Tomorrowland Plans New Stage After Devastating Fire Destroys Original Setup

In a significant turn of events, the Tomorrowland music festival, set to unfold this weekend, is responding to a recent fire that razed the festival's main stage, indicating a commitment to safety and timely restoration.

Tomorrowland, the iconic electronic dance music festival in Belgium, is racing against time to construct a new main stage following a fire that completely destroyed the original setup. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday at approximately 18:00 local time, prompted a swift response from firefighters, who managed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby residential areas. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident.

Organisers have announced that the festival, taking place in Boom, near Antwerp, will now commence two hours later than initially scheduled on Friday. Should the new main stage not be ready in time, they plan to operate with limited capacity and offer a separate experience at the Dreamville campsite, where many attendees have already arrived. With around 400,000 festival-goers expected over the two weekends, artists like David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Charlotte De Witte are set to deliver performances, even if adjustments are necessary.

Debby Wilmsen, spokeswoman for Tomorrowland, expressed hope during a press conference on Thursday for the successful installation of a “nice, new stage” by Friday, but acknowledged that changes may be required. In the event that the main stage is not operational, acts intended for the main stage will perform at the Gathering Stage located in the campsite, which may restrict access for those camping on Friday.

Festival-goer Bradley Cooper-Barnard commented on the atmosphere in Dreamville as more subdued than in previous years, sharing a sentiment felt among many attendees. He remains optimistic about enjoying the festival regardless of the circumstances.

Tomorrowland organisers are working collaboratively with safety experts and local authorities to navigate the fallout from the fire incident, which had been characterized by witnesses as “apocalyptic.” The festival, which began in 2005, has earned its status as the largest electronic dance music festival globally, drawing music lovers from around the world. The event, featuring 14 other smaller stages, is set to continue with a spirit of resilience and community amidst adversity.