Paul Van Dyk Slams ALDA and Armin Van Buuren’s A State of Trance After ‘Life-Threatening’ Injuries from Utrecht Festival

Paul van Dyk has voiced his frustration at festival organizers 8 years after his traumatic stage accident at Utrecht Festival.

Paul van Dyk has recently re-called attention to the life-threatening injuries he sustained at Utrecht Festival in 2016. In an Instagram post, he expressed dismay over the lack of compensation from event organizer ALDA even eight years later. Over and above the compensation, Paul van Dyk is still seeking an apology from Armin van Buuren’s festival.

The German trance DJ fell through an unmarked hole in the stage during his set at the State of Trance stage, resulting in severe injuries including a broken spine and traumatic brain injury. Van Dyk took legal action against ALDA, alleging unsafe conditions and lack of notice regarding the stage’s instability. In 2018, a Dutch court awarded him over $12 million in damages to cover medical bills and lost profits.

However, van Dyk claims that the court has not yet actually disbursed those damages, nor has ALDA issued any acknowledgment of accountability. Consequently, he has criticized the company for failing to fulfill its legal obligations and attempting to block the insurance payments. In response to van Dyk’s remarks, a representative for ALDA has expressed regret for the DJ’s ordeal but cited the involvement of third parties such as insurance companies and lawyers in the delays.

Despite the ongoing legal battle and lasting impact of his injuries, van Dyk expresses gratitude for the music community’s support. In his post, he emphasized the lessons he has learned about survival and resilience in the face of adversity. Furthermore, he thanked everyone who “encouraged [him] to stand up & walk again.”

Since the incident, van Dyk has gradually returned to music, releasing singles and EPs and continuing to perform. Apart from landing No. 45 on Top 100 DJs for 2023, he has played at major festivals such as EDC Orlando, ADE, Dreamstate, and Beyond Wonderland. Additionally, van Dyk has produced music with greats such as Aly & Fila, Illenium, and Tritonal.

As Paul van Dyk continues his pursuit of justice, his story remains a poignant reminder of the importance of safety and accountability in the music industry. Despite the setbacks he has faced, his passion for music and his unwavering spirit undoubtedly shine through. Head over to Paul van Dyk’s website for more information on his tour schedule.

Ginger Ale

Having grown up just an earshot from Ultra Miami’s venue Bayfront Park, it was next to impossible for me not to fall in love with electronic music. My love for music was evidently strong enough for me to write my college essay on festival culture and continue attending Ultra for 10+ years now. I have always had a knack for writing and the power of words, which I continued cultivating through a Philosophy degree in college. Now, I am finishing up law school and hope to merge my passions by working in the music industry. I am an avid traveler and am certainly not afraid to hop on a plane for a music event. My next bucket list items to attend are Tomorrowland in Belgium and ADE in the Netherlands. Though the list could go on forever, some of my favorite artists include Franky Wah, Kevin de Vries, Eli Brown, and John Summit.

See author's posts