MINISTRY OF SOUND TURNS 34 WITH ARMAND VAN HELDEN AFTER ANOTHER LANDMARK YEAR FOR THE VITAL LONDON INSTITUTION

This October, Ministry of Sound celebrates 34 years of club culture in London with New York house pioneer Armand Van Helden. The four-room celebration will feature rising stars Olive F, Paisley Jensen, with more names to be announced.

Already one of the most recognisable institutions in electronic music, the South London club remains a leader in nightlife with continued dedication to the many clubbers who have walked through its doors over the last 30 years. 

“We’re excited to welcome house music legend Armand Van Helden to the helm, alongside Olive F and Paisley, as we celebrate 34 years of the Club. It’s been a pivotal year for us,  collaborating with incredible brands and launching our No Velvet Rope Society, a fresh take on the VIP experience. And we’re just getting started. Big plans are already in motion for 2026: we’ll be raising the bar for dance floors across the UK with a refurbishment of the iconic Box room and expanding our global presence.” - Matt Long, Club Director.

2025 began with the launch of three new in-house brands: Smoove, which is all about UKG, funky and R&B, URGE, a stripped-back tech house night featuring the likes of Matthias Tanzmann, Cuartero, Blondi, Brisotti, and Disco Daddy, which has welcomed the likes of Derrick Carter, Dimitri From Paris more.

Over the summer, Ministry tackled a major renovation of its new NVR  space, the first of its kind in over a decade, transforming the space into an open mezzanine overlooking the iconic Box and its renowned Martin Audio sound system. The new membership concept No Velvet Rope, aims to reimagine VIP for a new generation of music lovers at the club. 

Building on this, the Ministry introduced a sober raving concept in response to evolving nightlife habits, featuring a curated mocktail menu, low-alcohol beers, and CBD serves.  Andrijauskaitė  

The momentum continued in April, with the now-infamous Toilet takeover in partnership with Lab54, an unannounced rave in the women’s toilets that went viral, amassing over 20 million views on socials. 

With more than three decades already behind them, Ministry of Sound is gearing up for a monumental 35th anniversary in 2026. It's a rare milestone these days with so many pressures on all fronts, so big plans are already in motion, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Pre-sale sold out in record time with over 70% selling out in advance. Ministry of Sound is now down to the last remaining tickets for the 34th Birthday, and they can be purchased here.

Ministry of Sound

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ARMIN VAN BUUREN BRINGS FACE2FACE CONCEPT TO IBIZA FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH A STATE OF TRANCE RESIDENCY AT USHUAÏA IBIZA

THE KING OF TRANCE RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER WITH AN EXCLUSIVE A STATE OF TRANCE RESIDENCY FEATURING ELECTRIFYING FACE2FACE SETS.

The lights, the roar of the crowd, and the pulsating rhythms of A State of Trance arrive to Ushuaïa Ibiza this September as Armin van Buuren unveils his groundbreaking Face2Face concept. Fresh from the huge success of his first five shows of the season from 8 June to 6 July, including a rare open-to-close set of 6 hours, the global trance icon is back to take over Sundays from 7 September to 28 September with a month-long residency unlike anything the island has seen before.

For the first time at Ushuaïa Ibiza, Face2Face will bring an electrifying deck-to-deck format where Armin performs opposite unique guest artists in a high-voltage clash of energy and creativity. Positioned face-to-face without being able to see each other’s CDJs, the DJs are pushed to improvise, react, and elevate the crowd in real time – creating a pure, unfiltered exchange of music that’s as dynamic and thrilling to watch as it is to experience on the dance floor.

“Bringing my Face2Face concept to Ibiza for the first time, as part of my ASOT residency at Ushuaïa, is really special to me. Ibiza has always held a special place in my heart, and to experience this level of connection with the crowd, stripped back and focused purely on the music, is something I’ve been longing to do here. I can’t wait to share this journey with everyone on the dancefloor.” - says Armin van Buuren

The opening night on 7 September promises to be a highlight of the Ibiza season, with Armin van Buuren Face2Face with Oliver Heldens, who will also be performing a solo set, joined by Olympe and Avalan Rokston. Across the month, each Sunday will feature a distinct theme, viral moments, and a line-up packed with talent: AVIRA, Armin’s trusted collaborator delivering deep, cinematic progressive; Avalan Rokston, returning to Ushuaïa with powerful live vocals and uplifting beats; Ben Gold, bringing high-octane trance anthems; D.O.D, delivering playful bass-driven UK house; Funk Tribu, unleashing raw high-BPM techno with Latin flair; Inafekt, blending emotional melodies with powerful grooves; Lilly Palmer, commanding with bold, driving techno; Maddix, igniting crowds with hard-hitting bigroom techno and relentless festival energy; Oliver Heldens, merging mainstream appeal with underground credibility; Olympe, crafting melodic techno journeys of softness and power; and Seth Hills, representing the next wave of mainstage energy. During the closing night of the ASOT residency on September 28th, Armin will be playing an extended set of 4 hours. 

From its humble beginnings as a radio show, A State of Trance has grown into one of the most influential brands in electronic music, with over 100 events across five continents, weekly broadcasts in over 80 countries, and an audience of 44 million listeners per episode.

With over two decades at the top, five No.1 DJ Mag Top 100 titles, and countless anthems, Armin van Buuren has left an indelible mark on the global scene. His discography includes hits like “Blah Blah Blah”, “Great Spirit” (with Vini Vici), and “This Is What It Feels Like” (featuring Trevor Guthrie), nominated for a Grammy®. As founder of Armada Music, the largest independent dance music label in the world, he continues to shape the sound of tomorrow.

This September, there are only four chances to experience the magic of Face2Face at Ushuaïa Ibiza. Expect the ultimate Sunday destination for trance lovers and festival-goers: open-air euphoria, cutting-edge production, and the unmatched magnetism of Armin van Buuren.

Secure your place now – tickets available via this link– expected to sell out fast.

Armin van Buuren has been a global ambassador for electronic music for over thirty years, with a Grammy nomination, five #1 spots in the DJ Mag Top 100, and nine full-length artist albums to his name. Through his exemplary productions, groundbreaking live shows (e.g. his new ‘THE ORB’ world tour) and his weekly A State of Trance radio show (44 million listeners from over 80 different countries), event series and album series, he cultivates a massive global following. 

Armin van Buuren headlines tens to hundreds of shows per year at leading festivals and venues around the world, including Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, New York), Ultra Music Festival (Miami), Lollapalooza (Chicago. Berlin) and Tomorrowland (Belgium, Brazil), plus residencies on Ibiza and in Las Vegas, and his own A State of Trance events in Rotterdam, London, Mexico and beyond. As a producer, Armin van Buuren has joined forces with the biggest artists in dance music and beyond, from Hardwell, David Guetta and Martin Garrix, to Moby and Jon Bon Jovi. In June 2025, he released his ninth studio album, ‘Breathe’.

Armin van Buuren is also the co-founder of Armada Music, the world’s biggest independent dance music label.

PURIFIED RECORDS UNVEILS 31ST EDITION OF VA SERIES ‘FRAGMENTS XXXI’

Out Now Across All Streaming Platforms

The Fragments series returns with its thirty-first edition, bringing together a dynamic mix of emerging voices and label mainstays in ‘Fragments XXXI’ - a three-track showcase that highlights the melodic, emotive, and forward-thinking sound Purified Records is known for.

Opening the compilation, Belgian producer Delta Vaults makes a striking label debut with ‘Colors Of Life’. An instrumental journey driven by cinematic progression and powerful melodic synths, the track builds with grand, peak-time energy. A highly anticipated ID from Nora En Pure’s EDC Vegas set, this track has been on the radar of fans for months. Known for his epic compositions and cinematic roots, Delta Vaults channels his background in film soundtracks and electronic performance into a piece that bridges emotional storytelling and club euphoria with precision.

Next, Milan Steenwinkel brings a deep, introspective edge with ‘Hold Me’. Rooted in layered textures and rhythmic tension, the track unfolds around longing vocals and a brooding, progressive framework. Drawing influence from the underground melodic techno scene and classical music alike, the Amsterdam-based artist creates a powerful sense of emotional immersion through sound - making for a compelling addition to the compilation.

Closing the release, JNSN returns to the label with ‘Time’ - a richly uplifting track built on emotive chords, pulsing basslines, and energetic percussion. A solid club weapon that’s been championed by Nora En Pure in her sets around the world, ‘Time’ blends melody and momentum with a deeply expressive groove. Infused with his signature sense of narrative, JNSN delivers a track that’s both cathartic and dancefloor-ready, reinforcing his reputation as a boundary-pushing producer with a personal and resonant sound.

With each artist offering a distinct sonic signature, Fragments XXXI is a seamless fusion of emotion, melody, and technical craft - marking another bold chapter in Purified Records’ evolving compilation series.

The ‘Fragments XXXI’ artwork is a photograph taken by Kelsey Williamson, featuring mobula rays during their migration in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Baja. Kelsey is an adventurer and photographer passionate about exploring the world’s most remote and stunning regions. Her work captures untamed landscapes and underwater wonders, inspiring a deeper connection to the wild and a curiosity for the unknown.

Often called “the world’s aquarium,” the Sea of Cortez is one of the few places on Earth where thousands of mobula rays gather in spectacular mass aggregations. By working closely with local fishers and coastal communities, CEDO (@cedointercultural) promotes sustainable practices that safeguard species like mobulas and the health of the entire Gulf of California.

Looking to help further protect the planet? Explore Only One, the action platform for the planet, on a mission to restore ocean health and tackle the climate crisis — with the power of the people.

Delta Vaults:

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JNSN:

Soundcloud | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Milan Steenwinkel:

Soundcloud | Instagram | Spotify