Fire destroys Tomorrowland main stage on eve of festival opening

Fire destroys Tomorrowland main stage on eve of festival opening

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday, completely destroying the main stage of Tomorrowland, one of the world’s most iconic electronic music festivals, held annually near Antwerp, Belgium. The blaze erupted just a day before over 100,000 fans were expected to descend on the town of Boom for the two-weekend celebration of electronic dance music.

Organizers confirmed that while the main stage was severely damaged, there were no injuries. Dramatic visuals flooded social media, showing thick black smoke and flames engulfing the site and spreading to nearby woodland. According to statements posted on the official festival website, the team is working on “finding solutions” to carry on with the event as planned.

Despite the destruction, organizers remain committed to delivering the festival experience. The DreamVille campsite opened as scheduled on Thursday, and performances by global music stars including David Guetta, Lost Frequencies, Armin van Buuren, and Charlotte de Witte are still set to begin Friday. Events will now be split between the ruined main stage area and the Freedom Stage.

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Several hundred firefighters were deployed to contain the fire, which Antwerp prosecutors have said appears to be accidental. Nonetheless, a formal investigation has been launched.

Founded 20 years ago by two Belgian brothers, Tomorrowland has grown into a global brand synonymous with spectacular stage design and a top-tier lineup of electronic artists. This incident, while a significant setback, is unlikely to dim the festival’s reputation or the enthusiasm of its loyal fanbase.

With the first weekend’s performances still on track, the organizers’ response has demonstrated resilience in the face of an unexpected crisis. For now, the focus is on rebuilding and ensuring that the music goes on—flames or no flames.