Okay, for those of you keeping score at home, Tiesto officially likes Sneaky Sound System, favourable reviews and long walks on the beach, but do you know what he hates above all else? Yep, glow sticks.

Clearly still bearing a vendetta against all sticks of the fluorescent variety, Tiesto has put his foot down on the issue, barring anyone from bringing a glow stick to his upcoming show at Liverpool’s Echo Arena in Britain.

According to Mixmag, the venue backed Tiesto’s distaste for glow sticks, banning them on the grounds that were any glow sticks to be dropped and crushed under foot at the Tiesto show, punters would be in danger of slipping and causing injuries. Damn those meddling kids!

The banning follows on from a similar incident two years ago when Tiesto put the kibosh on glow sticks during his Elements Of Life tour, saying with utter disdain “the scene needs to clean up, so skip those damn glow sticks”. He added “they look horrible, and they’re too rave-y” before shooing some trouble-making teens off his lawn with a broom.

Source: InTheMix.com.au

Dj Tiesto will be joined by stars including Nelly Furtado, Calvin Harris, Muse and Kele Okereke on stage at his Edinburgh concert next month.

But the Dutch megastar DJ won’t have to juggle diaries and egos.

The guests will be there virtually, thanks to an incredible new technology system.

Speaking exclusively to The Razz, Tiesto said: “On this tour, the visuals are unbelievable. It looks like the people are there beside me in 3D.

“I have a system called LiveSync, which is completely unique to me. It is the only one in the world.

“It looks almost like the people are really there on the stage with me.

“Even though I am mixing the records live, the technology lip-syncs it with the image of the vocalist so it looks like they are there, singing live. When my track with Calvin is on, it is as if he is there with me singing live.

“I always want to be the innovator and this new show is incredible.

“People who saw me last year will be amazed. It’s completely different.”

Tiesto has long been regarded as dance music’s top dog, but he admits teaming up with mainstream stars has given him a new lease of life.

“It’s another reinvention for me, ” he said. “Bringing in guest vocalists has changed everything and opened up a whole new world for me.

“It’s still Tiesto but with a much more diverse feel. My style has changed a lot. They sent me off on a wholenewdirection. Who would ever have expected me to make track swith Calvin, Nelly, Sigur Ros and Kele from Bloc Party? Such a crazy mix.”

Tiesto has been bitten by the collaboration bug, and has his next target in mind.

“I have a very big list,” he said. “I love playing festivals. It’s a great chance to meet bands and potential collaborators.

“My dream would be Muse. I just remixed their single and they are my favourite band. To get them in the studio and make a new track would be perfect.”

Tiesto plays Ingliston on March 6 with his new single, Who Wants To Be Alone, featuring Nelly Furtado, out one week later.

Source:  DailyRecord.co.uk

Check out Cliché’s first issue for 2010 with the world’s #1 DJ Tiesto on the cover. February 2010’s The Music Issue features some of today’s most popular bands such as Phoenix, The XX, Vampire Weekend, Animal Collective, and more.

Click pictures to view full screen images:

Tiësto is a man of “firsts”. He was the first DJ to sell out dates at the Brixton Academy (two nights in a row), Alexandra Palace, the O2 Arena, and last summer he was the first DJ to headline and sell-out a truly wondrous show at Victoria Park, London to 25,000 fans. He is the only DJ ever to sell out a three-month residency at Privilege in Ibiza last summer, where he played to over 100,000 people and now Tiësto is back in Scotland.

Indeed, add to the list, writing and performing music for the 2004 Olympics for an audience over 4 Billion. Remixing everyone from Britney Spears to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, selling out a 150 date world tour, collecting awards and nominations from the Grammy’s and MTV Music Awards, getting a wax statue at Madame Tussauds. To anyone else, any one of these milestones might sound staggering, but to the one-man electronic artist, producer and DJ phenomenon known as Tiësto, it’s just another regular day in the life.

You appear in Edinburgh, Scotland on the March 6 and your next stop is London on the 11th. Will you be spending any time seeing the sights?

I would like to. Not sure of my schedule yet. Sometimes it is difficult, but I always try to take time and enjoy the local culture.

British audiences have a reputation for being pretty wild, how do they compare with the crowds from Holland and elsewhere?

I would not say they are really extremely different, each country has its own unique qualities. I love performing in the UK.  Everyone is always up for it and brings all their energy to the dance floor.

You’ve been making music for a while now, what are the best and worst gigs you’ve ever played?

The best gig I have ever played would be the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.  That was an unforgettable experience.  It would be difficult for me to pick a worst gig. I truly love producing and performing, and I’m happiest when I’m connecting with my fans.

Many would say that you’ve been the key to bringing trance into the mainstream and raising its profile across the world. Where do you take the music from here?

For me, it’s all about pushing boundaries.  On Kaleidoscope, I have brought together all the different musical influences which I am enjoying at the moment. With my production I’ve taken more of a structured song writing approach, as well as experimented with new sounds and textures.  I’m going to keep producing music and let it evolve naturally.

You’ve collaborated with the likes of Nelly Furtado, Tegan and Sara and Kele from Bloc Party, how do you end up working with these guys? Do you approach them or is it the other way round?

I’ve been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with all the amazing guests on Kaleidoscope. It all happened very organically.  I first hung out with Nelly Furtado in Miami last year. We freestyled in the studio together and realized we had chemistry. I met Kele from Bloc Party when I was in  London and it turned out he and the guys were big fans, which was such an honor. Tegan & Sara played with me live at Bonnaroo and I remixed one of their tracks.  We took it from there.

Who would you most like to work with in the future?

My list of artists is always growing.  I would love to do a song with Santigold or MGMT.

What do you think about Basshunter appearing in the British version of Celebrity Big Brother? Is there ever a chance you’d ever try something like this?

No, that’s not for me.

What’s better and why; the first few years you had as DJ or your career now?

My career now. I have been able to see the world and meet so many great people. It’s been a great experience.

Finally, what are your plans after the world tour? Can we expect a follow up to Kaleidoscope any time soon?

I am concentrating all my energy on the Kaleidoscope World Tour.  I have also launched my brand new fan site called InTheBooth which I am very excited about.  With my busy schedule, I am constantly moving around the world.  The site allows me to interact with fans, share my music and stories from the road.  I am really happy with how it has turned out so far.

The Edinburgh leg of the tour will not only boast an appearance by Tiësto, but also incorporate an outside dance marquee, outside & inside bars, Gio-Goi Music Bus, Funfair plus merchandise stalls. Running from 6pm to 4am, this will be Tiësto’s biggest show to date in Scotland as the event will take place in the huge Highland Hall at The Royal Highland Centre (same site and event layout as EH1 Music Festival, August 2009).

Check out the newpaper next week for your chance to win a pair tickets to Tiësto’s Kaleidoscope World Tour on March 6 at the Highland Hall in Edinburgh.

Tickets available from www.mygigticket.com

Source: Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Today was announced that Tiesto has won the golden Record Award for the latest album ‘Kaleidoscope’.

In the interview below he receives and shows his award. For more Tiesto awards, visit the updated awards page.

Source: Cionoticias

Los Angeles 20-11-2009,

Dance music has infiltrated deeper into pop than ever. From Lady Gaga to the Black Eyed Peas, the sound of electronic grooves is unavoidable. And yet when the globe goes out and dances all night, it goes to see one performer more than any other: DJ Tiesto.

While he’s still not a household name in the United States, the Dutch star’s grip on DJ culture and its glow-stick masses is tighter than ever. If anything, pop and hip-hop’s move toward all things electronic has only solidified Tiesto’s vast market share. It’s as if people see their friends getting into Gaga and whisper into their ears, “If you like that, you’ll love this.”

Of course, not everyone loves Tiesto. He’s been the focus of a backlash against the symphonic strings and spikey haired masses of trance music. We’ve been partial to calling him Cheesesto, if only because he attracts a bridge-and-tunnel crowd. Pitchfork recently called his latest album, Kaleidoscope (featuring Sigur Ros, Nelly Furtado and Dizee Rascal) “a master class in half-assed dance-meets-pop ’songwriting.’”

You can shoot all the arrows you want at this guy, however, and he could still laugh all the way back to his luxury hotel room with an entourage of half-dressed women on his arms. Tiesto is a rock star. And next week he’s DJing three – count ‘em – three shows at the Shrine Auditorium. And despite our telltale snarkyness he was kind enough to answer a few questions.

LA Weekly: You’re playing three nights back-to-back in L.A. By the third night, are you tired of the routine? Do you try to play different sets each night?

Tiesto: I never get tired of performing, and by the third night I usually have more energy. I love what I do, and I’m happiest when I’m connecting with my fans. Each night I always try to change things up and make each performance something special that the crowd will never forget

You had reportedly been living in L.A. for a spell?

I love L.A., but I don’t live there. I spent some time there when I was recording Kaleidoscope, mainly working with some of the artists I collaborated with. The city and people in L.A. have a great vibe and the weather is always beautiful.

How does L.A. measure up on the global DJ circuit?

I always have great performances in L.A and it is on my list of top places to play around the world. The crowds are always massive and bring a lot of energy to the shows

As a spinner who happens to be a pop artist, you’re joining a growing group of people (Will.i.am, Kanye West, Lady Gaga) who have been blurring the line between pop and dance. Is this a golden era for the popularity of dance music? How does it compare to the boom of the late 1990s/early 2000s.

It is very exciting to see more mainstream artists embrace and draw inspiration from electronic music, but I wouldn’t call it the golden era just yet. I think dance music is going to continue to grow and get bigger. At the end of the ’90’s and into 2000 electronic music was still an underground phenomenon, especially in America. The mainstream acceptance that is starting to happen now is a result of that early boom 10 years ago,

You’ve done some fairly accessible pop on Kaleidoscope, but when you DJ, people still expect trance. How do you satisfy them?

When I perform it’s all about connecting with the crowd through the music and I incorporate something for everyone into my sets. I have also done special edits and mixes of the songs from Kaleidoscope making them fit into my live show.

Critics, including Pitchfork’s, have been hard on you. What do you say to them?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just keep doing my own thing.

A lot of dance floor trends (minimal, progressive, tribal, nu electro, nu rave) come and go, but trance still seems to draw the biggest crowds. What do you think is the key to its power?

Trance is a very emotional and uplifting form of dance music. It appeals to many people in this way having such a strong connection with emotions. It makes people happy and ready to party

How has trance changed in the last five years?

A lot has changed. Like myself, many of the producers today are incorporating different sounds and textures from other genres of dance music like techno and electro. It’s very important for me to always be pushing the boundaries exploring new territories musically. Very exciting times.

Have tech-trance sounds like those of Deadmau5 infiltrated your box? Are there any artists who are really “it” for you in terms of your DJ sound?

I like the new Deadmau5 album and have been playing his song “Strobe” recently in my sets. For me, it’s about drawing from many different influences in my production and DJ sets and it would be difficult to name just a few. Artists like Crookers, Laidback Luke, MGMT, Santigold, Dada Life and Avichii are making amazing music right now.

What’s next for Tiesto?

Right now I am concentrating all my energy on the world tour. The show I have created is the biggest and best one to date. I will be finishing the North American leg of the tour with the three shows in L.A and then I’m off to South America, Australia, Asia, and Europe for the next 10 months.

Australia, 18-11-2009,

There’s been a lot of talk this year about dance icon Tiesto’s dabblings away from his traditional trance roots, which has seen the powerhouse DJ take up with a band of merry indie types as well as Dizzee Rascal and Sneaky Sound System. Whilst the man’s most recent album Kaleidoscope has managed to divide opinions, there’s definitely one thing that fans can agree on unanimously, and that’s that they’re over the freaking moon to have Tiesto coming back to Australia for his first tour since 2008’s Elements Of Life shows.

Punters have shown their unflinching support for the Tiesto live experience, with tickets for his spectacle-heavy dance marathons already selling out fast around the country, and as such, when inthemix got a little time to chat with Tiesto recently, we pressed the trance legend for details on what fans can expect from his Kaleidoscope tour come 2010.

“When I get back to Australia next year you’ll hear me play shows completely different to when I was there two years ago,” Tiesto explained to inthemix over the phone just a few weeks ago. “When I DJ now, it’s a lot more eclectic. I try to tap into everybody, y’know? There’s a bit of house, a bit of techno and a bit of everything,” he laughs. “It’s a very diverse set.”

Whilst fans might be worried they’ll hear one too many curveballs thrown down from Tiesto’s booth on the Australian dates, the DJ assured us he hasn’t lost the essential essence of the Tiesto style.

Speaking about the hybrid-trance on Kaleidoscope, Tiesto emphasised this point, saying “If you listen to the songs a couple of times you can hear Tiesto in there. And when you come to the shows and hear the songs live you’ll see what I’m trying to do with them.”

The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and judging from crowd reactions on his current worldwide tour, Tiesto’s shows are still as brilliant as ever. “The reaction so far has been amazing. I’ve only just started playing more of the tracks off the album live and it has been really good so far. I can’t wait to come back to Australia and play to the crowds there.”

For further evidence of Tiesto’s epic chops, just check out the video below of the DJ slaying festival revelers at Creamfields in the UK. If it looks like your kinda thing, then you can win yourself flights to London and VIP passes to Creamfields 2010 by entering ITM’s exclusive competition right here. Otherwise, get set for Tiesto’s arrival in Australia in January.

Source: InTheMix.com.au

Calgary 12-11-2009,

The world’s most popular DJ brings Ibiza to Calgary

Holland’s Tiësto (Tijs Michiel Verwest) is the world’s most popular DJ. Every night, the jet-setting Dutch musician takes to the podium and mounts a turntable extravaganza that soon has the masses moving to his rhythms. Not many moments can come close to the experience of spinning to a throbbing crowd of 250,000 on the beaches of Brazil, but, luckily Tiësto likes to take a little bit of Ibiza with him wherever he goes.

“I think I can turn just about any song into a dance track,” the fleet-fingered DJ teases. “People are constantly approaching me to redo their favourite cuts. But, some are just impossible to improve upon. Queen, Elvis, Michael Jackson; I won’t touch them!”

Few DJs have the touch to fill nightclubs on the strength of their name alone. Tiësto can effortlessly sell out stadiums that hold 25,000 people, two nights in a row. Maybe more, if they’d let him. Over the span of his 20-plus-year career, thousands of dance-floor initiates have lost their inhibitions and moved their bodies to his futuristic vibes, each one purchasing their magic ticket to the show in the hopes of becoming part of that communal euphoria. It’s a hope that Tiësto attributes to the universal need to bust a move.

“I always try to keep things positive,” he says. “I don’t have much to worry about these days. Every performance is a party. That goes for my new album, too — even the melancholic tracks have something special and light about them that makes people want to dance.”

Even though he’s perpetually in a state of motion, Tiësto finds time to investigate new sources of musical inspiration and discover new artists during his brief periods of downtime. Much sought-after for his skills as a remixer and producer, Tiësto has used his Midas touch to embellish the works of musicians the world over. Constantly on the lookout for fresh new sounds, Tiësto was drawn to the cloned harmonies of Calgary’s darling siblings Tegan and Sara, inviting the pair to take part in the creation of his latest album, Kaleidoscope, a release packed with appearances by musicians including Sigur Ros’s Jonsi, Nelly Furtado, Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, Calvin Harris, Emily Haines of Metric and Sneaky Sound System.

“Tegan and Sara’s song [‘Feel It in My Bones’] is my favourite track on the whole album,” Tiësto says. “They have these powerful voices that, to me, just seem made for cool electronic music. I sent them an instrumental version of the song that I had worked out on the keyboard and they filled in the rest. They’re such talented hook writers. I did a remix of the song ‘Back in Your Head’ for them a while back and I really wanted to work with them again.”

“I’ve produced a lot of remixes since 2000, and I like to listen to all kinds of music,” he continues. “I’m always listening to bands like Sigur Ros when I’m on the plane, or whatever, and I wanted to bring some of those different flavours to my work. I don’t think I’ll ever be accepted by the indie rock crowd, but I do hope I’m opening doors by introducing my fans to some of these artists.”

Source: FFWDWeekly

A|X:TV interviews Tiesto backstage at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom on September 26, 2009 during his Kaleidoscope World Tour.

InTheMix.com.au, 02-11-2009

It’s been a bumpy ride for Tiesto die-hards in 2009, with the trance kingpin testing the resolve of his fans with a series of eclectic career moves that have seen him collaborate with the likes of Dizzee Rascal and BDO rockers Muse, not to mention his indie-leaning artist album Kaleidoscope.

By now we reckon some fans would be praying for Tiesto to keep his mouth shut for a little while, but that doesn’t look to be on the cards, with Tiesto recently announcing his desires to continue down his collaborative path and work with the likes of MGMT and Good Vibes headliners The Killers.

As reported by Data Transmission, Tiesto dropped the curveball (though we’re not sure what to expect from the guy these days!) in a recent interview, explaining that he has craved the freedom to follow the creative pull away from the trance scene. “I want to be the biggest indie band producer in the world. I want bands like MGMT and The Killers to come to me with their new albums and ask me to produce them. That’s the dream.”

In a bid to attain said artistic freedom, the Dutch producer has decided to splinter from his renowned Black Hole Recordings imprint, to set a brand new record label, Musical Freedom.

“I always had my own label with Black Hole Recordings, but I wanted to move on, and the only way you can do that is to start all over again,” he said. “Because it’s a whole new point in my career, I wanted to be 100% in control of a new label too. Black Hole was a 50/50 partnership and I think I lost a bit of control with it towards the end, to be honest. I’m going to do whatever I feel like with Musical Freedom. I’m going to put out the music I like.”

As eccentric as these moves seem to be, looking at the broader picture one has to commend Tiesto for his actions. By striking out as he’s done, Tiesto’s keenly ensured he’ll have creative challenges ahead of him, refusing to stagnate in his past successes. We just hope it works!

Source: InTheMix.com.au

WatchMojo.com, 24-10-2009,

He was born Tijs Michiel Verwest in the Netherlands. And he has had many aliases over the years. But today, he is known the world over by the name Tiësto. The world’s top trance DJ, he became the first DJ to perform live onstage at an Olympic Games in 2004. He has also performed energetic sets that last up to twelve hours. And he had a residency at the largest club in the world for a couple of months in 2008, and again in 2009. Also in 2009, he released his fourth album, Kaleidoscope. In this video, WatchMojo.com chats with Tiësto about his collaborations, his record company and where he’s at in his career.

Tiesto interview with Sneaky Sound System: