The best thing about Tomorrowland’s Sundays is that you don’t need to warm up for them. You’re locked into that groove already, so why bother? Surprisingly perhaps, you’ll find many Mainstage-worthy acts at the slightly more intimate Library stage today. This is where you’ll need to head for sets by Sigala (revisit his banger ‘Sweet Lovin’ before heading over!), Afrojack, and the incredible trio that is Dimi, Mike, and Timmy Trumpet. Taking over the Mainstage early to mid-evening are Boris Brejcha, with his hightech minimal, and globally inspired house collective Keinemusik. If you’re still in need of unleashing excess energy today, you will not want to miss harddance’s first lady MANDY at the Rose Garden, or a hammering set by techno goddess Amelie Lens at Atmosphere. Savour this magical Sunday!
The final day of Tomorrowland is one to be cherished. Make sure to live in the moment. Don’t you worry (child), there will be more fantastic days after this one, so start roaming the Holy Grounds freely and make us proud!
PEOPLE OF TOMORROW,
Whatever your plans are for today, heading over to the Mainstage for the closing ceremony is always a great idea. You’ll make everlasting memories and it’s the perfect way to eternalise your love for the People of Tomorrow.
HARMONY TAKES ROOT IN YOUR HEART!
What was that, friends? What came over us during these two days – two bewildering days on the verdant fields of Silvyra, the domain of LIFE itself? No words could do it justice, surely. But view it, friends, like this: the seed planted within you on Friday is starting to come into bloom. Drawing energy from all around, that little kernel sprouted. Feeding off the beautiful souls that surround you, it took root. Gathering strength from the infinite, working through nature’s endless connections, it grew mature, and now, it is starting to bloom. Thus, you become one with all that is; thus, you yourself become a source of
harmony, as the petals open and you spread your love to all the world. Friends –these last two days have been a wonder, but sadly, that means only one more day is left. Give it your all. Feast on the bounty of Tomorrowland, take in everything once more. Nurture the flowering harmony within you, feel it connect to the ancient energy coursing through everyone’s veins. Gather all of it up and keep it with you, and once the final note resounds tonight, fear not – for this is only the beginning. Now that harmony is within your heart, you will remain part of the symphony of LIFE forever.
A WORD OF GRATITUDE
You’d be forgiven to think Tomorrowland Today is written by the fairies. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks for everything, you bunch of lovely writers, designers, photographers, producers and editors, you know who you are! WEATHER REPORT
Your glorious Sunday comes with mostly fine weather with just a few scattered clouds here and there. At 24 degrees Celsius, applying a high SPF is recommendable. This will also protect you from the blinding shine of your fellow dancers. YOUR TIPS FOR TOMORROW Did you hear, see or do something that we should really know about? Do you urgently need to give someone the loudest ever shout-out? Is there something else we can help you with? Don’t sleep on it – drop us a line at today@tomorrowland.com!
THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE
LIFE as we know it is the greatest miracle of all: a riot of movement, colours, smells, and sounds, existing in perfect harmony across aeons of time. The foundation of all life, as we citizens of Silvyra are well aware, lies in the quiet, unwavering existence of plants; without complaint, they turn four essential elements – light, air, water, and earth – into nourishment, breathable air, and a livable climate to us all. The two elements of water and earth are the very pillars supporting life’s existence. Here is how they are involved in the wondrous fabric of creation.
WATER & EARTH
Deep beneath the surface of the world, a wondrous, barely explored world exists, where roots and tiny critters reign supreme: the dark underbelly of the earth is teeming with life, and yet we see very little of it. Soil nourishes plants and provides a place to essential insects, putting it at the basis of everything we see around us, and importantly, of all of the things we eat. It is also, however, the home of nature’s most honoured interconnective tissue: the Mycelium. is network of fungal tendrils forms the true body of the lifeforms we know as mushrooms, and the work it does is nothing short of incredible. Interfacing with everything else that lives underground, the Mycelium can transport nutrients as well as information, from signals to songs, between plants spread far and wide. us, it is an essential part of the Verdant, the originary harmony of nature.
e earth would not be able to sustain life, however, without water. Carried down to us on a cosmic journey from the heavens, raindrops replenish our reserves, course down riverbeds with abandon towards the great blue seas, owing hither and thither; water’s neverending movements, up and down the stems of plants, through bodies human, magical and celestial, are the very engines of creation itself. Remember, then, when you take your rst sip in the morning, every day; when you plant your feet on the ground and dance; when you feel the sunlight and smell the sweet scents in the air - you are participating in the in nite, in the ancient connectedness of life.
“Love me, baby, treat me right Make it eternity and not only one night If you love me ‘til the end of time en I will promise you the night of your life”
David Guetta ft Jennifer Hudson – Night of Your Life
HIGHLIGHTS
TOMORROWLAND TODAY
4-6
DREAMVILLE
Read the latest about what’s going on around the campsite.
7, 19
DAILY WISDOM
The latest news on everything Tomorrowland.
8, 9
YVES V
A quick trip down through Tomorrowland history.
12, 13
DINING EXPERIENCE
Roger Van Damme and Marcelo Balardin take you into the kitchen.
23 THE GREAT LIBRARY
Find out all about Tomorrowland’s upcoming novel trilogy.
OPENING HOURS
The gates of Tomorrowland will open at 12:00 on Sunday, and from then on, it’s non-stop dancing until the gates close for good at 00:00. Are you going home on Sunday? You can easily take the train. There is a free bus to Boom station, from where you can continue your journey to Antwerp and beyond.
LOCKERS
No one wants to carry a lot of stuff around on the dance floor and there is no need to. You can find the locations of the lockers on the floorplan in this newspaper or in the app.
FIRST AID
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.
dreamville
growing into the day
The sun is still hiding behind the clouds, but is compensated for by the shine of the people themselves, and at DreamVille, the day is off to an enchanting start once again. Yesterday’s revelries are still reverberating in the air as morning routines begin. Some start the day with a cozy breakfast at their tent, enjoying the calm before the excitement. Others flutter out to exercise or seek refreshment. It’s beautiful to see how everyone starts their day differently, each with their own unique rhythm, but all united in the magic of Tomorrowland. Curious about how your fellow DreamVillagers grow into their day? Let’s take a look and be inspired by the diversity and energy around us!
an energetic start
DreamVille fitness enthusiasts can elevate their festival experience at the Recovery Area. Plant the first seed here for an energetic day! The gym’s unique blend of fitness and festival vibes creates an unforgettable environment where health and happiness harmonise. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just dipping your toe in for the first time, the Recovery Area is the perfect place to balance indulgence with wellness. Prefer to start your day a bit less actively? Then you can visit the Balance Area for a peaceful start with various types of yoga.
Alexia & Claudi, Canada
Alexia’s boyfriend Claudi proposed to her yesterday at the Mainstage, and today, they are continuing the celebration. They’re overjoyed and can’t wait to share their happiness with friends and family –it’s a moment they will remember forever.
Merel & Alisan, Belgium
Relaxing in front of their hut, voices left behind somewhere on the Holy Grounds, Merel & Alisan are gathering strength to go at it again today. “When we woke up we just wanted to sleep more,” they say. Well girls, that’s not an option!
go green, recycle
Love Tomorrow are dedicated to transforming Tomorrowland into a beacon of sustainability. Their mission is to make a positive impact by encouraging everyone to recycle as much as possible. To support this effort, they established a special Recycle Area at DreamVille, where people can conveniently dispose of recyclables. Additionally, this area offers a refreshing start to your day with free fresh fruit and water. By dropping your waste here, you are all cordially invited to make a meaningful difference and preserve the beauty of our world!
Vincent & Kim, Germany
“This is our beautiful DreamVille breakfast,” say Vincent and Kim. “We’re thrilled to be here and this food is sure to wake us right up.” The joy of being at the festival keeps their spirits high as they enjoy their morning meal.
Jesus, Spain
Jesus didn’t sleep well, so he’s catching a few more Zs in the hammock. “I am looking forward to Armin van Buuren today, and anticipation is keeping my spirits high!” he says, eager for the performance despite his lack of rest.
Teresa, Cynthia, & Alex, Australia
“We’re working out so we can dance more later! Exercise wakes us up,” these girlies exclaim, energised and ready for the day. Their morning workout boosts their energy, ensuring they’re prepared to enjoy dancing to the fullest..
Paulie, Julie, & Samuel, Belgium
The Tomorrowland Foundation is helping children around the world to learn about music and art. Paulie, Julie, and Samuel are looking for ambassadors on DreamVille to support their mission and help spread knowledge and creativity everywhere!
Rachel, England
A refreshing shower never hurts, especially when you are aching to be fresh and ready for Tomorrowland. Rachel is looking forward to Purple Disco Machine at the Library, eager to enjoy the music and dance the night away with friends.
Jerina & Andre, Brazil
Waking up with the newspaper alongside her boyfriend in their tent, Jerina reflects on their love for camping. “But camping at Tomorrowland is better than anywhere else,” she says, enjoying the unique experience and atmosphere that the festival offers.
balance area
sunday
YOGA NIDRA 09:00
KUNDALINI YOGA 09:45
LES MILLS PILATES 10:30
YIN YOGA 11:15
VINYASA YOGA 12:00
BODYBALANCE 12:45
SILENT DISCO YOGA 13:30
mornings are for new friends
recovery area
sunday
09:30 BODYCOMBAT
10:00 LES MILLS DANCE
10:30 BODYPUMP
11:00 LES MILLS SHAPES
11:30 LES MILLS STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT
12:00 LES MILLS DANCE
12:30 LES MILLS GRIT 13:00 BODYATTACK
13:30 BODYCOMBAT
Especially for those People of Tomorrow who signed up to the United We Dance Community in 2024, the foundation provided the largest breakfast table DreamVille has ever seen. Filled with wholesome and delicious food, the table was built to enhance the friendships and human connections that Tomorrowland is known for. What started as the first meal of the day gradually turned into a spontaneous party with ravers dancing on the tables. Mission accomplished!
Vernanda, Mexico
“Boris Brejcha was the best yesterday!” Being from Mexico, Vernanda couldn’t sleep very well because of the cold afterwards. She’s ready to go for it again today though, determined to enjoy every moment despite the chilly night.
Eugene, France
“The most amazing thing yesterday was Hardwell,” Eugene is convinced. Despite twisting her ankle a few days before Tomorrowland and not being able to dance well, she went all out and enjoyed the performance to the fullest.
DOUBLE, TRIPLE, AND QUADRUPLE
We’re not saying that anyone would disagree, but we are making a case for it once again: Belgium has the very best beer in the world. This year, Tomorrowland’s Belgian Beer Bar has relocated to the Brasa area, which makes sense, as good food and good drink shouldn’t be far removed from one another. There are two bars to choose from, each serving the same range which includes Jupiler, a classic refreshing pilsner from the Walloon city of Liège, the slightly sweet Leffe Blonde – possibly the most popular abbey beer in the world – and the much darker but equally tasty Kwak. Kwak was originally served in a strange ‘coach’ glass, which would slot into a wooden structure holding it in place on the horse-drawn carriages of olden times as they travelled over bumpy cobblestone roads. If you’re into sampling craft beers and love going local, then this is your chance. Keep in mind that you can also buy these boutique Belgian beers at Beers and Stories, located at DreamVille. Don’t sleep on it!
THE WINNER OF THE GOLDEN TICKET!
Just as Fabian was going through a hard time in his life, he discovered that a package from Belgium had arrived. Not remembering what he had ordered, he found out that it was the new Tomorrowland origin story book, the Spirit of Life. Skipping through the pages he discovered the Golden Ticket for Tomorrowland Belgium 2024. Now, enjoying the Full Madness experience of this year’s Tomorrowland, he got something he only could have wished for.
GUILT-FREE HYDRATION
Thirsty? Choose the drink that nurtures your soul as well as the planet! You’ll find Soul Water’s cargo bike bar at DreamVille in the morning, and as the day progresses, a friendly bartender will slowly start wheeling it towards Tomorrowland. The people behind Soul Water remember its inception very clearly – it started with a bright epiphany: the idea that everyone should be able to enjoy clean drinking water without worrying about its environmental footprint. Therefore, Soul Water isn’t served in plastic bottles but in cans, which are more environmentally friendly. Admittedly, they say at Soul Water, filling up a reusable bottle from a tap comes with an even smaller ecological impact, but the truth is that what’s best for Mother Earth isn’t always feasible. It is in these situations that drinking water from a can is the least harmful thing to do.
WORK THE MAGIC
Ever dreamt about being part of the magic and serving people not only the tastes and drinks of Tomorrow, but also your very special own smile? NOWJOBS might just be able to make your wildest dreams come true. You and your friends can register for a job at the bars or restaurants, or as food and beverages runners during the festival. Vacancies are open for all student workers and flexi-jobbers among you. All you have to do is download the NOWJOBS app, and who knows, maybe next year you will be the one who is Happy to Help the People of Tomorrow. But be aware: this is a highly addictive gig, and you’ll find yourself a whole new family that might even take you as far as Tomorrowland Winter.
SUMMER DAYS, IBIZA NIGHTS AND THE HILLS SHALL DROP
With good food comes great wine and Tomorrowland knows it; they’ve been on top of their sommelier’s game for a while now. The Acta Non Verba range comes in limited edition Chardonnay, Shiraz and Rosé varieties, which are all the hardwon result of vines in the Adelaide hills, a place where the quality of the wine is defined by the actions of the winemakers, not their words. The vines in the Adelaide hills cling to steep rocky hillsides shrouded in fog where the grapes ripen slowly, fanned by a cool gully breeze. Making these wines by hand in this terroir results in a seamless, elegant and pure profile with an acid structure and length which lasts forever. It is this unique region, in combination with traditional methods and pristine knowhow, that leads to Acta Non Verba displaying big, bold, intense flavours, besides the cantalising elegance and softness which have become its hallmarks. Fun fact: the Shiraz (3000 bottles) and Chardonnay (4800 bottles) varieties are extremely limited and are almost sold out already in their current vintages. A few bottles remain to order at actanonverbawines.com, if you’re fast enough. And if you want to taste the exclusive Acta Non Verba wines on the spot, you will find them in the Brasa Restaurant, the Wine Boutique at Brasa, and the Wine Boutique at Mesa Garden.
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have forever changed Wednesday nights in Ibiza since they first set foot in Ushuaïa, the island’s most fabulous club. Aptly named after the capital city of Argentina’s remote Tierra del Fuego area, the open-air beach club is turned upside down when the two brothers hit the decks, bringing unparalleled dance floor entertainment under the creative supervision of your favourite festival, Tomorrowland. This season’s guests will include Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, The Chainsmokers and – surprisingly, perhaps – nu-techno hero Marlon Hoffstadt. Dimi and Mike’s magical takeover happens most Wednesdays until the 2nd of October, so the choice is yours!
20 YEARS OF UNITY YVES V’S MEMORIES OF TOMORROW
It would be hard to imagine Tomorrowland without Yves V, who has been a mainstay of the festival almost since the first edition, from Mainstage to Party Flights to V Sessions stage hostings. In fact, out of all the artists on the line-up, Yves is the one who has the most Tomorrowland gigs under his belt. For Tomorrowland’s 20th anniversary, we sat down with Yves for a trip down memory lane, getting his take on the evolution of the festival as well as his own development from humble beginnings to being a professional musician. Here’s the lowdown on Tomorrowland’s development from someone who is absolutely and totally in the know.
Yves, you’ve been with Tomorrowland since the early years. Can you share some of your most cherished memories from the early years of the festival?
“Wow, to be honest, there’s so many. If I had to choose something… I’ve actually been playing at the Mainstage from almost the beginning, and my first show there was with vinyl, which was common back then. There was a lot of wind that day, however, and the needle kept being blown back to the beginning of the record. Fortunately we also had an MC; she started singing so I could replace my stylus and fix the problem. You couldn’t imagine something like that happening nowadays. Another one of those ‘early days’ things: my girlfriend would be allowed to sit next to me in the booth while I was playing. There would be no chance of that now (laughs). It’s become such a huge production – don’t get me wrong, it was very nice back then, but it’s evolved so much.”
Speaking of evolution, how did you see the community aspect of Tomorrowland evolve since the early days?
“For me at least, there was always a special vibe here. That feeling of peace and unity has always been around. But I think sometime after six or seven years, it became more of a global phenomenon, especially when the aftermovies started going viral. I could really notice that when touring: I’d tell people I was from Belgium, and they’d go kind of glassy-eyed, not really knowing where or what Belgium was. But once I mentioned Tomorrowland, everybody suddenly knew what I was talking about. That was the moment when I thought, wow, we’re doing something really special here. From then on, the whole world wanted to be here. Everybody’s just so happy to be here, to be part of it and celebrate life. Nowadays, I also notice that behind the scenes: all the people I meet when touring the world, from India to Mexico to Hong Kong, will be here during Tomorrowland. I think that’s what makes it such a strong community.”
And in terms of your fans, do you engage with them at Tomorrowland differently, compared to other festivals or to the early days?
“Haha, yes, for sure. I was once treated to a sight I don’t necessarily like to see: my own face, printed on these huge signs, staring back at me from the crowd. This was during a Mainstage show. It was so funny – I appreciate the massive effort, of course, and where else
“Everybody’s just so happy to be here, to be part of it and celebrate life.”
would something like that happen? Another aspect is the reactions on my socials. Basically, people will start posting about Tomorrowland in October already. It goes from ‘can’t wait to see you again next year’ to ‘can I ask my girl to marry me on your stage?’ Tomorrowland really never stops being mentioned – I see the name pretty much every day.”
What aspect of Tomorrowland is it that resonates so much with people, that makes it stay on the forefront of people’s minds like that?
“It must be the message of love and unity. Specifically, the way it’s put into practice. At Tomorrowland, people come together from all over the world –sometimes from countries that are at war, even – and unite. I saw flags from so many different countries while playing the Mainstage last weekend, and the key thing is, it doesn’t matter. Everybody’s just here to have a good time. They forget all the bad things and are just here to enjoy life with each other. That breakaway from everyday reality is a huge thing, because nowadays I think it’s quite difficult to actually manage to do that. And Tomorrowland manages it for a whole weekend, then makes sure that the feeling lingers for as long as possible. That positive mindset is essential.”
Did you personally grow along with Tomorrowland as well?
“You could say that again! When I started out, I wasn’t producing much music yet. I was still combining DJ’ing with a career in physical education. In fact, during that first set there were a few students in attendance.
Later, partly thanks to the whole world watching those aftermovies and livestreams, I became able to do music fulltime. I’ve toured the whole world and I’m producing my own music. And Tomorrowland has also made for some very special DJ gigs for me personally: I have played in the restaurant, at the airport, even in the airplane itself!”
What are some personal highlights from 20 years of Tomorrowland, besides those sky-high DJ sets?
“The first time that they asked me to host my own V Sessions stage was very significant, of course. The first time was a smaller stage, but it was such a success. For me it was a dream come true, also in terms of personal evolution: I had been feeling like a part of Tomorrowland before, but this seemed to me to really seal the deal. That was the biggest highlight, but all the back-to-back sets over the years still stand out also.
At Tomorrowland, I’ve played with Regi, with Dimi & Mike, with Afrojack, even with Sydney Samson back in the day, who really is somewhat of an icon of zeroes dance music. Of course, such performances are really exciting as a DJ. And before and after the shows, the most memorable thing is simply hanging out with friends and family. I live only 20 minutes from here, so it’s basically been a big get-together from the beginning. Especially when I was touring intensively, it was a real relief to be able to invite all my friends here and get to see them.
Did you prepare anything special for this 20th anniversary, and how do you see Tomorrowland developing in the future?
“Unfortunately, I don’t own a crystal ball (laughs). However, I hope that the festival keeps going down the road they’ve been going. They’ve established something that deserves to be continued. And I hope to still be here in 20 years too, of course. For now, I’ve made a special track just for this anniversary – a real progressive house stomper, something I haven’t done in years, but it felt right for the moment. Maybe 20 years from now we can return to it?”
JUSTIN’S
TIPS FOR YOUR LAST DAY
1. Picking the artists you really want to see can be quite the effort. Luckily, Justin has a great tip on how to make it easier for yourself: “Definitely go and see the number 1 on your bucket list. Then go and see a DJ you’ve never seen before. Make sure to also visit a stage you’ve never been at before. An lastly, ask someone out there which DJ they are excited about seeing and why – you’ll be inspired in no time.”
2. Come and swing by the One World Radio studio! “On the one hand, it’s a great way of getting really close to some of your favourite artists, and if you shoot us a message on our Instagram Story with a question for one of the artists playing that day, you might even be there when they answer it. On the other hand, we have a beautiful view over big parts of the festival here. You’ll likely spot something that you will then immediately want to visit and experience.”
3. “Don’t just rush from spot to spot and set to set. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of it all and to truly immerse yourself in this wondrous experience. Pay attention to all the little details. When you stand in front of the Mainstage, take some time to admire all the little elements: the butterflies, the fountains, the twisting and turning roots and twigs.” Magical.
Originally launched as a pop-up activation, One World Radio is now a household name. With live broadcasts from all Tomorrowland events, reruns of the best live sets, interviews with all your favourite artists, and the best radio hosts, it has become a globally adored radio network with avid listeners from every electronic music genre. For the third year in a row, One World Radio is broadcasting this amazing experience around the clock from the on-site studio situated atop the hill overlooking the lake. It’s there that we meet Justin Wilkes, one of the hosts, for a small chat.
LIFE ON AIR ONE WORLD RADIO
Hi Justin, thanks for having us! Let’s dive right in with an essential question: how have you been experiencing Tomorrowland so far?
“It’s been a wild ride. I am honestly stunned by how this festival manages not to be different every year, but actually better every year. Every day I walk around the site before the gates open and just on these short strolls, I see something new every time! It’s an immersive experience unlike any other. I seriously have no clue how next year can be better… but that’s what I’ve said every time so far, and they’ve always pulled it off.”
From all of the One World Radio broadcasts from the studio, which one stands out the most to you?
“It’s not really a moment from a broadcast, but rather the first time I stood here. And interestingly enough, many artists that come here for the first time share that sentiment. They arrive on-site, make their way to the studio and then, standing here, overlooking this rich tapestry
of possibilities – for many, that is the moment where it really hits them: I’m at Tomorrowland! How beautiful is that?”
One more question: this Sunday is a special day for One World Radio. Keen eyes might have spotted One World Radio Soundsystem on the Mainstage timetable… what can we expect? “Basically, we’ll be broadcasting from and on the Mainstage this Sunday from 12:00 to 14:30. We’re going to be showcasing the music that we play at One World Radio, so it’s going to be super diverse. Me, Adam K, and Ben Malone will be DJ’ing and hosting the Daybreak Session, and we’ll have tons of guests there. I won’t be giving away too much on who they are, but let’s say this: there might be some of our OWR hosts, and maybe also someone who is known to be into fitness. I feel like I already said too much (laughs). But yeah, come through and make some ever-lasting memories with us!”
THE DINING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
ROGER VAN DAMME AND MARCELO BALLARDIN
The Tomorrowland Dining Experience is a culinary journey in a restaurant with no equal in the world, as this is where you dine with spectacular views of the Mainstage. Here, you can surrender yourself to the festival fully as you savour the tasteful brilliance crafted by Tomorrowland and Michelin-starred chefs Roger van Damme, Nick Bril, Thijs Meliefste and Marcelo Ballardin. Everything falls into place at Tomorrowland, and this four-course dinner is no exception: everything you eat lives and breathes this year’s festival theme, LIFE. Ahead of Saturday’s dinner, we spoke to Roger van Damme and Marcelo Ballardin about their relationship with Tomorrowland, co-creating this year’s menu, and next-level Belgian waffles.
Tomorrowland turns 20 this year, which is why the menu at the Dining Experience is more spectacular than ever, created by four star-studded chefs. What has been your experience, co-creating these dishes with this team of culinary creatives?
Marcelo: “It’s been truly amazing, even if we had to overcome a few hurdles before we got started. We all have our own identities, you see, but the result came out really beautiful and I can’t wait to do it again next year, because we will understand each other even better then.”
Could you say something about those challenges and how you overcame them?
Marcelo: “Nick Bril, for example, has a very detailed way of working. He likes to use some flowers here and there, and adds herbs in highly measured quantities. It’s almost like Nick isn’t just a chef, but also a florist! But this way of working requires complex logistics and we need to agree on a way of working that works for everyone.”
Roger: “This also relates to the sheer size of this restaurant. We are cooking a thousand couverts, so we need to give our confidence to other people. Our team are the ones who do the actual work of putting everything together. You could see it like this: we are the creative directors and our amazing team does the work, so everything needs to be workable for them too.”
Can the Tomorrowland Dining Experience also be eaten for lunch? Do you feel there is a difference between what should be eaten for lunch and dinner anyway?
Marcelo: “For me, there is no distinction. Everything can be eaten for lunch or dinner, even if I know that some people love to eat lighter stuff in the afternoon.”
Roger: “I like to draw an analogy with the festival at large here. You don’t go to Tomorrowland just to see certain DJs, you come here for an experience. It’s the same thing in the restaurant. You’re not here for the Michelin star chefs, or to have ‘lunch’ or ‘dinner’, but to taste something extraordinary while you overlook the Mainstage. It’s about all things perfectly falling into place.”
Marcelo: “Decoration plays a big part in that too. Look at all the flowers, the beetles, and all the other details. Come back next year and you will see that everything will be harmonised even more. Tomorrowland just never stops getting better.”
What is the vibe like in the kitchen of the Tomorrowland Restaurant? Do you listen to music while you prepare the dishes?
Marcelo: “Of course. We’re playing electronic music all day long, starting in the early morning. Really loud as well.”
Who’s your favourite artist, Roger?
Roger: “That would be Alesso, and I’m in luck,
as he’s performing tonight. I’m going over to the Freedom stage to see him in about an hour.”
How do you both look back on 20 years of Tomorrowland, and what are your first memories of the festival?
Roger: “I first entered the Holy Grounds 18 years ago. That’s pretty close to the first edition! I was asked to create twenty desserts for the DJs on the line-up. Tomorrowland was already coming up with extraordinary things back then, you see…”
Desserts are essential, right? What dessert did you end up making the DJs then?
Roger: “It’s difficult to make a very high-level dessert for so many people. So we chose to create a butterfly-shaped waffle that includes the Tomorrowland logo. Waffles are a typical Belgian dish, which is also one of the reasons we did this.”
Marcelo: “In all honesty, I do love a good ice cream
at the end of my meal, but I was so happy when I first tasted this waffle. Waffles aren’t easy to make either, by the way, as everything needs to happen very fast. Timing is very important.”
Roger: “There’s got to be ice cream next year though! I’m already looking for the right machines to get it done.”
Marcelo: “It’s possible, it’s an evolution of cocreation. Next year, it will all be even better.”
Great meals come with after-dinner dips. No one can escape them. But the People of Tomorrow don’t have time for this. Do you have any tips to overcome them?
Marcelo: “I suggest if you really want to get rid of your dip, just run back and forth to the North Sea, which is not that far away. Then you simply head back to the dancefloor. Or stay there to begin with, of course!”
AWAKEN YOUR TASTEBUDS
Every visitor to the Tomorrowland Restaurant receives a mysterious elixir shot upon entering the venue. Now what exactly is it that these cute pink balls of magic do to you? Believe it or not, they’re designed to awaken your taste buds. Anything you eat afterwards tastes even better!
“The ceviche is a real star dish. It’s also an incredible example of teamwork. All four chefs have put an equal amount of energy into this fish plate, so this is where co-creation has really paid off.”
“My favourite dish on the menu is the first bite: a butterfly made of mature cheese with a hint of jalapeño chili pepper. It’s beautiful to look at, but also very tasty, and a real signature dish that people will remember.”
REMEMBER FOREVER
In Silvyra, humans and nature blend into a single melody, united by a radiant blue energy field. This energy comes from a magical pollen that weaves love and new memories into every moment. During Tomorrowland, this energy transforms the festival into a dazzling spectacle. As you dance through the weekend, it creates memories that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on your entire circle of life, what stands out as your most colourful memory?
Cathy & Julia Belgium
“Our most colourful memory is from travelling in Asia. Partying with new friends, making lots of connections from around the world… We still speak to the people we met on that trip. We’ve just arrived at Tomorrowland, and we hope to be making the same kind of connections here!”
Diana Switzerland
“My most colourful memory is a recent one: my first time at Tomorrowland, or in other words, right now. I’ve wanted to come for five long years, ever since I first heard about it from an aftermovie. The best parts so far are the fireworks and the colours. We don’t have this in our country…”
Marie-Julie & Arthur Belgium
“Our best memory is when we first met, of course, at the ‘Gentse Feesten’. Arthur needed a place to stay, and one plus one made two… However, last year at Tomorrowland comes in a close second. There were so many open and friendly people, so many diverse souls from all over the world…”
Maira Brazil
“For me, it has to be Brazilian Carnival! The vibe was amazing and everyone was wearing stunning outfits. Looking back at it I was high with pure joy, to be honest. I actually walked in the parade myself. It’s a place that’s welcoming for everybody, just like Tomorrowland!”
Eugena & Andrew
Hong Kong
Michelle & Je Texas
Riccardo Italy
“We went to Paris before Tomorrowland and will be going to Amsterdam after, where Andrew had a surprise planned. But as we sat by a tree talking about life and love, he changed his mind and made our most cherished memory happen right here, amidst all of our friends: he proposed to me!”
“My best childhood memory is when I went horse riding and shooting with my father. He died when he was 14, but I feel like he is here with me. You’re never alone at Tomorrowland: I just met Jeff here yesterday while sharing an Uber after I missed the bus. And we’ve already been adopted by a Belgian family!”
“Going sailing in France is a memory that will stick with me forever. I slept at a base and went onto the water alone. It is so liberating to be on your own on a boat, when it’s just you and the sea. Having said that, it is my first time here, so I might well make some new and better memories!”
Lima
“A simple but powerful memory is being with my family. Those are the memories I cherish the most. All my cousins together at my mum’s place, dancing and laughing – we are really loud when we are all together. I miss them, but in 3 months I will see them again.”
Be courageous and step into an Absolut bottle-shaped world, where video projection, lights and visuals swirl around your head and under your feet. Take a deep dive into a colourful realm that leads you through a garden of Absolut delight, through a path with LED walls and down a real-life slide on your way out. At the end of your journey, you will be surprised by a high-energy party, featuring lights, flashes, cameras, and a unique, Tomorrowland-styled Absolut cocktail, as well as a selection of the finest DJs to take your experience to the next level. Does that sound like your thing? Head over to the food court behind the Mainstage, right across from the Atmosphere stage, locate the Absolut United We Dance booth – you can’t miss it – and find your passage into one of Tomorrowland’s hidden worlds. You are bound to make some cherished memories during this experience as you dance to the music of brand-new artists, immerse yourself in an illuminated world of colour, and lose yourself in the mirror room… Look forward to a journey that will stick with you long after you’ve left the festival grounds. Remember to always drink responsibly as you’re vibing!
A WORLD IN A BOTTLE BACK UP WE GO
At the heart of this year’s brand-new CORE stage lies a tale of global exploration. And so, its journey began in January this year, in the lush jungle of Tulum, where it seamlessly blended into its natural surroundings for two magical nights during CORE Tulum. Featuring a rugged structure full of water elements, immersive lights, and laser beams, this stage marked a new era by integrating lights, video, and scents to heighten the sensory experience. From Tulum, it journeyed to South America, gracing Medellín’s botanical garden with CORE Medellín, set against a backdrop of charming natural beauty. Slowly, this stage was turning into a true symbol of global movement, showcasing leading figures of house & techno to the People of Tomorrow worldwide. Now, this all-new creation returned to our enchanting forest in Boom for the very first time for the two weekends of Tomorrowland Belgium. But what lies ahead for this iconic experience? Only time will unveil its next chapter…
DESERT MAGIC UNVEILED A NEW CORE EXPERIENCE
CARNIVAL OF DREAMS
You waited with bated breath, yearning for its return, and finally, your wishes were granted with the triumphant comeback of Tomorrowland Brasil in 2023. Now, we’re ready to take it to the next level in 2024. Returning to the stunning backdrop of Parque Maeda in Itu, São Paulo from October 11-13, this year’s edition embraces the mythical theme of ‘Adscendo’. Prepare yourself for a vibrant celebration as the sun sets over the lush landscapes of this iconic venue! This year’s lineup features global icons like Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Steve Aoki, Bonobo, Boris Brejcha, Lost Frequencies, Amber Broos, MANDY, and many more. Local talent including ALOK, ANNA, Cat Dealers, BADSISTA, Due, FATSINK, Mary Mesk, Vintage Culture, and Zerb will also grace the stages. Tickets are on sale as we speak, awaiting those who seek the extraordinary. Will you be among the chosen few?
Imagine a place where the Arabian desert meets the pulsating rhythms of Tomorrowland. Welcome to Terra Solis by Tomorrowland – a captivating oasis in Dubai where music, poolside luxury, dining, and glamping converge under the starry desert sky. Nestled amidst the serene desert sands, Terra Solis embodies the very essence of Tomorrowland, seamlessly blending natural beauty with exhilarating entertainment. The ongoing Terra Solis summer nights, held every Saturday, feature fire shows, dance performances, and exhilarating sets by both international sensations and local talents. But the season at Terra Solis has much more in store. The pool area, where you can swim beneath the twinkling stars and groove to the beats spun by resident DJs, remains a fan favourite. And for a good night’s rest, you can choose from themed accommodations like the Polaris tent, Perseid lodge, or luxurious Orion pool lodge for a truly immersive stay. Curious to experience this magical getaway yourself? Find info and offers via terrasolisdubai.com.
Celebrating the best of electronic music amidst the majestic French Alps has taught us one thing: festivals and winter sports make an unbeatable combination. The snow-capped peaks of Alpe d’Huez provided a breathtaking backdrop for the 2024 edition of Tomorrowland Winter, where the excitement of seven days of revelry unfolded into an unforgettable winter extravaganza.
In 2024, over 22,000 visitors indulged in eight stunning indoor and outdoor stages scattered across the mountains and the heart of Alpe d’Huez. With over 150 electronic artists and access to 250 km of exhilarating slopes, the thrill was endless. While we may be swapping our winter gear for sunny summer apparel right now, we’re thrilled to announce that Tomorrowland Winter will return in 2025 from March 15-22. Stay tuned for ticket sales starting in September 2024, with more information coming your way soon.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: THE TOMORROWLAND FOUNDATION COLLECTION
The Tomorrowland Foundation Collection brings together two beloved facets of our iconic festival: a better future and fashion. For years, the Tomorrowland Foundation has initiated global projects in music and arts, aiming to provide a better future for underprivileged children. Last year, in collaboration with Ek Tara, the Foundation opened up a second Music & Arts School in Kolkata, leading towards a new dimension in the way the Foundation is connected to the festival. Now, together with the kids and mothers of the school, Tomorrowland proudly presents the Tomorrowland Foundation Collection.
Each item embodies the resilience and elegance of these children, symbolizing their latent potential and the transformative power of opportunity.
The Tomorrowland Foundation Collection was brought to life to further share this underrepresented facet of the unity that Tomorrowland brings. For years the Tomorrowland Foundation has been starting up projects all over the world, like music and arts education and Mobile Schools, in order to help less privileged children towards a more sustainable future. The Tomorrowland Foundation aims to support children and youngsters in developing countries or regions in crisis between the ages of 4 and 21 from all over the world. The aim is to help them along their path to adulthood, as their parents are often preoccupied with mere survival, trying to keep their head above the water while dealing with unequal chances in life.
Last year, the Tomorrowland Foundation opened a second Music & Arts School located in Kolkata, India, together with Ek Tara. Ek Tara is an independent organization working with children and women from impoverished families, aiming to
provide high-quality holistic education to enable community transformation. 1,500 underprivileged girls, residing within the city’s biggest slums, now have the opportunity to participate in dance, music, and art classes. From this cooperation an idea sprung to bring together Tomorrowland’s fashion line with the work of the Foundation. Inspired by the artworks created in the art classes, an exclusive capsule collection has been crafted.
The Foundation Collection boasts a variety of striking pieces adorned with a vibrant butterfly motif. Each item embodies the resilience and elegance of these children, symbolizing their latent potential and the transformative power of opportunity. Every stitch and detail encapsulates the growth that can occur when one is given the chance to spread one’s wings and thrive. The butterfly motif, drawn and designed by the children of the Music & Arts School, was incorporated in a whole line of T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts. If you look closely at the artwork spread
around the festival this year, you may even spot some more designs by the children of Ek Tara, as they were incorporated in detailing all around the grounds.
A second pillar of the Foundation Collection finds its backstory in the mothers of the children of the Music & Arts School. These women, often unemployed, tended to wait on the roadside for school to end, having to walk the way back home because they could not afford other transportation. For these mothers, Ek Tara launched a subdivision called Ek Tara Creates, in order to also help them improve their living circumstances. Ek Tara opened up an extra working space for the mothers, where they were guided in turning leftover pieces of cloth from ateliers around the neighborhood into items they would be able to sell in handicraft markets for tourists later on. Stumbling upon this add-on initiative, Tomorrowland immediately incorporated it in the fashion line of the Tomorrowland Foundation. Thus, all embroidered items and
accessories in the Collection were made in India and bought from Ek Tara, providing an extra source of income for mothers, and thus a better life for children.
The Tomorrowland Foundation places paramount importance on the creative development of children and young people. Beyond music and dance, the foundation emphasizes art, encouraging children to paint, draw, and engage in crafts, allowing their creativity to flourish. The Tomorrowland Foundation aims to showcase the creations of these young artists, offering a glimpse into the imaginative world of tomorrow's leaders.
The exquisite apparel and accessories of the Tomorrowland Foundation Collection are now available on the festival site at the Tomorrowland Stores, and accessible on the Tomorrowland website throughout the year. All profits of this collection go to the Tomorrowland Foundation’s projects to support kids & youngsters across the globe.
THE GREAT LIBRARY OF TOMORROW
A STORY TO CONNECT ALL OF TOMORROWLAND’S REALMS
So you loved Tomorrowland’s origin story books, ‘The Rise of Adscendo’ and ‘The Spirit of Life’, for their otherworldly, touching, and adventurous plots? These novels, containing the origin stories and details of Tomorrowland’s festival themes, received global acclaim from People of Tomorrow and literary critics alike. If you enjoyed absorbing these novels, or want to make your first foray into Tomorrowland’s deeper narratives, you are now in luck. The creators of the festival are taking their fabled realms, including Adscendo and Silvyra, to the here and now in the first part of the long-awaited ‘Book of Wisdom’ trilogy. The first book, entitled ‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’, invites you to explore places you may recognise from your various festival visits.
‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’ starts with an alarming observation: Perennia, the Rose Garden’s mythical dragon, has gone missing, and her natural habitat is on fire. There is a sense of panic, but no need to despair: Helia, the Great Library’s Sage of Hope, and her nine spirited fellow sages are determined to protect the realm. Finding the Book of Wisdom that normally guides them eerily silent, they embark on a quest to defeat the suspected perpetrator, a dark entity known as the Ash Man.
A thrilling novel in and of itself, ‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’ is rooted in the values that are so important to the People of Tomorrow: to live today, love tomorrow, and unite forever. In the book, those core values of unity, hope, love, and nature are threatened, but defeat is nowhere near. There is darkness, but also plenty of light in the tale, as the carriers of the flames of positivity passionately unite to fight the forces of evil. The ten sages, who will become close to your heart as you submerge yourself in a story that can stand with the greatest works written in the genre, carry the same spirit as Tomorrowland, the very festival that has conquered a place in your heart a long time ago.
“In crafting this tale, Tomorrowland has created a testament to our enduring quest for deeper understanding of our place in this world.”
THE BOOK OF WISDOM
‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’ – out this fall – is the first part of a trilogy called ‘The Book of Wisdom’. The trilogy marks a one-ofa-kind global collaboration with publishers everywhere, allowing readers around the world to explore the Tomorrowland universe like never before. Pre-order your copy of the first book now in your language of choice, English, German, Polish, Dutch, or French, through thegreatlibraryoftomorrow.com. More translations will be added later!
Fantastic Funghi)
Louie Schwarzberg (director of
STEVE AOKI’S THOUGHTS
Steve Aoki was one of the first to read ‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’ and he devoured it: “With this new fantasy book by Rosalia Aguilar Solace, Tomorrowland has once again exceeded all of my expectations. The characters, the worldbuilding, and the story had me immersed from page one. In true Tomorrowland fashion, the book embodies the culture and ethos of the festival that inspired it, breaking out into sensational new worlds. There are scenes that will have the reader thrilled and on the edge of their seat. And it is set in a whole new universe for us to explore, from the magical and evocative forests of Silvyra to the stunning City of Forever.”
HUMAN CONNECTIONS ROUNDTABLE PART 2
Enhancing meaningful human connections and cross-cultural connections at Tomorrowland, in the global electronic scene and beyond: this is what United We Dance, your beloved festival’s diversity and inclusion committee, is all about in 2024. The notion that due to various reasons, connecting to people can be a challenge – even when surrounded by huge crowds – has been the main trigger for United We Dance’s series of roundtable conversations. Today, we had house legend Sunnery James, dance music innovator Laidback Luke, and versatile electronic producer Rose Ringed talking about the role of equality and exchange in fostering human connections.
Welcome Sunnery, Luke and Rose! Let’s talk about another important aspect of human connections: connections across cultures and identities. In the past few years, there has been growing emphasis on representative line-ups, bringing together cultures and identities which are enriching our music space – and eventually representing music-lovers more broadly. Could you share your thoughts on this?
Rose: “Well, if you keep booking the same kind of artists, you will end up with a very homogenic sound that will remain static. I love today’s afrobeats hype, it represents change. I just spoke to two DJs who play afro tech stuff. I think it’s very important to have an open view, because it’s too easy to just program the dominant genre. Another key reason to have diverse line-ups is because the artists included in them serve as important role models for people from various backgrounds. It is encouraging in the sense
SUNNERY JAMES, LAIDBACK LUKE, AND ROSE RINGED ON INCLUSIVE LINE-UPS
that you may suddenly realise: I can become a DJ too, I too can do my musical thing on a big scale. It’s important for kids from underrepresented backgrounds to see that.”
“We need to realise that dance music started in black gay clubs.”
Laidback Luke
Luke: “I’ll tell you straight away. There is a huge shortage of female DJs and producers. I am a strong supporter of booking people of colour and queer people. We need to realise that dance music started in black gay clubs. That is what our scene is based upon. And I want to give a shout-out to the straight black men who contributed to the invention of techno as well. A whole lot of white men took over when EDM came along. Being from an ehtnic minority group myself – I’m half Filipino – I think this is really important. Of course, I don’t mean to say that there is something inherently wrong about any skin colour – we just need to mix it up a little. And I don’t hate men either. But it’s true that, as a female, you want to see yourself represented on the stage, it’s inspirational.”
Sunnery: “I think there’s another side to this too. I don’t want to really generalise, saying that Gen Z is lonely, but I sense that in a way this generation is facing lot of pressure. We’re living in a world where you are always prompted to speak out. There is a certain expectation about how you should look at things to do with inclusivity. Even if you don’t speak out, people are forcing you. If you don’t want to take a stance, you get judged.”
Is it a generational thing maybe? Where people of different ages speak a different language? Sunnery: “Sure, but I feel we carry a responsibility not to take these debates to their extremes, which are indeed symbolised by Gen Z and the ‘boomers’. You don’t need to choose sides. I just find it very important not to exclude anyone, not to judge. We need to avoid saying: you didn’t speak out about racism, so you’re a racist. I think this is one of the reasons why people end up lonely, because they face isolation when they don’t live up to general expectations. If we avoid loneliness and isolation, we can keep talking to each other, and that’s the basis of everything we are talking about here.”
Check out unitedwedance.tomorrowland.com to watch these artists speak about the topic of human connections more elaborately in the United We Dance podcast, powered by Tomorrowland and Absolut.
The music of LIFE is to be heard all across the Holy Grounds this weekend. In Focus on the Music, you can find all there is to know about it, from line-ups to interviews to special features. Here’s a selection of today’s hosting partners to start with!
CORE HOSTED BY DJ BORING
TWEEKAMANIA THE ROSE GARDEN
AFTERLIFE FREEDOM
At CORE things are taken to another level today – just like any other day, really. Energetic and with one foot in the underground, DJ Boring conquered the hearts of many during his set in the French mountains earlier this year, and off the back of it, he swiftly received the invitation to curate a full day at Tomomorrowland Belgium. We can imagine what he thought when put on the spot: don’t think twice, it’s alright! If you love the Australian producer’s eclectic stompers, you’ll also love HAAi’s four-tothe-floor meets breaks style and KI/KI’s upbeat nu-trance anthems. There will be a variety in sound but an incredible unity in vibe today at the CORE of it all. We can’t wait, can you?
If you need more Da Tweekaz in your life, well, here you go. This isn’t a boring Sunday where nothing ever happens. Rather the contrary! Not only are the Norwegian hardstyle duo performing their very own euphoric hardstyle, they’re also set to play the much-loved happy hardcore stuff that they release under their Tweekacore alias. Still not satisfied? No problem! Performing alongside Da Tweekaz are Dirty Workz head honcho Coone – the first hardstyle DJ to ever play the Mainstage – as well as MANDY, who’s put out some excellent material on said imprint. Fist pump, go crazy, do whatever like there’s no tomorrow!
Curated under the supervision of acclaimed Italian duo Tale of Us, the music on Afterlife comes with a clear, innovative sonic signature. The label boasts more than a dozen of actively releasing artists who all manage to craft their own take on the deeply emotional, subtly layered, trance-infused techno that the imprint is known for. Artists performing at Freedom today include 8Kays, Kassian, Argy and, closing the stage, the Tale of Us men themselves. For your best experience, we recommend spending at least two hours here to get in that utterly unique, hypnotising Afterlife state of mind.
“There is a rock & roll adventure waiting for us behind every corner.”
GOE VUR IN DEN OTTO!
THE BEST DJS IN ROCK MUSIC
We all know that the craft of DJing will forever be associated with dance music. Rockers hate DJs, don’t they? In 1979, a bunch of American guitar kids famously ran onto a baseball pitch to proclaim that “disco sucks.” DJing was virtually absent from any scene based on guitar music until a pivotal moment twelve years ago, when rock fans Johnny Jailbait and Pete da Bomber decided to follow their DJ dreams, and history took an unexpected and hopeful turn. Excited about playing the classic rock tunes that they believed were ‘goe vur in den otto’ – “good for driving” in Flemish – they got their act together and started knocking down doors at all the big alternative festivals in Belgium and the Netherlands, from Graspop to Rock Werchter, playing to crowds of thousands of people. Tonight, things will come full circle, when during their farewell tour, Goe Vur in den Otto will finally play the festival of their dreams: Tomorrowland. Pete da Bomber was kind enough to explain to Tomorrowland Today how it all came to be, and why the Rave Cave simply has to be packed tonight.
OK, Pete. First of all: no jokes please. Can you promise to answer our questions in all sincerity? “Take our word for it.”
What does it mean, ‘Goe vur in den Otto’?
“Literally, it means ‘good for in the car’ in Flemish slang. As is the case with all good ideas, the whole thing originates from a discussion between two friends in a bar, who observed that there is a seal of quality for beer, peanut butter, furniture... there seemed to be hallmarks for literally everything except for music that’s good for driving.”
What happens in a bar, usually stays in a bar.
“Not in this case. Johnny printed a limited amount of stickers saying ‘Goe Vur in den Otto’ and then we went to record stores to stick them onto records that we believed were good for driving. It was like a guerilla thing. None of the employees ever knew it was us who were behind the stickers. The sales of some of these classic records suddenly started to peak again. As promised, I’m not telling you any jokes. This seriously happened.”
So no one had a clue about who you guys were at that point? You were like the Claptone of putting stickers on records?
“We were operating 100% undercover.”
Then what happened next?
“I got asked to DJ at one of Antwerp’s biggest metal festivals at some point, but the idea of doing it alone made me nervous, so I asked Johnny to join me. Why don’t we come out as Goe Vur in den Otto, I said to him. We started out just by playing songs off our laptops without mixing properly. But then, when the demand went up, we knew we had to professionalise.”
You’re often called the Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike of the rock scene. Why is that?
“We were the first rock DJs who did rock but also the first ones to make edits of the songs we played. We soon realised that people lost their energy after dancing to the same song for a few minutes, so we shortened them to make our sets more dynamic. Johnny is always the one playing the songs and I handle the mic, which is something people at rock festivals weren’t used to, but Dimi and Mike’s fans know it all too well. Another thing we have in common with them is that we are huge stars with excellent taste in music.”
You’re known to play lots of guitar music. For the benefit of those who grew up at dance festivals: what is a guitar?
“It’s an instrument with six or more strings and it makes the most beautiful sounds in the world if you get it right. It will also get you lots of attention from the girls in the crowd.”
What is the most rock & roll thing that ever happened during your career?
“This is a tough one. There is an adventure waiting for us behind every corner. I remember one weekend in 2018 when we played nine shows in four days all over Belgium and Holland. We had hired an actual tour bus, which is a bit extravagant for two DJs, of course. It was hectic. We never knew where we were geographically as we zigzagged through these countries. One of the sets was at a secret stage, which was to be entered via the toilet. The place looked like a strip bar. We were really drunk and it was very hot, when at one point I saw something crawling under the DJ booth: a little man who looked like Aladdin. I can still hear myself saying to Johnny that I needed to go outside for a bit to get rid of these pesky hallucinations. As soon as I got out, I saw a man dressed up as Aladdin smoking a cigarette. He came over to me to say how much he loved our set…”
Some DJs at Tomorrowland tour the whole world. You, however, don’t. What are the health consequences of travelling within the same time zone all the time?
“You tend to sleep very well, but there is a difference in altitude between Belgium and Holland. Holland is below sea level, which means you get drunk much faster.”
What are the effects of touring on your family life?
“This is going to be our last run of shows. I’m looking forward to seeing my kids more often after Tomorrowland. The story has been told now. I’m not saying we’ll never perform again, but we’re going to take more care of ourselves, just like Hardwell and Armin are doing.”
Speaking of Tomorrowland, what is your connection to the festival?
“I have been to every single edition, but incognito. I never even wore my black T-shirt. Mostly, I was typing away on a keyboard trying to get the words of other superstar DJs, whom I spoke to often, off to the press. But really that was just a cover. For all those years, I was here with the sole purpose of preparing for tonight’s show, which will be a full strike, magical in a heavy metal kind of way.”
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE RAVE CAVE YET?
Intimate, dark, and steamy, the Rave Cave is where you’ll have your most unexpected Tomorrowland experiences. This is where partying is done differently. If you haven’t been over the course of this weekend, make sure to take your last chance today. A typical mishmash of styes, the DJs playing the Cave today will spin anything from hiphop and R&B (BAVR), disco-infected house (Geheimzinnig Soundsystem), UK garage, grime, and jungle (DC Noises) and the best classic rock you’d normally only play while driving your car, passionately selected by the two unsung heroes that take centre stage on these two pages.
“The story has been told now. We’re going to take more care of ourselves, just like Hardwell and Armin are doing.”
Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name
“Quite simply the best song ever written. This song works everywhere. And did you know that Bon Jovi is French for ‘good Jovi’?”
Limp Bizkit - Rollin’
“Legend has it that Fred Durst wrote this song with us in mind. Thank you Fred, the honour is all ours.”
Alice Cooper - Poison
“The song where we’ll ask you to get close to your partner, and shove your tongue down their throat with all the love you’ve got – otherwise we’ll do it for you.”
Bloody Beetroots - WARP 1977
“The ultimate blend of rock and dance music. This is Art with a capital A. This melts faces and bangs the head that does not bang.”
Journey - Don’t Stop Believing
“We close our set with this song every time without exception. Playing this at Tomorrowland will be a moment of going full circle for us.”
SUNDAY 28.07.2024
MAINSTAGE
LIFE
Closing Ceremony 23:45 - 00:00
David Guetta 22:45 - 23:45
Tiësto 21:40 - 22:40
Boris Brejcha 20:40 - 21:40
Keinemusik 19:35 - 20:35
(&ME, Adam Port, Rampa)
NERVO 18:35 - 19:35
Indira Paganotto 17:35 - 18:35
Opening Ceremony
FOCUS ON SUNDAY GLORIOUS
DAYBREAK SESSIONS
ONE WORLD RADIO SOUNDSYSTEM
MAINSTAGE | 12:00
With the arrival of One World Radio on the airwaves, listening to the radio has suddenly become a hell of a lot more interesting. Radio is no longer that crackling dusty thing your grandparents used to listen to. Rather, it has become your one-stop destination to find out all about the classics and new arrivals in an otherwise hard to navigate jungle of EDM sounds. If you are an avid listener to the station, we have great news for you, as three of its most iconic DJs will be hosting what is set to be a glorious Daybreak Session this Sunday.
Far removed from the demands of the dancefloor, radio shows are perfect for testing out new sounds as well as for playing the less obvious yet muchloved classic sounds that don’t quite tick the peaktime boxes at the festivals anymore. The best things in life are co-created, and so One World Radio presenters Adam K, Justin Wilkes, Ben Malone will join forces to translate that incredible radio feeling, where there’s always a new discovery lurking just around the corner, to a Mainstage vibe. The three have set their minds on playing tunes that will continue to resonate with you, even when this afternoon has began to turn into a vivid memory. On a final note, great radio shows come with great guests, so… make sure to keep a close eye on who appears on stage as you start rocking to the rhythm of that groovy beat.
A distinguished DJ, producer, label owner and – maybe her most exciting role yet – self-proclaimed touring DJ mum, Amelie Lens has become a venerated figure in the realm of techno. The Antwerp native’s meteoric rise is a testament to her profound and enduring passing for music, which secured her for techno stardom ever since taking up her first residency role in 2014. With a healthy obsession for telling stories through radical combinations of sounds, she exhausts search engines looking for new material to create that narrative while producing the fiercest of techno tracks. You can witness the First Lady of Belgian Techno in full swing today at the Atmosphere stage – but first, some words of wisdom from Amelie herself.
Your trademark is uplifting, harder techno, and that’s what your fans love you for. Recently, however, an even rougher blend of techno has been gaining popularity. How do you reflect on that development?
“To be honest, I don’t think my sound is considered ‘hard techno’ anymore within the techno scene itself. There is indeed a huge new scene vibing on very hard and fast techno, leaning closer to hardcore. My own sound is very energetic, but not always that ‘hard’. I see myself as floating around somewhere in between several subgenres of techno.”
One of the subgenres you have incorporated in your work is a vintage kind of trance sound, like in ‘You And Me’. Where did you pick up that idea?
“ is is who I am now: a touring DJ mum, and I love it!”
“That track was specifically made for my Tomorrowland Mainstage set last year! I really wanted to make something memorable to close my set with. So the idea comes from me imagining myself playing the Mainstage while producing the track (laughs).”
Does playing in front of huge crowds, like at the Mainstage, ever bring back memories of when you first started going to clubs and festivals yourself?
“For sure! Every time I play I think back to when I was in that crowd, and whenever I play I also put myself in the crowd mentally. I try to read the room and feel what they feel. I don’t think I would ever be able to do that if I hadn’t spent that much time on the dancefloor myself. Even today I often go and dance in the crowd because I really need that energy to feel inspired.”
You have mentioned before that fame came at a prize and involved some unexpected experiences. Have you found a way to manage it?
“I still find fame a bit challenging. When I started DJ’ing I never even considered the possibility that I would also become a role model – a status that, to me, involves a lot of responsibility. People often expect you to be perfect, have all the answers, and burst out perfect statements about literally anything. I genuinely want to help and inspire people, but I’m not perfect. Maintaining that high standard is practically impossible, so it can be challenging at times. I have indeed found my own ways to accept this reality, but I must admit I really underestimated how difficult it can be.”
What did it feel like to go back to work after becoming a mother? Do the contrasting wild world of festivals and of a homely environment go well together?
“When I was still breastfeeding, finding that balance was hard. It’s not only the ways in which you miss your baby on an emotional level, there’s also the physical and hormonal reaction. You have all these hormones racing through your body, making you feel like you should have never left your baby in the first place. I felt actual physical pain being away from her and I was very emotional during those first shows. I tried to think of the fact that I’m so lucky to be with her 5 days a week, and I tried to keep my weekends as short as possible, taking the last flight out and the first one back home. But now, that balance is restored, which was imperative, really. Festivals and club culture have been a huge part of my life as well as that of my husband (DJ Farrago). And because I was still playing some shows while I was pregnant, you could also say that it is already part of my daughter’s life. She was actually in my belly last year when I played the Tomorrowland Mainstage and Exhale stage. I turned the volume down in the DJ booth but she must have felt my energy, my dance moves, and all the love, for sure. So yes, it’s been hard, but these contrasting worlds do go well together. They are both indispensable key elements of my whole being. This is who I am now: a touring DJ mum, and I love it!”
TIËSTO
MAINSTAGE | 21:45 - 22:45
Just like anyone else with ambitions in the electronic music scene, Tijs Verwest aka Tiësto started his career as humbly as can be, by DJ’ing at school parties in the mid-‘80s. Just imagine what that would have been like! It wasn’t long before he entered the first phase of professionalisation in his career; Tijs became a resident DJ at Spock, a local club in his hometown of Breda. Fast forward to 2003, and he became the first electronic music artist to sell out stadium-sized venues with solo shows. Not only did he change the industry game, 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 to a sound popular in the Netherlands during the mid-‘90s: hardcore. It wasn’t until later on in that same decade when he switched to trance and his breakthrough to 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 over thirty prizes, including the DJ Mag Award for World’s Best DJ. Ready for a new chapter in his career, Tijs started branching out into new territories about a decade into the new millennium, slowly developing into who he is now: the undisputed king of anthemic dance music. During a typical Tiësto set, he will take his crowd on a journey through his career and with such a massive discography behind him, only one thing is for certain: every song will be a banger!
VINTAGE CULTURE
CRYSTAL GARDEN | 19:00 - 20:30
The name Vintage Culture suggests a connection to the rich history of pop music, and it’s true: this incredibly prolific Brazilian electronic producer has a soft spot for timeless pop anthems. It is these big tunes from the past that Lukas Rafael Ruiz Hespanhol has introduced to a brand new audience. New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’ was already a dance record before it got the Vintage Culture remix treatment, Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ was promptly presented to a new generation of music fans when this inimitable producer gave it a whole new sonic identity. Head over to Crystal Garden today to witness the past, present and future merge into one big sonic adventure with Vintage Culture.
CORE | 22:00 - 00:00
Club culture was originally a queer affair, and you will be hard pressed to find another DJ at Tomorrowland who’s as aware of this as KI/KI. Coming up as a resident for Amsterdam’s famous Spielraum queer collective, which started out in DIY venue RADION and spread across various underground clubs all the way to Berghain in Berlin, she honed her craft playing seemingly endless sets for people of all kinds and colours, coming together to celebrate difference and liberate themselves from societal norms. Musically, her main inspiration is the wealth of sounds found in trance music; she can go dark, hard, acid, or uplifting, always taking you on a mind-bending journey that will leave you wondering where the hell time has gone. An ideal match for CORE!
CORE | 20:00 - 22:00
Returning to Tomorrowland after her first performance last year is Australian DJ/producer Teneil Throssell aka HAAi. Throssell entered the world of professional music as a member of psychedelic rock band Dark Bells. The move from being in that group to electronic music is less extreme than you may think, as her sets are also packed with mind-elevating sounds and beats of all sorts. Throssell started mixing up rock, funk and ethnic sounds at the famous Ridley Road Market bar in the East London borough of Hackney, before moving on to a sound that is best described as techno with a healthy dose of breakbeats.
MEMORIES OF TOMORROW
Spanning no less than twenty years, Tomorrowland has piled up deep-rooted memories that have been carved into our collective psyche. In Memories of Tomorrow we look back at the experiences we shared together, as one can only prepare for the future by understanding the past. After twenty years of uniting the world, it’s time to take a breath, reminisce, and remember…
THE FIRST TOMORROW
Remember that one time, that very first time in 2005? It seems like a lifetime ago that Tomorrowland first set foot in the heart of the quaint town of Boom, nestled within the verdant embrace of nature. A grand transformation took place on August 14 that year, creating an irreversible bond between De Schorre and the festival that would grow out to become the love story we all know today. But make no mistake: Tomorrowland’s first edition was nothing like the immense powerhouse it is today.
The genesis of Tomorrowland was a one-day event with just 9,500 visitors and 60 artists spread over a Mainstage looking rather basic by today’s standards and a handful of side stages. With names like Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Justice, and Sven Väth, the line-up laid down a blueprint of what was to come. But all those present could already feel that this first edition was more than just a festival; it was a testament to the power of music to transcend barriers and unite souls. As the first chapter in Tomorrowland’s storied history drew to a close, it was clear that this was only the beginning of an epic fairytale, one that would continue to captivate and inspire for years to come.
AFROJACK
THE LIBRARY | 20:00 - 21:00
ROSE GARDEN | 17:00 – 18:00
Afrojack, who didn’t grow up with him? One of the reasons he’s still so relevant today is that he’s never been afraid to explore new musical alleyways. Over the course of his career, Afrojack has produced Dutch house, big-room bangers, trap, future house, moombahton, trap, techno and electro house. Now let that sink in… Recent releases include a thumping techno version of Salt-NPepa’s ‘Push It’ (with Hardwell), the dreamy cut ‘Underwater’ (with Dubvision), and a collab with Timmy Trumpet & Lil Jon on this festival’s very own label Tomorrowland Music: the ultra-hectic ‘We Can’t Stop’. Afrojack’s sets are a treat filled with bangers from the past and present, so if you haven’t seen the man before, make sure to catch him on the Mainstage!
A worldwide leading act within the hard dance genre, Da Tweekaz bring the ultimate uplifting dancefloor energy to the grounds of Tomorrowland. The duo work together like a well-oiled machine: as one of them mixes in the next tune, the other makes time to interact with one of the crazy dancers near the stage. Da Tweekaz fans love their heroes for their energetic sounds, but also for the fact that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Silliness is part of their everyday life and there’s no way of hiding it! Get yourself all hyped up for their set by checking out new releases like the happy hardcoreinspired ‘La Di Da’ and ‘Sunrise’, an anthem for the summer on a distinct euphoric hardstyle tip.
“THE HARMONIOUS VOICE OF NATURE: FROM THE SOUL TO THE COSMIC SYMPHONY”
MAINSTAGE | 22:45 - 23:45
One of the very first electronic artists to collaborate with pop and rap music’s biggest stars, including Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kelis, and The Black Eyed Peas, French producer David Guetta has revolutionised the world of music. The track ‘When Love Takes Over’ in particular opened up a completely new audience, unfamiliar yet with European rave culture, to electronic sounds. In effect, the Guetta-powered travels of dance music into hirtherto unknown geographical territories turned out to be one of the core mechanisms behind the People of Tomorrow growing from a local to a truly global tribe. It’s hard to find the words to thank you for this, David!
CORE | 18:00 - 20:00
Whatever inspired Tristan Hallis to choose his remarkable pseudonym we don’t know, but what’s for certain is his DJ sets are the absolute opposite of boring; vibrant, passionate, and visibly enthralled by his own selections, he will manage to whip any crowd into a frenzy. He takes great pride in his digging abilities, always on the lookout for the hottest new productions to combine with lesserknown gems from the past into a mishmash that is hard to pin down in terms of genre, but always plain fun. His own productions are firmly rooted in the history of dance music, with uptempo, driving lo-fi house beats as a basis. If you feel like being surprised on the dancefloor today, head to CORE and don’t be bored!
