Don Diablo’s UNTOLD X Masterpiece Crowned “Best Performance” at 2026 EDMAwards

The electronic music world has a new benchmark for live performance, and it belongs to the Dutch artist Don Diablo. In a ceremony in Miami, the titan secured the “Best Performance” award at the Electronic Dance Music Awards 2026.

This recognizes Don Diablo’s groundbreaking live set presented as a world premiere at UNTOLD X. The spectacular 10th-anniversary edition of the Romanian festival in 2025 now firmly holds its rank as the #3 festival globally.

A victory for a visionary artist

The “Best Performance” category at the EDMAs is one of the most fiercely contested. The 2026 nominee list reading like a who’s who of electronic music royalty. Don Diablo was positioned alongside industry heavyweights including Anyma, deadmau5, David Guetta & Sia, Afrojack, and Alan Walker.

Winning this public-voted award underscores the profound impact Don Diablo’s performance had not only on the industry professionals gathered in Miami but, more importantly, on the global fanbase. It validates his shift from a traditional DJ set toward a fully realized visual and sonic conceptual experience.

UNTOLD X: The Perfect Stage

Don Diablo chose the mainstage of Cluj Arena during UNTOLD X as the exclusive launchpad for his brand-new show concept, designed specifically for his 2026 global tour.

The performance at UNTOLD X was anything but standard. For the 10th-anniversary milestone of the festival Don Diablo meticulously crafted a show tailored to the unique scale of the Romanian stadium.

The Dutch artist, known for pushing the visual boundaries of his Hexagon brand, deployed a custom-built, real-time visual system. Don Diablo synchronized every pixel and laser to the setlist, creating a seamless, fully immersive narrative rather than a simple sequence of tracks. He engineered the production to foster a deeper, almost physical connection with the vast UNTOLD audience.

2 titans, one moment

This EDMA recognition solidifies the symbiotic relationship between Don Diablo and UNTOLD. The award proves his continued relevance as an industry leader. For the festival, it confirms UNTOLD’s critical role as a global launchpad of electronic music.

As UNTOLD enters its new era—dubbed UNTOLD ONE, set to return to Cluj-Napoca from August 6–9, 2026—the anticipation for what the world’s third-best festival has planned next is at an all-time high.

For those who missed the magic of the world premiere, the full award-winning show from UNTOLD X is currently available on Don Diablo’s official YouTube channel.

Article by Gabriela B

Picture source: https://news.armadamusic.com/assets/234017/