“I’m bigger and bolder and rougher and tougher. In other words sucker, no other, other……….. No other………. Sucker, there is no other……… Other Dom-dominator…”.

Out came a trumpet playing man soothing the crowd while slowly emerging out from the DJ set up was a beautiful woman in a long red dress. As she walked toward the front end, the gown began to grow behind her covering the stage over the crowd’s head with a silky red material that matched her outfit. The percussion commenced, she started to gracefully dance to the rolling drum sound as the energy intensified then came out the one and only ‘Dominator’ – Armin. The show officially began.

Opening up the first few acts of his Embrace Tour, Armin filled the stage with all style of dancers from hip hop, contemporary and classical which definitely is a reflection of his Album. Embracing everything that’s what he did from a live guitarist playing rock to the electronic beat. One of my favorite part was hearing a lovely trumpet tune playing the melody to Tiesto’s famous version of “Adiago for Strings” and within seconds chills were sent down my body. This was definitely one moment I will never forget. Soon after that epic duet, we worked our way down to the floor or GA. This was a whole different experience than standing in the balcony area. The crowd was hyped with so much energy which was infectious that I couldn’t stop jumping and dancing with everyone around me.

Armin played many of his own classics and others from his State of Trance “Serenity” to Cosmic Gate’s “Exploration of Space” and “Satellite” by Above and Beyond. While also mixing it up with some newer hits remix by Vini Vici of the famous psy track “Free Tibet” by Highlight Tribe and can’t forget my very favorite Gaia track “Inyathi” which always gives me chills no matter how many times I’ve heard it.

This show would not have been complete if Armin hadn’t pulled out his bag of vinyls. As Armin hushed the crowd to hear the most important sound – the needle dropping onto the vinyl. He played a few tracks on the turntables soon after continuing the show with a special tribute to all the LA Trance Family