A State of Trance
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| A State of Trance | |
|---|---|
| Show | A State of Trance |
| Creator | Armin van Buuren |
| Presenter | Armin van Buuren |
| Genre | Electronic dance music, Trance |
| First aired | 2001 |
| Language | English |
| Network | Armada Music |
A State of Trance is a Dutch radio program and weekly electronic music broadcast created and presented by Armin van Buuren. The show established a global platform for trance music and electronic dance music artists, labels, and festivals, influencing Beatport charts and international club culture. Over decades it expanded into branded events, compilation albums, and digital platforms involving major institutions like Ministry of Sound, Ultra Music Festival, and Tomorrowland.
Overview
The program functions as a curated mix show that highlights tracks from labels such as Armada Music, Spinnin' Records, Anjunabeats, Black Hole Recordings, and Perfecto Records, while featuring guest mixes from DJs associated with Ministry of Sound Radio, SiriusXM, and BBC Radio 1. It played a role in launching careers of artists affiliated with Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Dash Berlin, Gareth Emery, Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, and Deadmau5. Syndication partnerships have connected the program to broadcasters including SiriusXM, NRK, French radio network NRJ, NPO Radio 2, and KRO-NCRV affiliates.
History and Development
Conceived in the early 2000s amid a resurgence of trance music in Europe, the show paralleled releases on labels like Armada Music and Black Hole Recordings and coincided with festivals such as Mayday (event), Creamfields, and Nature One. Early international expansion involved tours through cities like Amsterdam, London, New York City, Berlin, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, and São Paulo, and collaborations with promoters including Live Nation and SFX Entertainment. Milestones included milestones alongside compilations released through Armada Music and digital distribution via Beatport and streaming services partnered with Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Format and Content
Each episode traditionally features a two-hour mix with new releases, a guest mix segment that has spotlighted DJs from Annie Nightingale's era at BBC Radio 1 to prominent figures from Defected Records, Toolroom Records, and Metalheadz affiliates. Content types frequently include singles charting on Beatport, exclusive remixes by producers like Arty, Andrew Bayer, Markus Schulz, John O'Callaghan, Sander van Doorn, and Simon Patterson, and live recordings from events at venues such as Gashouder, Ziggo Dome, Madison Square Garden, and O2 Arena. The show has serialized features comparable to specialty segments from BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix and has adapted to podcast formats and video streams on platforms operated by YouTube, Twitch, and Mixcloud.
Hosts and Contributors
The principal host is Armin van Buuren, assisted by guest hosts and resident contributors from scenes including Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Markus Schulz, Gareth Emery, Cosmic Gate, ATB, BT, John Digweed, Sander van Doorn, Ilan Bluestone, Mat Zo, Oliver Heldens, Nic Fanciulli, Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Showtek, Nicky Romero, Hernán Cattáneo, Chicane, Oliver Smith, Paul Kalkbrenner, and producers tied to Armada Music and Anjunabeats.
Notable Episodes and Milestones
Key episodes included milestone broadcasts celebrating anniversary counts that featured back-to-back sets with artists like Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Markus Schulz, and Armin van Buuren himself, and live specials from festivals including Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, Electronic Daisy Carnival, Creamfields, Electric Daisy Carnival, Sunburn Festival, and Sensation. Compilation series and year-end charts paralleled releases from Armada Music and crossovers onto mainstream charts monitored by Billboard and iTunes. The show’s role in premieres, such as exclusive debuts from Gareth Emery, Andrew Rayel, Stuart Price, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Alesso, marked significant promotional moments.
Reception and Influence
Critics and audiences linked the program to broader shifts in electronic dance music culture alongside institutions such as Beatport, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, and DJ Mag. It influenced programming at clubs run by Pacha (club), Amnesia (Ibiza), Space (club) Ibiza, and festival line-ups at Glastonbury Festival and Coachella. Academic and industry discussion referenced impacts on label strategies at Armada Music, Anjunabeats, Spinnin' Records, and Ministry of Sound, and its audience metrics intersected with analytics from Spotify for Artists, SoundCloud, and YouTube Music.
Related Media and Events
The brand extended into compilation albums released on Armada Music and distribution through retailers like Juno Records and platforms such as Beatport, with event branding used for tours and festivals promoted by Live Nation, AEG Presents, and regional promoters in markets including Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and the United States. Cross-media projects involved collaborations with labels and platforms including Anjunabeats, Black Hole Recordings, Enhanced Music, Revealed Recordings, Spinnin' Records, Toolroom Records, and broadcast partners like SiriusXM and BBC Radio 1.