Darude on Sandstorm, the Sandstorm Run and why fans are travelling to Finland

More than 25 years after its release, Sandstorm remains one of the most recognisable dance tracks ever made. Few songs have had the same cultural impact, finding a second life through sport, internet culture and festivals while continuing to introduce new audiences to Darude.

Now, the track has inspired something entirely different. The Sandstorm Run sees thousands of fans head to Helsinki to follow the route made famous by the original music video. We caught up with Darude to talk about the event, his latest collaboration with Mashd N Kutcher and why Sandstorm continues to resonate more than two decades on.

Sandstorm and its unexpected second life in global culture

Sandstorm has gone from a huge club track to something that now lives in sport, internet culture and events like this. When did you first realise it had become bigger than just a single?

I first realised Sandstorm had moved beyond the dancefloor when I started hearing it regularly at hockey games, sporting events and eventually even the Olympics (crazy!). That told me the track wasn’t just resonating with club DJs and dance music fans anymore, it had found its way into mainstream culture and connected with all kinds of audiences.

A lot of artists get defined by one massive record, but you continue to build a impressive catalogue and career well beyond that. Talk to us about your latest creative HYPE with Mashd N Kutcher, how does this single reflect the sound direction you’re headed next?

I met the Mashd N Kutcher guys through our mutual friend Angie a few years ago and we immediately got along. I sent Matt some stems as a collaboration idea, and what came back was incredible. He’d completely twisted and reshaped my sounds while adding his own ideas, and somehow it felt both fresh and familiar at the same time. I loved it from the first listen.What I really enjoyed was the directness of the production. No unnecessary complexity, just pure energy and impact. There was still room for me to add melodies and make a few tweaks, and before long the track was finished.

I’m not sure ‘HYPE’ specifically defines where my sound is heading next, but it does reflect something important: I love collaborating, and I’m not tied to one genre or audience. Whether it’s house, trance or something in between or outside, I’m always drawn to music that’s energetic, emotional, fun and effective on the dance floor.

You’ve turned Sandstorm into the Sandstorm Run, a 7km event in Helsinki that takes people past locations featured in the original music video. What inspired you to create something that lets fans experience that history in such a direct way?

For quite a while, my wife and I had been thinking about ways to celebrate the Sandstorm music video and its 25th anniversary. Over the years we’d seen people visit the filming locations and recreate scenes from the video, almost like a pilgrimage. We were probably overthinking it at first, looking for something bigger or more complicated. Then Michelle simply said, “What if we organised a run?” The idea was so obvious once she said it. We asked a few people what they thought, then went ahead and made it happen. The response exceeded our wildest expectations. The atmosphere on the day and the feedback afterwards were overwhelmingly positive. We were absolutely over the moon.

The debut event attracted people from 17 countries, and now the 2026 edition is already drawing runners from 32. Why do you think the idea has travelled so well?

Honestly, I don’t know if I have the answer. We hoped people would enjoy it, but we were genuinely surprised by how far it travelled. The idea of people flying across the world to Finland to take part in a run inspired by a music video is still pretty mind-blowing. It speaks not only to the popularity of the song, but also to how iconic the video became. I’m incredibly proud of what director Juuso Syrjä and cinematographer Jens Maasbøl and the whole team created. The video captured Helsinki in such a unique way that, 26 years later, people still feel inspired to come and experience those locations for themselves.

There’s something quite rare about an event that is both playful and meaningful. How much did you want Sandstorm Run to feel fun rather than overly polished or corporate?

Of course, any event has an organisational and business side behind it, but from the beginning our priority was creating a fun, welcoming and personal experience. One of the nicest pieces of feedback we received was that the event felt approachable. We weren’t promoting a hardcore competition; we were promoting fun, costumes, music and community. We also heard from many people from different backgrounds and communities who told us they felt welcome, included and safe. That’s incredibly important to us, not just at Sandstorm Run but in everything we do as Darude and Vibing Out and as a company.

The costume side of it has become part of the fun too. Did you expect people to embrace the Sandstorm look and the video references so enthusiastically?

We encouraged costumes in our promotion, but people took it far beyond anything we expected. It was such a great surprise. People carried silver briefcases of all sizes, wore the classic sunglasses, and one super cool dude even dressed up as Helsinki Cathedral! The creativity was amazing, and I have a feeling we’ll see even more of it this year.

Sandstorm has become one of those tracks that seems to work everywhere, from clubs and festivals to stadiums and sporting arenas. Why do you think it connects so naturally with movement, sport and adrenaline?

If you can tell me the answer, I’d love to know! Part of it is probably the energy. The tempo, rhythm and momentum naturally make people want to move. A lot of electronic music has that quality. Why Sandstorm specifically has connected across so many generations and cultures, though, is harder to explain. One reason may be that it has no lyrics. There are no language barriers or messages that might limit who connects with it. People can simply experience the melodies, sounds and energy in their own way.

You’ve spent 25 years performing around the world. What still excites you most about being on stage today?

Two things. First, on a purely selfish level, I get to play and listen to my favourite music loud. Second, I get to share that experience with thousands of people. The feeling of unity and energy between the crowd and the stage is still magical. I hope people can see how much I appreciate it, because I genuinely cherish every one of those moments.

Outside of music, what does a good day off actually look like for you?

There are two versions of a perfect day. One is a normal family day: breakfast with the kids before school, a catch-up with my wife, a productive day in the studio, then spending time together as a family in the evening before winding down with some TV. The other is somewhat more dangerous, haha: heading to a skatepark and skating all day, hopefully learning a couple of new tricks and making it home in one piece. Then spending the evening with the family, maybe some ice cream, a game of Uno, and putting our daughter to bed after a bit of laughter and a tickle fight.

What do you hope this event becomes in the years ahead?

I hope it keeps growing while maintaining the same low barrier to entry, welcoming atmosphere and sense of fun. It’s a family event, and we’re proud to bring together music, exercise and positivity in a way that everyone can enjoy. If it also continues to attract people from around the world to Finland, that’s something I’m incredibly proud of as a Finn. And on a personal level, it gives me a chance to play both old and new music while introducing people to talented DJ friends and artists I admire. For me, that’s a win all around..

The next Sandstorm Run takes place in Helsinki on 29 August this year – sign up here!