PAUL VAN DYK TO DEBUT NEW LIVE CONCEPT “THE ESSENCE OF ACID” AT DREAMSTATE SOCAL 2026

The iconic DJ and producer will bring his fully immersive live show to the festival, marking its worldwide debut and launching a forthcoming world tour.

North America’s largest trance music festival Dreamstate SoCal 2026 is set to host the worldwide debut of electronic music legend Paul van Dyk’s newest live performance concept, The Essence of Acid, bringing the pioneering artist’s latest production to the historic Queen Mary Waterfront on Saturday, November 21 in Long Beach, CA.

The Essence of Acid is built around a live electronic setup, with van Dyk performing alongside the hardware used to shape the show's sound. The performance will combine exclusive new material, acid-focused compositions, live reinterpretations of selected catalogue tracks, and recognizable records rebuilt specifically for the concept.

The concept also expands the live setup into the visual production. Paul performs with the Boutique Series, a collection based on the iconic TB-303, TR-808 and TR-909, on the show's visual language, alongside imagery inspired by circuitry, oscilloscopes, waveforms and other elements of analog electronic production. Lighting, screens, lasers and stage elements are designed to develop in tandem with the music throughout the performance.

Known for its focus on the history, evolution and future of trance and electronic music, global dance music experience curator Insomniac’s trance brand and festival vertical Dreamstate will provide the setting for The Essence of Acid to make its first appearance worldwide. It will explore acid as an influence across electronic music, incorporating the sound of the Roland TB-303 alongside synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers and effects. The concept’s focus on acid reflects Dreamstate’s own ethos of celebrating the sounds that have shaped trance culture while championing the artists and innovations defining its present and future. 

Paul van Dyk has been a defining figure in global electronic music for more than three decades, with a career spanning landmark productions, international performances and multiple generations of electronic music fans. His connection to Dreamstate dates back to the festival’s inaugural edition in 2015, where he took the stage for the first-ever Dreamstate SoCal, making his return with The Essence of Acid a natural continuation. Acid is already an established part of Paul’s musical catalogue. His previous work in the style includes ‘Acid’ with Chicago House pioneer DJ Pierre and ‘ACID TRAXXX’, as well as his solo release ‘Filthy Acid’. The Essence of Acid builds on that connection, taking the sound from the studio into a dedicated live performance.

Dreamstate SoCal 2026 will take place on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. Two-day and single-day GA and 21+ VIP tickets to Dreamstate SoCal 2026 are on sale now at Dreamstate.FrontGateTickets.com. 

Media credential applications to cover Dreamstate SoCal 2026 on behalf of a news publication are now open here. Please note that independent photographers and/or videographers will not be considered for credentials.

Stay tuned on the latest Dreamstate news and updates via the website, Instagram, X, and Facebook. Keep up to date with all things Insomniac on Insomniac.com.

ZAMNA UNVEILS PHASE 2 LINEUP FOR 2026 RETURN TO SHARM EL SHEIKH'S SINAI DESERT WITH MARCO CAROLA, GORDO, CAMELPHAT, ELVIS GUETTA AND MORE

Special guests are set to join a stacked lineup that already includes Major League DJZ, Brina Knauss and a wave of regional talent, as Zamna returns to Egypt's Khoroum Valley from 20th–22nd November.

Zamna has confirmed a major expansion to its Sharm El Sheikh lineup, with techno heavyweights Marco Carola and CamelPhat, and Gordo's bass-driven house and techno, joining the bill for the festival's return to the Sinai Desert from 20th–22nd November. 

The additions bring the 2026 edition to its biggest capacity yet at 20,000 daily visitors, as Zamna continues to build out its granite-amphitheatre setting in Egypt's Khoroum Valley.

Also joining are Major League DJZ, Brina Knauss, Elvis Guetta Asal b2b, Sona, Zamna Sound System, and Elvis Guetta - son of David Guetta, making his Egypt debut - Dish Dash, La Familia, Baz and Haz, Mballa and Minds of Lust, completing a lineup that already includes Sasha & John Digweed, Korolova, Mind Against, MRAK, Mëstiza and SHIMZA, with special guests to be announced. 

Following its debut in 2025, Zamna Sharm El Sheikh returns with expanded production, set against the valley's striking rock formations in Khoroum Valley, just fifteen minutes from Sharm El Sheikh's city centre and international airport. The natural venue space will again be transformed after dark with immersive lighting and stage production across the three-day event. Shuttle transfers run from partner hotels throughout the city, putting the desert stage within easy reach of any resort in Sharm. 

Carola brings his signature driving groove to the desert setting, while CamelPhat's fusion of house and emotive melodies and Gordo's bold, bassy techno round out the headline additions. South Africa's Major League DJZ bring their Afro-house sound to the bill, while Elvis Guetta joins with his own house and disco sound, alongside Brina Knauss, Asal b2b Sona, Zamna Sound System and regional talents Dish Dash, La Familia, Baz and Haz, Mballa and Minds of Lust.

General Admission grants full three-day access to Khoroum Valley, with VIP booths and tables available on request. Entry is restricted to guests aged 18 and over, with valid photo ID required at the gate.

Tickets are available now at khoroumvalley.com.

Line up

Asal b2b Brina Knauss, CamelPhat, Elvis Guetta, Gordo, Korolova, Major League DJZ, Marco Carola, Mëstiza, Mind Against, MRAK, Sasha & John Digweed, SHIMZA, Sona, ZSS, Dish Dash, La Familia, Baz and Haz, Mballa, Minds of Lust with more names to be announced.

SEISMIC DANCE EVENT ANNOUNCES PHASE TWO ADDITIONS FOR 9.0 EDITION

Additions Include Chris Liebing, Frederic., Jenna Shaw, Maddix, Marco Strous, Marie Vaunt, ØTTA, Oza, Paige Tomlinson, SPFDJ, STÜM, Toccororo, Twofaced, and Volkoder

Plus Stage Takeovers from Hotties x ØTTA, Next Gen House, and Technobus

Full Lineup Featuring Above & Beyond, horsegiirL, KI/KI, Max Styler, Sara Landry, Porter Robinson, 1TBSP, Adam Sellouk, Benwal, BOLO, Brunello, Brutalismus 3000, Chris Lorenzo, Cole Knight b2b Dreya V, Conrad Taylor, Devault, Diffrent, Fallon, Hills, HNTR, Joss Dean, Kamino, Kyle Starkey, Layton Giordani, Luke Alessi, Mestiza, MPH, Notion, SG Lewis, Smokey Bubblin' B, Starjunk 95, VTSS, and Welker

Taking Place at The Concourse Project in Austin, Texas from November 13-15, 2025

Seismic Dance Event has unveiled the next wave of programming for its highly-anticipated 9.0 edition, returning to The Concourse Project in Austin from November 13-15. The Phase Two reveal brings a new slate of global talent to the lineup alongside a standout series of dedicated stage takeovers expanding the sounds and curatorial perspectives set to shape this year’s festival.

Phase Two pushes further into the harder, faster, and more groove-driven edges of Seismic’s sonic identity. The additions include German techno mainstay Chris Liebing and Lisbon-based ØTTA, who will showcase her signature blend of trance and groove with a dedicated Hotties x ØTTA stage takeover. Maddix continues the high-energy momentum with his fusion of techno and trance, while Marie Vaunt pairs dark, ethereal vocals with searing acid lines. The latest wave also welcomes groove-focused UK producer Marco Strous, Berlin-based Frederic., Jenna Shaw, an emerging Austin-based producer, and Brooklyn-born multidisciplinary DJ OZA, known for her genre-fluid approach.

The Phase Two announcement also welcomes fast-rising UK producer Paige Tomlinson, high-energy techno trailblazer SPFDJ, and STÜM, whose sound balances chaotic energy with a playful edge. Rising Cuban-Spanish DJ Toccororo, high-energy dance duo Twofaced, and Brazilian house producer Volkoder round out the additions, further expanding the festival’s global reach and showcasing the diverse sounds shaping electronic music today.

Beyond the individual artist programming, Seismic will further expand the weekend with a series of dedicated stage takeovers. In addition to ØTTA’s Hotties takeover, Next Gen House merges tech-house, deep-house, and raw rave energy, while Technobus brings its signature mobile rave experience to the festival. Each takeover will offer its own distinct atmosphere and programming, creating new pockets of energy across the Seismic grounds and further extending the festival’s exploration of global club culture.

These phase two artist are featured alongside a powerhouse phase one lineup featuring internationally acclaimed dance music talent including Above & Beyond, Porter Robinson, Sara Landry, SG Lewis, Brutalismus 3000, Chris Lorenzo, Max Styler, Layton Giordani, KI/KI, horsegiirL, Maddix, VTSS, and many more.

Since opening its doors in 2021, The Concourse Project has been the home of Seismic Dance Event, with both the festival and venue spearheaded by Austin-based RealMusic Events. The independently operated venue has become a cornerstone of the city’s electronic music scene, pairing a sprawling indoor-outdoor footprint with world-class sound and large-scale production. Its growing international profile has earned The Concourse Project continued recognition on DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs list, currently ranking #3 in the U.S. and #31 worldwide.

Seismic takes shape across three distinct stages, each offering its own lens into the festival’s musical identity. The indoor Volcano and outdoor Tsunami stages traverse the spectrum of house and techno, while Frequency dives into hard groove, UKG, Berlin-influenced sounds, and other forward-thinking corners of underground club music.

The weekend extends beyond the main festival hours with late-night afterparties inside The Concourse Project’s main room, carrying the energy of Seismic into a more intimate club setting. The interplay between festival-scale production and underground club culture continues to define Seismic and its place within the global electronic music landscape.

Tickets are now available for the event and can be purchased on the Seismic website, with options for 3-day GA passes, single-day tickets, and VIP experiences.