North / South Ireland have huge showing in 2023 ASOT Top 50
North / South Ireland have huge showing in 2023 ASOT Top 50 / Tune Of The Year Special
Armin Van Buuren is without doubt the biggest name in the world of trance music.
Along with his Armada stable of record labels and the A State Of Trance brand / radio show, they have built a worldwide legion of followers which is unrivalled in the genre.
Every year Armin and his A State Of Trance team ask the public to vote for their favourite trance tracks of the year.
Thousands of the icon's 5.5m Youtube subscribers and fans of trance from all over the world cast their votes which are then processed into a top 50 to culminate in an end of year radio show called the Tune Of The Year Special, which is then broadcasted live from their Amsterdam studios.
The 2023 Tune Of The Year Special / Top 50 was one of the best yet for producers from Northern / Southern Ireland.
MURZO
"Kiss The Night" from Murzo was the first trance release from Derry / Londonderry producer Ciaran Murray. It landed at a very respectable NO 23 in the annual rundown.
Murray who had previously released the more melodic sides of techno, made the journey to Amsterdam at the request of Van Buuren and his team for a live interview which peaked with the main man asking him to return in 2024 for a guest mix on his show.
SNEIJDER
"You Take My Breath Away" from County Armagh trance supremo Sneijder, featuring the vocals of Cari -came in at NO 35 in the ASOT Tune Of The Year / Top 50
The track, which is a reworking of the 2000 classic from SuReal was released on DJ Tiesto's label Black Hole Recordings
Andrew (Sneijder) made an appearance via video from his studio to thank his fans for voting.
CIARAN MCAULEY
Ciaran McAuley's massive collaboration with trance icon Paul Van Dyk - "Someone Like You" came in at NO 20
The track which was released in July 2023 on Van Dyk's very own label VANDIT Records features the German legend's signature euphoric style alongside the incredible production of McAuley. This is a match made in trance heaven.
ALSO..McAuley's remix of Aly & Fila ft Emma Hewitt - "You & I" was voted NO 12 in this years top 50.
BRYAN KEARNEY
Bryan Kearney featured twice in this year's Tune Of The Year / top 50 with his tracks "Encanta" NO 15 and "Shine A Light" his track with singer / songwriter Bo Bruce commanding a brilliant place at NO 3
These two high placings further cementing Kearney's place at the very top of the Irish, and worldwide trance scene.
PAUL WEBSTER
Paul Webster's superb remix of Ben Gold's - "Rest Of Our Lives" came in at a whopping NO 2 in this brilliant rundown.
The track which was released on the Captivating / Armada label in July received massive international acclaim.
All in all 2023 was a very successful and positive year for trance in Ireland, North and South. We look forward to hearing what these guys serve up in 2024.