Tomorrowland 2025 continued under extraordinary circumstances this weekend after a fire earlier in the week destroyed the festival’s iconic Mainstage in Boom, Belgium. Now, a new concern has emerged as organizers have issued a public health warning urging attendees not to consume water from temporary drinkwater stations installed across the festival site.
The damage to one of the main water pipelines caused by the fire has disrupted the infrastructure meant to deliver safe drinking water. The system, which typically relies on regular flushing to prevent the buildup of bacteria in stagnant pipes, cannot currently be maintained. In hot weather, this poses a significant health risk. “We cannot guarantee the quality of the drinking water,” organizers stated. “Until we receive formal clearance from an independent laboratory analyzing water samples, we ask all guests not to use the temporary drinking water taps.”
Digital screens throughout the grounds have been broadcasting the warning since Friday, and the message has been echoed across the festival’s official communication channels. Organizers emphasized that they are following strict guidance from the Flemish Environment Agency (Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij) and local health authorities.
The news was first reported by G.Business , citing the Belgian broadcaster VRT.be, which has been covering the aftermath of the fire closely.
Despite the disruption, the spirit of Tomorrowland has remained intact. On Friday, Belgian techno artist Charlotte de Witte made history by becoming the first performer ever to both open and close the Mainstage on the same day. Her two-hour opening set was met with an outpouring of emotion from fans, many of whom sang “Happy Birthday” in anticipation of her birthday on July 21.
“Normally, the DJ booth at Tomorrowland is set up high and far from the crowd, but this time I was much closer,” she told VRT NWS. “It felt deeply emotional. I felt loved by the audience.” Reflecting on the fire and the reconstructed stage behind her, she added: “It was apocalyptic, seeing people dancing in front of the burned structures. But also beautiful.”
De Witte later posted on Instagram: “From the ashes we will rise,” a phrase that has quickly come to symbolize the resilience of this year’s edition.
Throughout the day, festivalgoers faced heavy rain, but spirits remained high. Attendees improvised with ponchos, danced through puddles, and continued to fill stages across the vast grounds. Among the lineup were some of the youngest talents ever to perform at the festival, including 14-year-old Sebsky, a graduate of the Tomorrowland Academy, and classical musicians from the Symphony of Unity. The 50-piece orchestra performed orchestral renditions of electronic classics by Swedish House Mafia, Goose, and Eric Prydz — a highlight that brought an unexpected sense of calm and grandeur.
Behind the scenes, the rapid reconstruction of the Mainstage was a feat in itself. Using components from Metallica’s global tour, organizers and technicians worked around the clock to erect a fully functional stage in under 48 hours. While the music continues, concerns over public health remain.
Organizers have promised to reopen drinking water taps only when laboratory tests confirm that the system is once again safe. Until then, sealed bottled water from certified vendors is the only approved source of hydration for the festival’s tens of thousands of guests.
Tomorrowland 2025, once threatened by structural loss, now stands as a symbol of resilience — defined not only by the music that plays, but by the collective will to adapt, rebuild, and keep dancing.
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