Tomorrowland Today 2023 | Magical Friday

THE CHAINSMOKERS MAINSTAGE | 22:50 - 23:50

THIS IS HOW THE MUSIC STARTS

Welcome to a magical, musical Friday, where hard choices abound from the very first moment you enter the Holy Grounds. CAGE is for lovers of hard techno from the opening set onwards, with veteran DJs like Paula Temple as well as relative newcomers on the line-up. Fans of slower-paced techno by the likes of Joris Voorn and Adam Beyer find themselves in luck at Atmosphere. Moving on to the Mainstage, we find the true heroes of electronic music including Tiësto, Steve Angello and The Chainsmokers. Those looking for deeper tunes should head to Freedom for sets by Eric Prydz and Kölsch. And if you want something else entirely – there’s 12 more stages to explore. Go out and listen up!

PEOPLE OF TOMORROW, DISCOVER, EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE!

Open your minds, your souls and your eyes. Take a look around, don’t leave a single stone unturned, and peek behind every corner. Make sure to discover and experience as much as you can. There’s 16 stages waiting for you to unlock their secrets!

PEOPLE OF TOMORROW, PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF!

Set an alarm to attend the Mainstage at 17:30 sharp, as this will mark your first peek into the story of Arcadiana. Be prepared to witness the grand opening of the centre of this very universe, our beloved Mainstage. Adscendo, Arise!

TODAY, LET’S FLY INTO A WHOLE NEW TALE!

As the sun rises over the fabled fields of DreamVille, it is quite right for you to get excited, friends. But take a moment to treasure, first: yesterday’s arrival in paradise, the friends made along the way, the reverberations of the Gathering in your heart. These will have prepared you well for today’s entirely new tale.

There you descended, held aloft on golden wings of joy, into your new abode. And you brought with you a first taste of a most powerful phenomenon, contained in the magic thrumming ‘round Tomorrowland: unity. Arms around shoulders, glittering smiles; full-body hugs, light, electrifying touches; conversations carried on after the last of the kickdrums had long died down; with all of these things you displayed your togetherness in full. And to think, friends, that this was only the beginning! This morning’s light will see you sailing smoothly along

the winds which flow towards that fabled city – Arcadiana. Have you imagined it yet? Have you pictured the houses of the guilds, the synergy of bird and human, the delicate machinery of flight? These things will surely be a sight to behold, friends, and soon, you will find yourself amongst them, together with thousands upon thousands of fellow admirers, hailing from all around the world. Pick up where you left off yesterday evening then, and fly into that great blue sky, ready to explore this all-new tale. All together now, in unity!

A WORD OF GRATITUDE

We absolutely love putting together every single issue of Tomorrowland Today, and it wouldn’t be possible without all of the fun-loving, welltravelled ravers that we meet every day. You are a unique, ever-smiling bunch of people who tell us the very best newsworthy stories. Thank you!

WEATHER REPORT

With the sun peeping out from behind the clouds, your first morning at DreamVille promises endless adventures. With temperatures in the low to mid 20s, it’s the perfect day to dance and make unforgettable memories. Let your spirit shine and enjoy the sun(cream)!

YOUR TIPS FOR TOMORROW

Did you witness, experience or do something newsworthy, then contact us! Think unforgettable highlights, tales of friendship or invaluable festival knowledge. Simply send an email to your daily gazette at today@tomorrowland.com!

THE TALES OF THE GUILDS

Thanks to the magic of Amare, the Golden Aurics and all the other birds, Arcadiana is held aloft in the sky, light as a feather forever. But the thing that makes this soaring city tick is its guilds: five associations of expert craftspeople working together to provide each other with food, housing, art, and all the other ingredients of a meaningful life. Now that you are welcomed into this harmonious domain, it’s decision time… How will you contribute?

Which guild will you call home? Today, the Windriders’ Guild makes its case for you to join them.

“Look up I’m comin’ back to Earth

If there’s a lesson I’ve learned I’ve been holdin’ back for so long People

Ain’t just me who can fly

Yeah, we all gotta try I’ve been holdin’ back for so long I can’t wait”

Tiësto, Solardo & Poppy Baskcomb – I Can’t Wait

HIGHLIGHTS

TOMORROWLAND TODAY

4 GLOBAL JOURNEY

A showsdown between Party Flight and Party Train

7-11

DREAMVILLE

• Settling in at DreamVille

• Sports classes at DreamVille

• Tips for pre-rave shopping

To all high-flying, aerobatic birds out there,

Without the courage to brave the blue expanse above, our city would be defenceless and unable to function. This is our creed at the Windriders’ Guild, our raison d’etre. We are the martial and aerial branch of Arcadianan society, and we know how to traverse the skies like no other. We are ever eager to become as proficient at flight as the birds themselves, so that we can respond as quickly as possible to any emergency.

Our attire, consisting of formal, elaborately tailored uniforms outside of action, is exchanged for winged flight jackets when duty calls. Using them, we dive into the air out of our balloons from dizzying heights, performing dramatic acts of aerobatics to help our fellow citizens in need. Our symbol is the sextant, and we work with and learn from birds that migrate and from birds of prey; in short, from birds that perform the greatest aerial feats.

If you are a true daredevil, agile, quick-witted, and ready to earn your wings, then the Windriders’ Guild should become your new home. Plot your flight path by the sextant and take to the skies; shield your fellow citizens from harm, and explore ever-higher reaches of our realm, leading Arcadiana to glory.

May we meet in the birds’ domain, The Windriders’ Guild

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LOCKERS

12

A DAY AT THE ACADEMY

Learning to mix, produce and find the way in the industry!

17, 20

DAILY WISDOM

The latest news from the Holy Grounds

25

FOCUS ON THE MUSIC

• Amelie Lens

• Sub Zero Project

• Timetables

• Artist Bios

OPENING HOURS

The gates of Tomorrowland open at 12:00 on Friday, and from then on it’s non-stop dancing and fun until the gates shut at 01:00 on Friday and Saturday and 00:00 on Sunday. Check-in at DreamVille is possible every day until 22:00 (Friday and Saturday) and 21:00 (Sunday). Entering the festival grounds more than once is not allowed. DreamVille re-entries are allowed, but only after 17:00.

FIRST AID

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No one wants to carry a lot of stuff around on the dance floor and - of course - there is no need to. You can find the locations of the lockers on the floorplan on in this newspaper or in the app.

Medical emergency? Look for the ‘First Aid’ signs or find First Aid locations on your floorplan . There is always a doctor with every team. To bring medication onto the grounds you will need a doctor’s certificate.

CONNECT 24/7 WITH TOMORROWLAND

PLANE

Party Atmosphere:

Dancefloor Delight:

Travel Entertainment:

Party Accessibility:

After-Party Extension:

“I don’t know how to phrase this, but they went so extra on things that were so unnecessary. They didn’t need to give us a sunset cruise, unlimited drinks, or this insane Party Flight. But they did. And that’s why Tomorrowland is the absolute best!”

A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO OF THE

THE JOURNEY PARTY FLIGHT

Welcome back in the air, aboard the exclusive Tomorrowland Party Flight departing from Ibiza Airport! Early on Wednesday morning, a crowd of eagerly awaiting party people made their way to the tarmac, the pre-party at the departure terminal igniting a spark of excitement that spread like wildfire. Even regular travelers passing through the terminal couldn’t help but join in on the fun, for the spirit of Tomorrowland knows no boundaries.

Once everyone was inside the cabin, the colourful cabin crew members provided punters with the necessary pre-flight party instructions while the airplane slowly began to pick up speed. With hearts pounding and adrenaline pumping, the crowd was ready to ascend to the next level.

As the blinds went down and the cabin plunged into darkness, the atmosphere transformed. Glowsticks glowed in mesmerising hues of blue and pink, illuminating the entire aircraft. A wave of joyous energy swept over everyone as a majestic bubble shower, courtesy of the infamous Mr. Bubble Man, lifted spirits even higher. It was time to embark on a journey unlike any other.

The beats of DJ Maori bounced through the aircraft, taking the People of Tomorrow to new heights. Each track increased the excitement, transporting the plane to a dimension where only love, unity, and pure ecstasy reside. But alas – all good things come to an end, and as the Party Flight safely descended back to Earth, a grand reception lied in wait. The festive-looking Tomorrowland crew, waving flags and cheering with boundless excitement, welcomed the ecstatic travelers.

With the flight aboard the mechanical bird behind them, it was time for the travellers to immortalise this extraordinary journey through photographs, with selfies documenting every single step towards the moment of Adscendo. As the journey continued, the collective pulse of the crowd beat as one, knowing that this flight was merely the beginning of the adventure that awaited on the Holy Grounds.

“You’ve probably heard the saying ‘you only live once’ a million times before. But let me tell you, this trip, this flight, this entire experience has been nothing short of pure magic. That’s the only way to truly describe it.”

ARTHUR & CLAIRE San Francisco & LA MATT Texas

FINEST PACKAGES OF GLOBAL JOURNEY

OF A LIFETIME PARTY TRAIN

Ladies and gentlemen, party enthusiasts, and dreamers of all kinds, you are welcomed once more aboard the brand new Tomorrowland Party Train, departing from Amsterdam Central station and bound for the magical city of Antwerp, right next to the Holy Grounds in Boom. Instructions here were clear: hold tight and get ready for an electrifying ride that will leave you breathless, energised, and ready to dance till dawn!

As the train rolled into the bustling central station of Amsterdam, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. This year’s first departure promised to be an epic adventure, and the vibrant Dutch city served as the perfect backdrop to set the stage for everything to come.

As everyone settled into their cabins, some of those aboard were in for an extra special surprise – magical golden tickets hidden below their seats, granting access to a secret, mysterious wagon in the middle of the train. Eager groups made their way to this enchanted place, and as they entered, the insides erupted with insane beats from none other than DJ Dannic. Smoke and excitement filled the wagon, increasing the temperature and the already high levels of serotonin.

The ride to Belgian soil was smooth as butter, with the only bumpiness coming from occasional bouts of the crowd jumping wildly up and down. And then – what awaited at the destination of Antwerp Central station was beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. A beautiful, colourful choir filled the central hall with mesmerising sounds, accompanied by breathtaking acrobatic acts and cheerful drums.

As the journey continued, some of those aboard made their way to DreamVille, where dreams become reality and where the Tomorrowland spirit thrives, while others headed to hotels in the vibrant cities of Antwerp and Brussels – but they would all be sure to remember this ride of a lifetime!

“Last time, I hopped on the Party Flight, but well, I passed out, haha! So this year, we’re going all out with the Party Train, and trust me, we are fully geared up for the ultimate celebration. From now on, it’s non-stop party mode! LET’S GO!”

TRAIN

Party Atmosphere:

Dancefloor Delight:

Travel Entertainment:

Party Accessibility:

After-Party Extension:

“When I geared up for whatever Tomorrowland had to offer, nothing could have prepared me for this crazy Party Train! It’s been absolutely crazy and hands down the best pre-party experience I could ever have asked for. The energy here is everything!”

BRYAN Texas

MELANIE Miami

GETTING SETTLED IN PARADISE

Tomorrowland starts on a Friday, but the avid campers know Thursday is not to be sneezed at either. Heavily packed and fully equipped for all eventualities and pleasures, these People of Tomorrow arrive with joy-filled hearts to pick up their cold beverages and settle into DreamVille life. Having travelled for hours and hours by train, bus, car, or plane, they reunite to share a wonderful time full of love and energy. Arrival at DreamVille means the true beginning of the Tomorrowland experience, allowing for acclimatisation to the festival feeling as well as meeting friends and neighbours from all over the world. After a moment of rest and relaxation, the Gathering awaits, where the DreamVille denizens have their first very first dance, before the rest of Tomorrowland opens its doors the next day!

David (32), Czech Republic

“My partner and I have been here three times before, and I brought three friends to join in for the first time!” Once they’ve figured out how to set up the tent, these two will be off to a great start.

Túlia (27) and friends, Mozambique

“We are so happy to be here,” says Túlia, whose entire friend group joins the welcoming band and dance crew for a wonderful musical moment. ‘Happy’ is also the name of the song the band is playing as they enter the festival. This was meant to be!

“My favourite Tomorrowland experience was the first time I was here,” Manuel says as he proudly shows off his impressive bracelet collection. He has learnt from experience, reminding everyone that “we have to pace ourselves, and save energy for the rest of the weekend!”

CHALLENGE YOURSELF AT THE RECOVERY AREA

So many different People of Tomorrow, so many ways to start your day. You might want to start yours with a beer and a bag of crisps, or say: “That’s not me! I’d rather push myself and come out of the weekend fitter than I’ve ever been!” DreamVille has got you sorted in the latter case, with hot and sweaty classes that will make you feel like you want to take a quick nap again just hours after you woke up. With two sessions of both Bodyattack and Bodypump as well as one called Bodycombat, there is no gym in the world like DreamVille’s.

Emile (25) and Enola (23), Belgium

“People are very surprised by us,” Enda explains. “They have never seen anything like this before.” These Recycle Team members are hard to miss, walking around the terrain to collect recyclables from visitors. Make sure to pop your bottle or can into their backpack!

“We are so excited to see Vintage Culture, but definitely also Bassjackers!”, this happy group exclaims. Before supporting the Brazilian artists, they are definitely going to enjoy a refreshing beverage, though.

“You’ll definitely be seeing us around”, Shelly says confidently. “We brought a lot of nice outfits for you to notice us by!” After applying their makeup, these two friends are bound to get some BBQ meat and beers before heading to the Gathering. Great idea!

Patricia (29), Drick (28), Tallis (28) and friends, French Guyana

Elli (27) and Shelly (30), Germany

Manuel (36), Germany

Dean (33) and the ‘Ducket Hat Community’

That’s not a typo – Dean and his friends are wearing beautiful matching hats! The idea came from the Tomorrowland NFT Discord group. “I still have 29 left to hand out,” he says with a smile, so you might be in luck if you find this quacking group.

“Right now, I’m just relaxing my feet!” this lounge master says nonchalantly. Next up: food, and then the Gathering. “Then, the feet can rest again tomorrow!” An excellent plan. He is wearing the Canary Island flag proudly, but has yet to find compatriots.

FEEL SERENE AT THE BALANCE AREA

Love yoga? Then there is no better place to start your day than the Balance Area, where you are invited to indulge in the world of physical spirituality. First off, the Yoga Nidra workshop happens somewhere in the no man’s land between sleep and consciousness. Kundalini Yoga, on the other hand, borrows insights from Tantra, and is said to enhance spiritual liberation. The teachers will also lead you into more active types of yoga such as Power Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and Flow Yoga. Take your pick or go all out, or join all of the workshops and enter the dancefloor feeling more athletic than ever before.

“I came here all by myself,” says Pieter who traveled here from Breda, The Netherlands today. Open to make new friends here, he is fresh off the Party Train and ready to enjoy the festival. But not without a solidly pumped-up bed, of course!

This London-based painter spent the day creating a beautiful artwork as a part of the Remember the Name programme. “The Amare bird figure represents the travelling the people had to do to get here,” he explains. Having started at 11:00, he says he simply paints until the paint lets go of him.

Pieter (30), South Africa

Claudio (33), Argentina

Paul (24), Canary Islands

HAIR SALON

By mid-afternoon, the Marketplace

Hair Salon is in full effect. Veronique and Elkje are helping a happy customer to some colourful braids. These ‘Angels of Beauty’ can be found here to do hair all weekend, for all visitors. There are a variety of services available here, but the colour extensions are the most popular one. It is expected to be busy for the rest of the weekend, so if you are looking for some colourful braids then book ahead!

PRE-RAVE SHOPPING

At the DeamVille Marketplace, the right time for shopping is just around midday: the DJs are only warming up, so there is plenty of time to think about what you will need throughout the day. Fuel up with energy for the dancefloor, and why not treat yourself to a generous festival capsule, an expressive unicorn-shaped balloon, Tomorrowland-themed playing cards, or cleverly engineered earplugs? Let’s see what the lovely people selling all of these wonderful goodies have got to say about them.

YAY

Dutch balloon tradesman Floris (44) owns an Antwerp-based shop specialised in colourful inflatable bits of fun. “I always do the Tomorrowland gig with my good friend Roel, and over the years, we’ve learnt what sells and what doesn’t. The crazier, the better, really. Even tough Scottish guys covered in tattoos often go for the unicorns.”

JEWELLERY BY RAMS

Esthel (54) from Boom sells jewellery made by her brother Aster (52). “A few years back, Tomorrowland expressed their desire to start working with local businesses, so we proposed a collection especially designed for the festival. The Tomorrowland jewellery comes in sterling silver and 24 carat gold. We are a small family business and love the fact that our necklaces are now worn around the world.”

MOOST & THE MUSE BY MOOST WANTED

“Our mission is to inspire women to run wild and free in this magical world,” says store manager Romy. Pictured are the girls working in the store, wearing elements of the brand’s festival capsule, from left to right: Veerle (25, kimono, t-shirt dress), Sharon (24, wrapped scarf, scarf as skirt, coin belt, jewellery), Imke (28, dress, jewellery), Romy (30, cropped hoodie, bralette, wrapped skirt), and Kim (28, solana set, belt).

FUNKY FRUIT OASIS

Floor (23) from the Netherlands is one of the lovely people who can help you to a Funky Fruit smoothie or breakfast bowl! If you’re getting ready to party, know that you can make your own alcoholic smoothie here as well – life is all about balance, after all. If you are in the mood for fruit, stop by the Marketplace stand or find your dose of Funky Fruits on the festival site stands.

LOOP EARPLUGS

Loop earplugs shop attendant Kiki (25) noticed that her ears would always ring after spending time in the bars of her hometown of Maastricht in the south of the Netherlands.

“Since about a year, I never go out without these plugs. They take away what you don’t want to hear, so you experience the music as you’re meant to, only less loud.”

OFFICIAL BOUTIQUE

Kara (38) from San Francisco loves the fact that Tomorrowland merch is all about the details. “Look at this t-shirt, the patterns are embroidered. What else did I get? Stickers, a keychain, playing cards – I didn’t see that one coming – and a bottle opener that looks like a key!”

SALT & SWEET WAFFLES

Sebastian (29) runs a waffle business in Brussels. “The Brussels waffle is different from the Liege waffle,” he says. “It’s neutral, right in between sweet and savoury, and that’s why the possibilities are endless. These waffle squares with pulled chicken, BBQ sauce, sesame seeds and spring onions are a real hit!”

A DAY AT THE TOMORROWLAND ACADEMY

REACH FOR THE SKY AND LAND AMONG THE STARS

The premise was clear: one week of plunging headfirst into the ins and outs of what it is like to be a professional DJ and/or producer. The Tomorrowland Academy offers its pupils an all-inclusive, inspirational bootcamp, getting tips and tricks firsthand from their personal heroes as well as music industry professionals. Yesterday, the students got a small taste of what performing at Tomorrowland is like, as they played their very first minutes with a showcase set on the Rise stage. One thing’s for sure: these birds are ready to leave the nest.

For a whole week, 45 up-and-coming DJs and producers from every corner of the globe took a fully immersive dive into both the front and back office of DJ life. What that looks like? Well, if you speak BPMs fluently, if you know that a hotcue is not a sandwich, and if you can tell the difference between a CDJ-3000 and an RMX-1000, then you’d feel like a duck in the water at the Tomorrowland Academy. With 2 hours of DJ lessons every day, followed by an introduction in producing their own tracks, the pupils were drilled into becoming a better DJ, a more complete artist. Where it came to improving their technical skills, all fronts were covered, as they were taught beatmatching, phrasing, looping, colouring their tracks and EQ’ing by experienced peers like Axel Haube and Thomas Newson.

And even if experience is just the one thing that can’t be taught, informing yourself on the business side of things and surrounding yourself with the right people can be. The academists took part in a number of panels, masterclasses and conferences by keynote speakers from booking agencies, record labels and artist management firms, and even held a touch-and-fly brainstorm session about the possible impacts of AI on the craft of music production. There’s quite a bit more to being a full-on artist than just plugging in your USB, cranking up the volume and pounding your fist in the air, it turns out. Being

able to rely on a trustworthy team, having a keen eye for the business side of things, building your image and creating and nurturing a broad network are skills that are too often neglected. It’s like Jay-Z said: I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!

Yesterday, then, was the grand finale, the final blow of what was an intense yet rewarding week for the Academy pupils, as they took the Rise stage for a 10-minute set for their fellow students. They also had a final one-on-one with the teachers and industry professionals to pose their last questions and finetune the skills they took from this week. It took a big pile of homework, but now, these DJ scholars can go on to refine their talents, broaden their knowledge and open up their networks. After a Q&A with Acraze, the group celebrated the completion of the programme by letting off some steam at The Gathering, looking ever so ready for the upcoming festival weekend.

Reaching for the sky and landing among the stars is what the Tomorrowland Academy is all about, and those are not just words: no less than three contestants of last year’s Academy are actually playing Tomorrowland this year. As Academy graduate VE/RA, who will be playing the Atmosphere stage next week, puts it: “The Tomorrowland Academy was a great way to kick off my musical career. It was a way to meet new people and learn new DJ and production techniques. I only started out 3,5 years ago, so it feels kind of surreal to be a performing artist this year, knowing that I was standing in the crowd, as a fan, five years before. I am really grateful that Tomorrowland gives new talents the opportunity to develop themselves through the Academy, and keeps supporting them afterwards.” Dreams do come true, then, and a springboard like the Tomorrowland Academy might just be the break an aspiring artist is waiting for. Seize the moment, seize the opportunity, and who knows, magic might happen!

A fully immersive dive into the front and back office of DJ life

AYA HUASCA

“It’s been a wild week! We had lessons in Ableton, were shown next-level producing, and heard talks by renowned artists full of tips and tricks. We broke down the way AI is changing music and how to use it to your advantage, a very inspiring route which I’m curious to nose out. Today was all about fine-tuning the things we’ve learnt, having a final one on one with the lecturers, discussing the next steps in our own story… and performing at the Rise stage, of course. And yes: I liked the taste! Tomorrowland has a number of talent spots throughout the weekend, and it is my absolute dream to score one of those as one of the brand-new Academy alumni. So if the Tomorrowland bookers are reading this: call me!”

DJ’ING & PRODUCING

From knowing the tools of the trade in the DJ booth to learning the basics of a professional DJ set through beatmatching, mixing and EQ’ing, and the use of creative hotcues and loops: all of those grounds were covered to prepare the students for their first liveset during the showcase moment at the Rise stage. The second part of the hands-on technical and artistic side of the bootcamp focussed on production by explaining standards in Ableton Live, studio basics, and sampling and building the very first beats from scratch. The pupils took their very first steps in working with music scales, keys and chords, eventually leading them to produce a proper debut demo track. They laid a steady foundation of basic techniques in order to build and experiment further later on

South Africa

“If I had to summarize this week in one sentence I would say: we’ve covered all the fundamentals. It was very intense, focus was demanded throughout, but that of course made it ever so rewarding. What it basically all comes down to is practicing, testing and experimenting what works for you, and gathering mileage both on and off stage. And after that, actually applying what you’ve been taught, obviously. It was a great start, and now it’s up to me to make it happen. Lessons on the business side of things especially opened my eyes: the commercial back end, how it all works with agents and bookers, that kind of thing. Up until now I wasn’t very good at personal branding, but this week definitely gave me wings to take that up with confidence.”

ONUR

USB

“I’m becoming a bit of a Tomorrowland Academy regular, as this is my second year in this program. Compared to last year it’s fair to say that everything, literally everything, is better. They have really outdone themselves to improve the trajectory. Music and business are covered and we dove into producing in an even more profound way. You know, music is my life, and I just want to spend my life playing and enjoying it. I used to be a CEO for a big company in Turkey, but then life happened: my wife passed away, and that brought me back to the very core of my existence. From that point on, I decided that I only want to do this, play music, and put my heart fully into it. I’m playing some festivals and clubs in Turkey this Summer, but maybe next year I’ll be on one of these stages and I’ll come full circle.”

MUSIC MANAGEMENT

How do I get booked at a festival? What is the role of record companies in this digital age? Do I need a manager? Does my manager need a manager? These were just a few of the topics that were touched upon during the music management part of the Academy. With a broad variety of panel discussions, masterclasses, conferences and guest lecturers from booking agencies, record labels and management bureaus, the group got up close and personal with some of the finest music industry professionals, who shared their insights in these exciting times in this ever-changing industry. The course delved deep into building and protecting one’s brand, both on and off-stage. Being a professional artist requires a professional take on the business and marketing side of things as well, after all!

There’s quite a bit more to being an artist than just plugging in your

Turkey

ADSCENDO, ARISE!

The story of Adscendo is also the story of Ro, Ameris, Tomas, and their mythical winged friends – the main characters in ‘The Rise of Adscendo’, the first ever full-length Tomorrowland novel, which records the events leading up to Arcadiana’s present society. This weekend, every day, we reveal a few pages of the book’s first chapter. If you want to experience the whole epic story – all 374 pages of it – the second printing of the book can be ordered through the online or onsite Tomorrowland Store, while copies last. And rumour has it this is only the first of many Tomorrowland Tales…

Part 2/4

CHAPTER ONE

“Rockfall,” one of her companions whispered and glanced up as if expecting another strike from above any second.

“Medics to position one,” the aeronaut’s voice rang out again. “Rescue on the count of two. Clean up, take the rear. Windriders ready.”

They all shouted the affirmative. This was why they were here. This was what they lived for. All that training, all those drills, all leading to moments like this.

Breathe in, Ro told herself firmly. Breathe out. Do it again. Keep going. Ro pulled her visor down as the hatch in the side of the gondola opened.

The four medics went first, followed by two rescue. The air sucked the remaining four Windriders out towards the empty sky. Ro closed her eyes, leaned back and let the wind take her.

She fell, spiralling down and then, once safely clear of the balloon, she spread her arms wide. The jacket did the rest. The flaps on either side of her body lifted her into the sky, and transformed her into a glider. For a moment all was peace, perfect peace. She rolled in the air, graceful and at home.

Derren plummeted past her like a stone, screaming. Bloody idiot. He’d had training and drills. Never under stressful circumstances like this, clearly, but he should know what to do. They would never have cleared him for active duty otherwise.

Cursing, Ro dragged her arms to her side, and fell towards him, her makeshift wings no longer holding her up. She grabbed him and they fell together.

“Open your arms,” she yelled at him. “Now.”

Training kicked in, as it always did, once her voice cut through the panic. She couldn’t fault the Windrider Academy in that. They drilled obedience into every last cadet as if their lives depended on it. Because usually it did.

She had been the only one where it hadn’t quite taken the way it should have.

Derren’s arms snapped out and she released him so he could glide away.

Her own descent wasn’t as graceful because she didn’t have the time to readjust. Not anymore. She came in hard and too fast. Rather than alighting like a bird, she slammed into the ground, rolling to prevent the worst, and finally came to a stop sprawled on the ground, breathing hard.

“Elegant as ever, Ro.”

She recognised the voice. How could she fail to? From anyone else it might have been a compliment, or even a light joke about her landing, but Ro and Grayden had history. He was there every single time she messed up. Grayden Mistral had taken to command like he was born to it, which was exactly what had happened, really. He had been born for it, as the son of Flight Commander Mistral. His rise through the ranks was meteoric. The fact that he actually earned all those promotions rather than had them handed to him by his mother as Guild head just grated all the more. As leader of the Windguards, the elite security force of their shared Guild, of course he would be here first, in case any Guildless were tempted to loot the wreck, or had caused the crash. Ro glared up at him from beneath the visor, unable to find enough breath to form even the simplest words, let alone a witty retort.

“We have survivors over here!” came the distant shout and Grayden broke into a sprint without another glance at her. Always heading to the thick of the action, always in pursuit of glory. That was Grayden.

It had never been very hard for him to leave her behind.

Ro struggled to her feet, her body aching from the impact, and lurched after him.

Duty was duty.

The balloon had been struck from above, a shower of rocks falling from one of the soaring isles. Crumbling. Treacherous. Some of them too high for conventional balloons to reach.

The rocks that came from their crumbling edifices, great and small, were deadly. They picked up speed as they plummeted towards the land beneath, punching through anything in their way. Most hit the ocean, or the less inhabited outer islands of the archipelago. But they were a constant threat.

To be continued...

WISDOM

IN THE REMIX

REMEMBER TO HYDRATE

As you dance away to the rhythm of the day, sipping on a cocktail or a pint or two, don’t forget to stay hydrated with the elixir of life – water. Feel its revitalising flow course through your veins, fuelling your every move and keeping you energised until the final encore.

With each refreshing sip, you nourish your body, mind and spirit in a way that allows you to create lasting memories without missing a beat. Because drinking water has plenty of benefits: it helps against mental fog in the morning, clears up your skin, keeps you fresh and hydrated and of course, quenches your thirst. Drinking a glass of water before bed is not a way to make physical amends; try to drink life’s elixir all throughout the day, especially where alcohol is also involved. To help you do so, you can find mobile water points all over Tomorrowland’s Holy Grounds to hydrate, elevate, and celebrate, one sip at a time! Drink More Water is a campaign that promotes responsible alcohol consumption. Head to lovetomorrow.com/drinkmorewater for more info.

Brazilian music superstar Alok is kicking off Tomorrowland with a brand-new Amazon Original remix of the electrifying classic ‘Hear Me Now,’ exclusively released through Amazon Music today! The most-listened-to Brazilian artist serves up a newly conceived dark up-tempo remix of his massive hit ‘Hear Me Now,’ which has over 1 billion streams, and the new version is exclusively made for his performances at Tomorrowland.

Alok played his first Tomorrowland in 2015 with a Mainstage set at Tomorrowland Brasil and has been playing at Tomorrowland Belgium since 2016. After his surprise set yesterday at The Gathering, he is now ready to take over the Mainstage. Experience the limitless energy of the man who is currently ranked number 4 in the DJ Mag Top 100 while he plays his brand-new track – his set starts 20:25 sharp!

SENTINEL’S ESSENTIALS

The bar of what it means to be a legendary progressive house trio was raised pretty damn high by some infamous Swedes, but considering how these three Australians have lifted off, a comparison won’t seem too far-fetched before long. With their latest release ‘Eyes On You’ on Tomorrowland Music, Sentinel have certainly created an essential track for the summer – so who better to ask about Tomorrowland essentials than them?

What’s essential at Tomorrowland and what’s the best moment to use it? “Ear plugs, of course! Nowhere better to use them than at your favourite stage, because that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time. But then again, we’d recommend you wear them anytime you are near loud music. You want to be able to listen to all of your favourite tracks even when you’re old, right?”

AN UNFORGETTABLE PERSPECTIVE

Beyond the pulsating beats and energetic crowds lies the mighty Brussels Airlines Ferris Wheel, hidden in plain sight. Offering an unforgettable perspective, a ride into the sky on this contraption elevates the festival experience to new heights – literally.

As you ascend, the vibrant kaleidoscope of lights and colours from the festival grounds unfolds before your eyes, casting a magical aura over the Holy Grounds. The bird’s-eye view grants you a unique appreciation of the vastness of this fairytale, where friendship and unity converge under the spell of music. Though the views are breathtaking, incredibly romantic and selfie-worthy, the Brussels Airlines Ferris Wheel offers more than just a ride: the awe-inspiring Home of Amare brings a moment of serenity and reflection amidst the unrelenting festivities. So take a leap of faith and sneak behind the Freedom stage to embark on an enchanting journey above the clouds, and the memories will linger long after the music fades away.

What song is essential in your set? And why?

“‘Only You’, a track we did together with our brother Alesso, because it’s the song that kicked off our careers and it is the perfect Tomorrowland anthem that always works.”

What’s essential within the group of friends who are joining you to Tomorrowland? And why?

“A camera! How else would you capture the magic?”

Listen to Sentinel’s essential track ‘Eyes On You’ by scanning the code!

LATHER UP!

As you embrace the weather and bask in the sunlight beaming down onto these hallowed grounds, please remember to apply sunscreen regularly. Obviously, we want all the People of Tomorrow to be as healthy and energised as they can be until the very end… and lobster-red skin isn’t part of your hottest festival outfit either, right?

“I’m from Germany, but I came here immediately from Bali in Indonesia. I spent a month there to recharge and prepare myself for the craziest weekend of my life.” By the way Veronika dances, you can tell that all her batteries are at 100% capacity!

THE FLOCK GATHERS

GLAUBER FROM BRASIL

“I’ve been to Tomorrowland Brasil twice actually, and knew I had to come to Belgium for the ultimate Tomorrowland experience. All the people here from all over the world… that’s what it’s all about for me. This makes even the most exhausting travel experience worth it.” Well put, Glauber.

& VINNIE FROM THE UNITED STATES

“This is our honeymoon! We got married in November, but we knew we had to save our first journey out of the country for this!” The two lovebirds then start swooning over the experience they had on the Party Train. Marriage: this is how you do it!

CINDY FROM NEW ZEALAND

“This is the best day of my life! We came here on the Eurostar and the Wi-FI was really bad, but we still managed to get Taylor Swift tickets on the way! Can you believe it? Taylor and Tomorrowland – a dream come true.” Dear DJs…Cindy wants to hear your best Taylor Swift remixes!

FROM VENEZUELA

“I’m from Venezuela, but I live in Frankfurt now. We have a South American expat group there and now we’re all here.” Adrian has dreamt of coming to Tomorrowland for a long time, but says that his newfound friends really gave him Tomorrowland fever. People of Tomorrow, you are infectious!

ADRIAN

VERONIKA FROM GERMANY

MELANIE

At the infamous Gathering, birds of a feather flock from far and wide. One question, then: how far did they fly to get here? Let’s find out...

UNITED WE CARE

This year, Tomorrowland and Absolut have been working behind the scenes with a committee of experts to implement meaningful actions related to developments in industry-wide festival research. Their first joint action is the creation of the United We Care Team: a group of trained individuals who will offer emotional support and well-being care to festivalgoers in addition to what is available from medical and security staff.

Committee member Sunnery James notes: “If you’ve ever set foot on the grounds of Tomorrowland, you will know that you can feel two things in the air: unity and shared joy. The United We Care team is an initiative that will help this thrive even more, and it’s so important to me that I can be involved with making this a priority, both behind the decks and down there in the crowd. Being in touch with your body and soul is the most beautiful thing you can do, and being able to share this with others is a huge dream of mine.”

The on-site United We Care team includes trained professional psychologists, therapists and people working in healthcare, as well as psychology students from local universities. The team will be available at appointed locations across the festival and DreamVille, and you can also find them walking around the grounds. They’re there to listen without judgment and provide support when someone needs a person to talk to and share what’s going on. If you have a question or need someone to talk to, look out for members of the United We Care Team, recognizable by their ‘United We Care’ T-shirt and purple bandana. Tomorrowland and Absolut are committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive, and harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other identity trait. Together, we care.

WISDOM

APP-TASTIC

At Tomorrowland, there’s so much to discover, so many places to spread your wings and build your nest. Don’t fret, though – accessing all information regarding this wonderful festival is easy peasy, lemon-squeezy, with the official festival app!

Use the Line Up function, for instance, to come up with your perfect Tomorrowland must-see list, and make sure you not to miss any of the artists you have been dying to see for so long. Want to see what’s going on at any given moment? Just check out the Schedule feature and decide what’s next for you. Thanks to the incredibly detailed map, you can discover Arcadiana from its lowest valleys to its highest peaks without missing any of the countless food options, experiences and stages this city has in store for you. And last but not least, the app will help you find all the lastest minute-by-minute information so you’re in the know about everything that’s going on around here. What are you waiting for?

MADNESS ON THE AIRWAVES MAKE YOUR EARS LAST A LIFETIME

Did you know that Tomorrowland has its own radio station? We sure hope so! With One World Radio, you can immerse yourself in live broadcasts from all Tomorrowland events, relive the best live sets through captivating reruns, engage in enlightening interviews with both newcomers and DJ legends alike, and be serenaded by the delightful voices of hosts Adam K, Ben Malone and Justin Wilkes. This year, One World Radio will once again broadcast from its one-of-a-kind on-site studio next to the Rave Cave, boasting an incredible program. This way, your friends and family can partake real-time of the vibes of your magical Tomorrowland experience. And there is one more exhilarating piece of information: the studio is open to everyone, so you can get closer than ever before to your musical heroes when they’re being interviewed before or after their sets. Get in there!

Here in Arcadiana, we don’t do things quietly. This weekend the city walls will be shaking and the air will be vibrating all day thanks to the sounds of your favourite artists and the fireworks accompanying their performances. And as we want your hearing to last, we’d like to advise you to wear some protection. Fortunately, Tomorrowland and Loop have the right tools for the job! The Tomorrowland x Loop Experience Earplugs are specifically designed to soundtrack your perfect festival weekend, providing a ‘low noise reduction’ of 18 decibels. With the combination of an acoustic channel and a filter, they offer a natural sound so you can enjoy every set to the maximum. Each pair comes with silicone ear tips in four sizes, so you can easily make sure your Loops stay in no matter what. You can find them at the official Tomorrowland Stores and the Loop Earplugs booths on DreamVille and the festival site.

HAVE SOME BUBBLES ON US

Do you think the way you live and breathe Tomorrowland outshines all others around you? Well then, show them your ways – but not before capturing it for a chance to win a delicious bottle of Solo Vida! Just upload your unique celebration as a photo or video to your story, tag @solovida_official and follow the page, so your story is eligible. Now all it takes is a hint of luck for you to be invited down to the Solo Vida Fountain Bar in the MESA Garden to enjoy a bottle of Tomorrowland’s signature sparkling wine. Watch those bubbles rise in your glass like Windriders’ balloons, and enjoy the beautiful alliance between people, nature, vineyard and winegrowers, resulting in a unique gift from Mother Earth. By the way: in case you don’t win, Solo Vida remains available at the MESA Garden as well as most bars on the festival grounds.

FOCUS ON THE MUSIC

HEAR THE SINGING OF THE BIRDS

STAGE HOSTINGS

THE ROSE GARDEN RAMPAGE

When the fiery, feisty and frantically fantastic-looking dragon first opens her fire-breathing beak above the Rose Garden, her wings will tremble to the sickest drum beats and bass breaks. Murdock will once again touch our beloved bassheads right in their soul with a line-up consisting of the finest drum & bass DJ’s, bass music connoisseurs and rhythm selectors. Laying down proper (and improper!) beats for you today are none other than SVDDEN DEATH, Macky Gee, A Little Sound, plus a no-doubt scorching little in-between by master Murdock himself. Bang the head that does not bang!

FRIDAY

THE LIBRARY LOST FREQUENCIES & FRIENDS

If a great tune is dropped in the woods, and you can’t dance to it with your friends, did the tune even drop at all? Tomorrowland regular and thoroughly nice guy Lost Frequencies took a quick look into his friends list and decided that the amount of talent was abundant enough to line up an ever so sweet selection for duty at the Library. And luckily for us, his many friends are quite the colourful bunch: there’s future house legend Oliver Heldens, drum & bass hero Netsky, and a pretty wild ride by mad hatters Omdat Het Kan Soundsystem feat. Average Rob – all to be seen in the beautiful wooded surrounds of The Library.

Burenhinder is a local all-female art and rave collective and a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and women. Conducted by collective ‘mum’ Waltur, Burenhinder grew out to become an authority in the Belgian hardcore scene in less than two years. With a focus on female artists and the creation of a safer spaces policy, they envelop underground culture in a welcoming layer. They recently released their very first record, ‘Coresphere Vol 1’, broadening their platform for artists and DJs beyond the borders of the local rave scene. With Lolita, Gitzwart, Instar and Waltur herself, the Rave Cave will transform into a space to go very, very hard very, very safely.

FRIDAY 21 JULY

21 JULY

FRIDAY 21 JULY RAVE CAVE BURENHINDER

The birds of Arcadiana sing loudly from many different nooks and crannies. Every day, we explore three of them here, telling you about what sort of song to expect at which stage.

Melie ens

Hailing from Belgium, Amelie Lens can almost be called a local hero here at Tomorrowland – a local hero with an already groundbreaking career, mind you. Having quickly risen to prominence with her unique sound and artistic vision, she is now focusing on providing a platform for emerging artists to express their creativity with her two labels, Exhale and Lenske. With her dark and hypnotic rhythms, Amelie’s music captures the essence of her Belgian roots while delivering an infectious energy that has made the People of Tomorrow soar to new heights countless times already. Join us as we delve into the mind and artistry of Amelie Lens!

What are the essential elements of a good techno track for you?

“The combination of energetic drums, a nice kick and a catchy bassline or melody is definitely the most important.”

What’s your second favourite genre of electronic music after techno?

“Ambient! When I’m not on tour I’m always working on making new music or looking for new music to play, so whenever I have some free time, I’m happy to give my ears a break. So the only music I really listen to besides techno is ambient, when I’m relaxing or meditating.”

VA coming up with Exhale Records, and I’ll be playing some of those tracks too!”

You work with a faithful roster of producers on your label, Lenske. What is your relationship with the other producers on the label?

“The Lenske family is really small compared to our bigger Exhale label. We are a group of friends who often tour together. I am really close with all of the artists and am always there for them, not only for releases on Lenske, but also if they want advice about releasing on different labels or if they need guidance with whatever they want.”

What do you like the best about your current life as a touring DJ and producer?

What’s the thing in your career you’re most proud of so far?

“That my Exhale label and events are doing so well, even though I’m really focusing on young and upcoming artists. Trying to sell out the biggest venues and be part of the biggest techno labels in the world while mostly working with new talent makes it much harder, but it is very important to me to give a platform to artists I believe in.”

You’re playing a one-hour Mainstage set this Friday and a two-hour set at the Atmosphere stage on the Sunday of the second weekend. How will you approach both sets?

Can you tell us something about the effects unit you use, the Pioneer RMX 1000? How important is it for your performances?

“It’s really important to me because this is how I’m used to mixing. It has so many effects and features that allow me to manipulate and edit tracks in real time.”

Can you tell us about some of the new music you’ve got coming up? What have you got in store for us?

“I just finished a new track this week that I cannot wait to play at Tomorrowland! We don’t even have a release date for it yet. We also have a huge

“To play my favourite music for a huge crowd with smiling faces. There really is nothing better in the world. To be able to do this for a living, for so many years, all over the world… that’s truly amazing.”

And what’s your least favourite thing about it?

“Flight cancellations or delays – for sure my least favourite part of being a touring DJ. I’m an optimistic person, though, so I don’t like to focus on the negative things in life.”

As a young techno fan, which DJ or artist did you look up to the most and why?

“There are too many to list, but Ellen Allien and Nina Kraviz were my two heroes for sure.”

“My sets will be very different! During the onehour set on the Mainstage I won’t have any time to waste, so we’ll have big tracks chasing each other. My set for our Exhale hosting at the Atmosphere stage will take the crowd on a journey through the different sounds of techno that we like to represent with the label.”

Can you name three favourite artists that you’d like to see here at Tomorrowland and why?

“I’m very excited about all the artists at my own Exhale stage and will try to spend most of my time at my own stage to support them. But in between all that, I’ll try to walk around the festival and see other stages. I always enjoy discovering new artists and see sets of different genres!”

“It is very important to me to give a platform to artists I believe in.”

DAYBREAK

MAINSTAGE

YOUPHORIA

CLAPTONE

MAINSTAGE

12:00 - 14:30

An hours-long stretch of music blended together by the world’s most accomplished DJs on a great sound system with lots of space to dance and chill: that’s Tomorrowland’s Daybreak Sessions for you. Every session is different, and today’s edition will definitely set itself apart from any other one you’ve witnessed before. On this Friday morning, the sounds of the mysterious goldenfaced German boy wonder going by the name of Claptone will serve as your wake-up call.

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the gifted deep house DJ, whose productions were once wonderfully described by Mixmag as “crisply produced and effortlessly infectious.” Quite prophetically, a bird-like shape started appearing at global raves years before the first rumours about Adscendo came into being. Claptone’s beak puzzled the scientific minds of biologists around the world, as its shape, resembling an inverted horn, was never-before-seen by anyone with any knowledge about feathered creatures. Mythical observations aside, it’s good to know that the artist is responsible for some of the best chilledout yet bassy house music to be heard on global dance floors right now. The wide variety of highend vocalists who’ve contributed to his work only further enhance the sunny vibe of the music. With features by Peter, Bjorn and John, Jay-Jay Johanson, and Boxer Rebellion’s Nathan Nicholson, and remixes of work by the likes of Gregory Porter, Claptone’s delicate output is the perfect, easygoing soundtrack to start the day with.

THE ROSE GARDEN

ub zero Project

Introducing Sub Zero Project, the dynamic duo that has been lifting up the hardstyle scene from left to right! In a matter of just a few years, these two have woven their names into the vibrant tapestry of Tomorrowland history for good. With their captivating previous performances at the iconic Q-dance stage, Sub Zero Project’s electrifying energy and undeniable talent have redefined hardstyle’s sonic landscape. This year they’re taking on an even bigger role on these hallowed grounds, hosting their own stage at Youphoria on Friday and then playing a very special set at the Library stage next weekend as well! Find out all about it below…

Slowly but surely, the hardstyle presence is growing at Tomorrowland. What do you think is the key force behind this development?

“In general, we feel that hard dance music is being embraced more and more worldwide, both by ravers and DJs. Hardstyle just works live, no matter what. So why hold back? You can’t miss out on a proper dose of hardstyle at the world’s number one festival!”

There will be more people unfamiliar with hardstyle at Tomorrowland compared to a dedicated hardstyle festival. Do you take that into account when you are planning your set?

“Our music is very dancefloor-minded, so it will easily get a new crowd moving. We always make sure that we bring our signature sound, regardless if this is for the new people or dedicated fans. At Tomorrowland we might drop a few extra wellknown bootlegs to get the whole crowd connected, but of course with the kicks and sounds our fans are familiar with. Words cannot do justice here, so just make sure to attend the Youphoria stage on Friday. You are in for a treat!”

sets. The main difference is that we are doing the ‘Psychodelic’ live show at the Library stage. This means 45 minutes of Sub Zero Project madness. Epic visuals and exclusive banging music, supported by a next level light, laser and special FX show. Due to the complexity of this show, we only do a few of them per year. So it will be something extra special within the already unique world of Tomorrowland. A ‘must see’, if you ask us.”

Year on year, Tomorrowland is themed differently. Having played Tomorrowland various times now, how do you reflect on what you’ve seen so far, theme-wise?

“The way that Tomorrowland involves the themes in their story adds such a huge experience to the festival. It’s something we have been doing with our shows for years now as well. It gives the visitor something extra, and on the other hand it gives us creative input as well. For both the festival and the artist, working on theme-based concepts is a great way to stay innovative!”

Tomorrowland 2023 is all about the rise of Adscendo. It’s a tale of birds and Windriders. How does it resonate with you guys? Do you ever dream of what it would be like to be a bird?

What’s new in 2023? What have you guys got in store for us, release-wise?

“We’re currently sitting on a lot of music, both solo releases and collaborations. We have a track coming out with Timmy Trumpet and Vini Vici, called ‘The Race’. There’s also a big tune together with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and last but not least, we made a solid banger with Vertile. And this is just to name a few of the projects in the pipeline! In between all the touring we’ve been working hard in the studio.”

You’re hosting your very own stage this year. How did it come about? What did you guys think when you were asked to do this?

“Hosting our own stage at Tomorrowland is just insane. When we tell our friends and family, it still feels unreal. DJ’ing at Tomorrowland is quite something already, but our own stage here is just next level!”

Can you name some of your expected highlights of this year’s edition of Tomorrowland besides yourself and your own curated stage? Who are you looking forward to seeing?

“We are mainly excited to see our families at Tomorrowland and explore the festival together. No agenda, just spontaneous stage-hopping with a cold beer in our hands!”

Next weekend you’ll be playing at the Library. What is the biggest difference between the two sets? What can the People of Tomorrow expect?

“There’s definitely a few differences between both

“‘Fly with Me’ was a song we wrote based on this idea: dreaming of the ability to fly. Unlimited heights, a complete overview of the world and the peace of being high in the sky. So to answer the question... yes, we have certainly thought about this before!”

“Words cannot do justice here, so just make sure to attend the Youphoria stage on Friday.”

FOCUS ON FRIDAY MAGICAL

TIËSTO

MAINSTAGE | 23:50 - 00:50

The first DJ/producer to bring his art to stadium-sized venues, Tijs Verwest aka Tiësto not only changed the game in the industry, he also holds a special place in almost every electronic music lover’s heart. His popularity across the board makes sense, if you think about it – Tijs started out as a new beat and acid house DJ before changing his focus on a sound popular in the Netherlands during the mid-1990s: hardcore. It wasn’t until later on in that same decade, when he switched to trance, that his breakthrough with a wider audience happened. Timeless classics like ‘Adagio for Strings’, ‘Flight 643’, and ‘Gouryella’ (with Ferry Corsten) helped millions of ravers across the world reach a state of ecstasy. Tiësto’s uncountable creative and commercial successes led him to win over thirty prizes, including a Royal Dutch Award.

Ready for yet another step in his career, Tijs started branching out into new territories about a decade into the new millennium, slowly developing into who he is now: a global legend of EDM. Yes, this man has seen it all, but he continues to hatch creative ideas and has many more hits up his sleeve! His newest album ‘DRIVE’ is home to no less than 6 songs with more than 100 million streams on Spotify, including ‘The Motto’ feat. Ava Max, ‘10:35’ together with Tate McRae, and ‘Don’t Be Shy’ featuring the vocals of KAROL G. And who could forget ‘The Business’, a track you won’t find an escape from anywhere on Earth – and which ended up earning Tijs a nomination for a Grammy, the most prestigious music award out there. During his set, Tiësto will take his crowd on a journey through all of that goodness and with such a massive discography behind him, only one thing is for certain… it will be a memory just like this DJ’s career: for the ages!

NETSKY

THE LIBRARY | 00:00 - 01:00

A producer who sits in the premier league of the liquid drum & bass genre, Netsky is one of the few superstar DJs at Tomorrowland playing breaks. Born and raised in Belgium, this producer entered the liquid breaks scene with a bang over a decade ago with now classic anthems such as ‘Pirate Bay’ and ‘Iron Heart’. Due to a large amount of collaborations with a wide and diverse range of peers including Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Plan B, Dua Lipa, and Swedish House Mafia, Netsky has managed to reach a broad audience throughout his career with his catchy beats, vocals and melodies. Yet at the same time, Netsky has never forgotten his roots in underground club music, so expect the best of everything in his set today.

ANDROMEDIK MOBLACK

MAINSTAGE | 15:30 - 16:30

Although the UK is the undisputed homeland of drum & bass, Belgium definitely serves as an important hub on the European mainland. In the slipstream of the mighty Netsky, we find rising star Andromedik, who will be hammering out his addictive breaks on the Mainstage for the first time in the history of Tomorrowland. Classically trained as a jazz artist, this Antwerp-born and bred producer knows music through and through. Stunning tracks like ‘Howling’, ‘Take Me’ and ‘Let Me In’ have already moved millions of dancing feet globally and have received support from the likes of Sub Focus, Delta Heavy, Jauz, and main man Netsky himself. To see Andromedik play these out on the largest of all stages will be nothing short of magical, we’re sure of it!

TERRA SOLIS | 16:30 - 18:00

It’s fair to say that Italian DJ/producer Mimmo Falcone is one of those responsible for what could be deemed a worldwide Afro house hype. Under the MoBlack moniker, he brought African takes on house music to a wider audience, mutating it into a whole new world of sound. During a 10-year stay in Ghana following his studies, he was exposed to all kinds of African music as he got to know the local music scene. MoBlack started out as just a DJ, but has since evolved into a record label owner and an all-round seal of pure Afro house quality. Some of his biggest supporters include Dixon, Solomun and Pete Tong, to name but a few.

SING LIKE A BIRD

What on Earth are those beautiful sounds emanating from unexplored corners of Arcadiana, you ask? As it happens, a key skill in our flying city’s world of sound is the ability to recognise any bird by ear. To help you identify and sing along to all those wonderful kinds of song, we help you get started with one style of music everyday – with the not-so-gentle genre of hard techno

PFR PAULA TEMPLE

MAINSTAGE | 16:30 - 17:30

Brussels-based DJ/producer Henri PFR began studying music from the early age of six, when he went straight into taking piano lessons. With such a solid non-electronic background, it comes as no surprise that a lot of Henri’s music crosses over into other genres. With remixes for The Chainsmokers and Ofenbach and a Robin Schulz collab to his name, this music head has a bright future lying ahead of him. Skillfully balancing the elements of a song – the lyrics, the chords, the drums, the melody and the sound design – Henri has got what it takes to become a big all-round star. All we have to do is wait for it. “I was into him early on,” is what you will be saying to your grandchildren.

HARDTECHNO

Initially funky, melodic and abstract, techno started spreading from its birthplace in the Black communities of Detroit from the late 1980s. As soon as the Europeans got involved, they decided to give it more energy by enhancing the crudeness of the kick drum as well as speeding up the BPMs. While somewhat slower techno remained popular in the clubs, being played alongside house music, the hard stuff gained its own following in abandoned industrial estate in cities like Berlin.

The hardtechno scene as we now know it, spearheaded by young DJs like SPFDJ, DIØN, Cera Khin and Patrick Mason, started to rapidly grow in popularity after the lockdowns ended across Europe a couple of years ago. With an army of teenagers and people in their early twenties more ready to party than ever, the demand for fast and heavy kickdrums proved to be unsaturable. Not only is today’s hardtechno crowd young and hip, modern day techno heads also often champion a diverse, inclusive and above all queer attitude.

If you’re into hardtechno, then today is your day and CAGE your place to be. If you don’t want to stop dancing, then you don’t have to as Wanton, Jan Vercauteren, Patrick Mason, Cera Khin, SPFDJ and Paula Temple are all set to hammer out their favourite fast-paced beats in that dark little club, somewhat hidden in the middle of our Holy Grounds.

CAGE | 21:00 - 23:00

Long before hardtechno even became a thing, British producer Paula Temple was already hammering it out in the dark techno clubs of the world’s major cities. Her releases on renowned labels such as Jeff Mills’ Axis Records and Belgium’s most famous rave music imprint, R&S, all have one thing in common: they’re headstrong, noisy, and not for the faint-hearted. That sound is also reflected in her DJ sets, which are aggressive, deafening and ever a feast for dancing feet. Paula now co-runs her own label alongside her pal Noise Manifesto. Paula Temple is real (or shall we say unreal?), and should be on top of every techno fan’s list.

PHILOU LOUZOLO SOUL SHAKERS

TERRA SOLIS | 19:30 - 21:00

Rotterdam-based DJ and producer Philou Louzolo has been a well-known face across the Dutch club scene for many years. Phillou experienced an epiphany on a trip to Malawi a few years back that led to a sonic shift in his productions as well as his sets. In Malawi, he heard locally produced music everywhere he went: from bars to restaurants to taxis. Initially a DJ who played house and techno with some African influences, he now blends more and more purely African genres of club music into his sets, including a lot of suspenseful and bass-heavy amapiano. Philou’s recent album ‘African Gold’ reflects this shift as well; think house mixed up with techno and a heavy dose of the many different genres the continent is known for.

ELIXIR | 14:30 - 16:00

Imagine a big fat juicy mix of electrotropical dance music consisting of reggae, hip hop, dancehall, and kudoro, topped off with an underground sauce of UK garage and grime, and you’ll get only the slightest idea of what Soul Shakers are all about. When it comes to draining your sweat, making bodies rub against each other, and turning up the madness, they have no competition whatsoever. They made a documentary about sound systems and have even played a set at the official residence of the Jamaican Prime Minister. And today, Soul Shakers will do the same for you. Shake before and during use, lighters up!

HENRI

“THE LANGUAGE OF THE FEATHERD ONES: MUSIC FOR THE HEART, BALM FOR THE SOUL.”

TOMORROW, ARCADIANA IS YOURS!