Tomorrowland Builds New Stage in 48 Hours After Fire – Festival Opens on Schedule
Boom, Belgium – July 18, 2025 – Just two days after a massive fire destroyed the iconic Mainstage at Tomorrowland, the world-renowned electronic music festival has opened as planned. A replacement stage was built within 48 hours. Organizers confirmed the festival began at 2:00 PM on July 18 under full safety clearance. This was reported by G Business, citing Belgian broadcasters VRT NWS.
Fire on July 16: Devastation Two Days Before Opening
On Wednesday, July 16, a fire broke out around 8:00 PM at the festival’s Mainstage in De Schorre Park, Boom. The blaze quickly consumed the entire structure. Though no injuries were reported, the damage was extensive. Local fire brigades and a firefighting helicopter were deployed. The Antwerp public prosecutor has launched an investigation into suspected negligence.
The incident occurred just 48 hours before the first weekend of the event, which welcomes more than 400,000 visitors from over 200 countries across two weekends.
Rebuilding the Mainstage in Record Time
Immediately following the fire, Tomorrowland’s technical crews began working overnight. By Friday morning, a fully functional replacement stage had been constructed.
Debby Wilmsen, spokesperson for Tomorrowland, stated during Thursday evening’s press conference:
“We were devastated, but our teams acted immediately. The new stage is smaller, but fully equipped and safe.”
Frank Verstraeten, supplier of the LED screens, added:
“The new setup is about one-third the size of the original. There will be no fireworks, but the headliners will perform.”
Two Contingency Scenarios – Plan A Succeeds
Organizers had prepared two backup plans:
- Scenario 1 (implemented):
– New stage ready
– Full site access for all ticket holders
– Festival opens July 18 at 2:00 PM - Scenario 2 (not needed):
– Campers in DreamVille remain in a separate zone
– Acts play on the Gathering Stage
– Limited access to other stages
Authorities confirmed early Friday that Scenario 1 would proceed. The site is now fully open under strict safety compliance.
Artists and Atmosphere
Despite the crisis, the festival lineup remains intact, with performances by Charlotte de Witte, Martin Garrix, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, Tale Of Us, Peggy Gou and many others across genres including EDM, techno, house, trance, and melodic techno.
Charlotte de Witte expressed her respect via Instagram:
“The team watched months of work go up in smoke and started rebuilding immediately. That level of commitment is extraordinary.”
According to VRT journalist Mattias Tuyls, the mood on the DreamVille campsite remains upbeat:
“There’s a sense of relief and determination. People are here to celebrate — no matter what.”
Government Response and Environmental Monitoring
Mayor Jeroen Baert of Boom emphasized that the decision to proceed was made in close consultation with fire and police services:
“We received clear safety guarantees. Without them, we would not have allowed the event.”
Mireille Colson (N-VA) from the province of Antwerp stated that environmental assessments are underway:
“We’re taking soil and water samples and evaluating structural impact in De Schorre Park.”
The province also confirmed its full cooperation with festival organizers to document and minimize long-term ecological effects.
Dates and Outlook
- July 18, 2025 – Festival begins at 14:00 with new Mainstage
- July 19, 2025 – Full Mainstage program resumes
- Second weekend: July 25–27, 2025
- Location: De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
A festival of global scale, resilience and unity
Tomorrowland 2025 once again reaffirms its status as one of the largest electronic music festivals in the world, hosting over 400,000 attendees across two weekends in Boom, Belgium. With guests from more than 200 countries, the event is not only a celebration of music but also of international unity, creativity and production excellence.
This year’s edition features over 800 artists across 16 stages, with genres ranging from techno, house and EDM to trance, drum & bass, and melodic techno. Headliners include Charlotte de Witte, Martin Garrix, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, Peggy Gou and Tale Of Us.
Despite the unexpected disaster, the rapid reconstruction of the Mainstage and the seamless continuation of the event underscore Tomorrowland’s reputation not only for its artistic vision, but also for its unparalleled operational capability and community spirit.
Stay connected for news that works — timely, factual, and free from opinion. Learn more about this topic and related developments here: Tomorrowland 2025 in Belgium: Main Stage Burns Down Just Two Days Before Festival Start
Foto von www.vrt.be
