A STATE OF TRANCE ANNOUNCES HISTORIC 25TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND AT ROTTERDAM AHOY

A monumental two-day event, taking place on February 27 and 28, honoring 25 years of trance music. Tickets go on sale September 11, 2025, pre-register now at astateoftrance.com/register.

A State of Trance (ASOT), the world’s most iconic trance music brand, founded by Armin van Buuren, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a two-day festival on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands. The milestone event marks a quarter century of A State of Trance’s lasting influence on global electronic music culture and marks a moment where the event is stronger than ever and the genre is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence. Tickets go on sale September 11, 2025, with pre-registration now open at astateoftrance.com/register for early access, while official hotel packages will be released ahead of the general ticket sale starting September 9, 2025.

For 25 years, A State of Trance has united millions across the globe, all leading to this: the ultimate celebration of two and a half decades of events, music, and passion for trance music. Friday’s show will feature three stages, including the special ‘Journey Through 25 Years of Trance’, a one-of-a-kind experience tracing the evolution of the genre from its underground roots to today’s cutting-edge sound. The night will be headlined by a special 5-hour set from Armin van Buuren, alongside legendary pioneers and rising talents who have defined and continue to shape the future of trance music.

On Saturday, February 28, the celebration expands, taking over Rotterdam Ahoy with five distinct stages, each offering a different sonic dimension of trance and progressive. The full program will feature an exceptional lineup of artists who have shaped A State of Trance’s journey, delivering a world-class experience that reflects 25 years of iconic trance moments.

Due to overwhelming demand, the official A State of Trance Hotel returns for 2026, now with an extra night added for the ultimate fan experience. Exclusive three-night packages go on sale September 9, 2025 (15:00 CEST), with pre-sale access at 12:00 CEST for pre-registered fans. These packages include:

• An exclusive pre-party on Thursday night

• An invitation to join the live radio show on Thursday night (very limited spots available)

• Premium accommodations steps away from the action.

Two-night packages will be available on September 10, 2025, also with early pre-sale access for pre-registrants. Last year, the official A State of Trance Hotel sold out in just 30 minutes, underscoring its status as a highly sought-after experience of the A State of Trance weekend and a unique opportunity to be in the centre of the activities.

Founded by Armin van Buuren in 2001 as a humble radio show in Amsterdam, A State of Trance has grown into a worldwide movement, uniting millions of fans through radio broadcasts, festivals and special events across more than 80 countries. From its early days of championing trance to becoming a cultural phenomenon, A State of Trance has evolved into one of the most recognizable and respected brands in dance music history. With 25 years of groundbreaking events and global impact, the 25th Anniversary Celebration stands as a defining moment in the history of trance music, bringing the movement’s legacy and future together in Rotterdam.

For ticket details, hotel packages, and more information, visit astateoftrance.com.

YULIA NIKO AND ALFONSO MUCHACHO COVER A 1980’S CLASSIC WITH ‘BAD HABITS’

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Yulia Niko returns with another compelling contribution to her forthcoming ‘Body Language Vol. 26’ compilation, as she teams up with enigmatic UK producer Alfonso Muchacho for ‘Bad Habits’ – a deep, soulful cover of Jenny Burton’s iconic 1985 anthem. Out now via Get Physical Music ahead of the compilations full release on September 19, the track continues to shape the sound and spirit of one of electronic music’s most in demand talents.

Taking inspiration from Burton’s timeless vocal hook, ‘Bad Habits’ breathes new life into a classic with a modern, underground twist. At once groovy, hypnotic and irresistibly soulful, the track pairs a rich female vocal performance – full of warmth and attitude – with stripped-back, rolling percussion and a darkly polished low-end. The result is a simmering late-night weapon that pays homage to its roots while speaking fluently to today’s dancefloors.

More raw and underground in tone than the compilation’s earlier singles, ‘Bad Habits’ reflects the creative synergy between two distinct but complementary forces. Yulia Niko, known for her emotionally charged minimalism and deep club sensibility, brings her signature finesse to the mix – clean, elegant, and loaded with tension. Opposite her, UK-based producer Alfonso Muchacho infuses the track with his esoteric approach to sound design, weaving in haunting textures, tight grooves and a sense of mysticism that’s become his trademark.

This is a meeting of minds, where technical precision and instinctive feel collide. Both artists share a deep respect for the emotional power of vocal house, and here, they’ve created something that feels both classic and current, nostalgic yet entirely of the moment.

‘Bad Habits’ follows Yulia Niko’s recent releases ‘Just Just’ (with Rework) and ‘So In Love With You’, further showcasing her range as both a curator and collaborator. It also marks a standout contribution from Alfonso Muchacho – a cult figure in the underground, whose productions operate on a unique wavelength of controlled chaos, hypnotic rhythm,and shadowy allure.

As the latest chapter in ‘Body Language Vol. 26’, ‘Bad Habits’ continues to define the spirit of the compilation: bold, genre-fluid and deeply rooted in the dancefloor’s emotional core.

Yulia Niko:

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Alfonso Muchacho:

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MONOLINK RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘PERFECT WORLD’

AHEAD OF UPCOMING ALBUM THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL

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German multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer Monolink returns with ‘Perfect World’, the latest single from his forthcoming third studio album The Beauty Of It All, set for release on September 26, 2025 via Embassy One.

In ‘Perfect World’, Monolink ventures into new rhythmic territory, swapping his trademark four-on-the-floor pulse for a groove inspired by UK garage and breakbeat. The result is a track that feels both intimate and kinetic; a hypnotic blend of shuffling percussion, warm synth textures and Steffen’s unmistakable, contemplative vocals. The production carries a sense of restless energy, mirroring the song’s themes of modern distraction and disconnection. Melodically rich yet spacious in its arrangement, it invites listeners into a soundscape where each beat feels like a heartbeat and every chord resonates with unspoken emotion. 

Speaking about the record, Monolink commented: "The idea for this track started as a jam session with my friend Severin Kantereit where we lay the foundation for the groove and the chords. I wanted to create something different and break out of the 4 to the floor groove, feeling inspired by UK garage and break beats. The song and lyrics came to me on a morning in a café in Hamburg, watching people rushing to work and following their jobs, seeking constant distraction on their phones. Including myself." 

Paired with the single is a striking official music video directed by Nicola von Leffern (who previously helmed the visual offering for Mesmerized). The film presents a sharp, cinematic contrast between digital isolation and physical awakening.

Set in a world where people move through life with their eyes locked on glowing screens, the video blends the tragic and the absurd: a person nods off mid-scroll and drops their phone on their face; another struggles to lift their head in the mirror each morning, even with both hands; a massage therapist works one-handed while doom-scrolling with the other. Anonymous crowds drift through the streets, bathed in the cold light of their devices, until a rupture occurs.

Two strangers make eye contact. A spark of connection spreads. Their bodies breathe, move and dance. This awakening ripples outward into a collective eruption of raw, unchoreographed expression; a defiant, human counterpoint to technological paralysis. Each gesture declares: “I am here. Not online. I feel this moment.”

‘Perfect World’ is the latest taste of The Beauty Of It All, Monolink’s most personal and sonically adventurous work to date, written in solitude in rural Germany and steeped in themes of impermanence, beauty and human connection. Known for seamlessly blending live instrumentation, evocative vocals and electronic production, Monolink continues to push the boundaries of modern electronic music, delivering tracks that resonate as deeply on headphones as they do on festival stages.

Coinciding with the album release, Monolink will bring The Beauty Of It All to life on an extensive European tour this fall. Renowned for his electrifying live shows – where electronic beats merge with live guitar, vocals and immersive storytelling – Monolink’s performances are both sonically and visually transportive. Fans can expect to hear brand-new material alongside reimagined versions of favourites from across his discography, all delivered with the dynamic energy and intimacy that have made his shows a must-see.

Stream Monolink’s new single ‘Perfect World’ available now on all platforms.
 

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Monolink Tour Dates
September 10 – Gasometer – Vienna, AT
October 10 – Zenith – Munich, DE
October 11 – Palladium – Cologne, DE
October 15 – Jahrhunderthalle – Frankfurt, DE
October 17 – Halle 622 – Zurich, CH
October 18 – Fabrique – Milan, IT
October 22 – Melkweg – Amsterdam, NL
October 29 – De Vooruit – Gent, BE
October 30 – Elysée Montmartre – Paris, FR
November 1 – Brixton Academy – London, UK
November 7 – Volkswagen Arena – Istanbul, TR
November 8 – Volkswagen Arena – Istanbul, TR
November 21 – Uber Eats Music Hall – Berlin, DE
November 22 – Uber Eats Music Hall – Berlin, DE
November 28 – Razzmatazz – Barcelona, ES
November 30 – La Riviera – Madrid, ES
December 5 – Georg Elser Halle – Hamburg, DE.