Armin van Buuren Unleashes The Orb in Los Angeles [Event Review]

Fresh off his massive set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami just a week prior, Armin van Buuren kept the momentum going in Los Angeles with The Orb — and he did not disappoint. 

Dutch producer/DJ Armin van Buuren brought his The Orb experience to Los Angeles for a night that felt entirely its own. Set in the heart of downtown at Grand Park, the show delivered three hours of pure energy, emotion, and musical storytelling. With a carefully built set that moved through progressive builds, nostalgic favorites, new takes on classic tunes, and uplifting trance, Armin took the crowd on a journey that reminded everyone exactly why he’s still at the top of the game. This performance brought together all the elements that make Armin a legend in the scene: high energy, flawless transitions, and a deep connection with the crowd that never let up.

The day started off with Daniel Pinho warming things up. His set stayed chill and groovy, giving the early crowd room to settle in while laying a solid foundation for the rest of the night. It was a proper opening set — nothing too flashy, just well-paced and intentional. Laura van Dam followed and completely set the tone heading into Armin’s set. She leaned heavily into the progressive side, building tension and layering in those emotional melodies that had people swaying and dancing as the sun started to dip behind the skyline. Her set felt like the perfect setup — flowing naturally and guiding the energy right where it needed to go. Then the real magic began.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura van Dam (@lauravandammusic)

As the sky finally turned to night, Armin took the stage, and the crowd instantly leveled up. From the first beat, he had full control. What followed was three straight hours of musical storytelling that never lost momentum. He opened with a new intro and followed with a deep, progressive groove, keeping things flowing and hypnotic while slowly ramping up the energy. It was clear he was in no rush. He let the music breathe, and the crowd followed him every step of the way.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was hearing ‘Intense.’ It’s one of those classic tracks that never gets old, and when it came on, it hit like a wave of nostalgia. That moment alone would’ve made the night for longtime fans, but Armin didn’t stop there. Midway through the set, he dropped his unreleased ID with Martin Garrix — a high-energy track with a modern edge, yet a melodic core that still carried a trance vibe. The crowd around him lit up, fully embracing the fresh tune that had just been revealed the week before on the East Coast.

As the night went on, the energy only kept climbing. In the final stretch, Armin shifted gears into full-on uplifting trance and techno, pushing the tempo to 138 BPM and dropping tracks that sent shockwaves through the crowd. It was pure euphoria — each drop carried an emotional release that felt powerful, immersive, and unforgettable.

Production-wise, everything was dialed in. The lights, visuals, and stage design were all synced perfectly with the music, but what truly elevated the experience was The Orb itself. This sphere, illuminated with LEDs inside and out, stood as the centerpiece of the show. It wasn’t just a visual prop, it embodied the essence of Armin’s Breathe concept, pulsing and shifting with the music to create an immersive atmosphere that kept the crowd completely captivated. Motion headlights moved fluidly around the orb, perfectly mirroring the ebb and flow of the music, while the overall design gave the entire set a cinematic quality.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Armin van Buuren (@arminvanbuuren)

Coming off the high of Miami the weekend before, it was clear Armin was still riding that wave, but this LA show had its own identity. It was intimate yet massive, emotional yet high energy, and carefully curated musical journey from start to finish. Armin van Buuren’s The Orb at Grand Park was everything a fan would have wanted and more. From progressive grooves to uplifting trance, surprise IDs, and that perfect nostalgic throwback, this night checked every box.