Most of the special guests were dispensed early in the first half of the show, leaving Armin to shine bright in the second- alone and without interruption. In addition to playing original and remixed tracks off the Embrace album, Armin would borrow from other artists. Feels were at a high when Saving Light, Gareth Emery and Standerwick‘s newest emotional ballad, played. The arena was jumping up and down when Great Spirit, and other psy-trance bangers, dropped. Along with the interactive Ping Pong, and pulling our (cellphone) lighters out for Off the Hook, it felt like Freaknight 2016 all over again….which wasn’t a bad thing!
Armin’s ability to transition from deep, emotional trance to more up-tempo material was fascinating. One moment: goosebumps. The next: joy. Over and over again. For trance fans, Embrace will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride where you won’t know what’ll lies behind each turn.
After three hours, and countless bursts of smoke and confetti, the official Armin Only production wrapped in the expected haze of strobes and smoke. But the real highlight of the night came next, when he played a no-frills, 40 minute long vinyl set- a relentless return to his harder, purer roots which should serve to satisfy the faithful. No lasers. No dancers. Just Armin, his deck and his large bag of vinyl CDs. The vinyl set had its share of equipment malfunctions, which led to technicians coming onto the stage at one point, but the problems showed just how authentic the set was. Ending things with a vinyl version of Oceanlab‘s Satellite was quite the parting gift as the Above & Beyond fans in the building sang along word-for-word.
Between all the surprises and production value, Armin Only raises the bar for stadium dance music concerts. Like fine wine, Armin van Buuren has gotten better, and more popular, with age. Between the Embrace World Tour, and re-branded A State of Trance podcast, it feels like the best has yet to come.
Cellphone Lights Out For Armin (Photo: Armin Only Facebook)
How far have you traveled to see a favorite musician? What would you do to see him, them or her? Did you travel south to California for Armin Only too?! Drop a comment below!
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