Armin van Buuren at Tomorrowland 2026: “If I wasn’t a DJ, I’d be a lawyer”

At the 2026 edition of Tomorrowland, the globally renowned trance DJ Armin van Buuren shared insights into an alternative path his life might have taken, revealing that before rising to electronic music stardom, he actually completed a law degree. According to an interview with djmag.com conducted backstage prior to his Mainstage performance, the Dutch artist disclosed he had once considered a future in law, even working briefly at a law firm around the year 2001.

This period proved pivotal, coinciding with the early phase of his breakthrough as a DJ. That year marked his first appearance in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll, where he debuted at number 27. From then onward, van Buuren has maintained a remarkable presence in the rankings, rarely falling out of the top five—a streak reflecting his sustained influence in the trance and wider electronic music scenes.

His dominance includes five World’s No.1 DJ awards awarded between 2007 and 2012, highlighting his peak years of global recognition. Most recently, the industry further acknowledged his enduring impact by honoring him with the Outstanding Contribution award at the 2025 Top 100 DJs ceremony held in Ibiza.

Van Buuren also reflected on the early skepticism he encountered from his parents regarding his career choice. He recounted that initial bookings paid modestly and required him to cover his own travel expenses. Despite the financial uncertainty, he committed to pursuing DJing for at least a year—a commitment that has now spanned more than two decades.

Tomorrowland 2026 offered a further testament to his ongoing relevance and collaborative spirit. His Mainstage set featured appearances by HALŌ, a supergroup comprising Matisse & Sadko, Third Party, and DubVision, who performed a new track featuring Shaun Farrugia. The British vocalist Sacha also joined to present both a forthcoming release titled ‘Everlasting’ and the 2025 hit ‘Set Me Free.’ These collaborations underscore van Buuren’s role as a facilitator of new music within the trance community.

The event also served as a milestone celebration for van Buuren’s A State Of Trance brand, which reached its 25th anniversary this year. This landmark was commemorated with a special mix album release, encapsulating the evolution of the radio show and its global events, which have played a significant role in shaping the trance genre.

As Tomorrowland wrapped up its first weekend, fans and attendees were encouraged to consult the final set times for the concluding day and revisit the most-played tracks from the festival’s opening sessions. Van Buuren’s enduring presence at such a high-profile event further cements his status as a cornerstone of the electronic music world.

While details about van Buuren’s future projects remain limited, his reflections at Tomorrowland 2026 offer a compelling narrative of dedication, versatility, and longevity in an ever-changing musical landscape. His journey from law graduate to trance icon demonstrates the unpredictable paths to success within the modern entertainment industry.