Every genre has its architects. Here are five producers whose work is indispensable to understanding trance.
Armin van Buuren
No conversation about trance is complete without Armin. His weekly A State of Trance radio show has aired for over 23 years.
Paul van Dyk
Berlin-born PvD brought a harder atmospheric edge to trance in the mid-1990s. His sound influenced an entire generation seeking depth alongside euphoria.
Ferry Corsten
Under aliases including System F, Corsten produced some of the most enduring anthems in trance history. His 1999 track Out of the Blue is still played at festivals.
Above and Beyond
The London trio brought emotional storytelling to trance at a scale previously unseen. Their Group Therapy radio show has expanded the genre cultural range.
Tiesto
Before his EDM pivot, Tiesto was widely considered the world greatest DJ. His 2004 Athens Olympics solo performance is a landmark in electronic music history.
