Rise up, dust off your kicks, clean your pipes and prick up your ears, for today is the day that you will become whole. The final day of the festival is when you will fully complete your transformation into the legends of this year’s edition, the authors of its many tales. Taking you by the hand, making an assault on your feet and shaking up your musical tastes today are Chase & Status, Martin Garrix, Sara Landry and Steve Aoki at the Mainstage. Laying the foundation for your fancy final footwork around the Holy Grounds are Brina Knauss and Kevin de Vries b2b Meduza at the Crystal Garden, Dutch eclectic masters Chuckie and Laidback Luke at Planaxis, and hardstyle masters The Purge, Soundrush and The Straikerz at the Rose Garden. If you haven’t already done so, make sure to find some musical treasures in the Rave Cave or have a bit of a yodel in the Moose Bar. Today is your last chance to feel all of the feelings!
UNTIL THE FINAL BEAT DROPS ANOTHER LIFE
…is what that cans, cups, and bottles deserve! Please remember to use the recycling bins for all recyclables. Using our planet’s resources wisely will preserve the magic for generations to come.
22:30 -
17:30 - 18:30 |
It has happened, friends. You have completed the cycle – within yourself, and with each other. You have been moved by the brightest Wonder around the Holy Grounds, you’ve let go of the fiercest Anger. You pilgrimaged through the Province of Sadness, enduring difficult emotions before going back into the fray once more. Desire for more kept you going for hours, while Love was shared all around, and kept you connected to your friends. Finally, in a lasting surge of Joy, you brought all of the other emotions together, and now, you carry the balance within you. Inside, you are at peace with your passions; your inner voice rings forth from a place of stillness and repose. All of you, together, can combine that gentle new awareness into a force promoting unity throughout the world. Today, let’s make that new force count, friends. Let’s come together and transform this weekend into the dawn of a new era; a time of unprecedented unity, within ourselves and amongst each other. Let’s once more dance under the Mainstage lights, embrace to the sound of our favourite music, and move as one giant, joyful whole. Together, we can transform everything we touch, nurture this balance, and spread it all around the globe. Together, we are united – forever.
SPOT THE RAINBOW Today’s forecast is a true rollercoaster ride of sun and showers. Make sure to be prepared for anything as things may change: bring sunscreen, but also waterproofs and a layer. And… Spot the rainbow when it inevitably appears!
There’s nothing worse than this, and it’s hard to even lift up a finger, much less get out of bed. Only one day of Tomorrowland left! Before you know it, all of those beautiful faces, all of the good times, will be gone, in the past. The good times shared with your friends replaced by regular life; the feeling of being completely yourself hidden behind a façade of normality; and the music stopped in favour of blah blah blah. What a depressing thought… It’s probably best to give in to the pressure behind your eyes and the tightness in your throat, to welcome the impulse to curl up and cry. Didn’t you also miss some of your favourite artists yesterday? And get to spend less quality time with your friends than you would have liked to? And then think of the ones back home who you couldn’t even bring! Really – the world is cruel, and it’s such a sad place for you to be right now. Let the tears out…
It begins with a smile; then a hop, a skip and a jump. Feel the warmth spread through your body, through your whole being, as you look forward to another magical day in the best place in the world. Another first look at the Mainstage from the top of the hill! Another hug with your best Tomorrowland friend, feeling their body gently connect with yours, and lovingly relax! Another round making angry, silly faces in the Atmosphere, and grinding out odd, sexy moves at the Elixir peninsula! Then after that: the afterglow, the memories, the connections. Think of the smiles. Think of the good times you’ll have with the new friends you’ve made, and the legendary moments you’ll remember. Life truly is great, and it’s become even better thanks to this wonderful edition of Tomorrowland, even if some moments were difficult enough.
Let’s make this day the best one yet!
TOMORROWLAND TODAY
HIGHLIGHTS
4 - 6
DREAMVILLE
City of a thousand dreams
7, 21 & 25
DAILY WISDOM
All there is to know today
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!
8 - 9
PEGASSI
“Feelin’, everywhere right, feelin’ I am feelin’ what you’re feelin’”
DJ Chuckie – Aftershock (Can’t Fight the Feeling)
The rapid rise of the techno/trance don
10 - 11
DRESS TO EXPRESS
The best looks of the Holy Grounds
22 - 23
LOST IN THAISLATION
Fahbeer’s wonderful creations
25 - 31
FOCUS ON THE MUSIC
An interview with Cyril, the timetable and artist bios
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
montagoe mornings
Sun’s out, buns out, and a plentiful offering of relaxation opportunities: at Montagoe, waking up in a ‘field’ begins with silky soft sheets, a breakfast buffet and the very difficult choice between the pool and the jacuzzi. This is DreamVille with a lockable door, hot showers and no need to pretend last night did not happen. Around the water, the Moët comes chilled, pétanque balls roll and festivalgoers discuss survival strategies involving 7 a.m. croissants followed by a tactical return to bed. We toured DreamVille’s most coveted postcode to meet its temporary aristocracy: international magnates of sunscreen, massage tables and champagne diplomacy. Their wealth may be exaggerated, but their commitment to the good life is as genuine as can be.
At breakfast, this group from Hong Kong & Singapore had assembled enough pastries to rival a minor hotel chain, Indeed, the included buffet helped sell them on Montagoe in the first place. They insist they do not normally live like this – their plates, however, declined to comment.
These three approached pétanque with the confidence of men who had played something vaguely related before. Back home in Portugal, it’s called ‘jogo da malha’. Here, the boules were a bit unfamiliar, but their strategy remained impeccable: look intensely, nod knowingly, throw.
Montagoe promises glitz, glamour and superior bedding, but it cannot negotiate with a long night. After Bebe Rexha, our unnamed Saudi guest remained inside well past noon. The only sign of life was one sock, a telltale statement on the goodness of yesterday’s times.
Jordanian by birth and Dubai-based by choice, Khaled approved of Montagoe’s organisation and awarded breakfast top-tier status. Dinner had not quite met the brief, though he generously conceded this might be a him problem. Even discerning clientele practise diplomatic immunity.
For Ann-Katrien and Gini, the pool offers peace and occasional orchestral intervention. When musicians and dancers arrived last morning, everyone started splashing. They’ve a simple morning tip to share as well: wake at seven, eat breakfast, return to bed, re-emerge looking suspiciously fresh.
Will and Nicole reached the pool after a morning best described as bearish. One dip later, Will was fully revitalised again. Their Tobacco Road neighbours had already shared drinks and stories, proving Montagoe’s real currency is whoever remembered to stock the minibar.
Fresh from their entirely plausible penthouse on New York’s Billionaires’ Row, Tomi and Felicia selected the only suitable DreamVille address. On their second Tomorrowland, and first time at Montagoe, they praised its convenience: hot showers, free sunscreen and friends, all practically within concierge distance.
We found Max investing heavily in horizontal growth on a poolside sofa, a bottle of Moët serving as his financial adviser. “Apparently there’s a festival next to the glamping,” he observed. Correct, Max. Staff will alert the estate when it opens.
twister twinning try not to lose it!
When you’re twinning as colourfully as this bunch from Denmark, what else to do but play a giant Twister game? “It’s great stretching aerobics to get ready for the madness,” Mats shares. “It got us ready for Average Rob, the mad Belgian we discovered here last year – and for MORTEN today, representing Denmark on the line-up.” There’s room for more gymnasts: the Twister rematch is on Sunday 11:00 at the Gathering stage.
After attending to a small nation’s worth of stiff shoulders, masseur Ahmed offered Montagoe’s most practical advice: “Keep your hands below your shoulders, or it will hurt.” Excellent guidance for the festival, but absolutely nobody receiving it appeared prepared to behave accordingly.
On DreamVille, it’s all too easy to lose track of things. The Lost & Found desk near the main gate keeps safe whatever people bring in: glasses, phones and passports top the list, but there’s more. Check found items online via iLost or stop by the desk first – most treasures go home same-day. Unfortunately, however, some lost items are taken intentionally. Therefore, stay safe and look after yourself and those around you. Keep your valuables in a locker or safe place and always be aware of your belongings. This also applies when leaving the festival, travelling back to your hotel or heading home!
Working across four countries for one international organisation, this group’s friendship began on Zoom when somebody spotted a Mainstage poster behind a colleague. Their jacuzzi access policy is equally corporate: arrive carrying enough champagne, receive stakeholder approval, then jump in.
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE
The House of Fortune by JBL is where imagination and music converge in a magical little universe. Here, surprises unite, energise, and connect people through music, fostering meaningful connections and promising futures. The House of Fortune stage features upcoming artists, such as talents from the JBL Music Academy, alongside well-known artists who have already learned to shine brightly, heralding endless possibilities for tomorrow’s stars to dazzle and inspire.
WINES, NOT WORDS
Immersing yourself in music and food at Tomorrowland is all about living in the moment. But sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a little aftertaste in the most positive sense of the word (we might even call it a ‘finish’). And you can do just that with Acta Non Verba, the exclusive wine brand by Tomorrowland, available in three varieties: Red (Shiraz), blending vibrant berry and spice with rich dark plum and blackberry, Rose (Shiraz), displaying red berry fruit aromas and flavour with a refreshing, crisp and dry palate, and White (Chardonnay), which shows bright white-nectarine aromas with notes of nougat and cashew. Of the latter variety, only 4,800 bottles were ever produced. Sounds tasty, right? Find out more at store.tomorrowland.com.
MAILING HOME
Do you still remember the joy of receiving a postcard? Or is it a practice that only vaguely rings a bell? It doesn’t really matter, because all People of Tomorrow are entitled to send one postcard of choice to a friend or loved one. You can choose between a variety of cards and, don’t worry, there’s no need to bring a stamp. All is taken care of by the post office’s immaculately dressed personnel. Find them near the Cage!
YOUR FEELINGS ON RECORD
You've already lived it: the bass in your chest, the crowd's roar, the Holy Grounds humming under your feet. But why stop here when you could extend your festival bliss by popping up on the livestream, and watching it all back later with your friends at home? Put on your wildest outfit and get to the front at your favourite stage, and the video teams are sure to pick you up showing your truest feelings to the whole world. Whatever the camera’s all-seeing eye picks up will be recorded for posterity, and thus rewatchable after the fact: all sets from the Mainstage and Freedom livestream, plus the best sets of Atmosphere, Great Library, CORE and House of Fortune, will be online from next Tuesday 17:00 CEST, at Tomorrowland’s official YouTube channel.
A MILLION MILES AGAIN
Miss Monique puts a fresh spin on her progressive anthem “Million Miles Away” with a VIP remix built for the Tomorrowland Mainstage. Premiered in the leadup to Tomorrowland, the remix captures both the driving energy and melodic touch that Miss Monique brings to her sets. And last Friday, Monique herself proved how it did indeed work to the intended effect under the watchful eye of the Grand Visage of Amutaz. Check it out now, only on Amazon Music.
Tomorrowland is not exactly known for whispering. Loop earplugs help you keep the sound clear while giving your ears the comfort they deserve. The Tomorrowland x Loop Experience™ earplugs return in a new limitededition, Consciencia-themed design, made for long days and even louder stages. Pick up a pair at sales points across Tomorrowland, at DreamVille, or from the mobile sales teams. Hear the music, feel the energy, and keep dancing tomorrow.
PEGASSI
LIVING THE TOMORROWLAND DREAM
Electronic music has its own equivalent of the American Dream – let’s call it the Tomorrowland Dream. Several artists we spoke to this weekend are riding the big waves of this very Desire that, after lots of hard work, becomes reality: finally, after putting in copious amounts of graft and grind, they get to become one with the audience at the Holy Grounds’ wonderful stages. Belgian producer Pegassi, aka Sam Huybrecht, is another great example of that real can-do mentality. No less than eleven years into his career as a producer, success almost came overnight a few years ago when the Antwerp based artist blew up with trance, techno and Eurodanceinspired songs such as ‘No Type’ and ‘Yoyoyo’.
“LOTS OF PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH THAT BELL SOUND IN ‘YOYOYO’ AND THE WHOLE THING EXPLODED ONLINE.”
Sam, you made your Tomorrowland debut two years ago at Cage. What do you recall from that experience?
“I was 29 years old back then and I’d been dreaming about this since I was 16. That feeling of being at Tomorrowland as a Belgian artist is very special. I was like, OK, we’re at Tomorrowland, things are going well! The energy was good and so was the sound. I was just generally very happy about that show.”
You followed it up with a Mainstage performance last year and an AV show at Freedom last week. You’re now about to play a different stage: Atmosphere. Do you feel this new spot comes with new opportunities for you?
“Atmosphere has an intimate club vibe compared to Freedom, so I prepared for it accordingly. I made a big selection of tracks I would love to play there, way too many to fit into one set. I’m gonna make my selection on the go because I feel that’s what the crowd here deserves. You’ve got to be flexible in these intimate situations, because you may have a particular song in your mind but then when you play it out, the crowd’s reaction can be completely different from what you expected.”
You were born around the same time the trance classics that inspire your sound came out. How were you first exposed to the music?
“My father used to play a CD series in his car when he picked us up from the skate park. It was called ‘Sensation White’, after an infamous series of events in Amsterdam. This is the music I was exposed to when I was about seven or eight years old.”
Your 2023 breakthrough track ‘Yoyoyo’ draws from that nostalgic sound, but you’ve added a unique bell-like sound to the tune. How does the mix between taking inspiration from existing music and creating something new work for you?
“It kind of happened by accident. My idea was just to have a beat and bassline. I envisioned it in a certain way, but then I accidentally pressed the wrong preset. I hit a bell and I thought, wow, this tickles me. But I didn’t have any other record to prove to me that this sound would actually work. From a marketing point of view, it would have been smarter to go with the sound I originally had in mind, because it’s something people already had a feeling with. I trusted my instinct and I went with the bell. I’m glad I did, because lots of people connected with that sound and the whole thing exploded online.”
“THE FACT THAT I NOW KNOW NOT TO DOUBT MYSELF IS GIVING ME SO MUCH COMFORT.”
Did you name the label after the Calvin Harris song?
“Calvin Harris is actually one of my idols, but no, Sweet Nothing wasn’t named after his song. Look it up: the phrase is in the Urban Dictionary. It’s when you’re at a party and you’re whispering sweet words into someone else’s ear. This is something that resonated with us, which is why we chose this name for the label.”
If you had to pick one track currently out on Sweet Nothing that everyone should listen to, which one would it be?
“I’m going to say ‘Obsessed’ by Sonic Rain. I’m known for a certain sound, so most of the demos we receive fall into that same musical space. Sonic Rain is the first artist who signed with us with a clearly different sound. His music is very melodic and groovy and a lot more underground, which is still a buzzword in this day and age. I feel this signing marks the beginning of a new era for Sweet Nothing. I envision the label as a full musical experience just like Tomorrowland is. It doesn’t matter if the music is bouncy, trancey, techno or even house: Sweet Nothing is a hub for artists who really deserve to shine.”
Can you describe the feeling when your music finally found an audience?
“Honestly, I just thought: finally, bro. The fact that I now know not to doubt myself is giving me so much comfort. After producing for so many years, there are moments when you can’t help but think that your music is really bad. That happened simply because no one connected with what I made. That feeling when, after so many years, your music starts clicking with people over the course of just a few months – it’s just incredible.”
Tell us something about these years before your breakthrough period in 2022 and 2023. What kind of life were you living?
“I was always working on music and I released the tracks I made on SoundCloud. I also DJ’d a bit, but just locally. Producing always came first. I didn’t feel any need to be on a big stage if it wasn’t for my own music.”
You say that, but you also play lots of tracks by other artists in your sets. Is that important to you too?
“I think the ratio is about 50/50. My music is just a small percentage of everything that’s out there. So many artists from almost every genre inspire me every day. Without their music, my sets would be pretty boring.”
This brings us to your own label Sweet Nothing, which serves as a vehicle for emerging talent. In what way does discovering artists and releasing their music satisfy you?
“Like I said earlier, I’ve been self-releasing music for so long. By the time Martin Garrix blew up, I was already putting out my own stuff. Labels like Musical Freedom became popular and so did Garrix’ label STMPD RCRDS. I noticed how young guys became successful after releasing on these labels and imagined how crazy it would be to be a part of this. Of course, I tried to email imprints like those many times. They’d tell me my songs were fire, but they wouldn’t release them because I didn’t have a proven track record yet.”
That’s crazy, right?
“It’s insane, but I get it as well, because obviously it’s a business and businesses need to be profitable. I envisioned Sweet Nothing to be the label that wasn’t there when I was trying to break through.”
HAUTE COUTURE ON THE HOLY GROUNDS
A rundown of six festival looks that refuse to blend into the crowd
The Holy Grounds have always doubled as a runway. An outfit here must do more than photograph well: it has to dance, carry the essentials, handle Belgian skies and still feel unmistakably yours. That is why festival fashion matters: every colour, thrift find and piece saved for the weekend reveals a little of the person wearing it. The Tomorrowland Store keeps evolving alongside that creativity, with fresh drops throughout the year carrying its familiar symbols into cities, beaches and daily life. Call it a Fashion Week, only with better sound and considerably more personality.
AXELE
Axele’s fashion formula looks effortless, but every piece has earned its place. Inspired by Hailey Bieber’s talent for making a white tank and jeans look immaculate, she builds around strong basics: excellent jorts, proper shoes and fabrics that still behave after washing. Her secret is timing. The striking top she wears today was bought in last winter’s sale, months before its festival debut. Finished with Ridley Sunglasses, it proves that smart shopping can still deliver some serious attitude.
Creative work does not stop at the studio door for Bram. The designer spends his days developing concepts for brands around the world, so his own wardrobe needs to speak the same visual language. “How can I sell those creative visions if I don’t exude the same creativity myself?” he asks. Consider the brief answered: Bram pairs Tomorrowland’s swirl jacket and matching shorts with the new WR1 sneakers, turning a coordinated set into one confident, sharply considered statement. Job so well done!
Lore knows that style begins with understanding yourself, not obeying the mannequin. A former fashion professional, she mixes toughness, colour and everyday ease, adjusting silhouettes to suit her petite frame. A crop top adds length, where too much oversized fabric would otherwise have swallowed the whole look. Her crocheted headpiece has its own little satisfying arc: she received it years ago as a trend-prediction sample, and it now feels perfectly current. The top, meanwhile, is three summers old. Good pieces deserve another dance!
BELGIUM
THE NETHERLANDS
BELGIUM
Peter’s outfit is a two-person production. His girlfriend Judy takes the creative lead at the clothing brand they run together, while he keeps its logistics moving. Their crew chose blue today, but Peter prefers black, so Judy threaded the theme through blue glasses and a cheeky glimpse of matching boxers. A starry Y2K chain supplies the throwback detail, and an Avicii cap around one of his belt loops is at hand for peak sunshine.
LAURANNE
BELGIUM
Lauranne approaches an outfit much like she approaches a canvas: begin with space, then place colour carefully. The visual artist and design studio creative often wears white because it works beautifully with her hair. Her daily style is minimal but never plain, sharpened by jewellery or an unexpected accent. Today, the colour comes from her Tomorrowland scarf and fan. Landscapes inspire much of her art, and her clothing follows the same instinct: calm foundations, vivid details, nothing added without purpose.
ISABÈL USHER
THE NETHERLANDS
Singer Isabèl Usher expresses herself in two fluent languages: music and clothes. Her baggy jorts, black top and combat boots set a relaxed baseline, leaving room for accessories to capture the attention. Gold bracelets stack her wrists, accidentally matching her Tomorrowland bracelet, while sunglasses remain her quickest styling trick. Many pieces are thrifted, though she happily makes room for the occasional designer standout. Once you know your style, she believes, even a basic outfit can become unmistakably yours.
Think your festival outfit deserves the spotlight? If we didn’t catch you on the Holy Grounds, here’s your chance. Send us your favourite photo of your Tomorrowland look and tell us the story behind it for a chance to win the brand-new Butterfly Hand Fan from the Tomorrowland Collection. It’s stylish, practical, and always ready to bring a refreshing breeze after an energetic session in front of the stages. Email your photo and story to today@tomorrowland.com.
LOST IN T H AISLATION,
FOUND IN FLAVOUR
Where Thai food and cocktails swap places, on purpose
In Bangkok, there’s a cocktail bar so hidden that even Google Maps will fail you. A deliberate move, as nobody gets lost these days anymore – and Thai mixologist Fahbeer wants people to rediscover that magic. “If you know, you know” is how she gets curious callers going around in circles for her location. At Tomorrowland, however, she wants the magic be found. Deep in Papillon’s Thai garden, Lost in Thaislation combines the wonders of getting lost with an unexpected translation service. Fahbeer turns Thai food into cocktails, and cocktails into food.
Step inside, and “from Bangkok with love” becomes very real indeed. From paint to playlist, Fahbeer’s speakeasy has been rebuilt down to the details at Papillon. Even the rituals travel along – walk in, and you’re welcomed with a warm “sawadee ka,” the same greeting that opens every visit to the original place. And the translations continue after that.
SOLID TO LIQUID, AND BACK AGAIN
In plain English? This is mango sticky rice, but make it a cocktail. Or pisco sour, but make it a dish. At the heart of this gem lies a simple trick, played out across three rotating pairings: Thai food poured into a cocktail glass, with classic cocktails plated as dishes. Your tastebuds will be tricked even further with surprising twists along the way. Take the Thai Fruit Cart cocktail, which comes in a glass with different parts of its edge dipped in distinct flavours – salt, sugar, spice – so the taste shifts depending on where your lips land. No wonder some returning visitors complete all three pairings in a row, making sure they get to taste every peculiar combination on the menu.
Every visit ends with a small, sweet surprise, and then it’s out into the Thai garden, where you might stumble straight into a Thai ritual mid-dance. Dancers offer friendship bracelets to whoever crosses their path, a reminder that no matter the distance, people from every region can still find their way to each other – a small echo of the many paths crossing here at Tomorrowland.
INSPIRATION FLOWS BOTH WAYS
The exchange runs in both directions. Somewhere between the Holy Grounds and her next Bangkok menu, Fahbeer is already sketching a Belgian chocolate and waffle cocktail. Fitting, then, that her own name translates to ‘beer cap’ in Thai – a small nod to the Belgian beer heritage, and proof that the connection might have always been there. Soon, the new recipe will carry a trace of Tomorrowland back into Fahbeer’s Bangkok bar – a little spark that paves the way before Tomorrowland sets foot in Thailand for real.
TASTEFULLY LOST
“Lost for words” is how Christopher from the US describes it. “Next to Tomorrowland Thailand, we’re adding an extra item to our bucket list – Fahbeer’s bar in Bangkok. Once we tasted this, we knew we had to go.”
Christopher, USA
Yasmine’s return after yesterday’s visit says it all, but there’s more: “The calm, the exclusivity, the surprising flavours. I came back today just to taste the parts I missed – and I’ll be honest, I’m already planning a third tasting before the weekend’s over.”
Three rotating pairings to discover New pairing every 30 min
Fahbeer
Sym PHOny OF UNITY
ORCHESTRAL EMOTIONS
Symphony of Unity is a unique phenomenon worldwide: Tomorrowland’s very own orchestra with a strictly dance music repertoire. It came into existence just over a decade ago, when composer Hans Zimmer was commissioned to write an anthem for Tomorrowland. Upon his suggestion to have his work performed live at the festival, Tomorrowland offered to work on a far greater repertoire, including some of dance music’s biggest hits. The rest is history: the orchestra is now about to release their debut album ‘Orchestral Selection I’ and have toured extensively in world-renowned venues including Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and Sphere in Las Vegas. Performances by Symphony of Unity evoke big emotions and will bring music lovers to tears. What is it that makes these shows so very special, and what is the secret behind this orchestra’s magical power?
EMOTIONS
“Our audiences have been dancing, shouting, singing, screaming, fighting and crying from the beginning.” Kevin Houben, Symphony of Unity’s conductor since 2024, smiles when he says it, but there certainly is a serious undertone to his words. There aren’t many things that evoke emotion like witnessing a live rendition of your favourite dance music anthem, after all. Kevin continues: “Afterwards, people often take the time to come talk to us. They tell us that they were crying because the mixed emotions reflected in the story of Consciencia are also present in our music: sadness and love, but also gratitude and happiness. Our music helps the listener to let their own emotions come out.”
THE MAGIC OF LIVE MUSIC
Playing with an orchestra is complicated, even more so than you might think at first. “Timing is challenging for live musicians when amplifiers are involved,” says Houben. “That’s why we work with in-ear monitors that come with a click track system, which helps everyone to play the music at the right tempo. The sound from the speakers comes with a slight delay compared to the sound actually produced by the instruments – just enough to throw musicians off without this tool.” Yacha Bachmadova, pianist in the orchestra, adds: “The click track is also very important because sometimes when the audience goes wild, musicians instinctively try to change the tempo. That’s because it’s so exciting! We’ll generally try to play it faster in those situations, it’s a natural tendency.”
“The musicians have a lot of freedom in their expressive moments.”
The orchestra’s conductor gets excited too, talking about the magic of live music: “Even though we have to make sure we don’t go too fast or too slow, the musicians have a lot of freedom during their expressive moments. They can change their timing up and down a bit within a certain framework. In electronic music, every note has the same value. The loudness is the same and the tempo is often also the same. When live musicians play, things are switched around a bit. Elvis Presley was excellent at taking this freedom and so was Frank Sinatra. Their timing is what makes them the biggest artists in the world. That’s what our musicians also do within the energy and timing framework they have. You could compare this to telling a story or a poem: words don’t come out at a regular tempo. You switch it up, and pitch a bit higher and lower. Sometimes you wait. That’s musicality, and that’s phrasing. This is exactly why what we do resonates with people: we are not always doing the same thing. Every concert is different because we are human. That’s why it works.”
MOMENTS TO SHINE
Every musician has their moment during the Symphony of Unity’s orchestral performance: a section where they shine, either alongside a smaller group of musicians or alone. If Niels Rosemans, violinist in the orchestra, had to pick one favourite moment within the current set, it would be ‘Reload’, originally composed by Swedish House Mafia’s Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash and John Martin. “When I watch the audience when we play this song, they give me so much energy. I feel myself absorbing it and I grow along with it. It’s incredibly special.” Yacha’s finest moment behind the piano happens during certain sections of ‘Insomnia’, the 1996 single by Faithless and as such, one of the earliest dance classics in the Symphony of Unity repertoire. “I love playing it because the audience immediately goes crazy. It’s really nice to feel the connection with them, as well as their gratitude.”
THE ORCHESTRA’S DEBUT ALBUM
Known primarily for their mesmerising live performances, Symphony of Unity have just released their debut album ‘Orchestral Selection I’ which is now available on all major streaming platforms. The physical release of the album follows this September on Tomorrowland Music. The ten tracks on the record include reworks of ‘Years’ by Alesso, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike’s ‘Mammoth’, and ‘In My Mind’ by Alesso. There’s also songs on a techno trip by the likes of Kölsch and Joris Voorn. All of them were selected by the Tomorrowland team, who have been the record’s and orchestra’s main curator from the start. “One song I suggested actually made it to the album, though,” says Kevin with a big smile. “It’s that song by Faithless we talked about before: ‘Insomnia’. Fun fact: coming from a classical music background I didn’t know many electronic songs, but this is one of them!”
When you tour as extensively as Symphony of Unity, social relations between people change: “We’re like a family now,” says Yacha. “Our bond extends way beyond this orchestra. When abroad, we do fun things together such as going on hikes in nature.” Niels adds: “I think it’s because of the music. It brings us together because we have fun on stage, we are allowed to smile and give energy to the audiene. Connecting with each other is also an important part of what we do. When the cellos are playing their part, we all look at them to encourage them in what they’re doing.”
A STANDOUT SHOW AT THE FREEDOM STAGE
This great travelling ensemble of dance-infused classical music has toured the world extensively, but there is no place like home. After our conversations, the musicians pick up their instruments to play to a Freedom stage packed to the rafters not once, but twice in one day. It’s time for their all-new Horizon show – the one the orchestra is about to tour worldwide after these two weekends. Just after Andromedik’s set, with its blasts of pyro and full-on breakbeats, the Freedom turns into something else altogether. Serene visuals of landscapes shot during golden hour match the quiet vibe of the opening section. Mind you, the orchestra won’t stay quiet! During the endorphin-enhancing moments of their version of ‘We Are Mirage’ by Eric Prydz and Empire of the Sun, the musicians standing in the back dance just as passionately as the People of Tomorrow on the other side of the barriers. Symphony of Unity do what they do best from the very start of this mesmerising new set: they improvise, take their freedom and add recognisable, cheerevoking drops to the songs they play. May they remain united forever!
CORNÉ
“The sun was starting to set and everything suddenly felt very calm. That’s what I wanted to paint, really: a reset before the night begins. I’ve moved from South Africa to Malta and now the Netherlands, but the ocean is still where I find that feeling.”
“We were thinking about fantasy, and this painting of Saturn we once saw, with two people making love. Then we noticed the pebble fountains in the pond here, so those went into it as well. It ended up being a bit cosmic and a bit local at once.”
“When you’re making any kind of art, you’re only thinking about the thing in front of you. Everything else gets blocked out for a while. I saw the fountain and started drawing a boat, probably because the Old Spice boat party was still in my head.”
PAINT IT LIKE YOU FEEL IT
One canvas, eleven stories, and no need to make perfect sense.
“I painted Eva, my future wife. We’ve been together for fifteen years and we’re finally getting married in September. We had two kids, renovated the house, spent the money on other things. But we always knew we’d get there. There was never any doubt.”
“We were actually talking about our love lives just before this, so that probably ended up in the painting somehow. We both love taking photos, but making personal birthday presents is another thing. A magazine or photo album just feels much more like you mean it.”
“I painted a cat and some hearts. I have three cats at home in Poland and I miss them a lot, so it was an easy choice. I’m here with a big group of friends from home, though, which definitely makes missing them a little easier.”
CATO & ANAÏS WIETSE AGATA
MARGARETA
NISARGA
“Most people are always rushing, and this made me stop for a minute. You need that for creativity, I think. You pause, take a breath and let everything find its place. Was it a good reminder to slow down? Yes, a very big yes!”
“I’m renovating my house, so that’s probably my biggest creative project at the moment. I also work in brand activations, which is creative, but it takes a lot of energy. I’d like to trust my own ideas more and think less inside the box.”
“I live in Riyadh for work, and creativity isn’t always easy to find there, so we make our own space for it. For me, that can be painting, even if I’m not improving, or cooking a big meal while my friends talk through their day.”
Nothing is quite what it seems. Staircases lead nowhere and everywhere. Across Consciencia, the everyday no longer follows the usual rules, giving Wonder, Love, Anger, Joy, Desire and Sadness new shapes to inhabit. Surrealism has never cared much for the sensible answer – it gives the quieter, stranger corners of the mind somewhere to appear. So when a blank canvas made its way onto the Holy Grounds, People of Tomorrow took turns painting whatever felt right in that exact minute: home, lovers, water, music, cats. The photographs caught every painter at work, but kept the completed picture hidden. Until now.
“Obviously, we drew a music note. But freedom is probably the bigger thing for both of us, being able to express yourself and live how you want. Edo has lived in Morocco and Dubai, so being in Europe makes him appreciate that freedom much more.”
“We were thinking about India, so we painted a lotus, our national flower, with butterflies and our children’s initials. Creativity is how emotions come out. I’m a stay-at-home mum, and sensory play is one of the ways I help the children explore it.”
here it is: eleven additions that were never supposed to match, somehow making room for one another. A lotus, a boat, cats, hearts, music, names and a very cheerful sun. Painted with true talent and authentic magic – and completely alive because of it.
And
EDO & HENRY
SIMRAN & YASH
THE PEOPLE OF TOMORROW
CHRISTINE
MEGANE
LIS
FOR THE GREATER GOOD
We may be Uniting Forever at these Holy Grounds weekend, but to truly say you Love Tomorrow, you have to put your money where your is, and that’s exactly what the Tomorrowland Foundation helps you do. You can learn about their work supporting vulnerable children worldwide from their Mobile Team, travelling across the festival grounds today from 13:30 to 19:00. Stop by to purchase a handmade Foundation bracelet, contribute to a unique collaborative artwork, and become part of something bigger. The artwork will later find a home within Tomorrowland Foundation projects around the world. If you’re curious for more, you can also visit the Mobile School at the One World Bridge and discover how it brings education and play to children around the world. Find the bike or visit the Mobile School, say hello, and discover how small actions can create meaningful impact.
GIVE NATURE A HAND
For one weekend, DreamVille is yours. And what’s yours is yours to look after: every bottle, every can, every wrapper that passes through your hands must go somewhere, in the end. The Recycle Club is Love Tomorrow’s way of making that easy: a place to sort what you no longer need, so the grounds you dreamed and danced on for days will be left as beautiful as you found them. Find the Recycle Club near the Gathering stage and give nature a hand this weekend, and it might just return the favour. On Monday morning, the campers who kept their corner cleanest will be given a real hand hauling their gear to the exit. Fair trade, we’d say.
NATION OF CELEBRATION
This summer, flags are everywhere. On football shirts, painted cheeks, campsite poles, and of course on shoulders in the crowd. While the World Cup had the planet holding its breath over every pass, Budweiser brings that same international buzz to the Freedom Stage. Beneath the spectacular Floating Sky, every nation celebrates differently: some sing, some jump, some start a chant in three languages at once. But when the music rises, those differences become part of the same roar. Find your flag, raise your hands, and let the Freedom Stage by Budweiser turn global rivalry into one shared celebration.
CONSCIENCIA IN PARADISE
MELODIA IN THE SUN
At the Melodia Stage powered by Corona, rhythm comes with a breeze. The stage has always had a way of making the day feel lighter, with easy grooves, warm smiles and a bar close enough for a relaxed pause between sets. Grab a Corona, find your place near the soundsystem and let the stage do its soft work. Not every festival memory has to arrive with fireworks: some come from standing in the afternoon light, with a drink in hand, when the beat is exactly where it should be.
What happens if you turn a place that already is a paradise in its own right into something even better? The world of electronic music is about to find out when Tomorrowland hits the tropical shores of Thailand from 11-13 December, just when the weather in Europe and North America is set to turn properly dreary. The line-up for the first edition of Tomorrowland Thailand includes Swedish House Mafia, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Infected Mushroom, Alok, Alan Walker, Brennan Heart, Agents of Time, Da Tweekaz, DJ Tennis, Lost Frequencies, NERVO, and many others. Proceedings will take place at the wonderful Wisdom Valley, not far from the popular holiday destination of Pattaya on the Eastern Gulf. People of Tomorrow who hold a ticket to this very first edition are lucky, as it is now completely sold out. Want to know more regardless? Go to thailand.tomorrowland.com.
WE CARE A LOT
Partying with care, awareness, and respect makes your Tomorrowland experience even more magical. And in order to facilitate that, the We Care a Lot team is available throughout both DreamVille and the festival grounds to support health, safety and inclusion, always in a non-judgmental manner. Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you need help for yourself or for a friend, never hesitate to reach out to a member of the team, no matter what it is: We Care a Lot is there to be your helping hand and trustworthy friend.
ONE WORLD RADIO THE ROAD TO
OPEN TO ALL
Anyone with a curious mind is welcome to visit the studio on the Holy Grounds throughout the weekend. Drop by, say hi, and you may very well make eye contact with some of the artists you love the most. It’s tempting to think that what happens in the studio stays in the studio, but that’s obviously not the case: everything is recorded and broadcast to People of Tomorrow from all over the world. As the day progresses, hosts Justin, Camille and Adam interview exciting new artists as well as established pioneers of various electronic sounds. It is this live element that brings the sense of excitement and unexpectedness that comes naturally to the radio environment. Yesterday, poor lost presenter Adam gave a prime example of this delightful kind of chaos.
Those who know, know: One World Radio is a destination for fans of electronic music year-round, even more so now than when the station started as an experiment back in 2019. At the time, it was the go-to platform for live broadcasts throughout the Tomorrowland weekends. Over the years, a stellar roster of shows has been added to the programme so that you can now enjoy the station 365 days a year. More than anything, One World Radio is a vehicle for community-building, a place where artists, presenters and the listeners come together as one. There’s only one problem: the studio can be kind of hard to find.
I’m happy to give people the benefit of the doubt. I trust everyone across the Holy Grounds.”
- AdamK
ADAMK’S QUEST
In order to raise awareness for One World Radio as a community hub, and show that it isn’t really that hard to find, AdamK volunteered to sacrifice himself yesterday. Starting from the Orb, Tomorrowland’s official gateway, AdamK began his journey, with the simple goal of making his way back to the studio. A short walk on a normal day, his commute turned out to be a real quest yesterday: helplessly blindfolded, Adam needed the help of willing People of Tomorrow to guide him back to his office. Luckily, Adam is an easy-going kind of guy: “Look, I’m happy to give people the benefit of the doubt. I trust everyone across the Holy Grounds. But they can also quickly lose my trust if they do me wrong, haha!”
A HELPING HAND
Today’s first volunteer is someone who will stay with Adam throughout the entire journey. It’s Indira! “Are you Indira Paganotto?” Adam wants to know. “Nope, not that one,” is the answer from his newly made friend. As Adam hesitantly moves towards the studio he knows so well, a crowd of people starts following him. They’re clapping, cheering and dancing and they know they’re doing their good deed for today. There’s a few hurdles to take, however: the entourage guides Adam through turns on uneven surfaces and across bumps and bridges. It’s all stuff that might be easy to do when you have normal vision; it isn’t when you’re blind or blindfolded. And what to think of the stairs that lead up to the studio? Thankfully, Indira and her team know what they’re doing, and after today, even more People of Tomorrow know how to make their way to the Holy Grounds’ ultimate epicentre of community: the much-loved One World Radio Studio.
Dimitri Vegas
Emilija b2b Alycia Bezgo
RUN & RAVE THE CITY
PRESENT
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD
You come across some peculiar types in a lifetime full of human encounters. Many of you will be familiar with Joren from Belgium by now. He works as a mobile cup return point. Works? Dances, rather, because his job is all about joining the rave while he does good for the planet. In the meantime, fellow People of Tomorrow slowly fill up his backpack and as the cup hits the bottom of Joren’s bag, their deposit money automatically returns to their accounts.
MUSIC IS MUSIC
Music journalists like to think in boxes, or rather: genres. Sorry about that! Taylor from Australia is the living proof that dividing the world into separate categories doesn’t make any sense. She couldn’t be more excited to finally experience Tomorrowland, proudly wearing her Sonic Youth t-shirt. Sonic what? The band, spearheaded by Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, led the way for massively popular grunge acts like Nirvana back in the 1990s. Taylor: “I just love how their chords keep flowing endlessly.” There’s not much guitar music at Tomorrowland, but music is music and Taylor doesn’t mind: “I’m keen to see John Summit, I want to know what the hype is about!”
SABAI SABAI, THIS WAY
At Papillon, Amazing Thailand brings a taste of Thai culture, colour and atmosphere into Tomorrowland. It is a bright little escape within the festival, shaped by flavours, details and that easy-going feeling captured in the words ‘sabai sabai’. Follow the Sabai Sabai Route across the grounds and look out for Thai-inspired touchpoints along the way, where you can collect small surprises such as a bracelet. With Tomorrowland Thailand waiting later this year, this is a gentle first hello from a world that is already calling.
Not ready to let the magic end after today? Gather at least four friends, a few slips of paper, a pen and a cup or hat, and create your own Tomorrowland Time’s Up. Everyone writes down five words: unforgettable memories, people, objects or inside jokes from the weekend. Mix them together, split into two teams, and race through three 30-second rounds: first, explain the word without saying it. Next, use only one clue. Finally, act it out without speaking. Reuse the same words every round and watch the laughter grow. The best memories always deserve an encore.
STAY SHARP
Somewhere between the first walk across the grounds and the final set you promised not to miss, your body may ask for a little help. Hydro Ice is there to keep you refreshed and alert as the day stretches into night. Find Hydro Ice points across the festival grounds when you want to cool down, reset, and stay one step ahead of the next stage change. Think of it as a small pause button before you press play again. Cold, quick, and very useful!
CATCH IT IF YOU CAN
Flying Fish is on the move this year, especially around DreamVille. Look out for mobile carts, playful games and little bursts of activity that can appear just when you are heading somewhere else entirely. The element of surprise is half the fun! One minute you’ll be walking back from the Marketplace with breakfast in your hand, the next you’ll suddenly be part of a game you didn’t even know existed. Follow the carts, bring a friend and see what happens next!
From the Tomorrowland Today team to all of you: our heartfelt thanks for following our – and your! – adventures over the weekend via this newspaper. Your smiles and energy make these pages magical, and to that we tip our hat!
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!
2010-2012 PRES. SUPER YOU&ME PRESENTS PLANAXIS
For a few years now, Tomorrowland’s in-house hosting concept 2010-2012 has been doing exactly what it says on the tin. Today’s Planaxis festivities are slightly different, however: they have invited the Dutch master of range behind the decks, Laidback Luke, to fill in the line-up with his Super You&Me imprint. As they themselves put it: “Super You&Me parties are all about saving civilisation from mediocrity through music and pioneering ‘YOUnique’ merrymaking mayhem around the globe.”
Besides Luke himself, today’s throwback tunes will be delivered by Yves V b2b StadiumX, Sick Individuals, Vicetone, Quintino, Chuckie, and an appearance by a mysterious Superheroes team is also on the bill. Time to investigate!
TEAM AMANI ELIXIR
Known not just for being a DJ but also for being a content creator, Belgian golden boy Michael Amani has more than half a million followers on the major platforms combined. Today, he’s bringing his wild, anarchical energy as well as a whole bunch of friends to the Elixir stage for a day that’s set to be fun, first and foremost. House don Lennert Wolfs’s freshest records, an overthe-top singalong extravaganza by Jaël Ost & MagiK, an hour of Eurodance classics by Kav Verhouzer & de Hofnar; it’s all there there for you to enjoy as you soak up the sun by the side of the pond – and, of course, Amani will make sure you can watch it all again on the socials after!
SMASH THE HOUSE THE GREAT LIBRARY
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have been at the heart of Tomorrowland for as long as we can remember. Even their residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza is produced by Tomorrowland, so there’s no doubt that the festival’s spirit runs through everything they do. It’s no surprise, then, that their stage hosting provides a standout experience. Their fullon party concept Smash the House carries an unmistakable feeling of excitement, unity and discovery, bringing together artists that span the full spectrum of electronic music.
With Dutch hardstyle pioneer Brennan Heart, allround legends Bassjackers and Dimitri Vegas playing a set alongside techno don Nico Moreno, this year’s Smash the House line-up is as strong as ever.
MAINSTAGE CONSCIENCIA
Closing Show 23:55 - 00:00
Martin Garrix 22:50 - 23:50
Steve Aoki 21:45 - 22:45
Lost Frequencies 20:40 - 21:40
Afrojack b2b R3hab 19:40 - 20:40
SUNDAY
OLIVEX
PLANAXIS | Sunday | 12:00 - 13:00
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 line-up. This is today’s most exciting prodigy!
Real name: Olivier Halsberghe
Age: 15
Country of origin: Belgium
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/official_dj_olivex
Style of music: Olivex combines two strikingly contrasting elements in his music. The pumping sounds of tech-house are always present, often combined with the catchiest choruses from the world of pop.
First attempt at DJing: Olivex didn’t come out of nowhere. He started taking DJ lessons when he was nine years old. He had a dedicated mentor who helped him take the first hurdles: Gunter Van Ranst, better known as DJ Puddie.
Famous words:
“I want to be a DJ when I grow up.”
Why you shouldn’t miss this gig: Combining the best of Chris Stussy, James Hype, and DJ Pegassi, Olivex already is a whirlwind of energy to reckon with.
Sara Landry 18:35 - 19:35
Chase & Status (DJ set) 17:30 - 18:30
Lucas & Steve 16:30 - 17:30
Cyril 15:30 - 16:30
Odd Mob 14:30 - 15:30
Discovery 12:00 - 14:30
MC Stretch
FREEDOM BY BUD
Amelie Lens presents AURA 22:00 - 23:30
Artbat 20:30 - 22:00
Cassian b2b Joris Voorn 19:00 - 20:30
Fideles 17:30 - 19:00
Korolova 16:00 - 17:30
Push Only 15:00 - 16:00
Axel Haube 13:30 - 15:00
Laura Hoogland 12:00 - 13:30
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUB ZERO PROJECT & FRIENDS
The Straikerz 22:15 - 23:00
Warface 21:30 - 22:15
Da Tweekaz 20:00 - 21:30
Coone 19:00 - 20:00
Sound Rush 18:00 - 19:00
The Purge 17:00 - 18:00
Hard Driver 16:00 - 17:00
Mark With A K & MC Chucky 15:00 - 16:00
D-Charged b2b Serzo 14:00 - 15:00
Lost Identity 13:00 - 14:00
BassBrain 12:00 - 13:00
Villain
CELESTIA BY KUCOIN
HU 21:00 - 22:30
Morgan Seatree 19:30 - 21:00
Bella Claxton b2b Paige Tomlinson 18:00 - 19:30
Kyle Starkey 16:30 - 18:00
Newtone 15:00 - 16:30
Lisa Korver 13:30 - 15:00
Mendosa 12:30 - 13:30
CAGE
Freddy K 21:00 - 23:00
Blasha & Allatt 19:00 - 21:00
Quelza 17:00 - 19:00
Amotik 15:00 - 17:00
Netty Hugo 13:30 - 15:00
Amalie 12:00 - 13:30
THE RAVE CAVE
WEAREONE.WORLD & FRIENDS
DXNØ 22:00 - 23:00
Leenders 21:00 - 22:00
Hyalyte 20:00 - 21:00
D. Guaetta b2b Neon 19:00 - 20:00
Mr. Rewind 18:00 - 19:00
Muze 17:00 - 18:00
Kriss Reeve 16:00 - 17:00
EME 15:00 - 16:00
Benny Plays 13:00 - 15:00
PLANAXIS
2010-2012 PRES. SUPER YOU & ME PRESENT
Chuckie 23:00 - 23:50
Quintino 22:00 - 23:00
Superheroes 21:00 - 22:00
Laidback Luke 20:00 - 21:00
Vicetone 19:00 - 20:00
Sick Individuals 18:00 - 19:00
Yves V b2b StadiumX 17:00 - 18:00
VASSY 16:00 - 17:00
ANAYA 15:00 - 16:00
Okayval 13:00 - 15:00
Olivex 12:00 - 13:00
ELIXIR TEAM AMANI
Michael Amani & friends 23:00 - 00:00
Michael Amani 22:00 - 23:00
Jaël Ost & Magik 21:00 - 22:00
Kav Verhouzer & 19:30 - 21:00 de Hofnar present Eurodance
Vikkstar 18:30 - 19:30
Karakals 17:00 - 18:30
Lennert Wolfs 16:00 - 17:00
Reeze 14:30 - 16:00
Dino 13:00 - 14:30
MELODIA BY CORONA WITH LOVE FROM IBIZA BY DELAFINO
Eli Rojas 22:00 - 23:00
Delafino & Luna Fino 20:30 - 22:00
Oriol Calvo 19:30 - 20:30
Alex Kennon 18:30 - 19:30
Valentín Huedo 17:30 - 18:30
Rayco Santos 16:30 - 17:30
Cristiano Da Silva 15:30 - 16:30
Bobbi Antonni 14:00 - 15:30
Dominico 12:00 - 14:00
ATMOSPHERE
Kobosil 22:30 - 23:50
Trym 21:00 - 22:30
Nikolina 19:30 - 21:00
Adrián Mills 18:00 - 19:30
Alycia Bezgo b2b BIIANCO 16:30 - 18:00
Portex 15:00 - 16:30
Riana Holley 13:30 - 15:00
Mirage 12:00 - 13:30
CORE
Malugi 22:00 - 23:50
Benwal b2b LB aka Labat 20:30 - 22:00
Lammer 18:30 - 20:30
Helena Lauwaert 17:00 - 18:30
Saidah 15:30 - 17:00
Kellar 13:30 - 15:30
Catalina 12:00 - 13:30
CRYSTAL GARDEN
Kevin de Vries b2b Meduza 21:30 - 00:00
Mind Against 19:30 - 21:30
Brina Knauss 18:00 - 19:30
Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano 16:30 - 18:00
Bhaskar 15:00 - 16:30
Benja b2b Franc Fala 12:00 - 15:00 THE GREAT LIBRARY
Australian producer Cyril’s first proper Mainstage performance has been a long time coming. Two years ago, the self-acclaimed ‘bogan’ – slang for country boy – got booked to play a smaller stage just before he broke his ankle, and last year saw him play the improvised Orbyz stage days after the great fire happened. Fans of the incredibly gifted artist behind smash hits like ‘Stumblin’ In’ and ‘The Sound of Silence’ are in for a treat today, as they’ll face a performer absolutely stoked about playing Tomorrowland’s most prestigiously decorated stage. As he was putting the finishing touches on today’s long-awaited performance, surrounded by the tranquillity of the Irish countryside, he found a minute to share his history and his outlook on what lies ahead.
“One day I said to myself: I need to figure out how to get home. I remember the first home-cooked meal when I got to my mum’s place.”
Cyril, reworking classic tracks isn’t unusual, but your take on doing it is a particularly fresh one. How do you generally set to work?
“For me to feel passionate about a classic, I have to have a childhood connection to it. Take my version of ‘The Sound of Silence’. I clearly remember the Simon and Garfunkel version, but my grandmother really enjoyed the version by Disturbed, a heavy metal band. She came up to me and told me to check out their take on the song. This is the version that I ended up remixing.”
The video for ‘Stumblin’ In’, your first big success, was all about breaking free, with stuffy characters dropping their masks to the music in a previously sterile country house. What did you have in mind when making the clip?
“It was heavily inspired by the movie Saltburn, a pretty messed-up film that you wouldn’t show your kids. The eventual video for ‘Stumblin’ In’ turned out to be a weird mix between medieval times and modern stuff.”
Your tracks ‘That’s Her’ with Wiz Khalifa and ‘I Got Love’ with Nate Dogg feel like a departure from earlier works. Do they represent a new direction you’ve taken?
“I’ve got a good catalogue of music so far, and I really wanted to test the boundaries of what we could achieve hits-wise. I’m trying to always feel
refreshed while I’m producing and if I did the same stuff all the time, I’d get bored of it, and I think my fans would as well. The Wiz Khalifa collab was actually recorded in one of my favourite places: Nashville, Tennessee. I’m not a big fan of huge cities, so I try to spend as much time as possible in smaller cities where I feel more relaxed.”
You live in Darwin, a very remote town Australia. Is this the kind of place where you find what you’re looking for?
“Totally. I’ve got a farm out there with six acres. I have my buggy and my quad to play around with and a great studio with many instruments and drums. I can bash on them drums very hard without my neighbours hating me. It can also be very quiet out there. When the rain stops at the end of the wet season, thousands of bats come out of the pine trees surrounding my property. Nature of that kind is absolutely beautiful.”
That sounds idyllic!
“It is. And I’ve got two houses. One of them has five bedrooms and a pool in the middle, and then there’s a smaller house with two rooms on the other side of the property. It has a patio with some beautiful flowers and green grass. That’s where I play the guitar and write music. The royalties from ‘Stumbling In’ earned me enough money to buy this place.”
You have a history of homelessness, and now you have this great place to live. That must feel pretty good.
“Yes. I still have to pinch myself sometimes. It’s hard to put into words because you have to experience homelessness to understand what it feels like. I had friends with houses, but they were filled with drugs. I was DJ’ing back then too but after a while, being addicted to drugs, you just don’t get booked anymore, which is completely fair. One day I said to myself: I need to figure out how to get home. I remember the first home-cooked meal when I got to my mum’s place. It was just sausages with curry powder, vegetables and mashed potato. It’s still one of my favourite meals, because I’ll never forget how good it tasted, having had nowhere to live for so long, and only eating two-minute noodles every second day because that’s all there was.”
Today is the day you’ll finally play the fully decked-out Consciencia Mainstage. What have you got in store for the People of Tomorrow?
“I’ll take my bucket hat off for everyone to see my hair. Just kidding! I’m very excited, because I’ve been preparing this set for a while. I’ve made new versions of all my tracks especially for this performance, so look forward to some surprises!”
SUNDAY
AMELIE LENS
22:00 - 23:30 FREEDOM
Coming up from humble, self-made beginnings – our reporters recall attending her first performance at Tomorrowland, an astonishingly powerful beatdown at the Rave Cave – Amelie Lens has turned into a techno phenomenon, running her own label EXHALE and now about to release her debut album, ‘AURA’. When she first fell in love with techno music attending Dour festival, no one would have anticipated that she’d be consistently topping techno charts with new releases and running some of the scene’s most hotly anticipated nights just a few short years later, and yet here we are. Even though her music remains staunchly uncompromising, Lens has crossed over into the mainstream with accolades such as a closing set at the Tomorrowland Mainstage in 2025 to her name.
Off the decks, Amélie is known for being an extremely caring person with an activist bent; she has lived a vegan lifestyle for many years, promoting animal welfare, and concerned herself with the fate of Ukrianian refugees – and she is also about to become a mum for a second time. This year at Tomorrowland, she’ll be presenting her new baby, the AURA audiovisual show, while pregnant with her second child! Amelie’s secret weapon onstage is her ability to tune in to the crowd’s energy to lift it to a higher level; with her new show, she won’t be doing that just with music, but with live visuals and lights as well. In short: don’t sleep on this unique opportunity to view the ‘queen of techno’ take it to a higher level!
CHASE & STATUS (DJ)
17:30 - 18:30 MAINSTAGE
Formed by Saul Milton (‘Chase’) and Will Kennard (‘Status’) in London in the early 2000s, this dynamic duo built their career on the foundations of drum & bass, and very creatively so. Instead of following the style’s well-defined blueprint, the two added elements of dubstep, hip-hop, reggae, rock and soul to the breakbeats, creating a powerful, genre-bending sound. They didn’t cross over into these genres alone; they got help from artists from across the entire board of popular music, including Flowdan, Bou, Plan B, CeeLo Green, Kano, and Stormzy. Renowned for their explosive live performances and innovative productions, Chase & Status’ first ever Mainstage DJ set is very well deserved.
CHUCKIE
23:00 - 23:45 | PLANAXIS
Originally from Surinam and raised in the Netherlands, Clyde Sergio Narain rose to international prominence in the late 2000s with his energetic blend of electro house, ‘ Dirty Dutch’ house and progressive influences. Somewhat more under the radar, this excellent DJ also played a major role in the rise of bubbling, a fast, dancehall-associated style that originated in the Netherlands during the late 1980s. These days, bubbling and its sexy moves are popular once again and Chuckie is riding those waves with some new productions alongside fellow Dutch producer De Schuurman. Witnessing a set by Chuckie is like a game of roulette: he may play Dirty Dutch, hardstyle, bubbling or, alternatively, mix it all up.
FREDDY K
21:00 - 23:00 | CAGE
Italian mainstay Freddy K is more than a techno DJ; you could call him an ambassador of the style, an activist almost. Known for his marathon sets, Freddy has a good two hours to showcase his sounds today at Cage, the darkest and most club-like stage here at Tomorrowland. And it’ll be quite the techno journey, as this excellent selector’s take on techno is rather broad. He prefers to refer to it as a 360° style, which can include songs by artists as diverse as Soft Cell, Bronski Beat and WestBam. Whoever’s (not) familiar (yet) with the latter’s cult hit ‘Hold Me Back’ may just have to go and see Freddy K, hoping he will play this ultimate festival banger.
ANGER
WARP 1977
THE BLOODY BEETROOTS FT. STEVE AOKI & BOBERMANN
MAINSTAGE 21:45 – 22:45
A timeless classic from back in the days when dance music was just about to break through into the mainstream, ‘Warp 1.9’ was fuelled by angry hoover synths and angrier screaming, and played to absolute death on stages worldwide. For its ten-year anniversary, Steve Aoki & the Bloody Beetroots teamed up with Bobermann for a version that killed off the one happy element of the song – “one, two, whoop, whoop!” –and leaned even further into its metal, head-banging sensibility. For Anger, this is the one: scream your lungs out, flail wildly, and feel the transformative power of a distorted guitar over a heavy-duty kick. Avoid the cake, though, or you might be raging even harder!
JOY
HIGH ON LIFE MARTIN GARRIX FT. BONN
MAINSTAGE 22:50 – 23:50
It’s time to light up those smiles, throw those hands up into the air and jump up and down for Joy whenever this classic Garrix tune hits. With one of dance music’s great earworm melodies and a build-up to die for – “I’d walk a million miles / Just to see your smile,” belts out Bonn, as the energy rises ever higher – ‘High on Life’ has been listened to hundreds of millions of times online and has soundtracked many people’s favourite festival memories, probably including a significant number of marriage proposals at the Tomorrowland Mainstage. Truly, this song captures that feeling in your chest whenever you are overcome with Joy perfectly. Here’s to hoping we’ll get to belt along to it at the Mainstage today!
D-CHARGED B2B SERZO PARIS HILTON
14:00 – 15:00 | THE ROSE GARDEN
These two finalists of Defqon.1’s RED Race have become close friends ever since they came in first and second in the world’s most renowned harder styles competition. This b2b isn’t just a random one: these two producers, hailing from Sweden and Norway respectively, are evenly matched when it comes to the euphoric melodies and relentless energy of their tracks. The sum of the parts is often greater than the whole, and this is certainly true for these two when they enter the stage. Real buddies, two closely aligned views on how to build a good vibe and a wide range of distorted kicks: all ingredients for an unforgettable hardstyle-based Gesamtkunstwerk are present!
17:00 - 18:00 THE GREAT LIBRARY
You’d be forgiven for never having heard the name of this up-andcoming DJ talent, little-known as she is; but be sure to never forget it, for a unique talent like Paris Hilton’s is not something you see every day. Always bringing outfits styled to perfection, bedazzling sparkle, and a healthy dose of “that’s hot” besides her outstanding mixing skills, Paris has been working on her DJ career for more than a decade now and it shows: each and every one of her performances is designed to dance, jump, and sing along to the very best party tunes. Paris won’t just turn the knobs, she’ll make it a proper show, hopping on the mic and getting literally everyone on someone else’s shoulders before the hour is over.
EVE rY MELODY IS A PROVI nCE, A n EMOTIOnAL WOr LD UNTO ITS OW n
SARA LA n DrY
18:35 - 19:35 | MAINSTAGE
US-born and Amsterdam-based DJ and producer Sara Landry has become one of the most commanding figures in the global hardtechno scene. Celebrated for her relentless sound, explosive performances, and emotionally charged productions, she has built a devoted worldwide following and earned a reputation for delivering unforgettable, highintensity sets. Riding the momentum of her acclaimed debut album ‘Spiritual Driveby’, Landry continues to push the genre forward with standout releases including ‘GIRLBOSS’, ‘CONTROL YOUR BODY’ (alongside Shlømo) and the recent singles ‘Hands Up’ and ‘Hekataia’. Blending raw energy with uncompromising artistry, Sara Landry continues to redefine modern hardtechno, making every performance an immersive and unforgettable experience.
LAIDBACK LUKE
20:00 - 21:00 | PLANAXIS
An inspiration to many, Dutch mainstay Laidback Luke is a master of many electronic subgenres. The producer, who is also an excellent DJ, has seen the rise of styles like EDM, tech house and drum & bass. Listen carefully to what he plays and you’ll hear elements of styles you’d never expect to hear in a prime time set. But there’s also plenty of classic dance music: did you know that Luke and the Swedish House Mafia share a deep historical connection? Luke’s 2008’s classic ‘Show Me Love’ is a collab with Steve Angello, and ‘Leave the World Behind’ from 2009 features the entire SHM crew. Spot the classics while you dance!
