Last weekend, the global trance family gathered in the Netherlands to celebrate a milestone that few radio shows – and even fewer movements – ever reach: 25 years of A State Of Trance. Inside the massive halls of Rotterdam Ahoy, the atmosphere felt less like a festival and more like a reunion of generations of trance lovers. And when Armin van Buuren stepped on stage for his 25 Years Celebration Set, the moment carried the weight of a quarter-century of dance music history.
For longtime listeners and newcomers alike, this wasn’t just another festival performance. It was Armin taking the crowd on a journey through the evolution of trance — from the euphoric roots that built the genre to the modern sound that continues to push it forward.
A Journey Through 25 Years of Trance
The celebration set was carefully crafted to reflect the DNA of A State Of Trance itself: uplifting melodies, emotional breakdowns, and powerful festival moments. Armin blended timeless classics with newer productions, creating a narrative that mirrored the show’s journey since its very first broadcast in 2001.
Throughout the set, you could feel the deep connection between Armin and the crowd. Every drop triggered massive sing-alongs, hands in the air, and that unmistakable ASOT energy that has united fans around the world for decades. Rather than focusing purely on nostalgia, the set balanced past and present — a reminder that trance is not just history but a living, evolving culture.
Several iconic moments stood out during the performance, with Armin weaving together legendary trance anthems, emotional vocal tracks, and modern festival weapons. The transitions were seamless, demonstrating once again why he remains one of the most respected DJs in the scene.
A Celebration of Community
What made this set particularly special was the context. 25 years of A State Of Trance represent more than a radio show — they represent a global community. From bedroom listeners tuning in every week to thousands gathering at ASOT events worldwide, the brand has become one of the most influential platforms in electronic music.
The Rotterdam celebration captured that spirit perfectly. Flags from around the world waved across the dancefloor, fans hugged during emotional breakdowns, and every classic anthem felt like a shared memory.
Armin’s celebration set wasn’t just about him — it was about the artists, the listeners, and the collective journey of trance over the past quarter century.
Stream:
Tracklist:
[05:30] Gaia – Tuvan (BLR Remix) (Intro Edit) [ARMIND] w/ Gaia – Tuvan [ARMIND (ARMADA)]
[11:58] Anyma & Chris Avantgarde – Eternity [AFTERLIFE/INTERSCOPE]
[14:34] Andrew Rayel – Dark Warrior [ARMIND (ARMADA)]
[16:15] Armin van Buuren ft. Miri Ben-Ari – Intense [ARMADA]
[19:50] Gaia – Status Excessu D (Official ASOT 500 Anthem) [ARMIND (ARMADA)]
Ørjan Nilsen on stage
[23:30] HI-LO – United In Trance [HILOMATIK] w/ Eli Brown – Wavey (Acappella) [INSOMNIAC] w/ Ørjan Nilsen – Amsterdam [ARMIND (ARMADA)]
[28:00] XiJaro & Pitch vs. Collide1 – The Spice [FSOE] w/ Argy & MEDUZA ft. PollyAnna – Melodia [AETERNA]
MaRLo on stage
[31:35] MaRLo – Visions [ASOT (ARMADA)]
[34:25] Markus Schulz – The New World (Davey Asprey Remix) [ARMADA]
[37:25] Andy Hunter – Go (Antillas Remix) [NETTWERK]
[39:14] Ferry Corsten pres. Gouryella – Anahera [FLASHOVER]
[41:21] Rank 1 – Airwave [CLUBBGROOVE]
[43:54] Armin van Buuren ft. Josh Cumbee – Sunny Days (Argy Remix) [ARMADA]
[46:52] Solarstone & Scott Bond & Heatbeat vs. Armin van Buuren & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – 3rd Earth vs. Not Giving Up On Love (Armin van Buuren Mashup) [ARMIND (ARMADA)/ARMADA CAPTIVATING]
[49:09] Faithless – Insomnia (Disclosure 2025 Edit) [SONY]
[52:35] Dash Berlin – Till The Sky Falls Down (Andrew Rayel Remix) [ARMADA CAPTIVATING]
[55:35] RAM vs. Gareth Emery & Standerwick ft. HALIENE – RAMexico vs. Saving Light (Armin van Buuren Mashup) [MONSTERCAT/WHO’S AFRAID OF 138 (ARMADA)]
Aly & Fila on stage
[59:16] Aly & Fila ft. Jwaydan – We Control The Sunlight [FSOE]
SACHA on stage
[1:02:29] Armin van Buuren ft. SACHA – Set Me Free (Rising Star Remix) [ARMADA]
[1:06:50] Photographer vs. Armin van Buuren ft. Susana & Rising Star – Airport vs Shivers (Armin van Buuren Mashup) [ARMIND (ARMADA)/MONSTER DIGITAL]
[1:11:15] RAM – RAMsterdam (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix) [ASOT (ARMADA)]
[1:14:28] Armin van Buuren – I Live For That Energy (ASOT 800 Theme) (Dan Harrison Remix) [ARMIND]
[1:17:39] Above & Beyond ft. Richard Bedford – Sun & Moon (Blastoyz Remix) [ANJUNABEATS]
[1:21:19] Armin van Buuren – Sonic Samba (Rising Star Remix) [ARMIND (ARMADA)] w/ Armin van Buuren ft. Anne Gudrun – Love Is A Drug (Acappella) [ARMIND (ARMADA)]
Ferry Corsten on stage
[1:24:55] Ferry Corsten vs. Armin van Buuren – Brute (Armin van Buuren Illegal Drum Edit) [FLASHOVER]
[1:30:30] Gareth Emery ft. Bo Bruce & Bryan Kearney vs. Christina Novelli – U vs. Concrete Angel (Armin van Buuren Mashup) [GARUDA]
[1:34:30] DIM3NSION & StanV – ID
Richard Durand & Dicosis on stage
[1:37:30] Armin van Buuren & Richard Durand & Dicosis – Always You (ASOT 2026 ELEVATION Anthem) [ASOT (ARMADA)]
[1:41:34] Ahmed Helmy & Doppenberg pres. HEL:BRG vs. Argy & Omnya vs. Armin van Buuren – Who We’d Become vs. Aria vs. Communication (Armin van Buuren Mashup) [ARMIND (ARMADA)/AFTERLIFE/REVEALED]
[1:44:10] Tiësto ft. BT – Love Comes Again (Mark Sherry Remix) [MAGIK MUZIK (BLACK HOLE)]
[1:46:43] Armin van Buuren & Gryffin – What Took You So Long (Seth Hills Remix) [ARMADA]
[1:49:37] HI-LO & Brennan Heart – Adagio For Strings [HILOMATIK]
[1:55:01] Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike & Armin van Buuren & Vini Vici & Push – Universal Nation [SMASH THE HOUSE]
