Just log onto Twitter at 2:30PM (GMT time) and make sure you type @RealCosmicGate and #trancenation. Cosmic Gate will answer as many questions as possible in this time under 140 characters or less. What will you ask #trancefamily?

Fancy partying with Cosmic Gate? COmpetition time!

Friday, March 9 sees the exclusive launch party for Cosmic Gate’s ‘Trance Nation‘ release. We’re hosting an intimate pre-party for all you die hard fans out there, where you can choose what Cosmic Gate classics YOU want to hear! Head over to The Gallery Facebook page here to cast your vote: http://on.fb.me/CosmicGateVote. We’re also giving away 10 pairs of VIP tickets to the event where you will receive a copy of the album that the guys will personally sign for you. You’ll then join the rest of the pre-party before the rest of night kicks off with sets from Simon Patterson, TyDi, Manual De La Mare and many more. The event will also be streamed live and direct from Ministry Of Sound radio so no-one misses out.

Head over to DJMag.com now to enter: http://www.djmag.com/news/detail/3222 … good luck!

What we’re giving you:
Special prize – 1 guestlist slot + a signed ‘Wake Your Mind‘ CD in each city – Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. We are also giving away 6 autographed ‘Wake Your Mind‘ CDs at the 3 venues.

Step 1: Like our Facebook page

Step 2: Answer this simple question

Contest ends on February 26, 2012.
*Conditions apply]]> http://trancehub.com/contests/cosmic-gate-blue-frog-india-tour/feed/ 0 http://trancehub.com/events/global/organizers-of-umf-announce-umf-worldwide-schedule-of-festivals-events/ http://trancehub.com/events/global/organizers-of-umf-announce-umf-worldwide-schedule-of-festivals-events/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:02:00 +0000 Trance Hub http://trancehub.com/?p=1374 UMF Miami have created the new international festival...]]> Organizers of the world-renowned UMF Miami have created the new international festival brand UMF Worldwide, announcing today the complete 2012 schedule of festivals and events spanning six countries and four continents including UMF Miami March 23-25, UMF Buenos Aires May 5, UMF Poland July 13 & 14, UMF Korea August 4, UMF Ibiza May 27 & October 7, and UMF Brasil in late 2012. With UMF Worldwide, the brand is set for global expansion, committed to bringing the UMF experience around the world.

UMF Worldwide organizers are taking their successful formula that has been built over fourteen years in Miami, combining the absolute best, most diverse EDM artist line-ups with the most technologically advanced, large scale festival productions on the planet, creating an energy and frenzy among party people that no other festival can compare to. UMF Worldwide’s forays into these territories mark UMF’s first time in continental Europe and Asia with UMF Poland and UMF Korea, respectively. In South America, UMF Brasil – winner of Best Event Sao Paulo 2011 at Brazil’s DJ Sound Awards – will be going into its fifth year, while UMF Buenos Aires will make its debut in Argentina. 2012 marks UMF Miami’s 14th year and sixth year for UMF Ibiza, which happen in conjunction with Space Ibiza’s opening and closing parties.

Announced yesterday in Warsaw, UMF Poland – UMF’s first-ever official festival in Europe set for Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 at the Sluzeviec Hippodrome, Warsaw – is expected to be the largest EDM event ever in the region. It was chosen due to its incredibly strong EDM (electronic dance music) scene, which is one of the fastest growing markets of its kind globally. Added to that, Poland’s strategic location has it surrounded by more than 21 countries within a radius of 1,000 km. Over 100 DJs and artists will be performing over the festival’s six stages including Tiësto, Avicii and Carl Cox, who will be bringing his massive Carl Cox & Friends Arena both days of the festival. Details for the other UMF Worldwide foreign properties will be released in the coming weeks.

"We have wanted to bring UMF to all corners of the world for a long time but have never been willing to rush the expansion or force something that would not be a great festival", states Russell Faibisch, Founder, Executive Producer, CEO & President of UMF Worldwide & UMF Miami. "UMF has a very high standard of excellence and has built tremendous credibility with fans, artists and industry professionals across the globe. We are very confident that this global expansion, infused with our unique UMF formula, will become a collective of destination festivals that excites and inspires music enthusiasts throughout the world to travel to and experience as this has already been accomplished with very successful festivals we organize in Miami and Brazil."

With UMF Miami’s success as the #1 festival of its kind in the world, it boasts multiple global awards including seven International Dance Music Awards for Best Music Event and three sell-outs in a row totaling more than 4,50,000 in attendance, most notably 2012 which sold out almost three months in advance of the event with more than 2,00,000 fans attending from 72 different countries. UMF continues to write its own history as no other EDM festival has accomplished such milestones.

Check out the UMF Worldwide 2012 Schedule and UMF Brasil (Official Aftermovie) video now posted at UMF TV featuring highlights from the 2011 festival in Sao Paulo with New Order, Swedish House Mafia and more.

"In And Out Of Phase is the first track Andrew and I collaborated on and it really displays our love for acoustic and organic instruments, as well an multiple genres, soundscapes, and cinematic influences", says Matt.

First heard as a Club Edit on Above & Beyond’s ‘Anjunabeats Volume 9‘, the Original Mix of "In And Out Of Phase" will be released on Beatport on February 27, along with several accompanying remixes. The American duo Norin & Rad follow their recent single "Bloom" with an uplifting, riff-based big room rework that’s been a fixture in Above & Beyond’s and other floor-filling sets around the world. Drum & bass masters Calyx & TeeBee inject the track with rampaging breakbeats and guttural bass growls that have attracted over 1,50,000 listens on YouTube.

Listen to the original mix of "In And Out Of Phase" on YouTube

To ease you into the interview I’ll start with three easy questions he he. How are you doing today, what are you currently doing and what was your last meal?

Hi guys, I’m doing really well, currently in the studio working on some piano melodies for a new song of mine. My last meal was a piece of French onion quiche with a rocket salad.

Before we start, can you tell us a little more about yourself, on a non-musical front? Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside?

I grew up in the North of England on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales between the cities of Leeds and Manchester in a town called Hebden Bridge. It’s a small but interesting little place, lots of creative minds, poets, performers, artists and musicians here. I’ve moved around a little over the years, moved away to go to University etc. but found myself back here 5 or 6 years ago.

It’s uncommon to hear of males singing on EDM tracks. At what stage in your life did you know this is what you wanted to do as a career, that trance was the path for you? And what was the turning point in your life?

I’ve always had a love of emotional songs in an electronic setting, bands like Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, New Order etc. But it’s kind of strange how it worked out for me really. I was singing and writing with a band, to give you an idea of our sound, we were probably best described in a review that called us "widescreen rock with a hint of Bends era Radiohead". Anyway, we were recording our debut album, as things often happen when 5 people are trying to realise a united vision things didn’t quite work out and I ended up taking time out from singing for about 2 years. During that time an old friend of mine, Dan Myles was working at Anjunabeats and he sent me fairly regular emails and texts telling me to send over a demo for Above & Beyond, in the end I borrowed a friends 8 track portastudio, recorded a rough demo of an old song of mine which was strangely called "When Stars Collide" sent it to the boys and a week or so later I was recording "Alone Tonight".

I think this is a question most people are dying to know. Can you please give us the entire story behind the smash hit "Alone Tonight" (from writing the lyrics to producing and hearing it live for the first time)?

Well, the writing part I will leave to Tony as "Alone Tonight" was I believe entirely his creation from a lyrical point of view. I will say though that it was not hard to connect with the song as a singer. I think Tony caught the moment when a relationship has dissolved and you find yourself in the unfamiliar position of being on your own very succinctly. On the production side, the 1st version they sent over sounded very different to the finished product, I remember going back down to their studio in London a few weeks after recording and being quite nicely shocked and excited by how it was sounding. The first time I heard it live was at Turnmills in London, it was quite an emotional moment; I guess I was hooked into the scene from then on.

I’ve heard "Sun And Moon" about 10 times live and every time all I heard was the crowd singing along. How does this make you feel to know your music has reached so many people and a diverse audience?

It feels humbling, other worldly and life affirming. I experienced a little of it this year doing a few dates around the globe, I did one show in Pune, India, it wasn’t a big show by any means but the whole crowd were singing along with such passion that I could hardly hear myself sing. It felt quite special yet surreal, to be so far from home and yet connected to people who were, without the music, complete strangers. Group Therapy indeed :)

A lot of people know you just as the voice on Above & Beyond tracks. However many of them don’t know that you write lyrics for other producers as well. What’s the typical process of writting lyrics for you?

It varies, mostly I tend to visualise a senario, something which would connect, rather like a scene from a movie, the song becomes the script for the film in my head. I do find it enjoyable hearing other people sing my songs actually, which I guess is strange for a singer! I recently wrote a track for Mike Shiver featuring a singer called Bo Bruce which is due for release later this year and to hear Bo deliver such a delicate, intimate female take on a song that had been sat on my PC for a while with a rough demo vocal from myself, it felt like the song finally found its voice.

This is a question which has been playing on my mind for a while so maybe you can shed some light on it. Why do you think there are so few male vocalists in the EDM scene? Why does it appear to be limited to females?

It seems to be growing, we have some amazing male singers now people like Christian Burns, Jan Burton, Jonathan Mendelsohn etc. so I think it is more accepted by the scene than it was when I sang "Alone Tonight" for example. I think female vocals in dance music just became the accepted norm rather in the male vocals did in rock music but there is a place for both, they hit the heart strings in a different but equally powerful ways.

If you could pick a female vocalist to do a duet with who would it be and why? Also who would you chose to produce the track and how would it sound?

That’s a really tough question actually, I’ve always been in love with Zoe’s voice, working with her on the Beirut live show with the Above & Beyond boys was a wonderful experience. Ashley Tomberlin’s vocal has a lovely intimate sensuality to it and Elleah has touches of both. Regarding producers, well, the A&B boys are hard to beat, I love Andrew Bayer, his ear and sense of drama really excite me and outside of the scene… maybe UNKLE, I’ve always been a bit of a fan. Not narrowed that down much have I!!

I know many people do some crazy things before their gigs. Is there any ritual you follow before performing?

Not really if I am honest, I tend to like a moment or 2 to run things through in my head, I don’t like to over indulge in food or drink before a show, I like to learn enough of the language to say hi and thank you etc. but nothing too rock and roll!

Can you share with us your most embarassing stage moment while performing?

I’ve probably got a few, one that made me smile was in Malta last year. Before I went on stage I got in a slight panic and was quietly but desperately trying to work out where the 2nd verse went in "Sun & Moon" and had a complete mental block and couldn’t picture where it was in the song until, just as I walked on stage I remembered we had cut it from the single!!! :)

Lastly, can you tell us what lies in store for Richard Bedford lovers and what can we look forward to in terms of new tracks, gigs, maybe an artist album etc.? Also Don’t leave out the details on what your plans are for the next year and where you are heading or hoping to head?

Well, I am currently working on my own material, the sound is still taking shape but much of the writing is now done, just a little fine tuning on that but I am really excited as to where it might go! I have a show in Beirut later this month, 24th I think and I am really looking forward to going back there after the show I did with A&B in 2009. Other than that, I’m hoping to get myself over to Miami for the WMC as "Sun & Moon" has been nominated at the IDMA’s which is a huge honour, I have a few special collabs in the pipeline, I know the boys are playing out a mix of "On My Way To Heaven" in their sets which is sounding pretty epic right now and I’m just looking forward to touring a little more and connecting with people like yourselves at the shows!

To end off, I know you’re British and I know British boys love wearing make up. So please share if you use "guyliner" as well and if you practice singing in front of the mirror? :P

Haha!! I’ve had my guyliner moments but I think I burnt all the evidence!! Long may they be forgotten! :)

It has been an absolute pleasure to interview you, we at Trance Hub would like to wish you all the best with your upcoming adventures and we hope to catch you around the globe sometime soon :) Do you have any last message for your fans?

Thank you so much for your unbelievable support, love and kindness, it really does make all the hard work worthwhile!! Xx

For more info related to Richard Bedford check out the following links:
www.twitter.com/richardbedford
www.facebook.com/RichardBedfordMusic
www.myspace.com/frozenmammoth

The event was tied to PvD’s upcoming album ‘Evolution‘ and South Africa’s two super clubs, Truth and Origin in collaboration with Love-Tec Entertainment and Rumour Productions who were making it possible, guaranteed that it was going to be one of the largest and most remarkable events in Johannesburg’s entertainment history. With all the changes in musical style over the years and how that had impacted on the legend PvD himself, we were all a little unsure of what to expect. However this did not stop the entire SA trance community from waiting for PvD’s arrival after a good few years. He was set to kick of his 3-day tour on February 3 in the sunny city of Durban performing in Johannesburg on the same night and then moving on to Cape Town on February 4.

About two weeks before the event all my hopes and dreams of seeing the trance legend were dashed when my sister realised that she had an un-missable work function scheduled to start at 5 AM the Saturday morning (February 3). An as the eternal rule of sisterhood goes, "Partying alone is not allowed".

After some on-the-knee pleading, and batting eyelash’s she managed to convince her crew that she would only get to the work function later and that sealed the deal and I was lucky enough to catch the trance master in action in Johannesburg.

The Johannesburg event was held at the infamous and legendary SA electronic dance music institution, Truth Nightclub situated in Midrand. After a meet up with some friends we arrived at Truth around midnight. Driving up the street I could see that the event was already packed with excited partygoers as it was a mission to find parking. Althought there was a queue to get last minute tickets it moved quickly and the system to get into the club was well organised. Being my first time at Truth I walked through the venue which all Johannesburg party animal/trance-house lovers rave about.

For the night the club boasted four dedicated dance arenas. The main stage was a first of a kind for the club outdoor mega-park and saw the largest sound, stage and lighting set-up at the venue to date. The supporting line-up included some of South Africa’s finest local DJ talent including Speedy, Spiro, Martin McHale, Morgan, James Damian, Ricardo da Costa, Pimp Squad, Roger D’lux, Karmi, Digital Rockit and more.

Being a trance head myself I ventured on to the main floor which is where I rooted myself for the rest of the event. I arrived in time to catch PvD’s warm up act local DJ legend DJ Speedy play. He did a brilliant job at exciting the growing crowd for PvD. Playing a selection of progressive and uplifting trance which featured the likes of Gareth Emery, Cosmic Gate, Markus Schulz and Ummet Ozcan to name a few. This undoubtedly had me and 100s of others fist pumping and booty shaking until PvD took the stage.

As PvD took the decks (a little later than planned) not only could you feel the anticipation and excitement in the night air but you could hear it in the crowds screams and cheers. The man of the moment lived up to expectations as a performer without a doubt. Paul van Dyk has a stage presence like no other, he mixes with enthusiasm and energy then translates naturally onto the crowd. In terms of his set, well he played a mixture of trance and house but either way it was the more progressive of both. Many die hard trance fans were disappointed by his set, as it was a mix between all generes. He managed to incoporate dubstep into his set with easy and no effort and in my opinion it blended in just right. His set was enough to prove EDM requires no genere boards. The hightlight of his set was without a doubt when he dropped his classics such as, "For An Angel", "We Are Alive", "Crush", "New York", and "Nothing But You". He also previewed a lot of the upcoming tracks from his new artist album ‘Evolution‘.

All in all it was a wicked night with PvD playing almost a 4-hour set or so I have heard as I had to leave early. It was easy to see he didn’t plan on moving from those decks – his sexy smile and flirty smirks deffo had the crowd eating out of his palm all night long…

Till my next party… Keep partyiing it up
Yas… x

A thank you to Samantha for the press tickets.

The label owners and masterminds behind Future Sound Of Egypt have all reason to be proud. In 2011, Aly & Fila became #22 in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag Top 100, making sure that with each gig they play the break of dawn is only just the beginning of the party. Their collaboration with UK singer Jwaydan, "We Control The Sunlight", was voted track of the year in Armin van Buuren’s annual ‘A State Of Trance Top 20‘. The 200th episode of the Future Sound Of Egypt radio show was celebrated with an all-nighter in the stunning Echo Temple of Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh. And to top it all off, their label pleased those in search of mesmerizing break downs, growling beats and touching melodies, with a slew of quality releases within trance and progressive. To let you know what 2012 has in stores, Aly & Fila take you on a musical ride called ‘Future Sound Of Egypt Vol. 2‘.

Including the musical treasures of Bjorn Akesson, Arctic Moon, Fady & Mina, Philippe El Sisi and Fast Distance, as well as the jewels of Ørjan Nilsen, Orkidea, Chris Metcalfe, Indecent Noise and many, many more. The perfect album before, during and after the sun has set.

When I saw the line up my first thought was like "SO this is Heaven!" and the 2nd "I’d take a loan to be there!" So, January 27 arrived and while I was standing out of venue I was trying to figure out which DJ I wouldn’t miss for anything in the world. Emery, yes, he was the main reason for my arrival since I haven’t seen him like for ages. And Kearney of course! How I’d miss the craziest DJ alive? Rank 1. Yes definitely him! And Mr. Kandi as well! It was a very tough decision since the line up was more than epic including names as Solarstone.

The place was so full when I finally entered that you could hardly breath! Here I would like to mention that I had already an experience by visiting a DS event *It was Gareth Emery’s Northern Light Concert, and was attending their 5th B-day with big, no, HUGE EXPECTATIONS!

Rank 1 was already on dexx when I entered the place. I felt like I had an alive god in front of me especially when Benno played "LED There Be Light". The atmosphere was so hot with people around shouting and dancing feeling absolutely excited. Tritonal made their appearance making people going up and down with their crazy performance. I have the feeling that the guys had more fun than us. And after them Ashley Wallbridge with Andy Moor entered the stage. At the same time Solarstone was performing at the other stage, followed by Daniel Kandi so I went for a while before Gareth made his entrance.

You know when it comes to a superstar DJ whom the world will be waiting for hours and will leave exactly after he finishes his set, Gareth Emery is definitely amongst them! When it comes to him I have no doubt that at this moment he is one of those names that no matter what he will drop, the dance floor will be simply on fire. Opening his set with his latest track "Tokyo", he played some of his biggest and extremely successful tracks including "Sanctuary" and his latest hit "Concrete Angel". Wishing a Happy B-day to Digital Society with a "little" help by crazy fireworks and a laser-show Gareth left the stage, passing on the torch to Simon Patterson. Honestly, I strongly believe that I’m the last person on Earth who’d judge properly a trance set ,but… BUT … It was one of the best trance sets I’ve heard like for ages and I strongly recommend you to get it! Two names remained before the end of the event, John 00 Flemming and Bryan Kearney. Both of them have a huge fan base and both of them gave outstanding performances. Here I’d add that if you want, try to find for Bryan’s set as well. Sometimes the words are not enough to describe the energy this guy is sending to the crowd.

In order to close the review I have to add that being at an event like this is a completely different experience from being at big events such as Energy or Tomorrowland. People are still having fun, but to my big disappointment I have to say that for the first time in my life I saw so many people being taken out by the security guys.

So enjoy yourself guys and stay tuned for upcoming parties!^^
Cheers! :)

Tiësto is proud to announce the worldwide release of his Tiësto App for iPhone and iPod touch, available now on the App Store. To celebrate the new app, Tiësto is also re-launching his Tiesto.com and InTheBooth.com websites.

Developed by Penté Group alongside Tiësto, the Tiësto App allows users to stream Tiësto’s music as well as his weekly Club Life podcast using a custom TiËsto music player. The app also allows users to connect with fans worldwide, access concert footage, photos and tickets, and unlock full VIP access to Tiësto’s InTheBooth.com website.

InTheBooth.com is re-launching with new and constantly updated footage, photos and music not available anywhere else, making it the ultimate Tiësto VIP experience. The Tiësto’s App has been designed for seamless integration with both Tiesto.com and InTheBooth.com.

The Tiësto App is available for $.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch at: www.itunes.com/appstore

"Our Way Home" sees Lange deliver a euphoric production; with his trademark punch, driving bass and rhythm and a warm break down of epic proportions, neat guitars and soaring lead synths. This is perfectly matched by Audrey’s passionate and emotive vocal delivery, which will ensure that this modern trance anthem will certainly live long in memory.

Early support from trance heavyweights Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, Gareth Emery and of course Lange himself.

Watch the teaser video here

Official Music Video coming on February 27!