Pre-Recorded Sets: The Greatest Sin in EDM?
October 22, 2025
October 22, 2025
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Dreamstate’s Gaia set was hands down one of my most anticipated mixes to catch this year at EDC Vegas, and I did get to catch a portion of it, however I did not get to catch it in its entirety (hence why it didn’t make it on our top 5 sets from EDC20). Well luckily for myself and for all of you, Armin van Buuren was kind enough to share the full set with a video to back so you can get as close to an idea of what being in the crowd felt like as possible.
Regardless, the Gaia performance at EDC20 was one that bled mystery, darkness, and high caliber tech and trance that had a slow but steady build throughout. This set started with a slow simmer, eventually mixing in some tech from Cirez D and beyond.
Armin van Buuren presents Gaia live at EDC Las Vegas 2016
But as the set builds and gets more into the sounds that Dreamstate is all about, we see original tracks from the duo including “In Principo” and “Inyathi.” As you listen, you will observe that this is one of the duo’s most sophisticated sets to date, surpassing even their incredible set from last year’s edition of EDC.
Despite having not seeing the whole set live, my experience with it, looking out over the crowd from Circuit Ground’s sky deck, watching as the crowd transcended to the music with two eerily haunting hooded figures as their priests, I knew that Gaia was an act that would be making waves in the press following the festival. Thankfully we have this video to prove it.
There is much and more coming from Gaia. While speaking at EDMbiz this year, Armin van Buuren made a promise that he has big plans for the duo’s future. Keep an eye out for more news on Gaia in the coming months via their socials and don’t miss Armin van Buuren at Release Pool Party on July 2nd!
