After more than 16 years exploring EDM and commercial house, Tiësto has officially returned to trance. His November 2025 Dreamstate SoCal performance and release of “Bring Me To Life” – his first trance production since 2009, marks what fans are calling the homecoming of the decade. The Dutch DJ, now 56, has described it as a “full circle moment,” reconnecting with the sound that once earned him three consecutive years as the world’s #1 DJ.
The Early Years: Building a Trance Legacy
Born Tijs Michiel Verwest on January 17, 1969, in Breda, Netherlands, Tiësto discovered his passion for music at age 12. By the late 1990s, he had co-founded Black Hole Recordings with Arny Bink and launched the iconic “In Search of Sunrise” compilation series. His 2000 remix of Delerium’s “Silence” featuring Sarah McLachlan became his mainstream breakthrough, introducing euphoric trance to global audiences.
His debut album “In My Memory” (2001) produced anthems like “Flight 643,” “Lethal Industry,” and “Suburban Train” – tracks that defined early 2000s trance and launched his career to new heights.
“Just Be” (2004) elevated him further. The instrumental single “Traffic” made history as the first instrumental track to reach #1 in the Netherlands in 23 years. The album also introduced his legendary rework of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” – a trance anthem that still closes festival sets worldwide.
His third trance album, “Elements of Life” (2007), topped charts in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the US Billboard Electronic Albums chart. It earned Tiësto a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the 50th Grammy Awards; a milestone for the trance genre.
Historic Achievements That Changed Dance Music
Tiësto’s trance era accomplishments remain unmatched. He became the first DJ to hold a solo concert in a stadium when 25,000 fans packed the GelreDome in Arnhem on May 10, 2003 (an 8-hour performance that redefined what a DJ could achieve).
His performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics opening ceremony proved the ultimate cultural breakthrough. Performing for 90 minutes during the Parade of Nations, Tiësto became the first DJ ever to perform at an Olympic Games.
DJ Magazine crowned him World #1 DJ for three consecutive years (2002, 2003, 2004) – the first DJ to hold that title for three straight years. On May 20, 2004, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
The EDM Years: Why He Left Trance
The transition began with “Kaleidoscope” (2009), featuring collaborations with artists including Jónsi of Sigur Rós and Nelly Furtado. Fan reaction was extremely divided…
“A Town Called Paradise” (2014) completed his EDM transformation, spawning hits like “Red Lights” and “Wasted.” His 2015 Grammy win for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical (for his remix of John Legend’s “All of Me” at the 57th Grammy Awards) validated the commercial pivot.
The 2025 Trance Resurrection
The return began at EDC Las Vegas in May 2025, when Tiësto closed the festival with a surprise “In Search of Sunrise” set. He played classics from his late-90s and early-2000s catalog for the first time in over a decade.
In November 2025, he dramatically cleared all his social media and revived his 1999 Innercity Amsterdam logo (signaling a complete rebrand).
On November 21, 2025, he released “Bring Me To Life” featuring FORS on Musical Freedom – his first original trance production since leaving the genre. He also announced a trance-focused album for 2026.
Career Highlights
Tiësto’s career spans remarkable achievements:
- Grammy Award winner (2015, Best Remixed Recording)
- 3-time DJ Magazine #1 DJ (2002, 2003, 2004)
- First DJ to perform at an Olympic Games (Athens 2004)
- First DJ to hold a solo stadium concert (GelreDome 2003)
- Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau (2004)
What’s Next
His upcoming December 19, 2025 PRISMATIC show at the Great Pyramids of Giza promises to continue the trance momentum with a 3-hour DJ set at one of the world’s most iconic venues.
For fans who spent years hoping Tiësto would return to his roots, 2025 delivered. The king of trance is back.