Concert Report: Best of Armin Only (Amsterdam Arena)

Dropping in on Amsterdam last night for "The Best of Armin Only" celebrating 20 years of music from the world's top Trance DJ.

First time visit to the ultra-modern Amsterdam Arena which was only a 5-minute walk from my hotel.

Outside the stadium, Electronic Family had DJ Toyax (NL) spinning Trance to the passersby!

Arrived early so we could snag a spot up front!

And at 9PM, there he was! DJ Armin van Buuren (NL).

When I arrived at Immigration earlier yesterday at Schiphol Airport, the official asked me why I was in Amsterdam. My response, "Armin van Buuren". He smiled and inquired, "But he plays in the United States, doesn't he?" And my reply, "Yes, but this is special!" His smile got bigger, he stamped my passport and here I am!

Not just music, there was plenty of "show" to go along with the night!

And by the time we got started, the arena was packed!

Featuring many of the vocalists who made AVB songs so memorable, up first was Mr. Probz (NL) singing "Another You".

There were diversions in every direction!

Singer Angel Taylor (USA) doing "Make It Right"!

We last saw Armin at Echostage in Washington DC last September.

Skydivers coming down for hit "Free Fall".

Trumpets in the club!

Teaming up with Olaf Blackwood (JA) for "I Need You".

And with Cimo Fränkel (NL) for "Strong Ones".

Then "This Light Between Us" with Christian Burns (GB).

You know how we prefer songs with vocals much better than non-vocals so the great thing about having so many vocal Uplifting Trance songs in the lineup is that's what we got...vocals!  Up high on the catwalk, Dance singer Susana (NL) performing "Shivers". Such a great build-up & drop.

Trance Family Lebanon was in the house!

Egypt was in the house!

Of course the Netherlands was here!

South Africa and India were represented!

Croatia!

Poland! Armin announced that fans from 97 countries were in attendance!

Time for some lights!

And we complied.

A very animated Trevor Guthrie (CDN) doing "This Is What It Feels Like".

Confetti explosion!

The Saturday night concert tonight sold out in 15 minutes so fortunately they added the Friday night show too because I had already purchased my airline ticket!

Doing his famous pose!

Around midnight we headed up into the bleachers to get a different view. OMG, I knew it was crowded down there but had no idea it was like this!

So glad we came early to be up front of this craziness!!

Playing some Classic Trance from his early DJ days!

Official photograph used here with permission of Alda Events.

What an amazing night. A good time was had by all!