Armin van Buuren explains why he says: “Ibiza is my second home and has always been a huge source of inspiration for me”

For Armin van Buuren, Ibiza isn’t just another destination on a global tour—it is his spiritual second home. Over the last two decades, the island has become the unwavering epicenter of his musical identity, creative rejuvenation, and emotional connection to the global trance music scene. In 2025, this bond was reaffirmed with a powerful return to Ushuaïa Ibiza, where a rare six-hour set served as a sonic celebration of everything Ibiza and Armin represent together.

The island has long been synonymous with electronic music, and for Armin, its shores are more than a scenic backdrop. They are a source of inspiration, a laboratory for sound, and a sanctuary where old classics meet fresh innovation. His music has grown in tandem with Ibiza’s dynamic nightlife, and their relationship continues to evolve.

Ushuaïa Ibiza: Armin’s Center Stage

Among Ibiza’s many legendary venues, Ushuaïa Ibiza stands out as the symbolic heart of Armin van Buuren’s live performances. With its unique open-air design, world-class visuals, and immersive production, Ushuaïa is the ideal platform for showcasing Armin’s carefully constructed soundscapes.

More than just a performance space, Ushuaïa is where Armin has pushed boundaries, premiered unreleased tracks, and felt the immediate pulse of the crowd. Over the years, it has become the defining stage in his summer residencies, each show further embedding his presence in the soul of the island.

Every detail of his Ushuaïa shows—from the lighting to the progression of BPMs—is a reflection of his artistic vision, shaped by years of connection with Ibiza’s crowds and culture.

June 8, 2025: A Marathon Return to Ushuaïa

On June 8, 2025, Armin van Buuren returned to the Ushuaïa stage for an extraordinary event: his first open-to-close set on Ibiza in seven years. Lasting six hours, the performance marked a significant moment in his career—a return not only to form, but to feeling.

Starting at 5 PM as the sun began its descent and concluding at 11 PM under the Ibiza night sky, the marathon set was a story in itself. Armin took the audience through phases of emotion: nostalgic classics, deep and introspective mid-set moments, and euphoric finales that brought the crowd to a collective peak.

This wasn’t just another show—it was an emotional reconnection. In Armin’s own words, “I don’t do open‑to‑close sets often, but when I do, it’s because the moment calls for it. Ushuaïa Ibiza is one of the most iconic venues in the world, and Ibiza holds a special place in my heart.”

A State of Trance Ibiza 2025: A Sonic Time Capsule

The energy of that unforgettable night was distilled into “A State of Trance Ibiza 2025”, a 42-track compilation that continues Armin’s long-running tradition of capturing Ibiza’s spirit through music. Released shortly after the performance, this annual mix album acts as both a reflection and a reimagination of the experience.

Divided into three themed sections—On The Beach, In The Club, and Who’s Afraid of 138?!—the album captures the emotional range of the night. Each section tells a chapter of the journey: beginning with relaxed, sunlit tracks, escalating into high-energy club anthems, and ending with the driving power of hard trance.

Many of the tracks debuted live during the six-hour set, giving the mix a rare authenticity. It’s not just a playlist; it’s a narrative of that one perfect night, reassembled for anyone who wants to relive or newly discover it.

Ibiza: The Island That Fuels Evolution

Throughout his career, Armin van Buuren has been known not just for consistency but for evolution. Ibiza has played a pivotal role in that growth, offering a space to experiment with sound, test out new directions, and engage with a receptive audience that appreciates innovation.

From melodic trance to elements of techno and even hard-hitting 138 BPM anthems, Armin’s Ibiza sets have served as a preview of his artistic trajectory. Ibiza acts as both muse and feedback loop—its energy shapes Armin’s direction, while his sets continue to define the island’s sonic character.

The island has allowed Armin to be both the teacher and the student, blending tradition with exploration in ways that few venues can support.

The 2025 Residency: Continuity Meets Innovation

The monumental June 8 set was the beginning of a larger journey: a nine-date summer residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza. Structured in two parts—early summer (June to July) and a September finale—the residency allowed Armin to develop a multi-week narrative arc, where each Sunday performance built upon the last.

This structure brought depth to the experience. For fans, it was more than a one-night event—it was a recurring immersion into Armin’s evolving world. For Armin, it was an opportunity to explore different emotional and musical themes, tailoring each show to reflect a new chapter while maintaining a consistent thread.

Every performance served a purpose in the residency’s overarching story, and each one added texture to the trance journey that began on that landmark June night.

Why Armin and Ibiza Still Matter in 2025

While trends in electronic music come and go, the connection between Armin van Buuren and Ibiza remains remarkably resilient. Their relationship has never been about novelty—it has always been rooted in authenticity and mutual energy.

Ibiza is not just a setting—it is an amplifier of emotions. It provides the physical and emotional space for artists like Armin to rediscover their core, evolve their message, and share that evolution with fans in real time.

The six-hour set in 2025 was a reminder that musical legacies are not static. They grow, change, and resurface stronger when nurtured in the right environment. Ibiza, with all its history and influence, continues to be that environment for Armin van Buuren.

Conclusion: A Homecoming That Resonates Beyond the Island

In an industry where change is constant, the relationship between Armin van Buuren and Ibiza offers something rare: longevity grounded in inspiration. The summer of 2025—marked by a historic six-hour set, a powerful residency, and the release of “A State of Trance Ibiza 2025”—was not a mere return. It was a reinvention.

Through Ibiza, Armin has continually found new ways to connect with his roots while exploring the future of trance. And through Armin, Ibiza’s legacy as a center of emotional, melodic, and immersive electronic music remains alive.

For those who were there on June 8, and for those who will hear the echoes through his mix albums, the message is clear: Ibiza isn’t just where the music plays. It’s where the music feels.