armin

While “clubbing” is a popular pastime of many a BU student, the clubs in Boston generally have little to offer as far as “real” dance music is concerned. For those of you who believe dance music is simply a top 40 track with a beat thrown behind it, you are sadly mistaken. Dance music is not all the same, either. There are many flavors: house, electro, techno, trance, and progressive, to name a few.

Every once in awhile, a big name DJ will grace the Boston music scene, such as DJ Benny Benassi, who is best known for his 2002 worldwide hit Satisfaction. But this past weekend, I spent my Halloween in New York City — dancing to a bigger sound in a city with a much richer dance scene. I was there to dance to the mixes of none other than Armin Van Buuren, the No. 1 DJ in the world according to DJ magazine for two years running. He offers a style between trance and progressive, and I think his mixing is just amazing.

The night was simply euphoric. Laser lights, thousands of people, and a 5 1/2 hour set which actually looks weak compared to his annual Armin Only concert that is 9 hours of non-stop trance music heaven.

While Armin shows are truly magnificent experiences, there are a few survival tips I have acquired to share with you:

1. Dress light, but tight.
It will get hot, but it will also be crowded with hands flying everywhere. You want
your clothes to stay on.

2. Keep your friends close, and your drinks closer.
Only let bouncers pat you down, and only let bartenders pour you drinks.

3. Just say no.
Yes, people will offer you ecstasy. No, you don’t want it.

4. Always stay till the end.
Even if you are tired, you will be glad you did in the long run and you may even get
Armin to sign your arm.

If you’re interested in hearing some of his music, a good place to start without being overwhelmed is his new album, Imagine. It will give you a good idea as to what he does, but the sound is not too heavy for a newbie. When you think you have graduated, try listening to one of his weekly two-hour A State of Trance radio shows from mixes.dj, where the songs are heavier and more progressive. You have to pay 20 pounds a year to download them, but I promise it will be worth it.

If you still think you are a fan, listen to the 8-hour episode 350, where 7 amazing DJs came to play in celebration Armin’s 350th A State of Trance show.

If you can listen to it straight through, congratulations, you are a fan of real dance music. Top 40 with a beat behind it will never sound the same again.