Of course, Sensation isn't only about white costumes and glowing high-tech bracelets. It is an absolutely huge production -- a full-on takeover that travels with a crew of 50, then works with hundreds from local companies to transform a space over the course of two or three days into something between a music festival and Cirque du Soleil. Ultimately, the idea is about redefining a cavernous arena and immersing the fans in the most welcoming dance floor they've ever seen.

"We always work with big venues," Zwijnenburg says, "and being able, with all these things, to bring such a rich, decorative, and warm feeling to a big venue is great."

It's obviously important to everyone involved that the atmosphere be intimate. And it's equally important not to let the real reason -- music and community -- for the celebration to be smothered by sheer scale or gratuitous flash.

"I think the Sensation events are very good because they are fun to watch, but it's not so distracting that you forget that you're actually at a party," Le Grand says. "I think that's always an important thing -- the music remains the most important thing, and the rest is just icing on the cake."

With music as the focus, Le Grand and his fellow DJs become integral parts of the creative process, and that's something that brings him back on tour with Sensation time and time again.

"It kind of operates like a small family," he explains. "We talk about everything -- what fits best to what, what set times, the musical lineup in general. So you really feel part of a concept, instead of only dropping by for the one and a half hour you're playing."