A State of Trance Festival

The stage is set for an A State of Trance Festival like never before, as Armin van Buuren announces an exclusive face-to-face performance with Dutch sensation Maddix—a world-first for both artists. Breaking from the beloved back-to-back format, Friday night will see Armin and Maddix face off like never before, each equipped with their own decks to perform a one-off set that’s as thrilling as it is immersive. In what’s known as an F2F set, the innovative concept not only has the two DJs facing each other, but positions them so they cannot see the other’s CDJs, emphasizing a deeper, more organic interplay between the two acts. The rare performance is part of Armin’s monumental 5-hour set on Friday night, paving the way for Saturday’s highly anticipated A State of Trance day program, where fans are invited to go behind the scenes, deepen their connections within the A State of Trance community, and participate in wellness and mental well-being activities.

Bridging the spectacle of Friday’s performances with a more intimate start to Saturday, A State of Trance’s day program offers a restorative blend of wellness, creativity and community in a single day. After a Slow Flow Yoga class to set the tone, fans can explore the tech and artistry behind A State of Trance’s signature light displays at a special VJing session, dive into production fundamentals with Ruben de Ronde and AVIRA and even present their own tunes to Armada’s coveted A&R team for on-the-spot feedback during “Drop Your Track”.

A highlight of the afternoon is the “Transform Your Health” Sofa Session with Armin, offering invaluable insights into staying balanced in the high-demand and fast-paced world of dance music. “Service for Dreamers” encourages festival-goers to share personal stories that connect them to their most beloved trance anthems, while a private pool party invites attendees to unwind, recharge, and connect before the second night of festival programming.

Between the buzz surrounding Friday’s face-to-face set with Maddix, Saturday’s immersive day program and the monumental multi-genre lineup to close the weekend, this year’s festival extends far beyond its trance roots. As A State of Trance prepares for its return to Rotterdam Ahoy, fans can expect a truly memorable weekend that pays tribute to the genre’s storied heritage while boldly charting a course for the future of live electronic music.