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Tiesto

Real Name:
Tijs Michiel Verwest
Profile:
Dutch trance DJ & producer. Born on January 17, 1969 in Breda, The Netherlands. Ranked as #1 in the DJ Mag list of "Top 100 DJs" from 2002-2004.

Tijs Verwest began as a DJ at various school parties and later as a resident DJ at several clubs in the Netherlands. He started producing hardcore and gabber music in the mid 1990s.
In 1994 he met Arny Bink and together they founded Black Hole Recordings in 1997, where he released the famous "Magik" and "In Search Of Sunrise" compilations. In 1998 he met producer Dennis Waakop Reijers, who has become Tiësto's production partner since then.
Tiësto's first solo album "In My Memory" was released in 2001 and gave him several major hits that launched his career. His second studio album "Just Be" was released in 2004 and the same year he performed at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The DJ-performance was released as the compilation "Parade of the Athletes".
In 2006 he was chosen as the official ambassador for the Dance4Life foundation (HIV/AIDS awareness organization) in May, and released the song "Dance4Life" with Maxi Jazz.
Tiësto released his third studio album "Elements Of Life" in April, 2007. It featured collaborations with Jes Brieden, Julie Thompson, Christian Burns (of BBMak fame), and BT. The album peaked as no. 1 on the dutch album chart as well on "Billboard Top Electronic Albums" in U.S. 2007 was also the year when Tiësto launched his radio show "Club Life" on Radio 538 in The Netherlands.
In late 2009 Tiësto released his forth studio album "Kaleidoscope" on his newly founded label Musical Freedom in association with [PIAS] Entertainment Group. The album draws influences from electro/house music, and has collaborations with numerous of popular artists such as Nelly Furtado, Calvin Harris and Kele Okereke of Bloc Party.
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Aliases:
Variations:
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Discography

Releases:
Just Be (CD, Album, Enh)   Dance Planet Ltd. 2004
Suburban Train (12")   Nebula 2004
In The Dark (Remixes) (2 versions)   S2 Records (2) ... 2007
In Search Of Sunrise 7: Asia (24xFile, MP3)   Songbird 2008
Lethal Industry / Searching For Nena (12")   Yoko Music 2008
Remixes:
Eugina (Single) (2 versions) Eugina (Tiesto Remix) Lost Language 2000
Sirius (12") Sirius (Tiesto Remix) Highball Music 2000
Cool Cuts Vol. 1 (12") Flesh (Tiesto Remix) Not On Label 2001
Slinky Presents Superclub DJ's John Kelly (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Innocente (Tiesto Mix) Slinky Music 2001
Tarantula (Maxi, Single) (7 versions) Tarantula (Tiesto Remix) Cheeky Records ... 2001
True Euphoria (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Flesh (Tiesto Mix) Telstar TV 2001
Clubber's Guide To... Ibiza 2002 (2xCD, Comp) Hungry (Tiesto Vocal M... Ministry Of Sound 2002
Crazy English Summer / Tarantula (CD, Maxi, CD2) Tarantula (Tiesto Remix) Cheeky Records 2002
Hungry (2 versions) Hungry (Tiesto Vocal R... BMG ... 2002
Southern Sun / Ready Steady Go (2x12") Southern Sun (Tiesto Mix) Maverick 2002
Thirsty? - BMG Dance Summer Sampler 2002 (CD, Smplr, Promo) Hungry (Tiesto Remix) BMG UK & Ireland 2002
Faithfulness (Tiesto Remix) (12", Promo)   EMI Records 2003
Gatex (12") Gatex (Tiesto Remix) Insolent Tracks 2003
Trance 2003 - The 1st Edition (2xCD, Comp) Re-Form (Tiesto Remix) Traffic Trading, Traffic Trading 2003
Rain Down On Me (Tiesto Mixes) (12", Promo)   Not On Label (Kane Remix Series) 2004
A Trip In Trance - The Classics (CD) Silence (Tiesto’s - ... Hi-Bias Records Inc. 2006
ThriveMix Presents TranceAnthems (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) He's A Pirate (Tiesto ... ThriveDance 2006
Absolute Dance Move Your Body! Autumn 2007 (2xCD, Comp) Lovestoned/I Think She... EVA Records (Sweden) 2007
Piece Of Me (Remixes) (CDr, Promo) Piece Of Me (Tiesto Cl... Jive 2007
Tunnel Goes Ibiza Vol. 6 - The 40 Leading Ibiza Party Smasher (2xCD, Mixed) In The Dark (Tiesto's ... Tunnel Records 2007
Club Sounds Vol. 44 (2xCD, Comp) Piece Of Me (Tiesto Ra... Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2008
Dance Anthems 2 (CD, Comp, Mixed) The Right Life (Tiesto... ThriveDance 2008
Dream Dance 47 (2xCD, Comp) Piece Of Me (Tiesto Ra... Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2008
Dream Dance 49 (2xCD, Comp) Ride (Tiesto Remix) Sony BMG Music Entertainment 2008
Loveparade: The Anthems (3xCD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) Silence (Tiesto In Sea... Kontor Records, Low Spirit Recordings 2008
No Air (Remixes) (2 versions) No Air (Tiesto Remix),... Jive ... 2008
Street Parade - Official Compilation (2xCD, Comp, Car) Piece Of Me (Tiesto Re... EMI Music (Switzerland) 2008
I'm Not Alone (CDr, Promo) I'm Not Alone (Tiesto ... Sony Music 2009
Manos Al Aire (Remixes) (CDr, Promo) Manos Al Aire (Tiesto ... Universal Music Latino 2009
Papillon (Remixes) (3xFile, MP3) Papillon (Tiesto Remix... [PIAS] Recordings 2009
Summersault (7xFile, MP3) Summersault (Tiesto Re... Perfecto Digital 2009
The Right Life - DJ Mixes (CDr, Promo) The Right Life (Tiesto... Warner Bros. Records  
Production:
Trance Nation 19 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed + CD, Comp) Adagio For Strings Silly Spider Music 2004
Appears On:
Eugina (2 versions) Eugina (Tiësto Remix) Lost Language 2000
Guy Ornadel's Progressive Session (CD, Comp, Mixed) Sparkles (Starecase Mix) Muzik Magazine 2000
Home (12") Home (Tiesto Remix) Religion Music 2001
Hungry (2x12", Promo) Hungry (Tiesto Vocal R... BMG 2002
Mix 02: ID&T Presents Tomcraft (CD, Mixed, Comp) Obsession (Frank Biazz... ID&T 2003
Coca-Cola Dance CD (CD, Maxi, Ltd) Love Comes Again Universal Music (Netherlands) 2004
Future Trance Vol. 38 (2xCD, Comp) Dance 4 Life (Radio Edit) Polystar Records 2006
Loveparade - The Compilation 2006 - The Love Is Back (2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed) The Loves We Lost Warner Music (Germany) 2006
Promo Only // Rhythm Club: August 06 (CD, Comp, Promo) The Loves We Lost (Mix... Promo Only 2006
Serious Beats 53 (2xCD, Comp) Dance4Life (Fonzerelli... 541, Play It Again Sam [PIAS] 2006
True To Trance 02 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) The Loves We Lost (Til... Afterglow Records 2006
Центр Ритма MTV (CD, Comp) The Loves We Lost Megaliner Records 2006
A State Of Trance Classics Vol. 2 (4xCD, Comp) Lethal Industry Cloud 9 Music BV 2007
Back In Your Head (CD, Single) Back In Your Head (Tie... Sire Records Company 2007
Cream Ibiza 07 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Lethal Industry (Richa... New State Recordings 2007
Essential Trance Vol. 2 (4xCD, Mixed + Box) Obsession Moist Music 2007
House Music (CD, Comp, Promo) Dance4Life (Radio Edit) Roton 2007
Super Trance 2007 (CD, Comp) Dance4Life (Radio Edit) Edel, Edel Records Finland Oy, The Dance Division 2007
A State Of Trance Classics Vol. 3 (4xCD, Comp) Flight 643 (Instrumental) Cloud 9 Music BV 2008
Dream Dance 47 (2xCD, Comp) Somewhere Inside (Andy... Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2008
Loveparade: The Anthems (3xCD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) Lethal Industry Kontor Records, Low Spirit Recordings 2008
Nightmusic Volume 3 (Comp) (4 versions) Somewhere Inside (Andy... Adjusted Music ... 2008
The Right Life (CD, Promo, Maxi) The Right Life (Tiesto... Warner Bros. Records 2008
Top 100 Discocharts Vol. 1 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Edward Carnby More Music 2009
Tracks Appear On:
Electric Cargo (2xCD, Comp) Bleckentrommel Electoxic Recordings 1997
Dance Opera Trip 11 E.P. (12", EP) Bleckentrommel Dance Opera 1998
Serious Beats 28 (2xCD, Comp) Bleckentrommel 541 1998
&RG (CD, Comp, Mixed) Bleckentrommel Arcade 1999
Guy Ornadel's Progressive Session (CD, Comp, Mixed) Sparkles (Starecase Mix) Muzik Magazine 2000
RetrOpera - The Dance Opera Retro Files Backup 2 (2xCD, Comp) Bleckentrommel Dance Opera, EMI Music (Belgium) 2002
Club Rotation Vol. 24 (2xCD, Comp, Copy Prot.) Traffic (Radio Edit) Warner Strategic Marketing 2003
Mix 02: ID&T Presents Tomcraft (CD, Mixed, Comp) Obsession (Frank Biazz... ID&T 2003
The Annual 2004 - German Edition (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Traffic (Single Edit) Polystar Records 2003
Vitamina H - Fuga Da Accatrax (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Obsession (Frank Biazz... S.A.I.F.A.M. 2003
BPM Volume 04-06 (CD) Love Comes Again (Mark... SBA Music 2004
BPM Volume 04-12 (CD) Just Be (514 Mix) SBA Music 2004
Bravo Hits 45 (2xCD, Copy Prot., Comp) Love Comes Again (Radi... Warner Strategic Marketing 2004
Coca-Cola Dance CD (CD, Maxi, Ltd) Love Comes Again Universal Music (Netherlands) 2004
D.Trance 25 - 1/2004 (2xCD, Comp + CD, Comp, P/Mixed) Traffic (Original Mix) EDM, EDM 2004
Empire Club Compilation Volume 5 (CD, Comp) Just Be (Wally Lopez R... Indepandance Music Company, SPV GmbH 2004
Galaxie & Max Trax Present Ultimate Dance Party Mix (CD, Mixed, Comp) Traffic (Original Mix) NueMethod Recordings 2004
Mixmania 2004//02 (CD, Comp, Mixed) Love Comes Again Antler-Subway, EMI Music (Belgium) 2004
Promo Only Club Video: July 04 (DVD, Comp) Love Comes Again (Mark... Promo Only 2004
Promo Only Dance Mix Video: July 04 (DVD, Comp, Promo) Love Comes Again (Mark... Promo Only 2004
Trance Mission Volume One (CD, Comp, Mixed) Traffic (Marc Walder R... DJ Beat Records, Hype Traxx 2004
Trance Nation 19 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed + CD, Comp) Adagio For Strings Silly Spider Music 2004
Trancemaster 4000 (2xCD, Comp) Traffic Vision Soundcarriers 2004
Trancemaster 4002 (2xCD, Comp) Love Comes Again (Mark... Vision Soundcarriers 2004
Trancemaster 4003 (2xCD, Comp) Adagio For Strings Vision Soundcarriers 2004
Tunnel Trance Force Vol. 30 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Adagio For Strings Sony Music Media 2004
UMF - The Most Wanted Dj's In The World (DVD-V, PAL) Love Comes Again, Traffic Entertainment Plus 2004
538 Dance Smash 2005-01 (CD, Comp) Adagio For Strings (Li... BMG (Netherlands) 2005
BPM Volume 05-05 (CD) Adagio For Strings (Ph... SBA Music 2005
Central Energy EP2 - Archie (12") UR (Junkie XL Air Guit... Central Energy 2005
Club Sounds Vol. 34 (2xCD) Adagio For Strings Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2005
For DJs Only 02/2005 (2xCD, Comp) Just Be (Antillas Club... Universal Music (Italy) 2005
Future Trance Vol. 34 (2xCD, Comp) UR (Junkie XL Air Guit... Polystar Records 2005
ID&T Dance Chart 2005 (2xCD, Comp) Adagio For Strings Universal Music (Belgium) 2005
Live_Mix @ Dance Planet (CD, Mixed, Comp) Traffic, Adagio For St... Dance Planet Ltd. 2005
Super Trance 2005 (CD, Comp) Adagio For Strings (Ra... Edel, Edel Records Finland Oy 2005
Club Sounds Vol. 39 (2xCD, Comp) Dance 4 Life Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2006
Commercial Collection 286 (2xCD, Comp) Dance For Life DMC 2006
Future Trance Vol. 38 (2xCD, Comp) Dance 4 Life (Radio Edit) Polystar Records 2006
Hit Explosion (CD) Dance 4 Life Cloud 9 Music BV 2006
Klub.Life (2xCD) Adagio For Strings (Ph... Water Music Dance 2006
Loveparade - The Compilation 2006 - The Love Is Back (2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed) The Loves We Lost Warner Music (Germany) 2006
Promo Only // Rhythm Club: August 06 (CD, Comp, Promo) The Loves We Lost (Mix... Promo Only 2006
Serious Beats 53 (2xCD, Comp) Dance4Life (Fonzerelli... 541, Play It Again Sam [PIAS] 2006
Trance Voices Vol. 19 (2xCD, Comp) The Loves We Lost (Rad... Polystar Records 2006
Trance Voices Vol. 21 (2xCD, Comp) Dance4Life (Radio Edit) Polystar Records 2006
True To Trance 02 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) The Loves We Lost (Til... Afterglow Records 2006
Tunnel Trance Force Vol. 39 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Dance4Life (12" Mix) Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2006
Центр Ритма MTV (CD, Comp) The Loves We Lost Megaliner Records 2006
A State Of Trance Classics Vol. 2 (4xCD, Comp) Lethal Industry Cloud 9 Music BV 2007
Cream Ibiza 07 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Lethal Industry (Richa... New State Recordings 2007
DAMN! Presents: The Mash Ups! (CD) Break My Fall Digidance 2007
DJ Zone 53: Dance Session Vol.23 (CD, Comp, Unm) Break My Fall (Jerry R... Time Records 2007
Essential Trance Vol. 2 (4xCD, Mixed + Box) Obsession Moist Music 2007
Fitness First: Energy (CD, Comp, Mixed) Dance4Life (12" Mix), ... Central Station 2007
Future Trance - Best Of (2xCD, Comp) Adagio For Strings (Ra... Polystar Records 2007
Future Trance Vol. 39 (2xCD, Comp) Lethal Industry 07 (Ri... Polystar Records 2007
Godskitchen Anthems (3xCD, Mixed, Comp) Dance4Life Central Station 2007
House Music (CD, Comp, Promo) Dance4Life (Radio Edit) Roton 2007
Mixed Feelings 2 (CD, P/Mixed, Comp) Break My Fall (Richard... Dancevilla Records 2007
Papeete Beach Compilation Vol. 7 - Summer 2007 (CD) In The Dark Molto 2007
Promo Only Dance Radio: April 2007 (CD, Comp, Promo) In The Dark (Radio Edit) Promo Only 2007
Sensation Seeker (CD, Comp, Mixed) Lethal Industry (Richa... Sirup 2007
Super Trance 2007 (CD, Comp) Dance4Life (Radio Edit) Edel, Edel Records Finland Oy, The Dance Division 2007
TranceAnthems 2 (2xCD, Comp) Lethal Industry (Richa... ThriveDance 2007
Tunnel Goes Ibiza Vol. 6 - The 40 Leading Ibiza Party Smasher (2xCD, Mixed) In The Dark (Tiesto's ... Tunnel Records 2007
Ultra.Weekend 3 (2xCD) In The Dark Ultra Records 2007
A State Of Trance Classics Vol. 3 (4xCD, Comp) Flight 643 (Instrumental) Cloud 9 Music BV 2008
Clubland 2008 (2xCD, Comp) Dance4Life (Fonzerelli... David Gresham Records, David Gresham Records 2008
Dream Dance 47 (2xCD, Comp) Somewhere Inside (Andy... Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) 2008
Dream Dance 49 (2xCD, Comp) Ride (Tiesto Remix) Sony BMG Music Entertainment 2008
Everybody Dance Now 4 (2xCD, Comp) In The Dark The Dance Division 2008
Jaarmix 2008 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Elements Of Life Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Netherlands) 2008
Loveparade: The Anthems (3xCD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) Lethal Industry Kontor Records, Low Spirit Recordings 2008
Nightmusic Volume 3 (Comp) (4 versions) Somewhere Inside (Andy... Adjusted Music ... 2008
Summer Heat 2008 (2xCD, Comp) Dance4Life (Fonzerelli... Edel, Edel Records Finland Oy 2008
TopRequest Volume 10 (2xCD) Lethal Industry Mostiko 2008
Grandmix 2008 (3xCD, Comp, Mixed) Elements Of Life Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Netherlands) 2009
Top 100 Discocharts Vol. 1 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Edward Carnby More Music 2009
Trancemaster 6004 (2xCD, Comp) Alone In The Dark Vision Soundcarriers 2009
Ultimate NRG 4 (3xCD, Mixed) Lethal Industry All Around The World, Universal Music TV 2009
Stress Live Performance DVD (DVD, Promo, Not) Just Be, Dance4Life (F... Not On Label  
Unpaved Roads 004 (CD, Comp, Mixed) Bleckentrommel Nutrition  
Unofficial Releases:
Best Of Tiesto (12", W/Lbl, Sti) Flight 643 (Original M... Not On Label (Madonna), Not On Label (DJ Tiësto), Not On Label (Paul Oakenfold) 2005
Виниловые Пляски. Zima (CD) Adagio For Bang Bang Radio Record (KDK Bootlegs) 2005
Adagio For Strings (Wrongun! Remix) (12", S/Sided, W/Lbl)   Wrongun 2007
Back In Your Head / Finished Symphony (12", W/Lbl) Back In Your Head (Tie... Not On Label 2007
Eugina 2008 (2 versions) Eugina 2008 (Tiesto Re... Not On Label 2007
Elements Of Life (BMC & KGM Donk Mix) (File, MP3, 320)   Banging Beatz 2008
Live At The Asylum (File, MP3, Comp, Mixed, VBR) In The Dark (Tiesto Tr... Led Manville 2008
Love Lockdown (12", W/Lbl, S/Sided, Sta) Love Lockdown (Tiesto ... Not On Label (Kanye West) 2009
Spaceman (12", W/Lbl, Unofficial) Spaceman (Tiesto Mix) Not On Label (The Killers) 2009
edit

YouTube Videos

DJ Tiesto The Tube
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by juno5five Apr 06, 2009
I think Tiesto is a legend. His performances are awesome and always blows me away to experience them. I've been going to his sets since he first came to a cali massive. I don't know why people have to hate on him so much as if it were such an injustice to humanity and because of him they are now out on the street starving. Geez. You guys think you know the guy and grew up with him; blah blah blah; engineers are hired to make this and that for him. "And you were there to witness this? And if you were; did you percieve right?" So you know how to read cd inserts and such about written and composed They know whose being credited and they also know guys try to think they know everything about the industry to call people they don't personally know to be sellouts or fake. You guys are so lame. I was looking at some discogs info and at the bottom there was some crybaby hate review on a tiesto page. Sellout this and lie's that. Hey if he had to tell some lies and hire some engineers for me to have experienced the "sound of Tiesto" then fine. I'm glad somebody did it. Who know's? Maybe you guys are right. I wouldn't know because I wasn't there when things like that went down but, guess what! I'm still a fan and still say he's the best since it's my opinion. Don't try to make others hate the way you guys do. Your guys aren't informing and educating others to see, "what I'm sure youg guys would say as the truth." Your just haters that need to vent that frustration onto message boards and such. Or maybe the spotlight wasn't bright enough at your "true underground artists" performance so it's not fair.

Simply, if tiesto is a sellout, fake, pop producing artist then that's the kind of stuff I'm into. We can't all be the same, everyone's different. If anything artists like Tiesto need to exist so that when you guys are praising your favorite artists you can have someone to compare them to. That's why I need your favorite artists to exist right?


Tiesto is the best and will always be in my opinion.

"Brush them haters Off"
Review by somebedroomdj Mar 02, 2009
I don't know how I even ended up reading the reviews on this page, but I do know that statements about this freak being the "best dj in the world, etc. etc." can not be allowed to filter into the collective consciousness unchallenged. If that were allowed to happen, everything would fall apart, we would all spontaneously de-evolve, up would become down, cats would have sex with dogs and rational thought as we know it would disappear. And I'll be damned if I'm going to contribute to that happening.

So I just have to say for the record that this.. this thing is nothing more than a marketing scheme and any claims of him being the best DJ in the world are patently ludicrous. Music wise, there is nothing new here. Same old re-hashed formulas and a no talent money machine. This is not a baseless accusation either, just check the credits on his productions. When it says "Written/Composed by: XXXX" it means that, hello, somebody else did all the work. Simple music for simple minded people who don't want to have to think too hard.

Of course, those of us with a functioning brain already know this. So the real issue becomes this: what can be done about this wooden shoe wearing, tulip growing menace?

Simple. I've outlined a few steps you can take to help wage this war:

1) If you hear somebody extolling the virtues of this thing, smack them casually (but firmly) upside the head and continue the conversation as if nothing had happened. Pavlov was onto something and there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to employ this slight variation of his methods.

2) Though the lion's share of commerce these days is done online, there are certainly places where this thing's CD's and records are sold in physical stores. If you ever have occasion to do so at one of these dens of depravity, you should vomit, urinate, defecate or otherwise expel your bodily fluid(s) of choice so as to contaminate every last piece of this thing's merchandise so that the store is unable to sell it.

3) Organize an event showcasing your favorite type of actual music and aggressively advertise that the price of admission will be halved for everyone who brings you one of this thing's CD's, records, t-shirts, shoes, caps, keychains or any other such nonsense that is branded with his name or image. Be very careful to wear rubber gloves when handling the items and throw them all into a gigantic bonfire pit, to be lit at the culmination of the event.

If we could all employ this 3 pronged attack, I think we could make some real progress on this.

Now, to the fanboi's. I know your face is probably beet red right about now and there's a good chance your body is trembling, but I need you to hear and understand what I'm saying to you. We don't just hate Tiesto. He's a mere puppet who is a symptom of a larger problem and I think that anybody who puts him down probably realizes this. It's just that he has willingly made himself the poster boy for the commercialization of electronic music and, hence, a big fat target. There was a time when people actually attended raves and went to hear music they couldn't hear anywhere else and socialize with other people who were just as sick of normal society's bullshit as they were. They didn't go to idolize some idiot who was just properly marketed. It was the music and it moved people. If you support and defend this Asshat, it is a slap in the face to everybody who comes to this for the right reasons. Just look at what has happened to every other subculture that has been co-opted. Hip-hop is a mere shadow of it's former self. Rock and roll was castrated decades ago and is no longer a viable option for conveying a real message. Punk has become Emo and is sold at Hot Topic. Even country music used to have some grit to it, but look at the saccharine sweet bag of shit it is now.

Your hero is just another cog in the giant money machine that music has been allowed to be reduced to. It's only about money. The fact that he has to hire engineer's to make his productions for him means that he is no different than a boy band that has other people write their songs. If an "artist" isn't making their own art, how can you put any faith in it? How can you listen to something that they themselves do not believe in and not feel like you've been played for a sucker while they laugh at you all the way to the bank?

The bottom line is that there is a lot of different music out there and lots of genre lines that we create. But what it all comes down to is that there is music that lies and music that does not lie. Support music that does not lie, please.

Review by teknik Oct 11, 2007
When people hear Tiesto's name, they are inclined to think one thing: sellout.
That's quite funny because if you mention his name to people around various parts of this world, most would say "huh? who's Tiesto?" A lot of people forget that a majority of current trance lovers were influenced by the Tiesto sound. In fact, Tiesto does what Tiesto does best, attract a crowd.

When Tijs is behind the decks, only a select few can match his ability to ooze infectious energy & all out fun vibe to their audience. His track selections are mint, his mixing is superb and he also fulfills his role as the Pied Piper of Trance. His popularity is so immense that each time he does a little mistake (like every other mortal being makes), he is criticized and even hated. Every mix compilation he has released has been superb in their own way, capturing a true Tiesto set and spreading the beauty that is trance around the world.

As an artist, his popularity allows him to work with extremely talented individuals, such as Brian Transeau & Junkie XL. His productions are good, though if people regard his music as the standard Trance should be, then they're unfortunately gravely misunderstood.
Personally, I believe he set the wheels of tech-trance in motion. His 'Traffic' & 'Flight 643' are anthems in their own right, and feature aggressive beats and tech-trance riffs. Obviously there were other artists before him who have made the tech-trance sound, but he set the pavement for guys like Sander van Doorn to come.

The once world number 1. DJ is still a pioneer in the trance scene. Just imagine a world without Tiesto, where would Trance be? No Magik, no Nyana, no Gouryella, no Alibi and no searching for sunrises. Scary thought, no?

Forget him being a sellout, remember him as one of the all-time greatest heroes of the Trance scene.

Review by ch33kych0p5 Aug 03, 2007 (edited over 2 years ago)
The one thing about DJ Tiesto is that everyone in dance music has an opinion, whether they actually know anything about him or have really listened to any of his productions or compilations, or whether they are agreeing with or disagreeing with the "popular" view of Tiesto just because they can.

Tiesto has been involved in the scene for so long, he has been one of the main pioneers in certain sounds for such a long time, and even though I immensely enjoy his music and his live sets, I can agree that not all of his productions have been flawless or even outstanding..... But at the same time, I can not think of any other producer who HAS achieved this.

DJ Tiesto has an energy to his sets and his music which is hard to find in other DJs.... It does not matter to me what the mainstream say, I have enjoyed his music and live sets from 1999 onwards and I can not see that changing for a very long time. I just wish other people would make up their own minds, regardless of what all the sheep think, and have their own opinions on an artist who should definately be considered as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Review by silgnim Mar 14, 2007 (edited over 2 years ago)
Tiesto fans are divided up between those who loved him back in the days when he wasnt the big "superstar" dj he is now and produced alot of quality tracks, most notably his classic album "in my memory" and when he was arguably one of the best dj's in the world making some classic compilations aswell including the magik series, nyana, isos 1 and 2 etc. etc. Most of those type hate him now, the other half all caught on when he started selling out to the more mainstream crowd with commercial crap like his album "just be" and the later isos series, most of whom are very new to the trance scene and dont know a whole lot...

he was immensely popular before this but after that he just took his superstar status to a whole new ridiculous level many of his original fans lost faith. elements of life his latest album has just brought it up a notch, he went from making real trance, classics like suburban train, lethal industry, shandar, willow (not to mention his remixes and awesome sets in the past) to absolute commercial poppy trance crap like "in the dark". it really does represent just how badly downhill the quality of trance has gotten since its peak in 99.

he will never be forgotten, hes too bloody huge to be now but god i want to forget everything hes done since about 02
Review by duketranslucent3rd Dec 05, 2005 (edited over 3 years ago)
People moan about this guy being voted world's best DJ purely for one humanistic reason: there is an inclination to view popularity with "selling out". Once someone leaves the confines of a small underground circuit and a conniosour following, they're deemed to be rubbish. Commercial. Such people don't like the idea of respecting someone who - shock horror - is known about.

Not so in this case. His popularity is down entirely to his sets. He's still just a guy who chucks a t-shirt on and mixes a lot of decent trance. What's more he writes, and writes well. His own albums are quality, and his Olympic set was a comprehensive work encompassing a lot of themes related to the Olympics. It wasn't just another trance set. Likewise Sweet Mysery and Walking in Clouds, on his album Just Be, are involved, moving pieces.

Tiesto has a teriffic ability to create intensity and really hit you with his industrial style trance. His Adajio for Strings exemplifies this. The American minimalist composers would be proud: minimum material but used to insane effect.
Review by zangief_pilam Jun 28, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)
Alright, it looks is time to chime in again.

I saw him live in 2003, and while he may have made mistakes and played quite a few anthems, he *rocked* live. Very solid set. To be fair to Tiesto, many of his early works were gems in Dutch Trance and even Techno. Although Tiesto has always had a matter-of-fact simple breezy style, Magik series were quite good, I think, and In Search of Sunrise series were more complex in their song selection, I think. That's not to mention his remixes or collaborations with Corsten (Gouryella/Vimana) and others (Kamaya Painters, etc.). Then he peaked with Nyana, which had was a great, mature mix with a little bit of techno. I think that the Nyana single is one of the best pieces of trance music I've ever heard.

And that's where it mostly went down the hill. Just Be, Parade of Athletes--extremely commercialized compositions. I agree that most of them are already too-familiar loops and simple designs. To respond to the comment about Traffic, though, I think he was to do the Trance-Techno sound, i.e., repetitive, yet with a trancey feel to it, sort of like Lethal Industry.

Now In Search Of Sunrise 4 is coming along, we'll see if he stayed true to his roots or whether it is a sellout.
Review by Raijin Jul 19, 2004 (edited over 5 years ago)
DJ Tiesto's style has always fluctuated over the years. During the 1999-2001 era, most of his live performances were consistent in a few factors; hard, fast and beautifully orchestrated. Classic sets such as Trance Energy 2000 which i had the privilege to attend taught me how to truly appreciate trance music. As for Tiesto's current sound, many debate that he has sold out or perhaps changed styles. People fail to realize that regardless of what music is being spun, it's still the same DJ. If a DJ's sound changes, it marks a progression to new territory in music. Tiesto still retains followers for many reasons. First, being one of the forefathers of trance music as well as being an inspiring force behind so many current DJ's. Second, the amount of DJ's that were given their first opportunities by DJ's with the amount of media and financial backing as Tiesto. Third, Tiesto applies a vast knowledge of musical training to every piece of music that is produced or touched by his studio. Tiesto as a DJ is a true idol in the trance scene, and in my opinion, he has earned every pieece of his fame. If nothing else, Tiesto deserves the respect of the Electronic music community for his momentous contributions.
Review by V-Agent Feb 05, 2003
Another example of how money can ruin an artist with otherwise great potential. Early on in his career he was making excellent Techno-music on his label Black Hole which had an interesting House edge. Now he releases formula trance totally in oposition and unrecogniseable to what he started out doing.
There is a reason why he has so many releases to his name: if he didn't release something regularily he would be forgotten very quickly due to the disposable nature of his music.
Avoid.
Review by Cerberus Jul 14, 2002
Ive said it before and I'll say it again - This guy is the greatest artist in the world!!

From deep uplifting melodies like 'Close To You' that make you feel like falling to your knees and weeping. To Adrenaline filled Monsters like 'Aria - Dido' which send the blood racing through your vains making you feel like your hearts going to explode.

DJ Tiesto does it all, and he does it better than any one else ever could!!