Trance is closest to me: Armin Van Buuren

It has become an annual sojourn for Armin Van Buuren — every year, for the past three years, the Dutch trance sensation makes his way to India during summer.

“I love the vibe of the country. Indian fans have a great understanding of dance music and the hospitality of the fans is incredible,” he wrote to us over email. Armin will be performing in Hyderabad on June 5 as part of the A State Of Trance festival orga-nised by Sunburn Percept Live.

Electronic Dance Music or EDM has had numerous offshoots over the years and Armin is acutely aware of how trance is the least popular among them. But the current world number three electronica artiste says he’s not one to pander to popular tastes.

“Let’s face it. Trance is not the most popular genre in electronic dance music at the moment. But it’s closest to me. I can’t deny it. If I were to change my sound drastically and play something that has nothing to do with my classic sound, it would not feel natural to me. So, I keep playing trance close to the current sound.”

There have, however, been loud whispers in the music corridors about how the genre is a wave that’ll wash over sooner or later. But Armin isn’t too worried. “EDM will always evolve, and so will trance. It’s a sign of the times — young people grow up not listening to rock music, or hip-hop or R&B anymore, they grow up listening to EDM, like my parents listened to the Beatles.”

Armin’s track This is What it Feels Like was nominated for a Grammy last year, but failed to clinch the title. How did it feel getting so close to it? “It was made as an album track and it turned out to be a smash hit. I didn’t plan that. You never know when you make a track that it’s going to be a hit. I didn’t make it for commercial success. I made it for me. I always say, ‘Follow your heart, not the charts’,” he replies.

What is it that one can expect at the upcoming gig? “It’s going to be an intense night of eclectic trance, state of the art production and a stellar line-up. I’m bringing to India the world’s first festival programmed around a radio show. It’s definitely closest to my heart as it’s one of my most ambitious trance tours and one of my biggest dreams. I think I’m going to be the first DJ ever to own a festival of my own with several arenas.”