Marlon Hoffstadt — German DJ, producer, and entrepreneur, and one of the leading figures of the modern euro house and trance revival movement. He has become a cult icon in 2020s club culture, bringing back the sound of the 1990s and early 2000s — with melodic arpeggios, retro basslines, and signature eurodance grooves. Also known under his alias DJ Daddy Trance, he has united generations of electronic music fans, creating a movement built around the motto “Trance is love, love is trance.”
Early Years
Marlon Hoffstadt was born in Berlin — one of the world’s capitals of electronic music. From an early age, he immersed himself in club culture, attended raves, and learned to DJ. By the age of 17, he was already releasing his own tracks, inspired by house, trance, and garage sounds.
His early releases were marked by soft textures and melodic structure. In his formative years, Marlon collaborated with artists such as Dansson and HRRSN, quickly catching the attention of labels like Fool’s Gold, Play It Down, and Retrograde.
Breakthrough and the Birth of DJ Daddy Trance
The true breakthrough came in 2022, when Marlon Hoffstadt launched his side project DJ Daddy Trance. It became the symbol of a new era in club music — a eurotrance revival blending 90s aesthetics, rave nostalgia, and modern production.
His viral videos with slogans like “Make Trance Great Again” and “We’re Bringing the Rave Back” spread rapidly across social media, with his sets gaining millions of views on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The DJ Daddy Trance phenomenon became a cultural statement — a return to sincerity, emotion, and ecstatic dance energy lost in commercial EDM.
Selected Discography
- Take Me Back — 2013
- Shake That (feat. Dansson) — 2014
- Ready For Take Off — 2021
- Baby U — 2022
- It’s That Time — 2022
- Trance is Love — 2023
- All Night Long — 2023
- For You — 2024
His tracks frequently chart on Beatport and appear in Spotify playlists like “Trance Mission,” “New Dance Revolution,” and “Berlin Rising.” Marlon Hoffstadt’s sound has become a benchmark for a new generation of euro house artists.
Musical Style
Marlon Hoffstadt’s style is a fusion of house, trance, and eurodance, deeply inspired by 1990s club culture. He skillfully combines emotional melodies, vocal hooks, rhythmic basslines, and uplifting energy.
Signature Traits:
- 90s-inspired arpeggios and synths
- Vocal hooks and retro samples
- Balance between house groove and trance atmosphere
- Positive vibes and club euphoria
- Analog production and minimalist structure
Hoffstadt strives to create music that unites people and brings back the spirit of love and togetherness to the dancefloor.
Festivals and Residencies
- Tomorrowland (Belgium)
- Awakenings (Netherlands)
- Time Warp (Germany)
- Printworks London
- DGTL Festival (Amsterdam)
- Berghain / Panorama Bar (Berlin)
Beyond festivals, Marlon tours with his conceptual show “DJ Daddy Trance Experience”, combining music, visuals, and club philosophy.
Achievements
- Over 200 million streams on Spotify and YouTube
- Featured in DJ Mag Top 100 2025
- Creator of the “Make Trance Great Again” movement
- Leader of the “Trance Revival” in Europe
- Supported by Solomun, Patrick Mason, FOLAMOUR, Fred again..
- Host of the podcast series “Trance Is Love Radio”
Fun Facts
- The alias DJ Daddy Trance was born after a viral video set with the phrase “Trance is Love.”
- Marlon studied music management in Berlin and founded his own label Midnight Themes.
- His signature phrase “Let’s bring the rave back!” has become a motto for a new club generation.
- He’s highly active on social media, sharing live sets, rave philosophy, and positive messages.
- He draws inspiration from 90s aesthetics — vinyl, fluorescent colors, VHS visuals, and old-school emotion.
Legacy
Marlon Hoffstadt is not just a producer, but the face of the trance and eurodance renaissance. He has given club culture a fresh spark, blending retro and modern sounds. His work is a call for love, unity, and freedom through music. With each release, he proves: rave is not just about dancing — it’s a state of mind.
