Tomorrowland Today 2026 | Saturday Wk2

LET THE RHYTHM TAKE YOU HIGHER

Now that Tomorrowland is in full swing, the realisation sinks in: you can’t be everywhere at the same time, so you might as well drop your FOMO. Just in case you hadn’t made up your mind yet, here are some undisputable highlights. You might want to experience the love, not hate, that French techno phenomenon I Hate Models preaches with his music. If you decide to head to Crystal Garden late at night you’ll find out that the hype around John Summit is real and, talking about hypes, Pegassi’s trance-infused techno music is even more infectious than you might think. Don’t forget to take a deep dive into club music’s underground as HAAi and The Blessed Madonna challenge each other with a back-to-back at CORE either. And finally, why not end with Calvin Harris at the Mainstage to go out with a bang?

A NEW WORLD IS YOURS!

So – how does it feel, indeed? What went through you as you dove headfirst into the maelstrom, friends?

A whirlwind of energy made its irresistible way across the Holy Grounds as you got your first glimpse of the Mainstage and issued forth across Tomorrowland from there. A new world opened itself to you, with Consciencia welcoming you under the watchful eye of the six emotions, and the Grand Visage ruling over all. You danced and twirled to the farthest reaches of the grounds, finding Freedom, taking in the Great Library, immersing yourself in the Atmosphere; you settled into the rhythm of a festival day, moving from peaks of Desire, from flashes of Anger, to the contemplation of Sadness and the experience of quiet Joy as you sat down to take a breath and reconnect with friends over honest conversation. Take that rhythm back up now, friends, as another day welcomes you with open arms. You’ve mapped the terrain of your inner world – now comes the chance to truly explore it, as you find yourself confronted with many more emotions over another day of magic. What story will you write with them? The choice is up to you.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

At Tomorrowland, the world’s very best aftermovie and content teams are also in attendance, making sure you can enjoy every moment a thousand times over after the fact. So on the dancefloor, why not let go with hands in the air, phones in the pocket, and attention on the DJ? Live today!

SPOT THE CREATURES OF TOMORROW

Keep your eyes peeled, because not every magical creature at Tomorrowland is listed on the timetable. From mischievous elves and flamboyant performers to roaming dancers and delightfully bizarre characters, the Creatures of Tomorrow are everywhere. Blink once, and you’ll swear they were never there in the first place.

tiktok.com/@tomorrowland

You feel it in a flash, you hear it echoing in the dark corners of the Atmosphere, the Cage. Clouds gather and thunder resounds; red and black hues flow into the corners of your vision; and you feel an iron fist clench up in your chest. It’s time to let it out, now: the frustration with staying up too late yesterday, with line-up clashes, with all the great injustices of the normal world. Give it words, a name. Put your foot down, stand for what you feel inside. And waste no time translating that energy to your body. What you must do is move: kick your feet to the beat, pump your fists to the bassline, feel your heart pump wildly as you convulse with fury. Crack across the Holy Grounds like a whip, scorching the very earth you stand on. Destruction is a creative force, after all… Time to move through it, and show everyone what it means to channel righteous anger.

Such incredible richness – aren’t you the luckiest person in the world? To have all these people dear to you so close, tens of thousands of People of Tomorrow moving in unison with you? Turn your attention to your heart, where you’ve carved out a space for all of them, alongside your family, your friends, your lovers. Feel the solid foundation that it offers, feel it assuage the pulse of Anger, heal the cracks of Sadness – this deep force, welling up inside and warmly flowing out of you to all around. Today is the day to nurture it more than ever. Pay attention to it, and let it grow. Hold hands, give hugs; talk about all those other difficult feelings, and notice how locked eyes, kind words, and a caring touch will ultimately mend them all. Think of the faces of your dear ones, today, as you raise your hands in the dance and know, in every fibre of your being, that this is what you were born to do: Love Tomorrow.

TOMORROWLAND TODAY

4 - 6

DREAMVILLE

Waking up has never felt this good.

12 - 13

7 & 24

DAILY WISDOM

“Mixed emotions Hearts still open Though we’re far apart”

John Summit, HAYLA - Where You Are

Chocolate Puma, the timetable and artist bios await. HIGHLIGHTS

TOMORROWLAND RESTAURANT

A great gastronomical journey...

The latest news from the greatest festival.

FASHION MUST-HAVES

Check out the hottest items!

10 - 11

JAMES HYPE

Who was James before the hype?

27 - 31

FOCUS ON THE MUSIC

BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE

In accordance with Belgian law, a strict zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drugs is in place at Tomorrowland. Anyone caught with illegal substances will be removed from the festival grounds. Be responsible: use the amnesty bins provided at the entrance and party safely!

A NOTE FROM THE DESK

A paper like this never appears from just one pair of hands, even if it sometimes lands in yours before the morning espresso has even kicked in. A massive thank you to the writers, designers, photographers, editors, producers and early risers who help Tomorrowland Today find its way across the grounds each day!

dreamville

between snooze and spark

x

DreamVille after The Gathering is a city of two speeds, both of them smiling. While half its residents are still horizontal, yesterday’s glitter cemented to cheekbones, the other half is running around busily, and tunes start rolling across the fields. On a random corner somewhere, a beer pong table is already surrounded before anyone’s had a second coffee. The Bakery queue stretches long and moves slowly; the karaoke speakers down the road scream loudly and the singers shine radiantly. Burnt faces shuffle toward the sunscreen stand – lesson learned. Right beside them, others leaf through their Tomorrowland Today, debating first sets and already racing ahead to nightfall. Overhead, the skies opened up to blissful sunshine: a little act of mercy after yesterday’s grey start. The forecast is kind: 100% chance of Wonder across this year’s Holy Grounds. The gates haven’t opened yet, but none of that matters. Tomorrowland’s Friday has already started, and whether fast or slow, DreamVille is finding its feet.

Akhil from Canada and Suraj from India met at the Holy Grounds last year and have been close friends ever since. Last night came with a funny misunderstanding. Akhil meant to grab Suraj’s hand but accidentally grasped a stranger’s, a surreal experience!

Alice from Spain didn’t turn around when she saw the camera, but we just loved the colours of her backpack and hairdo as we secretly approached her from behind. Today she won’t go to bed until around 3. “Not for siësta though! I meant 3 a.m., of course!”

the greatest show on dreamville

Daily at 11:00, the Arena comes alive with something you won’t find on any stage lineup. Tucked away in the Chill Out Area, this gem brings a roving parade of circus acts, burlesque performers and a live brass band. The spectacle then winds its way through DreamVille, catching questioning looks and broad smiles along the route. And once the Holy Grounds go quiet, more Arena surprises await after dark, on Friday & Saturday from 01:30-02:30, and Sunday from 00:30-1:30.

Bolivian-born Claudia and her friend Igor from Brazil met in Dublin, where they both live. “We manifested for Hardwell to play the Gathering as a surprise act last night, and our Desires were fulfilled!”

Cherry and Kelly from Hongkong started their day with a cold shower. “The queue for the hot ones was too long and this one wasn’t too bad, even if it produced a slight shock to the system. We bonded over the experience with the people around us!”

Karolina just got off the phone with her kids in Finland, who are eagerly awaiting her return, even if they know their mum deserves a magical three-day-long party at the Holy Grounds. “They’re counting the days until I’m back. Cute, right?!”

can i kick it?

Yes, you can! And you won’t be alone. Head to the Chill Out Area in DreamVille, claim one of 22 spots at the XXL kicker table, and find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other People of Tomorrow. We caught a game between France, Czech Republic, India, Belgium, Portugal, Israel and the Netherlands. Seven nations at one table. Think you can top that? Find your friends, grab a handle, and may the best country win.

In a way, Fica’s life at DreamVille is a continuation of her daily routine in Indonesia, where she just loves going to the gym. “In fact, I think this area is the best thing about Tomorrowland.” What about the music? “Ah yes, how could I forget?”

Mirror, mirror on the wall, did you hear Shania’s call? There aren’t enough of you, she had to queue to use you, that is all. But all’s well that ends well, because today she’ll have a ball!

camping clean

Bring your filled plastic waste bag to the Recycle Club and be rewarded! For every bag of recyclable waste you hand in, you will receive a token, which can be exchanged for rewards like Tomorrowland flags and socks, Love Tomorrow totes, Loop earplus and more. Clean up, join the movement, and claim your prize while supplies last!

and Nikita from the Netherlands usually skip the elaborate routine, but their ritual is a great success today: “Taking our time allowed us to put together a tight schedule for today. No more relaxing though: we’ll be running from stage to stage!”

ULTIMATE CONNECTIONS

Low battery panic is not the emotion Consciencia had in mind. Luckily, Anker is here to keep things moving. Visit one of the Charge Your Phone booths across the festival grounds and DreamVille to give your phone a boost, whether you need the timetable, the map, or that one group chat currently deciding everyone’s future. You can also follow Anker’s Bridge of Connectivity, a little passage of energy and light designed to send you back into the crowd with more charge in your pocket and a bit more spark in your bones. Seek ultimate. Stay connected.

GOLD ON THE HOLY GROUNDS

Eko Roosevelt has spent a whopping five-plus decades making music, and his grooves are still finding new dancefloors. Right here, at Tomorrowland, the Cameroonian funk and disco pioneer became the festival’s oldestever performer. Then came another reason to celebrate: a Dutch Gold Record, presented on the Holy Grounds for ‘Tondo’, Disclosure’s jubilant reworking of his ‘Tondoho Mba’. Now beyond 100 million streams, it proves that a golden groove never grows old – it simply keeps the whole world moving.

THE COOKIE FACTORY

At DreamVille, The Cookie Factory by Biscoff is ready to make your morning routine a little more magical. The Legendary Baker welcomes you into a world of caramelised crunch, tastings, coffee and the exclusive Tomorrowland x Biscoff Sandwich Cookie, with a rich espresso filling. Try the treats, compare favourites with your neighbour in the queue, and enjoy a sweet pause before the next sprint across the Marketplace. It might be just a simple thing, a cookie. Until someone shares one with you at exactly the right time.

BUBBLES AT MONTAGOE

Montagoe has always moved at its own pace: a little softer, a little smoother, with the festival close by, but not rushing through the door. At the Moët Champagne Bar, that feeling comes with bubbles. Stop by for a glass of champagne, toast to the people who made it this far with you, and enjoy one of those calm, golden pauses before the evening lifts off again. Not every celebration needs a countdown. Some begin with a soft clink and a look that says: yes, this is rather nice.

FRESH ON DECK AWAKEN YOUR

Create your own Tomorrowland story with MediaMarkt and Snapdragon. Step into the world of Awaken Your Avatar at the Partner Lane on the Festival Grounds, where your unique character comes to life and becomes part of your festival adventure. Capture your first moment, complete quests across the festival and unlock new chapters along the way. At the end of your journey, relive it all through your personal Tomorrowland Quest Wrapped video – a unique keepsake bringing together the moments, memories and magic that made your Tomorrowland story unforgettable. And as a final reward, completing your quest gives you the chance to receive an exclusive Tomorrowland prize package, including a brand-new Snapdragon laptop.

Old Spice returns to Tomorrowland with refresh points across the festival grounds and one very hard-to-miss centrepiece: the Ultimate Freshness Boat Party. Expect big names, hands in the air and that surreal feeling of dancing on the water while the rest of the festival moves around you. Do also make sure to keep your freshness radar tuned for the Old Spice Freshness Guards across the festival grounds. When the day gets hot and the crowd gets hotter, a quick scent reset can make all the difference to boost your confidence.

WHAT WE CARRY INTO CONSCIENCIA

SIX EMOTIONS, TOLD THROUGH SIX LIVES AT THE MAINSTAGE

Before the first track leaves the speakers, the Mainstage is already speaking volumes – not in decibels, but in living symbols. Across its immense façade, the six Provinces of Consciencia give shape to the emotions behind every human life: Wonder, Love, Anger, Joy, Desire and Sadness. Each has its own symbols, colours and inhabitants. The enchanted Stepping Stones allow the Fae to travel between them, while Amutaz, the ancient guardian, carries the essence of all six and watches over their fragile balance. Seen from the arena, the scale can be almost impossible to absorb at once. Your eyes keep moving, picking out another face, wing or hidden detail. Yet for all its towering craftsmanship, the Mainstage is not only a world to observe. Its real architecture exists inside the people standing before it.

So, beneath the gaze of Amutaz, six strangers were asked to turn their attention inward. They trusted us with stories that do not ordinarily surface in a festival crowd: a mother’s painful airport goodbye, a father discovering an entirely new order of importance, a young woman wrestling with the unfairness of her own good fortune. These are not tidy lessons, and no emotion remains conveniently inside its own Province. Sadness opens into Joy. Anger encounters gratitude. Love means putting someone first, but also knowing when it is all right to leave for a few days. Between the bass, flags and friends calling one another back towards the dancefloor, these people stopped and shared something real. Consciencia may give emotions monumental forms, but these six stories show where they truly live.

DALICER FROM VENEZUELA - JOY

For Dalicer, Joy has the faces of old friends. She is sharing Tomorrowland with people she has known since university, carrying a little piece of Venezuela into the Holy Grounds. Although she now lives in Spain, her home country remains close. “For me, this is a big moment for my country,” she says. “I bring my energy, and I bring Venezuela’s energy.” Throughout the festival, she watches for its yellow, blue and red flag. Spotting another Venezuelan brings an immediate smile and sense of recognition. For a few days, geography loosens its grip, and home appears wherever those familiar colours rise above the crowd.

NICK FROM NEW ZEALAND - WONDER

Nick grew up in a New Zealand beach town of roughly 500 people, where gigs happened out in the bush and London belonged to another world. Three years ago, he moved there. “Even when I’m taking the Tube to work, I sometimes think: this is the same life that little kid from a beach town is now living.” His first Tomorrowland has widened that view again. “Back then, I never would have expected to be here.” For Nick, Wonder arrives when his routine is interrupted and he can see beyond his own bubble: how enormous the world is, how many people fill it, and how remarkably far life can travel.

KOKORO FROM FIJI & JAPAN - ANGER

Kokoro’s Anger begins with appreciation for her own life. “I love my friends and the people around me,” she says. “Then I look at everything I can enjoy, and I get angry that so many people do not have access to the same things. Why did I get so lucky?” The scale of that inequality leaves her feeling helpless. “I’m one 21-year-old woman. I cannot change the whole world.” Her Anger sometimes becomes guilt, then gratitude. She can only live consciously, do the best within her reach and spread love wherever possible. Her Anger does not cancel out her Joy – it refuses to let Joy become blindness.

KATIE FROM AUSTRALIA - DESIRE

Tomorrowland has become woven into Katie’s relationship. Music formed part of its foundation, and she became engaged here during her first visit in 2023. Returning is now a promise, even after buying a property in Australia made the distance and expense harder to ignore. The festival also challenges something more personal. “I struggle a lot with anxiety,” she says. “At home, I’m very introverted, but coming here pushes me to travel, be social and speak to people.” Those conversations have created lasting friendships around the world. Katie’s Desire is not simply to return – it is to keep choosing the version of herself who crosses the distance.

ALEXANDRA FROM POLAND - SADNESS

Alexandra last felt Sadness at the airport, saying goodbye to her seven-year-old son before leaving for five days. She knew she needed the break, but that did not make walking away any easier. Others had told her Tomorrowland was for younger people, or those without children, adding doubt to the guilt she already carried. Then she reached the Mainstage. “I felt an overwhelming wave of happiness. For the first time in a long time, I cried tears of Joy.” Her Sadness showed how deeply she loved her son, but it was not her only truth. “I am important too,” she says. “I deserve this. It is for everyone.”

BARRY FROM SCOTLAND - LOVE

Barry never planned on becoming a father. Then his son arrived, and everything he considered important was subtly rearranged. “This wee guy comes along and puts everything into perspective. You realise you’re not the most important person anymore.” In his sales job, success means chasing the next deal and trying to be the best. His four-year-old son taught him another measure entirely: patience, sacrifice and putting somebody else first. This is the first time Barry and his partner have travelled without their child. Parenthood began in chaos, with days blurring and clothes worn for far too long. Now, Love also means slowly finding room for themselves again.

Hard though it may be to imagine, and strong though the Hype may be now, there was a little James before it. Dedicated as he was, the young James worked so hard that he made only one foreign trip every year for the better part of a decade. During the summertime James would always jump on a cheap flight to visit Space in Ibiza, where he envisioned playing himself one day. He didn’t have the money for a hotel, so when the club closed at 6 a.m., the beach was where he rested up. Even in his daily life, James rarely travelled over two miles to see a show. Fast forward to 2026, and James now holds a residency at Hi Ibiza, where he plays in front of thousands of clubbers. It goes to show that hard work can actually pay off later in life, if you just keep pushing hard enough. And thanks to all this, James will never forget where he came from. When you’ve made it through enough blood, sweat and tears, you’re just unlikely to forget the unpaved path that led you to where you are now. So what we want to know is: who was James before the Hype?

How does the music you listened to in the past compare to the stuff you play out to crowds these days?

“Back when I was a teenager, I was listening to what we’d probably call tech house these days. It was house blended with techno and the occasional soulful vocal. We used to go to the gay clubs in Liverpool because these places weren’t so strict about not letting underaged kids in. Nowadays, me and my partner tend

JAMES BEFORE THE HYPE

to go out in Ibiza once a year, and the last DJ we saw was Jamie Jones. The travel for the shows now is so crazy that I need time to recover from a proper night out, and my schedule doesn’t allow for going out more often. Style -wise, I still love the music I was into back then, but last year I pushed the tempo up a little higher. When you speed up house, you’ve got UK garage. The drums aren’t different to house, it’s just got a slightly different groove. I really enjoy playing at that tempo. It suits me to jump around a little bit more. But nevertheless, inspired by new songs I heard, I’ve started to slow it all down again this year.”

Tell us about your move from Liverpool to London?

“I was born ten miles out of Liverpool. So, moving into the actual city was a first step. I went on to become a resident DJ in Liverpool for years, but when I discovered that I wanted to produce music, I knew that continuing my life as a resident DJ wasn’t going to get me there. So I left Liverpool as well as all of my jobs and I moved to London, the heart of the British music industry. I went with about £5,000 saved, which sounds like a lot, but apartments were expensive to rent. I literally slept on the floor of my studio during those days because I had no other option. It sounds like a horror story, but it really wasn’t. I was just so excited to be there. I wasn’t doing a lot of shows, but within the first year, I’d made a track called ‘More Than Friends’, which got into the charts in England and in Belgium.”

You shared a situation recently where you screwed up a transition. Do these things never stop, even when you’re at your level?

“I’ve been DJ’ing in front of crowds for 18 years now and you never get over the fear of messing up, but I stopped panicking the way that I used to. It used to be like the end of the world for me, and thinking along those lines is the worst thing you can do. Now I’m a lot more chilled about it and I just see it as part of a live show: a good thing really, because it lets the people know that they are actually watching a human at work.”

Do you feel your kind of house music has a bigger audience now than in the past?

“When I was watching Tomorrowland aftermovies as a teenager, it would have been Avicii, it would have been Swedish House Mafia, but sound evolves. Now we have lots of styles co-existing at the same time. Alesso, that’s a big room sound. There are also other artists who play a softer sound, which is what some people would call house music. We now probably have more house DJs playing the world’s biggest stages. But you know what? It’s all just words!”

Has your diet changed now that you’re a successful artist?

“This is a nice story. I’ve always been into fitness, and with fitness comes diet. I’d look at the protein/calorie ratio in products, for example. When I was about twenty years old, I found out that smoked salmon was

“YOU NEVER GET OVER THE FEAR OF MESSING UP A TRANSITION, BUT I STOPPED PANICKING THE WAY THAT I USED TO.”

really good for you, but it’s expensive, so I thought: in my dream life, I’d like to be able to afford smoked salmon every day. Now that I can afford it, I actually don’t eat it that often!”

Has being famous changed your confidence?

“I went to a boys’ school, so by the time I was 18, I’d barely spoken to any women. To this day, if I’m in a room with ten girls, I’ve still got a nervous child inside me!”

Has rehearsing for sets become easier now that you’re an experienced DJ?

“Back when I was a resident DJ, I was playing every night for six or seven hours. The thing with being a resident DJ is you that you often play to nobody because when the club opens it’s still empty. It’s just you and the people who work behind the bar. If I wanted to test something, I could do it at 11 p.m. when the doors opened. Whereas now I have to step up to the stage and there’s already 20,000 people in front of me. I can’t be testing things live, so I practice a lot more now than I did then.”

Do gatekeepers still matter in 2026?

“We actually live in a great time because gatekeepers don’t matter anymore. People still think they do and, yes, there are still people who can make your career. But twenty years ago, we needed the approval from the record labels and other industry people. Today, thankfully, we don’t anymore, because we

have social media like TikTok and YouTube. No one needs to approve what you do apart from the people who actually like your music.”

How did it feel to be discovered by Tomorrowland a few years back?

“Playing here has always been a dream of mine. Two years prior to my first Tomorrowland performance in 2022, I’d been doing YouTube livestreams twice a week for two years, without any record label backing me up. Tomorrowland had noticed the streams and they supported me. So, while gatekeepers still exist, I honestly think we can ignore them now.”

You’ve invited young DJs to enter a competition to win four days in Ibiza in your company, during which you’ll introduce them to important people. You’ll then send them off to find gigs for themselves. Why is nurturing young talent important for you?

“There are so many DJs out there in their bedrooms and I know exactly how they feel. I was one of them for years and years. If you’re an average kid, you don’t have the money to go to festivals and places like Ibiza, so you can’t actually experience being there yourself. But Ibiza almost has its own musical language. There’s a lot of value in someone seeing it with their own eyes, so they can elevate their ambition. It makes them even more hungry for it and lets them see what’s possible. Check out my socials if you think this should be your opportunity!”

THE WORLD IS YOUR VEGETARIAN OYSTER

Next up is underwater territory: Planaxis. A table filled with oysters acts like a merry-goround surrounded by smoky water. Inside the oyster is a vegetarian dish of tapioca pearls, broccolini and jalapeño. This small bite is spicy, but not overly so, and gets you geared up for the starter and main that are still yet to come.

TOMORROWLAND RESTAURANT

DINI nG WITH A VIEW OF COnSCIE nCIA

Sounds, experience, community and food come together as one at Tomorrowland. It all started with music back in 2005 and melodies and grooves will always remain at the very core of what moves us, here at the Holy Grounds. But throughout the years, food has become far more than a welcome break between sets. It has evolved into another language through which Tomorrowland awakens memories, sparks conversations and creates moments of Wonder. Few people understand that better than Dutch Michelin-star chef Thijs Meliefste, who stepped into the newly created role of Global Executive Head Chef of Tomorrowland this year. Whoever booked a table at the Tomorrowland Restaurant is in for some exquisite storytelling that enters your body, mind and soul by way of your tastebuds: visitors to these premises are treated to a fivecourse menu to never forget. Let us take you on a journey through the Tomorrowland Restaurant, dish by dish, world by world.

A DRINK TO MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOME

Some may feel the urge to remain silent upon entering the restaurant. Why on Earth would you be quiet at Tomorrowland, you may ask? Well, because you’re setting foot into a great library. Don’t worry though: this one thrives on the murmur of its visitors! The Solo Vida cava served here was made exclusively for Tomorrowland.

WONDER TRIFLE

To walk through the next door is to enter the world of Consciencia. The wondrous style of the Mainstage surrounds you, as if you’re experiencing the visual equivalent of a reprise in music. A friendly host treats all guests to a savoury trifle of aubergine and miso served in a Unity shot glass. “Stir your spoon into the glass,” she tells the visitors, “so you experience the perfect blend of these flavours.”

THE RUNNER’S GREEN

Ahead of the starter, there’s an amuse-bouche to look forward to: the Runner’s Green. This pea mousse comes with vinaigrette, herbs and courgette. The storytelling is in the detail: take a close look at this tasty bite and you’ll become aware of a bird or butterfly looking you in the eye!

STARTER: FIREBERRY RAVIOLI

A dish to get you started, the Fireberry Ravioli comes with a lovely minestrone-style clear broth. Pay close attention when the broth is poured over the pasta, as it only takes a few magical seconds. The ravioli is served with a vegetable brunoise salad and chili. By this time, you should be all fired up for the main dish, which is…

DESSERT: CONSCIENCIA’S GRAND VISAGE CRUMBLE

Whoever entered the world of Consciencia will take it with them wherever they go. It becomes part of you, in fact, after eating the Grand Visage Crumble in the form of the human countenance that dominates the Mainstage. Savour it and Tomorrowland will forever be part of you!

MAIN: THE BIRDSINGER’S PARMENTIER

The main course is built around the delicate taste of guinea fowl accompanied by dark poultry gravy, mushrooms, celeriac and green asparagus. Towards the edge of the plate, we find a guinea fowl croquette with mustard mayo. Make sure to admire the Tomorrowland-styled butterfly on top of your croquette before you eat it! This absolute centrepiece of one’s visit to the Tomorrowland Restaurant features a lovely side dish on a separate plate: parmentier, again based on guinea fowl, with additional carrot and potato. Vegetarians, don’t worry: this dish is also available in a tasty non-meat version.

The storytelling is in the detail: take a close look at this tasty bite and you’ll become aware of a bird or butterfly looking you in the eye!

BOOK YOUR TABLE FOR NEXT YEAR

Did you miss out on the Tomorrowland Restaurant experience this year? If venturing across interconnected worlds of Tomorrowland with a little help from your tastebuds sounds like you, then make sure to book your table as soon as the opportunities open for the 2027 edition of Tomorrowland.

FASHION 2026 MUST HAVES

THE STYLE OFTOMORROW STARTS HERE

Every edition of Tomorrowland brings unforgettable memories, but some moments deserve a place in your wardrobe too. This year’s collections are inspired by the world of Consciencia as well as other perennial Tomorrowland favourites, blending festival spirit with everyday style through exclusive pieces and accessories, many of which will only be available for a limited time. Whether you’re looking for the perfect finishing touch to your festival outfit, a practical companion for long days on the Holy Grounds or a collectible to remember this magical edition, these are the must-haves all the People of Tomorrow will want to get their hands on.

Consciencia Cap

Created exclusively for Tomorrowland Belgium 2026, the Consciencia Cap celebrates this year’s magical theme with its signature blue colourway. The cap reflects Wonder, one of the six core emotions, through embroidery at the front. It features tonal Tomorrowland embroidery at the back as well, with metal trims, an engraved adjuster, and washed details and distressed edges for a vintage look.

WR1 Sneaker

Built for movement, comfort and connection, the all-new Tomorrowland WR1 Sneaker is another top-tier item that was launched exclusively on the festival this year. Designed for long festival days and unforgettable nights, it comes in five exclusive colourways, available only at the Sneaker Stores at DreamVille and across the festival grounds. You can shop your favourite pair onsite and have it shipped home!

Island Dream Headscarf

Lightweight, versatile and unmistakably Tomorrowland: the Island Dream Headscarf adds a colourful finishing touch to every festival look. Wear it as a headscarf, around your neck, on your wrist or tied to your bag. This one accessory has endless styling possibilities, designed for dreamers ready to dance from sunrise to sunset.

Tomorrowland Card Game

Bring the magic home long after the festival ends: the Tomorrowland Card Game brings the spirit of connection and togetherness into shared experiences with friends and family. Perfect for reliving festival memories while creating brand-new ones around the table with fellow People of Tomorrow.

WR1 Boarding Pass T-Shirt

Tomorrowland begins long before you arrive at the gates. Inspired by the anticipation and excitement of the countdown towards the festival, the WR1 Boarding Pass T-Shirt celebrates the journey that all People of Tomorrow share. It’s a stylish reminder that Tomorrowland is more than a destination, it’s a way of becoming yourself.

Tie-Dye Teddy Tote Bag

No two examples of this bag are exactly alike thanks to its unique tie-dye finish, and so every Teddy Tote Bag has its own personality. Soft, spacious and designed for everything from beach days to festival adventures, this stylish tote combines everyday practicality with a bold Tomorrowland look that stands out wherever you go.

GET YOUR ITEMS NOW

Discover the latest drops at the Tomorrowland Stores across DreamVille and the festival grounds, or explore the complete collection online at store.tomorrowland.com. Found your favourite but don’t want to carry it along all weekend? Simply use the Show now, Ship Home service and have your purchases delivered straight to your doorstep. That way, you can keep on dancing while your new Tomorrowland treasures safely find their way home.

“When we came here for the first time last year, the Mainstage wasn’t there. This year, my boyfriend and I walked towards it backwards, careful not to look. Once we reached the right spot, we turned around and saw it for the first time. We both burst into tears. Seeing it together was incredible!”

WHAT MEMORY WOULD YOU FRAME?

Across ten portraits, a few empty golden frames carried one question through the Holy Grounds: if one Tomorrowland memory could be immortalised in a painting just like those ethereal picture of the six Provinces, which would it be? These are the answers!

“We’re from around here and we’ve been coming every year, but this year feels extra special. Our baby is eight months old, so it’s the first time we’ve been away from her for this long. Putting her inside the frame meant she could still be part of the picture. We can’t wait to spend three days celebrating together!”

“We come to Tomorrowland every year, but this year we’re also going to Tomorrowland Thailand for the first time. The moment we got those tickets is the one we want to remember.” Today, Mario and Luigi are already celebrating, moustaches and all!

Lucas: “Twelve years ago, I watched the Tomorrowland livestream and instantly fell in love. After all that waiting, I finally managed to get tickets. I haven’t stopped crying tears of happiness since I arrived. This is a day I want to remember exactly as it feels!”

“We travelled for 24 hours to be here for the first time, drank champagne and ate oysters, and it was absolutely amazing! After that long journey, finally being here together is enough to make this

“The beauty of being here is seeing something wonderful in someone you have never met, and helping them see it in themselves too.”

Amy, Indonesia / Israel

PEOPLE OF TOMORROW

“Tomorrowland has taught me that home is not always where you live; sometimes it is the place you spend all year returning to.”

Jakub, Czech Republic

NEVER MISS A BEAT

You’re already living it: the bass in your chest, the crowd’s roar, the Holy Grounds humming under your feet. So why catch the livestream? Because not even the Tomorrowland magic can get you to all stages at once. Missing Novah on Mainstage while queueing for fries? Channel one has you covered. Curious what’s unfolding at Freedom over on the other end of the grounds? Channel two awaits. And if you want to pause the beats while sipping tea at Papillon, One World Radio will carry you further still, with artists stepping straight from backstage into your ears with one-off interviews. The livestream is on daily between 14:00 and midnight via the Tomorrowland app.

THE SOUND OF INNOVATION

BMW brings two kinds of craftsmanship to Tomorrowland: one you can see up close, and one you can feel in your chest. Visit the BMW booth to explore the newest BMW and the Sound of Innovation, then make room in your timetable for Symphony of Unity at the Freedom Stage. On Saturday, the orchestra will take the stage, turning iconic dance music into a sweeping live concert where strings, brass, electronics and visuals meet under the Floating Sky. A good reminder that sometimes the biggest drops begin with a bow touching a string!

FIND YOUR FLAVOUR

At Coca-Cola, your drink begins with your music taste. Through three interactive music stations, you can shape your own personalised Coca-Cola mix, building a small soundtrack through beats, rhythm and choices. Once your festival flavour has revealed itself, take your refreshment, capture the result at the photo moment and settle in on the terrace. It’s a playful little recharge between stages, especially when the sun is high and your group needs five minutes to stop debating where to go next. Refresh first, recharge after.

GOING DIGITAL FEEL

Connection has many tempos. At Feel the Heat by Durex, right next to the Mainstage, you can explore yours through a playful festival experience built around four rooms, your personal heat type and a silent disco linked to your music taste. Guided by your unique chemistry, you’ll embark on a sensual journey tailored to you. Staying at DreamVille? Look out for the Durex vending machine and discover if you are a perfect match.

Some dreams are built with steel, wood and thousands of moving lights. Others come to life through millions of digital blox. This year, Tomorrowland is stepping into a new dimension together with RF Productions, an ambitious collective of remarkably young creators from Belgium and the Netherlands who are recreating the magic of the world’s biggest festivals in Roblox. What started as a passion project has quickly evolved into an official collaboration. Many members of the RF Productions team are not only talented developers but also devoted People of Tomorrow themselves. Some have even worked behind the bars at Tomorrowland in previous years, making this partnership feel like a natural next chapter in their own festival journey.

The collaboration debuted in spectacular fashion last Friday, when players from around the world gathered in Roblox for the official Mainstage reveal. A giant countdown clock built anticipation before the virtual Mainstage opened its doors, allowing fans everywhere to experience the iconic design together for the very first time. And the adventure does not stop there. Visitors can explore dedicated hubs across the digital festival grounds, discover interactive games, and immerse themselves in a world inspired by Tomorrowland. And on Saturday, the line between reality and the virtual world becomes even thinner, as Dimitri Vegas and Sub Zero Project perform live on the Roblox Mainstage. Every cue, every visual and every musical moment is synchronised with the real-life Mainstage performance, creating a unique shared experience across two worlds. Curious? Join Tomorrowland on Roblox.

GUETTA’S LATEST

It has been twenty-one years since David Guetta, the Frenchman who first introduced so many of us to dance music, first played Tomorrowland. That’s over two decades ago! Let that sink in for a moment... David has been part of Tomorrowland’s history ever since, and last weekend marked the first page of a brand-new chapter for him: the nostalgically euphoric ‘Human’ by David Guetta, Third Party and John Martin is out now on Tomorrowland Music.

UNITED WE DANCE COME ALONE, LEAVE TOGETHER

Some stories at Tomorrowland begin long before the first beat drops, with a plane ticket booked on impulse, a train ride across Europe, a backpack packed for one, and a quiet promise to yourself: I’m going anyway. When we joined this year’s United We Dance gathering, organised by Absolut and Tomorrowland exclusively for solo travellers, that promise was written across dozens of faces. Some arrived with confident smiles, others carefully scanned the crowd before taking a first step closer. Every person had their own reason for coming alone: a cancelled travel companion, friends who couldn’t make it, a lifelong dream that simply could not wait another year… Or the simple joy and freedom of exploring the world all by yourself. Different journeys, all arriving at the very same place.

The welcome was simple, genuine and exactly what Tomorrowland does best. A warm greeting from hosts Robyn and Ole, an invitation to step outside one’s comfort zone, and one small challenge: don’t spend the next hour with someone you already know. Instead, introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met.

It sounded almost too easy, but then the magic quietly began. Conversations started with the classic festival questions. “Where are you from?” “Who’s at the top of your must-see list?” “Is this your first Tomorrowland?” Within minutes, accents from every corner of the world blended into one language everyone understood: excitement.

An ice-cold welcome drink appeared, offering the perfect excuse to raise a glass with complete strangers. Fans unfolded under the warm Belgian summer sun, laughter grew louder, and suddenly nobody seemed to be standing alone anymore. Before setting off, one final moment captured everything that United We Dance stands for in a group photo. Just a short while earlier, these people had been individual festivalgoers, but now they looked remarkably like friends who had travelled together all along.

From there, the real adventure started, courtesy of Absolut. Together, the group roamed the Holy Grounds, discovering hidden corners, iconic landmarks and breathtaking stages. There was no rush to tick boxes or chase the perfect schedule. Every stop offered the opportunity to meet someone new, exchange recommendations or simply stand still for a moment and take it all in. One person pointed towards a favourite stage, another insisted everyone should experience a sunset set together later that evening, and before long

timetables transformed into shared plans. That is the beautiful thing about Tomorrowland: the festival itself is spectacular, but it is often the people beside you who turn it into the emotional journey that it is.

As the tour continued, something quietly shifted. The conversations became easier and inside jokes started appearing from nowhere. Phones were handed around to exchange social media profiles. Small groups naturally formed and dissolved again as everyone mixed freely. Nobody seemed concerned anymore about where they had started the day; they had found each other.

United We Dance is built on a simple belief: music opens the door, people decide what happens next. Together, Tomorrowland and Absolut have created a space where taking that first brave step becomes just a little easier, where inclusion isn’t announced with grand speeches, but with something much smaller. A smile. A shared drink. An invitation that simply says, “Come with us.” Because before Tomorrowland becomes one giant family, it always starts from individuals. And somehow, before the day is over, there are no more individuals, only unity. Come alone, leave together.

LEILA, CANADA

“I booked this trip with my ex-boyfriend and his friends. We separated in April, but stayed on good terms and travelled here together. Once there, I chose to explore alone so he could enjoy the festival with his friends. It’s my first Tomorrowland and my first solo trip, which made me anxious. United We Dance felt like a safety net. Then I met fellow Canadians on the train, and Thursday night I told them how grateful I was to have found people so genuine and caring.”

SAVERIO, BELGIUM/ITALY

“I’ve been to Tomorrowland before, but coming alone means I can do the festival at my own pace. No long discussions about the timetable: I can pick one stage, enjoy the set and stay in the moment. That’s my biggest tip for solo travellers: don’t plan every minute, because the unplanned parts are often the most fun. United We Dance is a great starting point too. You can swap recommendations, find people to dance with and still head off whenever something else catches your attention!”

CLARA, BELGIUM

“This is my eleventh Tomorrowland. My friends were working, and I knew that if I skipped a year because I was alone, I would regret it. It also reminded me how much I’ve changed here. During my first editions, I was shy and waited for others to approach me. Over the years, I became the one starting actual conversations. Through United We Dance, I met people from far away and discovered that, despite the distance between our countries, many of our values and interests were similar!”

THE GREAT LIBRARY’S SECRETS

Somewhere on Earth, hidden beyond the reach of ordinary eyes, lies a place where every story ever imagined is recorded and kept. Welcome to the Great Library of Tomorrow, the enchanted heart of the Tomorrowland universe. Within its endless shelves rests the legendary Book of Wisdom, watched over by the ten Sages, guardians of the values that shape every realm: Joy, Integrity, Strength, Truth, Knowledge, Love, Creativity, Loyalty, Hope and Harmony. Each Sage is accompanied by a living Orb, a mystical companion born from the Book of Wisdom itself. Far more than a source of power, every Orb shares an unbreakable bond with its chosen guardian, offering guidance through the countless worlds beyond the library’s hidden portal.

Curious to discover what truly lies behind the themes of Tomorrowland? The Tomorrowland theme story books invite you to step through that portal and explore magical realms where fantasy, adventure and emotion become beautifully intertwined. The books from the Book of Wisdom trilogy tell the tale of the Great Library itself. Find info about all of the books at stories.tomorrowland.com, and discover all of the available languages (stay tuned if you speak Spanish!) and await the hotly anticipated release of the third part of the trilogy at thegreatlibraryoftomorrow.com.

THE GREAT LIBRARY OF TOMORROW

A TALE FOR EVERY READER

Dear Reader of Tomorrow,

I am a dancer and I am a dreamer. There is another thing that I clearly am, and I sometimes feel alone in this: I am a reader of fantasy fiction. You, dear reader, will know that Tomorrowland’s various worlds of magic come together through The Great Library of Tomorrow. A portal in there connects the world of the theme of Consciencia, the worlds of Adscendo, Silvyra, and Orbyz, and many others like them. This much I knew, too. What I didn’t know is that there are actual ways inside the Great Library, through which you can then enter these realms. One of the places I’m talking about only covers a few square metres, but it holds a very special place in my heart. Please listen carefully as I tell you this story, as my heart would shatter if you didn’t. This, dear reader, is what happened to me today.

I typically spend a lot of time dancing and reconnecting with my friends during my annual visits to Tomorrowland, but yesterday’s early afternoon, I decided to diverge from my routine. As I strolled the paths of the Holy Grounds, something very unusual caught my eye: a little bookshop so old-fashioned, that it seemed to belong to the time when my grandmother was still but a child. And yet, the shopfront looked strangely familiar. It said, in dreamy white letters, ‘La Luna’. The moon! I was, in fact, over the moon when I took a closer look through the shop window, as I noticed an old librarian who was busy writing, surrounded by his beloved books.

Now, if you love reading like I do, you should pay close attention to what I’m about to say, as you may use this knowledge to ignite a fictional adventure of your own. My initial excitement was soon tempered when I saw the sign on the door. It said: “Keep Out. On account of ongoing Great Library business.” But as I receded from my position centimetres away from the window, the door suddenly opened, and the librarian invited me to enter his store. Promptly, he told me it is in fact the smallest bookshop in the world!

The librarian had a lot to say, but he didn’t seem to know where to start. He began to speak hesitantly, very slowly. I urged him to continue as I somehow felt a universe of ancient possibilities open up, reliving forgotten desires from visiting a particular bookshop during my childhood. As if to break the unease, the librarian suggested he read a passage from ‘The Great Library of Tomorrow’, the book that was lying in front of him, almost radiating. The words

he read to me then acted as a kind of gateway into a lucid dream that I hope I will never forget:

“Yet as he made his way over, trying to keep beneath the shelter of the trees, he realized something about the scene wasn’t quite as expected. The disused alleyway between the bar and the shop next door was no longer empty. The scattered boxes and overflowing garbage containers were nowhere to be seen.”

“Instead, there was a very small, very thin, and incredibly familiar bookshop with rain washing down its windows. An entire building that looked as if it had always been there, nestled quietly between the others beside it, waiting for him. There was a hand-painted sign above the window. ‘La Luna’, it said in dreamy white letters.”

The librarian noticed my surprised look from the corner of his eyes and then softly assured me that “none of this is real.” He repeated himself more loudly, and asked me too to repeat his words. I heard myself say it out loud, too: “None of this is real.” But the more I think about this five-letter sentence now, the less I believe it actually holds any truth. Was today’s journey real, or was I dreaming?

If you love reading as much as I do, go and look for that little bookshop called La Luna. If my hunch is correct, it will only continue to physically exist for the remainder of this afternoon, after which, of course, it may periodically return to you in half-forgotten dreams. But I don’t think I dreamt the following coordinates, jotted down after the librarian let me back out again: 50°51’01.2”N 4°21’06.2”E. Lastly, I want you to know what the librarian told me just before I left. These were his soothing last words: “The Great Library of Tomorrow rewards all inquiring minds.” When I put my hand in my pocket, I felt a small token which I believe will ease my passage into the mysteries beyond. The old librarian was kind to me, and I’m sure he’ll be kind to you too.

Whether other places like this tiny, wonderful shop exist, I cannot say for sure. But I strongly suspect that in the magical nooks and crannies of our world, other cracks appear that lead to the Great Library as well. I truly hope that you, dear reader, can find them too.

Lots of love and yours truly,

Your fellow Reader of Tomorrow

Keeping Tomorrowland Safe Different Roles, One Shared Goal

Behind every unforgettable festival lies an invisible network of people working together. While tens of thousands of People of Tomorrow dance their way through magical days and nights, specialists in prevention, healthcare, security and law enforcement quietly work side by side to make sure everyone gets home safely. We sat down with Belgium’s National Drug Commissioner Ine Van Wymersch to talk about festivals, responsibility, and why Tomorrowland has become an example of how different worlds can work together.

To Belgium’s National Drug Commissioner Ine Van Wymersch, Tomorrowland means something different than to the average festivalgoer. Whereas most people are drawn here by music, friendship and unforgettable memories, Van Wymersch sees one of the world’s largest temporary communities, a place where trends become visible, where organised crime tries to find opportunities, and where prevention, care and enforcement all meet.

Despite – or perhaps because of – her job title, her message is remarkably balanced. “The majority of people don’t use drugs at festivals,” she explains. “They simply don’t stand out. What people notice are the few individuals whose behaviour attracts attention.” That distinction matters. Her work is not about hunting down individual users, but about disrupting the criminal networks that profit from supplying illegal substances. Festivals are attractive to dealers not because of the music, but because they bring together thousands of potential customers from all over the world in one place.

For law enforcement, that means looking well beyond the festival gates. Airports, hotels, transport hubs and travel routes all become part of a much wider picture. The goal is to stop criminal organisations before they even reach the festival itself. One message returns throughout the conversation: every euro spent on illegal drugs ultimately flows towards organised crime. “There is no such thing as fair-trade drugs,” she says. “The money generated doesn’t simply disappear. It finances recruitment of new dealers, fuels corruption, distorts honest businesses and strengthens criminal organisations that affect society far beyond nightlife.” Van Wymersch’ concern, therefore, extends well beyond the health risks of ‘just’ drug use. At the same time, she recognises that prevention cannot rely on fear alone.

People often believe they know what they are buying, while in reality there is no guarantee whatsoever. Pills may contain different substances than expected, dosages can vary enormously, and even tablets that look identical can have completely different compositions. Add in dehydration, lack of sleep, alcohol, underlying medical conditions or differences in body weight, and predicting the

effects becomes virtually impossible. That uncertainty is precisely why awareness campaigns remain so important.

Tomorrowland invests heavily in informing its international audience long before anyone arrives in Belgium. From the moment ticket sales begin, visitors receive clear information about Belgian legislation, the festival’s zero-tolerance policy and the importance of making informed choices. For many international guests, these rules differ significantly from those in their home countries. The commissioner applauds those efforts. Prevention, she believes, deserves just as much attention as enforcement.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of the conversation, however, is how she describes the cooperation behind the scenes. Tomorrowland brings together organisations with very different responsibilities: police officers focus on enforcement, prevention organisations educate visitors. Medical teams and initiatives such as We Care A Lot provide care whenever someone needs help. On paper, those missions may appear different, but in practice, they strengthen one another. “Just because healthcare organisations keep the threshold for seeking help as low as possible, that does not mean that they are encouraging drug use,” says Van Wymersch. “And it’s not because Tomorrowland has a zero-tolerance policy that there cannot be healthcare for all on site.”

That mutual understanding has grown over many years. Instead of working against one another, the different partners increasingly understand each other’s responsibilities and share the same objective: creating a safe, welcoming festival where problems are prevented whenever possible and help is available whenever necessary.

In many ways, Tomorrowland has become a blueprint for that multidisciplinary approach. Rather than choosing between strict enforcement or compassionate care, it demonstrates that both can exist side by side. Or, as the commissioner sums it up perfectly: enforce when necessary, care when needed, and keep informing people whenever possible. Because every incident that can be prevented is one that never has to be solved.

And perhaps that is one of the quietest successes of Tomorrowland: behind the spectacular stages and unforgettable moments stands an equally impressive collaboration dedicated to keeping the People of Tomorrow safe.

Discovering new sounds across the Holy Grounds is a treat to every music lover, but the overwhelming amount of choice makes it everything but a walk in the park. Where to go, when? How to divide your time between the grandest stages and the smaller, hard-to-find gems? Worry not, as the next pages will serve as your personal guide to Tomorrowland’s magical universe of music. Enjoy the sounds!

EXPERTS ONLY

CRYSTAL GARDEN

Does John Summit ever sleep? When this man of the moment isn’t DJ’ing, he’s working hard to enhance his NYC-based party concept Experts Only, a world-class two-day event at Randall’s Island Park.

Following last year’s inaugural edition, volume two is coming up this Sepember. The good news is that curious minds like yourself don’t have to travel far to find out what the hype’s all about. John has taken his expertise with him to Tomorrowland for a top-notch stage hosting featuring performances by some of his very favourite artists, including himself, Dutch house master GUZ and piano-inspired electronic producer LP Giobbi. Experts Only is a freshly invented concept you don’t want to miss!

RAVE ALERT CAGE

The self-proclaimed ‘home of neo-rave’, Belgium-based label Rave Alert have been making waves in the club as well as online, building up a dedicated following who just can’t get enough. Enough of smashing kicks and screeching synths, that is – this hosting is for those who want to dance, let loose, and enjoy the music with reckless abandon. DJ’s such as IOSIO, Uberjak’d ft. Ella Young, Niotech, Mondello and Stanne are bringing the heat today. Back in 2022, Rave Alert were the ones to release the unofficial summer anthem of Tomorrowland, ‘Push Up’ by Creeds – so if the past is anything to go by, best go check out what they have in store this time!

GEHEIMZINNIG MELODIA

Meaning ‘secretive’ or ‘mysterious’ in Dutch, Geheimzinnig is a Belgian collective running a yearly festival in Antwerp as well as year-round events in the club circuit and festival stage hostings, always focusing on good sound, tightly curated line-ups, and a generally quality experience. For this year’s Melodia outing, they invited stellar DJs like Séa – head of Cadans and radio host at Studio Brussel and One World Radio – and Sam Girling, whose label and DIY event series Attaca has been turning heads in the UK, most notably gaining major support from Ben UFO. If you like your music expertly and tastefully selected, Melodia is the place to be today.

SATURDAY

TODAY’S TALE n T, TOMOrrOW’S STAR

ElFIGO

FREEDOM

16:00 - 17:00 (b2b Mosimann )

With no less than twelve artists under eighteen, Tomorrowland’s 2026 edition is breaking records when it comes to the amount of youngsters featured on the lineup. This is today’s most exciting prodigy!

Real name: Elias Figoni

Age: 15

Country of origin: Belgium

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/djelfigo

Style of music: Elfigo grew up on a spicy stew made with fresh ingredients such as house, funk, hip-hop and jazz. Being based now in Ibiza, his style naturally progressed towards electro and tech house as he grew older.

Famous words: “I push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.”

Why you shouldn’t miss this gig: Elfigo is the youngest artist to play both Tomorrowland Winter and Tomorrowland Belgium within the timespan of just one year. Find out what the hype is all about!

MAINSTAGE

CONSCIENCIA

Closing Show 00:50 - 01:00

Calvin Harris 23:45 - 00:45

Dimitri Vegas 22:30 - 23:45

Armin van Buuren 21:25 - 22:25

Sub Zero Project 20:20 - 21:20

Agents of Time 19:20 - 20:20

Morten 18:15 - 19:15

MATTN 17:15 - 18:15

D.O.D 16:15 - 17:15

Mike Williams 15:15 - 16:15

Angemi 14:00 - 15:15

Discovery 12:00 - 14:00

MC Stretch

FREEDOM BY BUD

Timmy Trumpet 23:00 - 00:30

Sebastian Ingrosso 22:00 - 23:00

Symphony of Unity 21:00 - 22:00

Argy 20:00 - 21:00

Massano 19:00 - 20:00

Symphony of Unity 18:00 - 19:00

Andromedik 17:00 - 18:00

Mosimann b2b ELFIGO 16:00 - 17:00

Philou 15:00 - 16:00

Calao 13:30 - 15:00

Romy Janssen 12:00 - 13:30

THE ROSE GARDEN

TRIBUTE TO BELGIUM: CHERRY MOON

Cherry Moon Legends (& friends) 23:00 - 00:50

BountyHunter 21:30 - 23:00

Youri Parker 20:30 - 21:30

Jamie Dill 19:30 - 20:30

Franky Kloeck 18:30 - 19:30

DJ Ghost 17:30 - 18:30

Dimitri Cooman 16:30 - 17:30

Maite Dedecker 15:00 - 16:30

Danny Corten 13:30 - 15:00

Quincy 12:00 - 13:30

ELIXIR

Hide N Seek 00:00 - 00:45

NOA 23:00 - 00:00

Nina Black 22:00 - 23:00

Annabel Stop It 21:00 - 22:00

Shoarma SoundSystem 20:00 - 21:00

Lady S 19:00 - 20:00

Sandersville 18:00 - 19:00

Eimco 17:00 - 18:00

DJ ART 16:00 - 17:00

Butterfly Effect 15:00 - 16:00

Ruby XX 14:00 - 15:00

Knox Kind 13:00 - 14:00

CAGE

RAVE ALERT

Stanne 22:00 - 23:00

Mondello 21:00 - 22:00

Niotech 20:00 - 21:00

Uberjak’d feat Ella Young 19:00 - 20:00

Daire b2b Mëro 17:30 - 19:00

IOSIO 16:15 - 17:30

X&Trick 14:45 - 16:15

Macon 13:30 - 14:45

Rune Evens 12:00 - 13:30

PAPILLON

SAM b2b Yelmet 17:30 - 22:00

Lexx 13:00 - 17:30

THE RAVE CAVE

Netherworld

23:00 - 00:00

Flowchief 22:00 - 23:00

Jorn Pricez 20:30 - 22:00

Ben Malone 19:00 - 20:30

Roma 17:30 - 19:00

Pat Krimson 16:00 - 17:30

Simon B 14:30 - 16:00

Charleen Herzig 13:00 - 14:30

PLANAXIS

Chris Avantgarde 22:30 - 00:00 b2b Konstantin Sibold

Colyn b2b Sainte Vie 21:00 - 22:30

Yulia Niko 19:30 - 21:00

Dyzen 18:00 - 19:30

Yet More 16:30 - 18:00

Alicia Hahn 15:00 - 16:30

Tim Bliss 13:30 - 15:00

NA:TUS 12:00 - 13:30

MELODIA BY CORONA

GEHEIMZINNIG

Sam Girling 22:00 - 00:00

Séa 20:30 - 22:00

Geheimzinnig Soundsystem 19:00 - 20:30

Larry Masmero 17:30 - 19:00

Soulastico b2b Tohma 15:30 - 17:30

Emilia De La Paz 14:00 - 15:30

Mooris 12:00 - 14:00

CELESTIA BY KUCOIN

2010 - 2012

Dannic b2b Dyro 22:00 - 23:00

Sander van Doorn 21:00 - 22:00

Gregor Salto 20:00 - 21:00

Chocolate Puma 19:00 - 20:00

Dada Life 18:00 - 19:00

Bingo Players with Iceman 17:00 - 18:00

Swanky Tunes 16:00 - 17:00

LNY TNZ: Jump Never Dies 14:00 - 16:00

Odssey 13:00 - 14:00

Yamo 12:00 - 13:00

ATMOSPHERE

I Hate Models 23:30 - 00:55

Novah 22:00 - 23:30

Pegassi 20:30 - 22:00

Alt8 19:00 - 20:30

Emilija b2b Fenrick 17:30 - 19:00

Noise Mafia 16:00 - 17:30

2hot2play 14:00 - 16:00

Kneiz 12:00 - 14:00

CORE

HAAi b2b The Blessed Madonna 22:30 - 00:50

DJ Boring b2b DJ Seinfeld 20:30 - 22:30

Sam Alfred 18:30 - 20:30

Dino Lenny b2b Radioslave 16:30 - 18:30

SHEE 15:00 - 16:30

Dc Noises b2b Tori Ann 12:00 - 15:00

MOOSE BAR

Kurt Verheyen 20:00 - 00:00

De Romeo’s 19:00 - 20:00

Mr. E 15:00 - 19:00

Mobius One 12:00 - 15:00

CRYSTAL GARDEN

EXPERTS ONLY

John Summit 22:30 - 00:30

Hi-lo b2b Layton Giordani 21:00 - 22:30

Max Styler 19:30 - 21:00

Ayybo

- 13:30

THE GREAT LIBRARY

LOST FREQUENCIES

CELESTIA | 19:00 – 20:00

CHOCOLATE PUMA

Music is a journey of discovery, and sometimes the digging doesn’t end in the crates: you’ve got to look who’s behind the monikers and connect the dots to find out about a lot more alter egos. Such is the case with Chocolate Puma. Not only did René ter Horst and Gaston Steenkist from the Dutch city of Haarlem produce music as Chocolate Puma, they’re also known as Zki & Dobre, René et Gaston, The Good Men, Klatsch!, Riva and Jark Prongo. There’s a whole jungle of tunes to discover once you dive into the discography of these two friends, who started their careers some 35 years ago and became a quiet force behind the scenes of Dutch dance music, mentoring talent and relentlessly pushing out tunes. Ahead of their appearance at Celestia this evening, they sat down with us to tell all.

Let’s go back to 1992. You released the song ‘Give It Up’, sampling Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes. These rhythms were highly unusual in electronic music back then, yet the song became a big hit. What can you tell us about the process of creating that track?

René: “Back in 1991, when we made ‘Give It Up’, the tribal house sound from the USA but also from Italy was already popping off. So when we heard those Brazilian rhythms, we took a few drum hits and made our own version of what we were inspired by. What started as kind of a regular four-to-the-floor house track turned into this hybrid dancefloor record that really sounded different from anything else back then. Instead of congas and bongos, there were these monstrous metallic-sounding drums.”

Gaston: “As we were already DJs at that time, we started playing the track in our own sets as a demo on cassette tape. In the beginning, people had to get used to it, but soon we saw the reactions getting bigger and better. We then went to our favourite record label in Amsterdam to have them listen to the demo, but they weren’t too sure about it. That led us to start our own label, Fresh Fruit Records, and we released it ourselves as The Good Men. We initially put it on the B-side of the vinyl, but when the track got big, we re-released it as an A-side. One of our favourite memories from those early days is going to the iT club in Amsterdam, where, when the lights came on in the early morning, people were stomping their feet to the intro beats on those wooden stages.”

All of this happened before the digital age. How did the snowball effect around this track work? What were some key success factors back then?

René: “In those days, it was much more difficult to know exactly what was happening on the other side of the world because it was still the pre-internet era. Obviously, we saw things getting crazier

by the week here in the Netherlands. We also received reports from our distributor and faxes with feedback from DJs in the USA, the UK and other parts of the world, which helped keep us in the loop. What still blows our minds, though, is that even today we hear fans, as well as fellow producers and DJs, telling us their own stories about ‘Give It Up’.”

As of three years or so ago you are back with a steady stream of new releases. Was there a renewed interest in music from your part? And do you feel there is a Chocolate Puma from before the hiatus and one after?

René: “There are always ebbs and flows. We never lost interest in music; that would be like saying we lost interest in breathing. But music is an extension of our feelings, you can always hear these emotions reflected in what we release.”

Compared to other artists from the Netherlands, you play gigs less regularly. Are you leaving the DJ’ing for special occasions? Or is there another reason for this?

Gaston: “Well, I completely gave up DJ’ing in 2020. Our DJ career was going fantastically, with countless tours, the craziest gigs and insane schedules, which was a sign that we must have been doing something right. Right? But it became too demanding for me, both mentally and physically. From that point on, we decided that René would continue DJ’ing, but only on his own terms, while I stayed in the background, focusing on the studio.”

If you had to name three recent tracks you’re very proud of (and that you’re likely to play at Tomorrowland), which ones would they be and why?

René: “Today it’s ‘The Dawn’, ‘CTRL’, and ‘You Are My Life’, with

Mike Cervello. If you ask me another day it might be a different list, though!”

You guys played an important role in discovering Laidback Luke – or that’s what he told us. What are your memories of this?

Gaston: “I actually have very fond memories of that. It was the early ‘90s, and I had DJ’d at a party for the high school we both went to. There was this kid who gave me a demo tape. When I got home, I listened to it and thought it wasn’t the best music, but there was something about it. I actually forgot about it until Luke started to call my landline. I think he looked up our number in the telephone directory! He kept bugging my mum and asked if I had listened to the demo yet. Eventually, I got back to him and invited him to my studio. From that point on, we got along really well, spending long sessions talking about everything to do with music, and I kind of educated him about producing, the history of dance music, and so on. I even got him some gear to get him started. After some time, he was ready to release his first record on our label. In hindsight, I’m glad he was so persistent!”

You’ve played Tomorrowland several times, the last time in 2022. What are some of your favourite memories of those occasions?

Gaston: “We loved playing the Heldeep stage in 2017, and we know that for a lot of people this is still their favourite set of ours. The 2011 set at the stage hosted by Defected Records also brings back a lot of warm memories.”

René: “Don’t forget we once played a three-hour opening set at the Mainstage as well, that was also very special!”

SATURDAY

CALVIN HARRIS

MAINSTAGE 23:45 - 00:45

Calvin Harris is an artist deeply rooted in the tradition of club music. But that’s just one side of the coin: his releases always come with a catchy hook as well. Did you know that Calvin’s poppy and emotive signature sound only entered his work later on in his career? The Scottish producer, who was born into this world as Adam Richard Wiles, started out fitting into a British tradition of pop festival-sized dance acts such as The Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Faithless and Basement Jaxx. Many of his early works, which appeared on his debut album ‘I Created Disco’, have a distinctive electroclash vibe to them. This style, popular during the first years of the current millennium, combined clubby vibes with a twist of indie pop and the snare drums of 1980s electro. The title of his first single ‘Acceptable in the 1980s’ kind of gives it away, doesn’t it?

Harris’ commercial breakthrough happened in 2012, with the release of ‘18 Months’, a record that seemed to be part of a wellthought-out master plan. How did this relatively niche producer manage to get so many celebrity pop artists, including Rihanna, Kelis, Florence Welch and Dizzee Rascal, on that one smash record? No one knows, but since its release, which is one of electronic music’s defining records in hindsight, Harris’ music has been all about creating feelings. His output goes to show that deep emotions like Love, Sadness and all the other ones all complement each other, and that the type of massive stage you’ll find here at the Holy Grounds is especially suited to celebrating those feelings. You still have a grand finale to look forward to in this respect: Calvin Harris’ closing set at the Mainstage tonight will bring all emotions of Consciencia’s living narrative together as one.

I HATE MODELS

ATMOSPHERE | 23:30 - 00:55

French producer and DJ I Hate Models has become one of techno’s most uncompromising and emotionally headstrong artists. Rejecting labels and conventions, he blends relentless industrial techno with elements of trance, hardcore, ambient and classical music into a sound that is both brutal and deeply human. His high-intensity performances are driven by raw emotion rather than perfection, creating an atmosphere that feels cathartic from the first kick drum to the final note. With acclaimed releases on labels including Arts and his own imprint Disco Inferno, I Hate Models continues to push boundaries while reminding audiences that vulnerability can be just as powerful as intensity.

BOUNTYHUNTER

MAINSTAGE | 16:15 – 17:15

Close your eyes, picture yourself on the dancefloor, and think of what dancing under the sun on endless summer days feels like: chances are you’re soundtracking this fantasy with ‘Still Sleepless’, Daniel O’Donnell’s massive 2021 summer anthem with Carla Monroe. A master of bass house grooves and funky goodness, D.O.D is known for producing and playing the catchiest grooves, perfect for a sunny afternoon like today’s. With his debut album coming up this October, you might catch an exclusive preview – or perhaps, half a set’s worth of them. Time to tie your dancing shoes and head on over to the Mainstage!

Little did Stefan Melis know, when he released his tripartite eponymous debut EP series on Bonzai Records between 1992 and 1994, that the track ‘Woops’ off ‘Bounty Hunter II’ would become a viral TikTok phenomenon 30 years down the line. It eventually earned him 30 billion streams on the platform and was remixed by Dimitri Vegas & Junkie Kid. Initially, ‘Woops’ and other Bountyhunter classics like ‘Short Circuit’ and ‘Users Hunt’ were at the cradle of the gabber scene in the Netherlands and Belgium – these days, they’re great examples of the timeless sound of Bonzai. Even if Bountyhunter continues to produce outstanding techno these days, it’ll be the oldschool sound he will bring to the Rose Garden for the Tribute to Belgium, we’d wager. D.O.D

THE ROSE GARDEN | 21:30 – 23:00

LOVE

WHERE ARE YOU NOW? LOST FREQUENCIES

21:30 - 22:45 | THE GREAT LIBRARY

A discussion about emotionally charged music without mentioning Belgian melodic prodigy Lost Frequencies would be pointless; all of his songs evoke something personal in individuals and a collective release in crowds. Not only is ‘Where Are You Now’, a stunning collaboration with vocalist Callum Scott, one of Felix de Laet’s biggest hits; it is also very much a song about love, or rather about a longing for a lost love. “Hey, it’s been too long,” Callum sings; “Too long to go, my love. Where did we go wrong? Too late to turn around. Where are you now?” Who wouldn’t feel a little heartbroken, but also more than ready to find new love again, listening to this gem of a song?

WONDER

IS IT BEAUTIFUL? ARMIN VAN BUUREN

21:25 - 22:25 | MAINSTAGE

Armin van Buuren describes himself as an eternal student of music, always keen to learn more. Even at the mature stage of his career he finds himself in right now, he still watches online production tutorials because he wonders how to get better; he feels the constant urge to learn new studio techniques. He once stated that “music is always a lesson and artists are always learning.”

Throughout the years, the incredibly talented trance producer has continued to collaborate with artists of all kinds, even ones in the field of rock and hip-hop. The goals he sets for himself are mostly driven by wonder: how do I venture into unknown musical territories?

In ‘Is It Beautiful?’ Armin doesn’t doubt himself. He doesn’t wonder whether his tune is beautiful, he knows it is. Rather, he asks an unknown interlocutor whether it’s beautiful where they are – an eternal student of wonder as well as music, it seems.

GORGON CITY YULIA NIKO

THE GREAT LIBRARY | 22:45 - 23:55

If it’s catchy, housy, uplifting yet bassy and physical – chances are it’s Gorgon City you’re listening to. Individually known as Foamo and RackNRuin, Kyle Gibbon and Matt Robson-Scott out of North London blend UK garage and bass music influences into delicious tech house and work with vocalists to great effect. The result is a hypnotic mixture that makes it impossible for anyone to stand still and yet has a poppy sensibility. Now five albums into their career, Gorgon City continue to release music at an astonishing rate but also hold it down behind the decks like no other – they’ll be shaking the Great Library to its very foundations tonight.

PLANAXIS | 19:30 – 21:00

It has now been roughly 15 years since Yulia Niko moved to New York with only a bag of clothes and $300 to her name to make it as a DJ/producer, and she ended up becoming a stellar artist indeed. Her ‘glam minimal’ is a groovy take on minimal house and techno that works at sunset with a drink in hand as well as in dark, sweaty club. At her own label AXEPT, she has dedicated herself to supporting young artists. As she once put it in an interview: “Every time we hear an extraordinary artist, we ‘accept’ their vision of how music should sound. To me, it means starting to believe in something, to support or embrace a talent or a sound.”

EVE rY MELODY IS A PROVI

nCE, A n EMOTIOnAL WOr LD UNTO ITS OW n

CORE | 22:30 - 00:50 (B2B THE BLESSED MADONNA)

HAAi offers the more unexpected route into electronic music. Before becoming a DJ, the Australian artist played in psychedelic rock band Dark Bells. She later became resident at London club Phonox, won BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the Year in 2018, and developed a sound that moves restlessly through techno, breakbeat, bass music and psychedelic textures. There is plenty to discuss beyond career milestones, including her inclusive approach to club culture and collaborations with names such as Jon Hopkins, Fred again.. and Kylie Minogue. Her Saturday pairing with The Blessed Madonna also provides a natural opening: two open-minded selectors with an activist bent building something strange, euphoric and difficult to predict beneath the trees of CORE.

FREEDOM 20:00 - 21:00

Argy’s career began way before melodic techno started filling festival stages worldwide. Raised in Rhodes, Greece, he broke through with ‘Love Dose’ in 2005 and spent the following years moving through house, techno and electronica, never staying still for long. Then came ‘Ketuvim’ and ‘Tataki’, records that introduced a darker, more ritualistic language built from pounding rhythms, hypnotic vocals and striking visual symbolism. That vision grew into ‘New World’ and, most recently, ‘NEWORLD II’: not merely albums, but chapters in a complete audiovisual universe where ancient forms and futuristic machinery collide. With its floating sky and incredible production, Freedom gives Argy’s vision the perfect canvas, turning NEWORLD from a show into a place the crowd can quite literally enter.