The year 2025 has delivered extraordinary moments in electronic music in form of DJ sets.
Artists have pushed creative limits and taken their performances to bold new locations and formats.
From ancient landmarks to luxury retail spaces, these standout DJ sets have reimagined what live electronic music can be.
As a result, they have set fresh standards for the global scene.
Here is the first part of the performances that captured our imagination and left a lasting mark on the industry.
1. HALŌ’s Surprise Pop-Up DJ Sets at De Bijenkorf
One of the most discussed performances of 2025 came from HALŌ, a powerhouse collaboration between Matisse & Sadko, Third Party, and DubVision.
During Amsterdam Dance Event, the group surprised everyone with their debut.
They didn’t choose a club or a festival stage for their first appearance.
Instead, they set up a pop-up performance inside De Bijenkorf, one of Amsterdam’s most prestigious luxury department stores.
The unexpected choice made the moment even more striking.
More than 2,000 fans rushed into the venue, turning the elegant retail space into an electrifying dance floor.
The unlikely setting only amplified the excitement.
Later that same night, HALŌ continued the momentum with a sold-out show at Chicago Social Club.
Their back-to-back appearances showed that unique spaces often create the most unforgettable experiences.
2. Tiësto’s Emotional Return to Trance at Dreamstate
One of the year’s most emotional moments came when Tiësto revisited his trance roots at Dreamstate.
The Dutch legend helped shape the genre in the early 2000s before shifting to big room and pop-leaning sounds.
At Dreamstate, he guided fans through a nostalgic journey and revisited the music that first made him a global icon.
The performance felt like a heartfelt tribute to the fans who had followed him for years.
In that moment, he reached back to the sounds that shaped his early career.
It also reminded the crowd of the very reasons he grew into one of the most influential figures in dance music.
For listeners who grew up with tracks like “Adagio for Strings” and “Traffic,” the moment felt magical.
Read more: Fourth Wave Unites AMP and Deck Society in One Night
3. Anyma’s Spectacle DJ Sets at the Pyramids of Giza
Among the year’s groundbreaking sets, Anyma’s performance at the Pyramids of Giza stands in a league of its own.
The visionary producer carried his immersive visuals to one of the world’s most iconic ancient wonders.
Standing before the pyramids, he blended his art with the towering monuments behind him.
The result was a once-in-a-lifetime fusion where history met technology in a breathtaking way.
The 4,500-year-old pyramids formed a striking backdrop for his melodic techno and cinematic projections.
The performance did more than highlight the power of electronic music.
It showed how the genre can create cultural moments that stay with people long after the lights fade.
In that space, the music reached far beyond the dancefloor and into something deeper.
4. ARTBAT’s Phone-Free Show at Cercle Odyssey
ARTBAT delivered one of 2025’s most innovative experiences at Cercle Odyssey.
In a bold move, Cercle enforced a strict no-phone policy for the show.
In an age when every moment is instantly recorded, this rule encouraged the crowd to be fully present.
The Ukrainian duo’s set felt raw and emotional, creating a deeper connection between artists and audience.
The performance reminded everyone of electronic music’s core purpose: the shared experience of being completely absorbed in the moment.
5. Banana Party at Amsterdam Dance Event
Amsterdam Dance Event is known for surprises, yet Bram’s Fruit Boutique Banana Party stood out as the quirkiest entry on this list.
Hosted inside an actual fruit boutique, the event blended fresh produce with fresh beats in a way only Amsterdam could pull off.
The playful concept proved an important point—unforgettable electronic music moments do not always require massive stages or intricate production.
Sometimes, all it takes is great music, good energy, and, in this case, a room full of bananas.
6. Hysta’s Hardcore Set at the Eiffel Tower
Hysta made history by bringing hardcore music to the Eiffel Tower.
The high-energy genre rarely appears in such iconic, mainstream locations, which made this performance especially significant.
The contrast between Paris’s romantic symbol and hardcore’s pounding intensity created a captivating atmosphere.
The set drew in both hardcore fans and curious newcomers.
It marked a major step forward for the genre and showed that hardcore deserves recognition on the world stage.
