My First DnB Release Is Out! Arcando & Bonn Join Forces – The 2017 Backstage Story That Has Fans Excited!

The global electronic music community is on the edge of its seat as Martin Garrix prepares to release his first-ever Drum and Bass (DnB) track, titled “Set Me Free”, in collaboration with Arcando and Bonn. While the track has not dropped yet, teasers and early hints from Garrix’s team have already created massive buzz across social media and EDM forums. What makes this upcoming release particularly intriguing is not only the genre shift but also the collaboration itself.

The backstory behind “Set Me Free” goes all the way back to 2017, when Martin Garrix and Arcando first met backstage at Ushuaïa Ibiza, one of the most legendary venues in the EDM world. What might have seemed like a casual handshake or a fleeting introduction at the time now appears to have planted the seeds for a track that could reshape Garrix’s musical trajectory.

This article dives deep into the significance of this upcoming release, the artists involved, the potential impact on DnB and the EDM community, and why fans around the world are already buzzing with excitement.

Why This Upcoming DnB Release Matters

In today’s highly competitive EDM scene, any time a mainstream artist crosses into a subgenre like DnB, it attracts attention. Martin Garrix is no stranger to experimentation, having already dominated progressive house, future bass, and festival anthems. Yet DnB has always been considered a high-energy, niche, and underground-oriented subgenre.

“Set Me Free” represents more than just a musical experiment. It is a strategic step for Garrix, positioning him within one of the most exciting and rapidly growing subgenres of 2025’s electronic music landscape. The collaboration with Arcando, known for blending future bass, trap, and now DnB, and Bonn, a vocalist celebrated for emotional depth and collaborations with Avicii and Axwell / Ingrosso, adds credibility and musical richness to the project.

The combination of a mainstream EDM superstar and established collaborators in DnB creates a highly anticipated release that fans are already discussing as a potential turning point in both Garrix’s career and the wider EDM scene.

The Track: What We Know About “Set Me Free”

Though “Set Me Free” has yet to be released, insiders and early previews suggest a track that will blend DnB’s signature rapid tempo and energetic drops with emotional vocal lines from Bonn. The title itself hints at a theme of liberation and emotional release, which fits Garrix’s evolving style – merging festival-level energy with personal storytelling.

The track is expected to feature:

• Powerful basslines that drive the high-tempo DnB rhythm.

• Fast-paced percussion patterns typical of the genre, designed to energize both live festival crowds and at-home listeners.

• Emotive vocals from Bonn, adding a melodic layer that balances the intensity of DnB with heartfelt emotion.

Fans and industry insiders alike are curious whether this track will lean more toward festival bangers or a listening experience for quieter, reflective moments. The potential for a track that works in both settings is part of what makes “Set Me Free” so highly anticipated.

The Story Behind the Collaboration

Fans might assume that the collaboration between Garrix, Arcando, and Bonn is a sudden, opportunistic move. Yet the roots of “Set Me Free” date back to 2017, when Garrix and Arcando first crossed paths at Ushuaïa Ibiza. While the meeting may have seemed casual at the time – a handshake backstage, a brief conversation – it planted the seed for years of potential collaboration.

These kinds of connections are not uncommon in EDM. Many of today’s most iconic tracks stem from chance encounters at festivals or clubs. In the case of “Set Me Free”, it took nearly eight years for that seed to bloom into a fully-fledged DnB track, highlighting the unpredictable yet powerful role of timing and networking in the music industry.

Who Are Arcando & Bonn?

Arcando

Arcando is a Dutch producer known for blending multiple subgenres including future bass, trap, and now branching into DnB. His signature style combines melodic complexity with high-energy drops, appealing to both casual listeners and hardcore EDM fans. His involvement in “Set Me Free” suggests that the track will not just be high-energy but also musically nuanced.

Bonn

Bonn has become a household name in EDM vocals, having collaborated with big names like Avicii, Martin Garrix, and Axwell / Ingrosso. Her emotional and powerful voice has been a hallmark of numerous hits, and fans are excited to hear how her vocals will complement the DnB intensity of “Set Me Free”.

Together with Garrix, this trio is positioned to deliver a track that blends the best of festival-level energy with emotionally resonant melodies, a combination that could redefine how mainstream DnB is perceived.

DnB’s Global Resurgence in 2025

The timing of “Set Me Free” could not be better. DnB is currently experiencing a renaissance across multiple platforms:

• TikTok challenges are bringing fast-tempo tracks to younger audiences.

• Spotify playlists are increasingly featuring DnB, reaching listeners who might have previously skipped the genre.

• Major festivals such as Tomorrowland and EDC are incorporating DnB sets, highlighting the genre’s cinematic energy and crowd-pumping potential.

This resurgence makes Garrix’s move into DnB not only strategically smart but also culturally relevant. Fans are already speculating how the track will perform live at festivals and whether it will inspire a broader trend of mainstream EDM artists exploring DnB.

Fan Reactions: Excitement Already Building

Even before its official release, social media buzz around “Set Me Free” is immense. Fan forums, Twitter threads, and Instagram comments reveal excitement:

• “Can’t wait to hear Garrix try DnB – this could be huge!”

• “Summer 2025 just got a whole lot more exciting.”

• “Finally, DnB might go mainstream thanks to Martin Garrix!”

Fans of Bonn are especially eager to hear how her vocals translate into the high-energy DnB environment. Even casual listeners who have never explored DnB are curious about how this track might redefine their music preferences.

Potential Industry Impact

If “Set Me Free” charts successfully and gains major playlist traction, it could have significant ramifications for the EDM industry:

1. Mainstream Acceptance of DnB: The presence of a superstar like Martin Garrix in DnB may legitimize the genre in the eyes of a broader audience.

2. Influencing Other Producers: Seeing the commercial and fan response, other mainstream EDM artists might experiment with DnB, leading to a wave of genre crossovers.

3. Festival Programming: DnB sets could become a staple in major festivals, providing opportunities for new talents to shine in a genre that has been relatively niche in mainstream settings.

In short, this release has the potential to shift the EDM landscape, bringing DnB into the mainstream spotlight.

Why Fans Shouldn’t Miss “Set Me Free”

This is more than a DnB experiment. For serious EDM fans, the track represents:

• A glimpse into Martin Garrix’s evolving artistry.

• A potential turning point for mainstream DnB.

• An emotional journey supported by Bonn’s vocals and Arcando’s production expertise.

The anticipation around the track, combined with the 2017 backstage story, gives “Set Me Free” the kind of narrative that fans love to share, discuss, and speculate about online.

Viral Potential: Could This Track Explode?

Given its catchy title, strong emotional hooks, energetic drops, and the intriguing collaboration story, “Set Me Free” has the makings of a viral hit. Experts predict:

• TikTok challenges using signature drops.

• Remixes from both mainstream and underground producers.

• Festival mashups featuring the track in high-energy sets.

If the track performs well in these channels, it could redefine Martin Garrix’s image as not just a festival favorite but a genre-crossing pioneer.

Conclusion

From a brief backstage meeting in 2017 at Ushuaïa Ibiza to the upcoming release of “Set Me Free”, this track represents the power of chance encounters, collaboration, and artistic evolution. While it remains to be seen whether this is a one-off experiment or the start of a DnB era for Martin Garrix, the anticipation alone demonstrates the impact this release could have on fans and the EDM scene alike.

For now, the global EDM community waits eagerly. The countdown to “Set Me Free” is on, and if early reactions are any indication, this release could be one of the defining moments of 2025 in electronic music.