Armin van Buuren delves into his seven most memorable moments at Tomorrowland

In the electrifying world of electronic dance music, few names resonate as powerfully as Armin van Buuren’s.

With a career spanning over two decades, the Dutch DJ and producer has become synonymous with trance music, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and iconic tracks.

As a perennial headliner at Tomorrowland, Armin van Buuren has created countless unforgettable moments for fans and fellow artists alike. Right before his set at the Mainstage, we asked Armin to delve into his seven most memorable moments at Tomorrowland.

From his debut appearance that set the stage ablaze to groundbreaking performances that redefined the festival experience, join us as we explore the stories behind these remarkable moments, gaining insight into the magic that happens when a master of his craft connects with the spirit of Tomorrowland.

Prepare to be transported through time as Armin van Buuren takes us on a nostalgic ride through his extraordinary experiences at the Holy Grounds, sharing personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and the emotions that have defined his Tomorrowland legacy.

First time Tomorrowland

“I’ve been part of Tomorrowland ever since the first edition, and I wholly remember that first time. In a way it felt like the little brother of Mysteryland – and I mean that in the most respectful way.

It was quite a bit more lowkey – about ten thousand people, is my guess – but the vibe was very, very good. My first slot was right before David Guetta and it was already a bit of a special event back then, I think I already had my own A State of Trance stage, and even at that time it was a fun festival to play.

I had worked together with the organisers before for the Antwerp Is Burning festival so I knew a bit about them and our shared love for trance music. In that spirit, Tomorrowland felt like a logical ensuite to Antwerp is Burning. But to be honest, at the time I had absolutely no idea that Tomorrowland would grow out to become what it is today – even if the valley in front of the Mainstage already provided for an unmistakable magical character.

In the end, it really started to explode with the Book of Wisdom stage in 2011. But like they say: all big things start small.”

New Life

In 2013 I announced the birth of my son, Remy, right before my set at the Mainstage. He’s eleven now, and it’s hard to believe that it has been that long ago. Of course, looking back it feels a bit wild that I couldn’t stay by my wife’s side right after the birth of our son.

But a man becoming a dad wants to shout it from the rooftops and share that moment with the world! I figured it was only a one-hour drive from the hospital to Tomorrowland, so I just jumped into the car at the last minute. In retrospect, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

When I look back at how it started raining and the crowd seemed to have tears in their eyes... Anyway, after the set I returned to the hospital where they had cleared the room so it was just me, my wife, and our newborn son. That must’ve been the moment that I felt the purest joy of my life. Remy hasn’t seen the video of it yet. I don’t think he really realizes what it means.

Maybe we should do a back-to-back set at Tomorrowland when he turns 18, although I would never push him to do so!”

First time with ASOT radio

“The first time that we planted our A State of Trance radio station at Tomorrowland was another moment I cherish dearly. I felt like we were really part of the festival, and it seemed like that gave us a new perspective, another angle on the whole experience. That felt really nice. We even broadcasted from the top of the Mainstage and next to the A State of Trance stage – marvellous experiences.”

Tomorrowland Winter

“What a quest that was, the first time Tomorrowland winter took place! For the first year, the Mainstage was still outside and during my set the snow fell heavily and without remorse.

It was too slippery on the ice in front of the stage, so people took their place on the upper ring. But even then the atmosphere was already very Tomorrowland. The snow didn’t matter at all. During all those times I played Tomorrowland, I’ve had to make my way through all kinds of weather conditions – rain in Brazil, rain during TomorrowWorld in the US, cold, snow, and blazing heat in Europe – but the constant factor is the relentless energy you get from the audience.

Virtual edition in 2020

“2020 was the year that Tomorrowland held a virtual edition, and that was quite the experience. to say the least.

Of course, you cannot match the response you get from a real-life audience, that unique atmosphere is impossible to recreate in a virtual environment. But we made the best of it and it turned out really well. The virtual setting made us test out a few things, and we were able to experiment a bit. Although it was a very, very weird year in many ways. To me, it was the year that I made a mental reset, in a good way.

I worked on myself, worked on my body, and turned to my family. So in that way, 2020 got a positive swing after all.”

One World Radio

“I have been deeply involved in One World Radio since the very beginning, and it always has been a pleasant experience. At the time, we had a meeting about Tomorrowland starting a radio station, and I immediately knew that they’d be going for world domination from the get-go. So yeah, I wanted to be part of that!

We came up with a new item called Armin’s Weekend Kickoff, where I would highlight 6 or 7 tracks each

Tomorrowland Foundation

“Visiting the Tomorrowland Foundation at the Ektara Music & Arts School in Kolkata in India was massively impressive.

Of course you have a gist about poverty, and the hard times some people around the world are facing, but being there was a life-changing moment. It made a deep impression on me, not in the least because of the pure love and passion with which the people of the Foundation handle things, and the dedication with which Tomorrowland pushes this project forward.

They are really helping the children out there to build a better life, and I absolutely wanted to contribute to that. It makes me realise how lucky we are to be together and in good health.”