Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren
Name	Armin van Buuren
Birth name	Armin Jozef Jacobus Daniël van Buuren
Birth date	25 December 1976
Birth place	Leiden, Netherlands
Genres	Trance, electronic dance music
Occupations	DJ, record producer, remixer, radio host
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Armada Music, Armada Music B.V., Armind
Associated acts	Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk, Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Gouryella

Armin van Buuren is a Dutch DJ, record producer, and radio personality known for his impact on trance and electronic dance music. He rose to international prominence through his long-running radio program and his performances at major festivals and clubs. Van Buuren's career spans studio albums, collaborative projects, and executive roles at independent music labels.

Early life and education

Born in Leiden, van Buuren grew up in Voorhout and later attended the University of Amsterdam for a degree in law before switching focus to music production. During his formative years he studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts) where he received formal training in music theory and piano alongside influences from Dutch electronic scenes centered in Amsterdam and The Hague. Early exposure to radio stations such as Radio Veronica and labels like Ministry of Sound and Positiva Records shaped his ambitions, while European festival circuits including Love Parade and venues like Paradiso (Amsterdam) provided early performance opportunities.

Career

Van Buuren's professional breakthrough began in the late 1990s with releases on labels such as Armada Music—which he co-founded with Maykel Piron and David Lewis—and aliases released via Spinnin' Records and Black Hole Recordings. He hosted the weekly radio show "A State of Trance", which became syndicated on stations including Sirius XM and reached listeners in markets served by BBC Radio 1, Radio 538, and MTV. His festival appearances include headline sets at Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Creamfields, and residencies at clubs like Ushuaïa Ibiza and Pacha (Ibiza). Collaborative projects and remixes involved artists and acts such as Roxette, Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery, Adam Young, Eric Prydz, and Ferry Corsten. He expanded his brand through compilation series, label management at Armada, and production partnerships with vocalists and songwriters from Los Angeles, London, and Stockholm.

Musical style and influences

Van Buuren's sound is rooted in trance music traditions with melodic structures and euphoric breakdowns drawing on influences from Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre, Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Human League. His integration of progressive house elements shows lineage to producers like Sasha (DJ), John Digweed, and Paul Oakenfold, while his vocal collaborations reveal crossover ambitions akin to Pet Shop Boys and U2. He has cited inspiration from European electronic pioneers associated with labels such as Warp Records and Dutch Dance Culture, and his mixing techniques reflect DJ practises common among artists like Carl Cox, Armand van Helden, and Danny Tenaglia.

Notable works and discography

Key studio albums include "76" (1999), "76" successors and major releases such as "Imagine" (2008), "Mirage" (2010), "Intense" (2013), and "Embrace" (2015). Landmark singles and collaborations feature tracks released with vocalists and producers including Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation, Gavin DeGraw, Tamino, Laurent Garnier collaborators, and remix commissions for Coldplay and Roxette. His compilation and mix series "A State of Trance" annually aggregate studio edits and exclusive tracks from artists on Anjunabeats, Black Hole Recordings, Enhanced Music, Revealed Recordings, and Armada Music. He produced notable remixes and singles with contributions from Avicii, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Kaskade, Zedd, and Skrillex-era cross-genre experiments, while live recordings from events at Melbourne Cricket Ground and Madison Square Garden document his large-scale performances.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career van Buuren received repeated accolades from industry polls and institutions: multiple wins as DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs, honors from International Dance Music Awards, and recognitions at ceremonies held in Amsterdam Arena and Rotterdam Ahoy. He earned titles and nominations from European organizations including EBBA (European Border Breakers Awards), NPO Radio 2, and listings by Forbes for influential figures in electronic music. He was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for services to Dutch music and culture and has been included in curated lists by publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, Mixmag, Pitchfork, and The Guardian for contributions to the global dance music scene.

Personal life and philanthropy

Van Buuren resides in The Hague and has balanced touring with family life; he is married and has children, and he maintains ties to academic institutions including Codarts and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague through guest lectures and workshops. Philanthropic efforts include benefit concerts and partnerships with charities focused on health and education hosted in collaboration with organizations such as UNICEF, Red Cross, War Child Netherlands, and local Dutch foundations. He supports initiatives for music education and artist development, participating in panels at events like Amsterdam Dance Event, SXSW, and International Music Summit to mentor emerging producers and DJs.

Category:Dutch DJs Category:Trance musicians Category:1976 births Category:Living people