Cheers erupted and relief washed over organizers as the Tomorrowland music festival officially began on Friday—only two days after a massive fire engulfed the festival’s main stage and cast uncertainty over one of Europe’s most iconic summer events.
In the aftermath of the blaze on Wednesday, workers worked tirelessly, clearing debris and salvaging what they could from the ornate stage backdrop. Despite the urgency, their efforts paid off. Although some scorched structural frames remained visible, the stage was ready—just in time—for the festival’s grand opening.
Australian electronic duo Nervo opened the event with an enthusiastic shout of “We made it!”, energizing the crowd with their performance. The fire fortunately caused no injuries, according to festival organizers, and investigations into the cause are still underway.
Held near the town of Boom, Belgium, Tomorrowland attracts hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe. On Friday alone, approximately 38,000 attendees were already camping on-site, according to Debby Wilmsen, a spokesperson for the festival.
“There might be a few people asking for refunds, but it’s a very small percentage. Most are still coming,” Wilmsen said. “This festival is about unity, positive energy, and shared experiences through music. We really did everything we could to make it happen.”
Among the international visitors were Zak Hiscock and Brooke Antoniou from Australia, who traveled across continents as part of their European summer holiday to attend the festival. They recalled their reaction upon hearing about the fire.
“We were having dinner when we found out about the stage burning down. We were devastated,” said Hiscock. “It was upsetting, especially after traveling so far.”
Oleksandr Beshkynskyi, a fan from Ukraine, was thrilled the event went ahead despite the challenges. “It’s not just about one or two DJs—it’s about the overall atmosphere. It’s a dream come true,” he said.
Despite the unexpected setback, the spirit of Tomorrowland remained strong, with music lovers united in celebration, determined to make memories amid resilience and recovery.
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