Ferry Corsten celebrates 25 years of Gouryella at transmission Netherlands 2025
As the mighty GelreDome Stadium transformed into Transmission Festival's "Temple of Time" last weekend, one artist's appearance felt particularly synchronized with the event's time-traveling theme. Ferry Corsten—the longest-standing Dutch artist in the DJ Mag Top 100 rankings—celebrated a remarkable 25 years of his iconic Gouryella project at this milestone 20th anniversary edition of Transmission.
The symmetry couldn't have been more perfect: Transmission's journey through different eras of time paired with Corsten's quarter-century exploration of a sound that has both defined and transcended the trance genre. What began in 1999 as a collaboration with Tiësto before becoming Corsten's solo project has evolved into one of electronic music's most cherished legacies, with tracks like "Gouryella," "Walhalla," and "Anahera" earning legendary status among fans worldwide.
Transmission has long been a fitting home for Corsten's productions, with its reputation for spectacular visual elements and immersive storytelling providing the perfect canvas for Gouryella's uplifting, otherworldly soundscapes. As he told us in our exclusive interview, "Transmission has been a beacon of excellence—renowned for its ethereal production and unwavering commitment to quality. These are values I deeply respect and strive to uphold with the Gouryella concept."
Having been knighted as an Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau by the Dutch King for his contributions to music, Corsten brought both his royal honors and his unmatched experience to the GelreDome stage. His relationship with Transmission spans years of headline performances, creating a natural synergy for what was one of the most anticipated sets of the festival.
We caught up with the trance pioneer ahead of this historic performance to discuss Gouryella's evolution, the significance of playing this anniversary set at Transmission's time-themed spectacular, and the continued relevance of a sound that has stood the test of time.
You celebrated Gouryella's 25th anniversary at Transmission's "Temple of Time" event. How fitting did it feel to showcase this milestone project at a festival themed around the passage of time?
It's incredible to be celebrating 25 years of Gouryella, and it feels only fitting that the first show of this anniversary took place at Transmission. Since its inception, Transmission has been a beacon of excellence—renowned for its ethereal production and unwavering commitment to quality. These are values I deeply respect and strive to uphold with the Gouryella concept. Time feels circular: while we're marking 25 years of this sound, it also feels like it's experiencing a powerful resurgence in the present day. It's amazing to see this.
The original Gouryella tracks like "Gouryella" and "Walhalla" broke into the UK Singles charts back in 1999. What do you think gave those productions such crossover appeal during the golden era of trance?
I believe the success of those tracks was very much a product of their time—an era when, particularly in the UK, leading radio DJs like Pete Tong, Judge Jules, and Dave Pearce were strongly drawn to this sound. Their support was instrumental in bringing it to a wider audience, allowing more people to discover and fall in love with this unique style of music. In many ways, this helped propel the "trance movement," elevating the subgenre from the underground into the mainstream. Today, trance is a staple at nearly all major dance festivals, whether with dedicated stages or even taking its place on the main stage.
Gouryella began as a collaboration with Tiësto before becoming your solo project. How has your approach to producing and performing Gouryella material evolved over these 25 years?
As a producer, you naturally grow—both in skill and in how you refine your creative process. When I listen back to the early Gouryella tracks I produced, there's a certain rawness to them. Over time, especially with the later productions, I started paying much more attention to detail and exploring the subtle soundscapes that live in the background. That evolution has made the newer tracks feel fuller, more textured, and, in a way, more luxurious.
From your early days producing hardcore gabba tracks to your breakthrough with "Don't Be Afraid" and eventually System F and Gouryella, your sound has continuously evolved. What keeps drawing you back to the Gouryella project after all these years?
Gouryella is a special alias for me. Although I've produced countless tracks over the years under my own name, Ferry Corsten, and various other aliases, I've always been very careful—almost protective—about what Gouryella represents and which productions are worthy of carrying that name. My approach has always been: "This might be a great trance track... but is it a Gouryella track?" That mindset is exactly why each release has taken its time. It's never been about quantity, but about staying true to the essence of the project.
Transmission is known for its spectacular production and synchronized visual elements. How did you collaborate with their team to ensure the Gouryella performance meshed with their "Temple of Time" narrative?
I'm fortunate to have a great relationship with Transmission and truly honored to have played at so many of their festivals over the years. Thankfully, my team also shares a strong connection with them, which allowed us to fully tap into their incredible production capabilities to elevate the Gouryella show even further. I honestly couldn't wait for that weekend!
You've mentioned that tinkering with your father's record player sparked your initial interest in music. Looking back at your journey from washing cars to buying your first keyboard to becoming a pioneering force in electronic music, what advice would you give to young producers today?
I've always been a strong believer in the concept: "Follow your own path and create your own destination." It's important to find inspiration by listening to and learning from other artists, but what truly matters is defining yourself—understanding what sets you and your music apart. That uniqueness is what gives your work its identity and lasting impact.
The Transmission lineup featured both veterans like yourself and Paul van Dyk alongside newer artists. How important do you think these multigenerational lineups are for preserving trance culture?
I think it's really important to have a mix of different generations on a lineup. The veterans help keep one foot firmly planted in the roots and essence of what the genre stands for, while the newer artists take the baton and interpret the sound through the lens of their time. With my new Gouryella productions, I always aim to bridge those two worlds—honoring the past while embracing the future.
Transmission transformed the GelreDome into a journey through different time periods. If you could transport the Gouryella project to any era in history to perform, which would you choose and why?
I think I'd pick the period between 1950 and 1970. It was when humankind, for the first time ever, made space travel a reality—something we'd dreamed of for thousands of years. The building of rockets, the moon landing, and the creation of space stations made the impossible feel possible. To me, it feels like Gouryella would have been right there with it, capturing that sense of wonder and pushing musical boundaries in a way that matched the spirit of those groundbreaking times.
After decades in the industry and countless festival performances, what still excited you most about taking the stage at massive productions like Transmission? Has your approach to preparing for these milestone shows changed over time?
I feel truly blessed to have had a career in the music industry for so many years now. While I enjoy the intimacy of playing in smaller clubs, surrounded by like-minded people and dedicated fans, there's something about playing at festivals like Transmission that always excites me. They consistently deliver a unique and incredible production scale, and their unwavering commitment to the trance sound is something that continues to inspire me.
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