Name Armin Van Buuren’s competitors in the Trance category of DJ Arward 2025: difficult for Armin

In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, the Trance category at the 2025 DJ Awards is shaping up to be more than just a celebration—it’s a clash of eras, visions, and philosophies. At the heart of it all is Armin van Buuren, the genre’s long-standing figurehead, now facing one of the most diverse and dynamic nomination rosters of his career.

It’s not just another year for Armin. It’s a test.

Armin van Buuren: A Career Measured in Global Impact

It’s rare for an artist to remain at the top of their genre for over two decades, but Armin van Buuren has done just that. From A State of Trance, his globally syndicated radio show, to mainstage performances at Ultra, Tomorrowland, and EDC, Armin has shaped the sound and the soul of trance.

But longevity can be a double-edged sword. The very consistency that fans love can start to feel safe in a world hungry for reinvention.

Yet, Armin isn’t one to rest on past glories. His latest album, Breathe In, released earlier this year, proves he’s still evolving—introducing emotive storytelling, high-end production, and a balance between festival energy and melodic depth. His ability to stay current without sacrificing the emotional core of trance is precisely why he remains a top contender for the award.

However, 2025 isn’t about easy wins. His competition? Equally seasoned. Equally hungry. And wildly different in direction.

Ferry Corsten – The Quiet Challenger with a Sonic Legacy

While Armin conquered the global stage, Ferry Corsten took a quieter route. He doesn’t chase trends—he creates them, often under the radar. Ferry’s strength lies in his ability to blur boundaries between trance, techno, and cinematic music. His recent sets have captivated listeners not with hands-in-the-air moments, but with intricate builds and thoughtful transitions.

He may not have the crowd size of Armin’s festivals, but among seasoned listeners, Ferry represents artistry over popularity. If this year’s voters lean toward depth and subtlety, Ferry’s legacy-driven presence could surprise many.

KI/KI – The Raw Pulse of the Underground

If Armin is the face of trance for the global mainstream, KI/KI is its new voice in the underground. She doesn’t play by the genre’s old rules—and that’s exactly her appeal. Her blend of tech-trance and acid-influenced energy has injected life into a part of the scene that had gone quiet.

She’s not here to replicate what came before. She’s here to challenge it. In doing so, she attracts a growing base of younger fans, ravers, and producers looking for something visceral. Her nomination signals that trance is no longer just soaring synths and emotional breakdowns—it’s also speed, grit, and sweat.

For Armin, KI/KI’s rise is symbolic: trance is getting louder from below. And it’s gaining momentum.

Aly & Fila – Defenders of Trance’s Spiritual Core

If trance had a soul, Aly & Fila would be its guardians. Where others have explored fusion and crossover, this Egyptian duo have stood firm in their dedication to pure, uplifting trance. They’re not trying to break out of the genre—they’re trying to remind people why it mattered in the first place.

Their fans are loyal. Their global FSOE (Future Sound of Egypt) events are packed. And their music speaks the emotional language that many trance lovers feel Armin once perfected—but has recently softened in favor of wider appeal.

For Armin, Aly & Fila are not competitors in ambition—but in authenticity. Their path is narrower, but their message is clear, and that alone could make them formidable in the voting.

Paul van Dyk – The Mirror of a Legacy

When it comes to prestige, Paul van Dyk may be the only nominee who can look Armin in the eye. The German pioneer helped define the sound of trance in its earliest form, and to this day, his name still inspires reverence.

Paul’s recent work has remained fiercely independent—less commercial, more intentional. His followers admire not only his music but his commitment to the values of the scene: emotion, message, and resistance to trend-chasing.

In many ways, Paul is a reflection of what Armin once was, and still occasionally shows glimpses of. Their clash isn’t generational—it’s philosophical.

Giorgia Angiuli – A Live Experience Beyond the Booth

Then there’s Giorgia Angiuli, whose approach isn’t about genre so much as expression. She builds her performances from the ground up: live vocals, MIDI controllers, keyboards, and a touch of vulnerability. Her trance is organic, textural, and often impossible to categorize.

She doesn’t need massive drops or pyrotechnics—just a connection. Her nomination signals that trance is no longer just a genre but a space of exploration. While unlikely to beat Armin in fan votes, she could be the voters’ artistic wild card, especially in a year that celebrates innovation.

Nora en Pure – A Progressive Curveball

Nora en Pure may seem like an outsider in the trance category, but her melodic and progressive sensibility aligns closely with where some aspects of trance are headed. Her sound isn’t made for peak-time energy—it’s for the in-between, the sunrise sets, the intimate moments.

She may not be a direct rival to Armin’s core sound, but her inclusion speaks to the broadening definition of trance. And in that space, anything is possible.

So, Can Armin Still Win?

Yes—but not without resistance.

In 2025, trance is no longer a monolith. It’s layered, fractured, and thrillingly diverse. Armin’s strength lies in his global influence, polished production, and ability to evolve. But against this year’s lineup, those strengths may also be seen as safe, even commercial.

To win, Armin will need more than legacy—he’ll need to remind people why they fell in love with trance through him in the first place. He’ll need to show that even after all these years, he’s not just still here—he’s still leading.

Final Thoughts: A Crown Worth Earning

This year’s Trance category is more than a competition—it’s a conversation about where the genre is heading. Will it follow Armin’s path of global integration and polished sound design? Will it return to Aly & Fila’s purity? Will it fracture into underground experimentation like KI/KI’s world?

Or… will it do all of that at once?

Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Armin van Buuren may be the king—but the kingdom is changing fast.