spotify channel; now, the grand total has reached 1.2 million fans.

FIND & TAG US #ASOT700 #ASOTFEST #ASOTFESTNL #ASOTFESTAR #ASOTFESTMIA

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GLOBAL BROADCAST Last year, 1.5 million people worldwide visited the livestreams of A State of Trance 650. This massive number includes people from over 150 countries, spread across various continents.

ARMIN VAN BUUREN: A STATE OF TRANCE 2015 The new A State of Trance compilation by Armin van Buuren is right around the corner! The year 2015 is destined to become a great year for trance music, and even more so with this pearl being released into the world. It will be out on the 27th of March and is already available as a pre-order. The two discs contain 37 tracks in total and each disc ends with a continuous mix. The tracklist has been announced online and includes creations by Protoculture, Alexander Popov,

Aly & Fila, two new tracks by Gaia and a collaboration between Armin van Buuren and Mark Sixma. A very special feature on this mix compilation is a track by Armin van Buuren’s alias Rising Star. It’s been 13 years since the last release, and after a fan asked for new material, Armin decided to team up with Betsie Larkin, resulting in ‘Safe Inside You’. The track is already available for purchase on iTunes, so go grab it now.

Dearest, loveliest Laura, ASOT 600 Den Bosch brought us together. Two weeks before ASOT 650, our daughter Femke was born. Five weeks before ASOT 700, our daughter Ilse was born. And now, we are together again at our party, which is so much more to us than just a party. I could not imagine a better place for an occasion as special as this one. After all we’ve been through over the past two years, with our rather big family (6 kids, 4 from previous marriages), I am 200 percent certain: I’d like to ask you… Will you marry me?

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THE MANAGERS’ DIARY The organisation of a festival as big as ASOT700 is no small feat. Evelien, the event’s Marketing Manager, and Koen, Digital Marketing Manager, open up their diaries to give you a sneak peek into their world...

Monday We received some cool videos from the ASOT Celebration Weekend in Australia, which we want to release this week on the ASOT Festival Facebook page, so we’re checking to see which ones we can use. After that’s done, we’ll send a photo briefing to the photographers for Saturday. We want to make sure we’ve got photos of every DJ, every stage, the Radio Dome and of course the fans. The photographers will run from stage to stage to take the best shots. At the end of the day we’re saying goodbye to our production colleagues who will be in the Jaarbeurs from Tuesday until Sunday. Tomorrow they will start building up the stages! Tuesday Today is all about communication. First, we had a big meeting with our social media team to discuss the schedule of the online activity on the ASOT social pages this week. Since there will be a lot of press attending A State of Trance, we have to send them the press tickets today. Tuesday is also the day we’re sending the last info mail to our visitors. With such an enormous group it’s really important to inform them well, our goal is to give them the ultimate ASOT experience. Last but not least we’ll do a final check for all the banners that are being made. By using #ASOTFESTNL everywhere we hope to make this ASOT event trending worldwide, just like last year! Wednesday On Wednesday we’re preparing the ASOT livestream together with our partner Nomobo. They will help us stream the ASOT Festival to all our friends and followers worldwide. And there’s even more video!

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We’re recording a video with Gijs & Ruben today. We thought their first little film, of their time in Australia, was great. Today Gijs & Ruben will get a famous ‘Broodje Mario’ in Utrecht. We’ll put the vid on Facebook afterwards. Thursday A meeting with Armada to discuss all updates and ideas about A State of Trance today. By tuning into the livestream, this year, people will be able to watch and chat about the show as it is taking place. It also contains a few surprises like exclusive material. Fans can see their own questions in the broadcast, too. After several years of using a radio studio that was used away from the audience, we’re now finally able to bring the studio to the people. By using a new type of design, we developed the ASOT ‘Radio Dome’. Placed among the audience, it’ll enable us to let people listen in on the radio show, even during the event. The Radio Dome will be first used in Utrecht, where special headphones will be handed out to a few lucky visitors. Friday On our way to the Jaarbeurs to see how far they’ve come with all preparations for the festival. Really curious what the Radio Dome looks like since it’s the first time. Hopefully everything will look great! In the meantime, we have to stay in touch with our ambassadors. They all won two VIP tickets and a meet & greet with Armin van Buuren on Saturday. They are flown in from all over the world so we’re helping them find their way around. The radio show A State of Trance is live on Radio 538 tonight, some ASOT DJs are coming to the studio for a visit. Saturday D Day! Heading off to Utrecht because today it’s ASOT time! Let’s make it a good one!

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USING ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS IS NEVER WITHOUT RISK BE GENTLE FOR YOUR EARS

Qpromo C

THINK FOR YOURSELF, CARE ABOUT OTHERS

PACE YOURSELF: EAT, SLEEP, RAVE

DON'T PUSH YOUR LIMITS. BE RESPONSIBLE

CMY

BE PREPARED FOR ANY TYPE OF WEATHER TAKE YOUR TIME TO CHILL SAFE SEX, ALWAYS THE FIRST AID TEAM IS YOUR FRIEND DON'T DRINK DO DRUGS AND DRIVE YOU ARE A GREAT RISK FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS WWW.CELEBRATESAFE.NL

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UTRECHT IN A STATE OF TRANCE

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