ON THE FLOOR
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ARMIN long weekend...
ONLY!
Intense!! June
EDMUND PATTON WALSH
T
rance fans in Australia are eagerly anticipating the long weekend in June, because
that is when Armin van Buuren brings his ‘Armin Only – Intense’ show to our shores.
Although Armin is a regular headliner at Australian festivals, there is something very
special about an ‘Armin Only’ night, as those who were in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve
2010 for the last such event will attest. After more than three years waiting for our next
helping, we can expect an even more extravagant show in 2014,
The show is inspired by Armin’s latest artist album, ‘Intense’. But the ‘Armin Only’ concept
– where, as the only DJ, he plays from open to close – goes back many years. As Armin
says: “Unlike today, now that it’s all based on short sets and quick highlights, it used to
be all about the long sets, the musical trips. That’s what ‘Armin Only’ is based on – taking
clubbers on a 6+ hour journey into music.”
However it’s not only about the music, nor is Armin the only performer – he is joined by
several collaborators performing live. And the visual spectacle is sure to dazzle fans.
Armin again: “The basis of ‘Armin Only’ will always be a DJ set but to make it more
interesting for the crowd, I’m going to try and really make the live moments almost like
you would witness them in a theatre!” Armin has teamed up with famous Dutch theatre
director Jos Thie and creative mind Sander Reneman to develop, choreograph and
implement the concepts of the show.
If the opening instalment of the world tour (in Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome last November)
is any guide, we can expect an extravaganza of lights, lasers and video at a level far above
anything experienced before. The show starts with Armin playing a warm-up set,
concealed from view, as the arena fills. With the dance floor full, the main show starts
and Armin is revealed as the DJ and host to the many guest performers singing and playing
their instruments live. Among others, his brother Eller, on guitar, and Laura Jansen, on
piano and vocals, will join Armin on stage. Topping off the show is a team of dancers
and acrobats to thrill the audience.
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However, at the show’s heart is the music – and Armin himself. Fans can expect a
showcasing of his recent album, with tunes such as ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, ‘Forever
Is Ours’, ‘Who’s Afraid Of 138?!’ and the title track, ‘Intense’, bound to feature. These will
be mixed with current tunes from Armin’s favourite producers and a large selection of
old trance favourites. And if he follows the format of the early shows in the tour, he will
finish with an old-school classics set, played on vinyl – which is sure to delight the purists!
Trance fans around the world will agree that there’s always something special about any
Armin van Buuren performance; but an Armin Only night is the very pinnacle of what he
can do. As the start of June gets closer, the excitement will keep building towards fever
pitch. With fewer than 20 shows scheduled around the world, Australia is lucky indeed
to play host to three of them.
Armin Only – Intense is at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 4th June (all
ages), Saturday 7th June at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena and on Sunday 8th June at the
Exhibition Hall, Sydney Showgrounds.
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