Darude on 25 Years of "Sandstorm": "Celebrating The Track is Always Special"

Darude reflects on the legacy of “Sandstorm” and the full-circle moment of returning to New York City’s Webster Hall.

It’s been 25 years since Darude released “Sandstorm,” which would go on to become one of the most recognizable dance anthems in history. It’s been played over the radio, blasted in clubs and on festival stages, and embraced by rave culture around the world.

The unmistakable track has helped define an era for electronic music. In his early days, Darude performed “Sandstorm” at New York City‘s Webster Hall, a moment that marked the beginning of his legendary career. Fast forward a quarter century, and the Finnish DJ and producer returned to the same iconic venue for a full-circle celebration of his STORM 25 tour.

Reflecting on the journey, Darude said, “In summer 1999, I had no idea that I’d be a releasing and touring musician one day, let alone within months. I definitely had no clue a track of mine would have a long life of its own, or that it would have such a lasting impact. It’s all been what seems like a beautiful dream, and I’m still getting to live it!”

Inside Webster Hall on Saturday, August 23, that sense of gratitude radiated from the stage. Darude was all smiles from the moment he took to the decks just after 1am, his signature neon green glasses logo glowing in the visuals behind him. Throughout the night, he kept the energy high and playfully engaged the crowd with messages on a digital pad like “Life’s Good!” “Hello!” and “Trance Family.”

The crowd erupted the moment “Sandstorm” dropped. Even though Darude had teased it several times throughout the night to build anticipation, the entire dancefloor lit up when the iconic song finally came in. A wave of euphoria swept across the hall. Hands shot into the air, and a surge of adrenaline pulsed through the crowd.

“Celebrating the track is always special and brings a great feeling! I’m always excited to play it and share that moment with any crowd, big or small. I never get tired of seeing their reaction, experiencing the joy myself, and sharing that sense of unity and energy that music creates together.”
Darude

The special set was designed specifically for this anniversary tour, which kicked off in Australia earlier this March. Darude recalled, “The first stop in Sydney, Australia, was both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking because it was the first time we all saw the tech come together perfectly, with me controlling the lights and visuals from the beginning to the end.”

He went on, “It was very successful and exactly what we needed, especially since the very next day I performed at Synthony in Auckland, New Zealand in front of 40,000 people. The experience was simply breathtaking, the crowd was enormous, the setup was incredible with multiple massive screens, and the synchronized lights and effects were brilliant in the truly iconic venue.”

I wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate my music and career thus far, to reflect on the past, and to weave it all into this tour concept. It’s a way to show my audience that I’m still active and sharing not just what I’m doing now, but how I’m doing it. I’m paying homage to my beginning and the journey through both stylistic and artistic choices in many of the fresh remixes of my older tracks.
Darude

The New York City fans were in for more surprises and fresh twists throughout the night. Darude crafted a custom mashup featuring the words “We Love New York” and invited the crowd to chant along, turning the moment into a shared celebration.

On the backdrop, custom visuals created for the tour synced perfectly with the music, blending in a live camera feed to create a striking effect. The interplay of sound, light, and imagery amplified the energy on the dancefloor, making the room resemble an actual storm.

In addition to the global tour, Darude’s multifaceted STORM 25 campaign extends far beyond the stage. He has organized a Sandstorm Fun Run in Helsinki, staged a nationwide radio takeover in Finland, and launched a series of other creative initiatives to mark this incredible anniversary.

Darude said, “It’s been a very emotional and healing process to reflect on both major milestones and the smaller, yet significant moments that led to them, especially through recreating and remixing those old tracks. Some of my most significant personal breakthroughs happened behind closed doors through discovery in the studio, either tinkering alone or creating and learning from other mentors such as JS16 and Heikki L, who played a crucial role in my early career.”

“Now, with this chapter well underway, I believe it’s important for anyone to occasionally look back, acknowledge the positive experiences in their past, and celebrate them,” Darude continued. “A little positivity can go a long way and provide the fuel needed for future adventures.”

In today’s crowded and fleeting music market, many songs fade within weeks. The idea of creating even one track that endures decades feels almost mythical.

For Darude, that dream became a reality with “Sandstorm,” but the longevity carries its own weight. “It means that in many interviews, I have to actively create tangents myself and steer the conversation to my touring and other releases, or otherwise, such a big percentage would be just rehashing the ‘Sandstorm’ story over and over again,” he admitted.

That said, he’s quick to acknowledge just how grateful he feels. Reflecting on his journey has given Darude perspective, and he has come to appreciate the past milestones as much as his future ambitions.

He said, “In all seriousness, though, it means that I can look back and pat myself on the back, remind the imposter syndrome in me that I have accomplished things. I should be happy and proud, and I should look toward the future with big, bold goals without putting up any limits before I even start, something I admittedly tend to do.”

Having a track like ‘Sandstorm’ opens doors you might not otherwise have access to. It’s an easy conversation starter and a foot in the door. That alone doesn’t guarantee anything, but it gives me the opportunity to create new things and prove that I bring other strengths to the table as well, which is a pretty big advantage.
Darude

Darude’s STORM 25 stop in New York was unforgettable. For the fans, it was a meaningful opportunity to revel in nostalgia. For the DJ himself, it’s a reminder of his lasting legacy in electronic music and what’s still to come.

While “Sandstorm” remained the undeniable centerpiece of the night, Darude proved that his career is built on far more than just one song. Hungry to evolve and grow creatively, his performance made one thing clear: his story is still unfolding.

I’ve got new tracks in the works, and I can’t wait for my schedule to clear up so I can get back to the studio again. I’m also brainstorming on a couple of new tour concepts, although there’s no set timeline for starting any of that yet. I’ve been talking with some colleagues about potential collaborations. That’s exciting because you always learn something new while working with others, and cross-pollinating fan bases is a great way to grow creatively and reach new audiences.
Darude

For now, his focus remains on bringing the full STORM 25 experience to life, with upcoming stops in Washington, Hawaii, Finland, the Czech Republic, and more. He continues to embrace every bit of hard work and collective effort behind this milestone celebration, taking pride in how it all comes together.

As he reflected, “If 2025 Darude could go back to 1999, right before Sandstorm was released, I’d say: do exactly as you feel is right, and now and then remind yourself that you’re doing just fine. You don’t have to question everything that much, your gut is right, and it’s ok to believe in yourself!”