In Ferrara, following the 2024 edition, another unforgettable trance night took place yesterday, featuring one of the strongest line-ups in today’s global scene: Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Aly & Fila, Bryan Kearney, John O’Callaghan and Giuseppe Ottaviani delivered to the Italian audience one of the finest trance experiences in recent years. We were there, and we bring you the story of this immersive night, finally experienced in our country
When Robert Miles – Children began echoing through radio stations around the world at the end of 1995, Italy found itself, at least for a brief yet significant period, at the very heart of the international progressive scene: that distinctive concept of melodic dance music, known at the time as dream music, blended perfectly with the dreamy soundscapes that would soon contribute to the global rise of trance. It is therefore no coincidence that Italy can be regarded as one of the countries that helped lay the foundations of the movement.
Those who grew up musically during the 1990s know well that, in the years that followed, trance never achieved in Italy the same level of popularity it enjoyed in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, or Germany: over time, seeing some of the genre’s biggest icons perform in Italy became something of a rarity, often requiring fans to travel abroad rather than stay within national borders.
Yet, thanks to the passion and determination of several local promoters and communities, the flame never completely faded: events organized by names such as Trance Gate and Art Of Trance continued to provide a gathering point for the Italian trance community, allowing enthusiasts to come together and celebrate a passion that, despite everything, remained alive.
The pandemic marked a turning point for the events industry as well: with the return to normality, the desire to experience live music once again helped fuel a global resurgence of trance, attracting new generations of listeners and breaking down some of the cultural barriers that had limited its growth for years.
All of these factors seem to have contributed to the success of Spirit Of Trance, which took place last night in Ferrara: this was not the first edition in the beautiful city of Emilia-Romagna, as a similar event had already been held in 2024. This year, however, the festival made a clear step forward, presenting a lineup worthy of the mainstage of one of the major Dutch trance festivals. Such a scenario is rare in Italy, where it is certainly not common to see so many key figures from the history of the genre gathered under the same banner.
Bryan Kearney, John O’Callaghan, Aly & Fila, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, and Giuseppe Ottaviani had nearly two thousand passionate fans jumping throughout the night, many of whom had travelled from neighboring countries: perhaps that is the most significant aspect of all: for once, it was not Italian fans booking flights abroad to hear the music they love. Quite the opposite happened. International trance enthusiasts looked toward Italy as the destination for an unforgettable day of trance music.
The event was opened by DJ Panda, an iconic figure of the 1990s dance and italian progressive scene, alongside Pench, Francesco Sambero, and Most Wanted, who successfully warmed up the crowd from the very first hours while also treating attendees to several trance classics. From beginning to end, the event maintained exceptionally high standards. Every headliner lived up to expectations, delivering performances worthy of their international reputations.
Bryan Kearney delivered a truly engaging set, moving effortlessly between some of his most celebrated vocal trance releases of recent years, including God Help Me and Take This with Plumb, and newer productions increasingly inspired by 1990s sounds, such as Ready To Fly with Modeā.
John O’Callaghan, meanwhile, stepped behind the decks with absolutely no compromises. His set was exactly what fans expected from him and was arguably one of the most intense and energetic moments of the entire event. Aly & Fila, represented as usual by Fadi, stood out thanks to the remarkable variety within their set. Rather than relying solely on their trademark uplifting sound, they incorporated atmospheric moments and techno-trance influences, creating a dynamic and captivating musical journey.
It was impossible to hide the anticipation surrounding Paul van Dyk. His performance proved to be a genuine tribute to trance in all its forms, from reinterpretations of his timeless classics to contemporary progressive trance productions and his latest material. The track selection was impeccable, worthy of one of the most influential figures in the history of the genre.
Next came another true legend of the scene, Ferry Corsten. His high-energy set opened with the now iconic Remember, released in 2024 alongside Superstrings, before exploring the many facets of his career through classics from his Gouryella project, including Marama (Moon and Stars), and System F favorites such as Out Of The Blue, taking the audience on a powerful journey through trance history.
Closing the night was Giuseppe Ottaviani, who began his performance with a particularly emotional moment by bringing his two children onto the stage. From there onward, the Italian producer captivated the crowd by blending reinterpretations of legendary trance classics with his latest productions, delivering a finale worthy of such a remarkable event.
Spirit Of Trance in Ferrara was undoubtedly one of the finest trance events we have attended in recent years in every respect, and we are genuinely delighted to have been part of it. The organizers intend to return next year, so make sure you keep that date free already!