Tomorrowland festival organisers have announced plans to construct a new main stage following a fire that completely devastated the original platform just one day before its highly anticipated opening. The festival, taking place in Boom, Belgium, will begin two hours later than scheduled on Friday, regardless of whether the new stage is ready.
Hundreds of thousands of attendees are expected to gather for this monumental electronic dance music festival, which spans two weekends, with many settling in at the Dreamville campsite ahead of time. Among the performers slated to take the stage are renowned artists such as David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Charlotte De Witte.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire, which erupted around 18:00 local time on Wednesday. Local fire services have since declared the venue safe, while experts investigate the cause of the blaze. Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen expressed hope that a "nice, new stage" would be ready by Friday. Should it not be completed in time, preparations have been made for a reduced festival experience, with scheduled artists performing at the Gathering Stage on site.
Attendee Bradley Cooper-Barnard noted an unusually subdued atmosphere at the Dreamville campsite in contrast to previous years, saying, “It definitely feels a little different... things are quite quiet, but we’re determined to have a great time no matter what.”
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tomorrowland stated the Orbyz main stage “wasn't just a stage... it was a living breathing world.” Meetings involving festival organisers, safety professionals, and local authorities are currently focusing on alternative plans to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. While there are 14 other smaller stages available, the absence of the main stage looms large.
The fire was described by on-site workers as "an apocalyptic scene," with eyewitness accounts detailing loud bangs preceding the flames. Firefighting teams were quickly deployed, including a police helicopter dousing the blaze with water as neighboring properties were evacuated to ensure public safety.
Tomorrowland, established in 2005, has since risen to prominence, becoming the largest electronic dance music festival worldwide, attracting enthusiasts from across the globe.
Hundreds of thousands of attendees are expected to gather for this monumental electronic dance music festival, which spans two weekends, with many settling in at the Dreamville campsite ahead of time. Among the performers slated to take the stage are renowned artists such as David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Charlotte De Witte.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire, which erupted around 18:00 local time on Wednesday. Local fire services have since declared the venue safe, while experts investigate the cause of the blaze. Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen expressed hope that a "nice, new stage" would be ready by Friday. Should it not be completed in time, preparations have been made for a reduced festival experience, with scheduled artists performing at the Gathering Stage on site.
Attendee Bradley Cooper-Barnard noted an unusually subdued atmosphere at the Dreamville campsite in contrast to previous years, saying, “It definitely feels a little different... things are quite quiet, but we’re determined to have a great time no matter what.”
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tomorrowland stated the Orbyz main stage “wasn't just a stage... it was a living breathing world.” Meetings involving festival organisers, safety professionals, and local authorities are currently focusing on alternative plans to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. While there are 14 other smaller stages available, the absence of the main stage looms large.
The fire was described by on-site workers as "an apocalyptic scene," with eyewitness accounts detailing loud bangs preceding the flames. Firefighting teams were quickly deployed, including a police helicopter dousing the blaze with water as neighboring properties were evacuated to ensure public safety.
Tomorrowland, established in 2005, has since risen to prominence, becoming the largest electronic dance music festival worldwide, attracting enthusiasts from across the globe.
