Every world has its awakening. Before the first DJ breathes life into the Mainstage tomorrow, another gathering slowly unfolds. Follow the sound to Discovery, where performers and the People of Tomorrow become part of a shared opening ritual, one that you should definitely be a part of.
BEHOLD THE ORB!
Towering on top of the Great Library info point, you can behold the Orb, a living creation of the Book of Wisdom. It’s not simply a machine, but a companion bonded to its chosen Sage and a source of power and guidance. Can you discover where its portal leads?
THIS IS WHERE THE MUSIC STARTS
Today, the pearly gates of Tomorrowland open once again and with them a brand-new musical chapter unfolds. Every stage holds a different story while every path leads to another DJ discovery. At the Mainstage, you can roam the emotional world of Consciencia, flowing from Alok’s catchy melodies to Indira Paganotto’s thumping kicks. Elsewhere, James Hype will make you believe the hype around his persona and unique view on tech house. Wholly different vibes will enter the not so-silent-Great Library when Illennium enters the stage with his infectious bass-heavy sounds. All of this will take up ample energy, but make sure to save some for Holy Priest’s closing set at Atmosphere. And along the way, don’t forget to uncover your own hidden musical gems across the festival: simply take your first steps, follow the music, and leave the ordinary behind.
PEOPLE OF TOMORROW,
In TOGET
The time is now, friends. Time to let go of all earthly concerns, be free, and soar into the World of Emotions – the world of Consciencia. You’ve earned it, really, after yesterday’s magnificent Gathering, where you made heartfelt connections, grew closer to your friends, and met new People of Tomorrow from all walks of life. You felt that first pulse of the emotions that will rule and define this weekend – Joy, Anger, Desire, Sadness, Love, and Wonder – as the sweetest melodies and the heaviest basslines washed over you from a dreamlike stage. What a wonderful show, what whimsical creatures, what a terrific day, already! But now, on to Tomorrowland
proper. Hone in on your sense of Wonder, friends, as you cross the threshold for the very first time, and experience the Holy Grounds anew. What will it feel like to clasp eyes upon the emotions personified, and to discover the way they’ve turned into an all-new Mainstage? What will it feel like, as you spread your wings and learn to explore your innermost emotions as well as the amazing world out there? It’s time to find out, friends. No more delays: today we jump in, together, and feel more deeply than ever before.
tiktok.com/@tomorrowland
NO MATTER THE WEATHER
Friday’s forecast looks friendlier than Thursday’s: a touch warmer, mostly dry, and heading towards 24°C once the morning clouds drift on. Still, bring sunscreen, water and an extra layer, because Belgian evenings love a small plot twist too.
Isn’t it just the loveliest, most attractive thing? Today is the day you’ve been longing for all that time – the day of your first foray into Tomorrowland. As the sun’s sweetest rays caress your skin, you’ll walk in alongside your fellow People of Tomorrow, smiles on gorgeous faces, bodies beautifully dressed and ready to dance, to touch, to love. You’ll feel the pull of the Holy Grounds draw you in, right up to the front, mind ecstatic as you literally vibrate with the earth-shaking rumble of the bass: it’ll be bliss. And think of everything else you’ll be able to discover – gorgeous food from all around the globe melting on your tongue, delicious drinks refreshing your spirits as you become one with the crowd… But above all, you’ll have each other to explore, whether you’re here with lovers old or new. Hold on to each other, and fulfil your deepest desires today.
What’s that there, beckoning? What lifts you up and ever forward, ready to explore every nook and cranny of the wonderful world that lies open to you now? Follow, quickly, and see: what are all those little details on the Mainstage? What’s that Orb, come to rest upon an enormous book close to the Freedom stage? Look closer – what do you find along the paths? Who are all those magical Fae roaming the grounds, what are their stories? There is so much to discover around these enchanted Holy Grounds – best not to waste another second. Take your cue from this Tomorrowland Today, find out where you most need to wander, and lean into that sense of wonder – for with eyes, ears and mind open, the weekend is yours for the taking.
“Where are you now? Another dream The monster’s running wild inside of me I’m faded, I’m faded”
Alan Walker - Faded
4 - 5
GLOBAL JOURNEY
Around the world, around the world...
12 - 13
THE MARKETPLACE
Your shopping boulevard away from home, right here at DreamVille.
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!
7, 15
DAILY WISDOM
Read the latest about what’s going on around Tomorrowland.
18 - 19
THE GATHERING
How to fill a dancefloor, fast!
8 - 11
DREAMVILLE
Camping life unlike anything you’ve ever seen!
27 - 31
FOCUS ON THE MUSIC
All you need to know about the line-up and your favourite artists.
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!
WHEELS, WINGS AnD WAnDERLUST
THIS WAS YOUR GLOBAL JOURNEY
Global Journey has never simply been about getting to Tomorrowland: it’s about discovering that the journey itself can become part of the story. Long before the first lasers illuminate the sky, before the opening notes echo across the Holy Grounds and before strangers become lifelong friends, People of Tomorrow on this trip of a lifetime have already started writing memories together. This week, we joined them every step of the way as it became clear that the road to Tomorrowland is every bit as magical as the destination itself.
The first signs appeared where they always do: in the arrival halls of Brussels Airport, where backpacks and suitcases decorated with flags from every corner of the globe slowly filled the terminals. There was an unmistakable buzz in the air, and you could spot the Tomorrowland travellers immediately. Smiles were exchanged between complete strangers as suitcases rolled across the polished floors accompanied by laughter in dozens of different languages. Somewhere a Brazilian group started singing, only to be joined moments later by visitors from Japan, Canada and Spain. The festival hadn’t even begun, yet Consciencia and all of the emotions she holds already felt wonderfully alive.
Outside, the first buses departed while the People of Tomorrow were welcomed with the kind of
warmth Belgium has become famous for during these magical days in July. At Antwerp Central Station, one of Europe’s most beautiful railway stations, exactly the same atmosphere unfolded. Travellers arriving by train found themselves surrounded by music, entertainment and fellow adventurers. Some had travelled only a few hundred kilometres, others had crossed oceans –but nobody seemed to care where anyone came from, as everyone had the same destination.
For a fortunate few the festival had started much earlier, about 30,000 feet above the ground. Brussels Airlines once again transformed the sky into a dancefloor aboard its legendary Party Flights. This year’s very first flight landed from Ibiza, carrying 180 excited festivalgoers, welcomed by applause even before the aircraft
doors opened. Over the course of two weeks (and weekends!), almost 25,000 Tomorrowland visitors from 106 different countries will have flown with the Belgian airline, spread over 409 flights, with more than a thousand lucky passengers experiencing the famous Party Flights. On our flight, a live DJ, immersive lighting and a cabin full of strangers partying together proved once again that music has an extraordinary ability to erase borders. At the time of touchdown on Belgian soil, nobody on board was travelling alone anymore.
Not everyone arrived by air, though. Throughout the week Party Trains rolled into Belgium from Amsterdam, Paris and Düsseldorf, each one carrying hundreds of smiling faces ready to begin the weekend together. The train platforms became a dreamlike gateway to new realms as dedicated Global Journey hosts guided everyone effortlessly towards the next chapter of their adventure. Others chose the comfortable Bus Packages, transforming highways into moving international communities. Card games turned into conversations, conversations turned into friendships. Before Boom even appeared on the navigation screens, travel groups already had inside jokes, group chats, shared playlists and plans for meeting at sunset on the festival grounds.
Perhaps nowhere was that sense of togetherness more visible than during the Belgian Journey. Throughout Thursday, thousands of Global Journey travellers spread across Brussels, discovering local cafés, hidden squares, historic streets and, naturally, an endless supply of Belgian waffles, chocolate and fries. Guided by enthusiastic hosts, visitors experienced
Belgium beyond Tomorrowland itself. It wasn’t about rushing from landmark to landmark, unsatisfyingly finding out that Manneken Pis –Belgium’s most famous statue – is only a mere 55 centimeters tall. It was about taking time to discover the country that welcomes the People of Tomorrow every summer, and that size doesn’t matter.
By evening, those same travellers gathered inside Gare Maritime for Invited, the official Global Journey pre-party. It felt like someone had pressed the fast forward button on friendship. Earlier that day, many people had only known each other’s first names; hours later, they were dancing shoulder to shoulder beneath spectacular lights. Stories were shared over Belgian beers and plans were made to see artists not to be missed during the coming weekend. The music never overpowered the conversations and became their soundtrack instead.
While Brussels welcomed thousands, smaller groups explored Belgium at a gentler pace. Around 150 travellers embarked on Discover Belgium, arriving days before the festival to uncover some of the country’s greatest treasures. Medieval Bruges, also known as the Venice of the North, offered postcard-perfect canals, while Ghent revealed lively squares and the unmistakable energy of the famous Gentse Feesten. Antwerp combined fashion, history and creativity with a behind-the-scenes visit to Tomorrowland’s own headquarters, offering a rare glimpse into the enormous operation that brings this magical world to life every summer. It became clear that Tomorrowland is far more than a festival; it’s a year-round labour of love created by passionate people.
“This is my fifth Discover Europe, and I still get excited whenever they add a new city. In Rome, you turn one corner and there’s another amazing piece of history right in front of you. Tomorrowland may be the final destination, but exploring Europe together with my friends is a big reason I keep coming back!”
Simon, Normandy, France
“We’re on the Party Train right now, somewhere between Paris and Brussels. So many people here speak different languages, but once you add music to the mix, nobody needs translating. That’s what Tomorrowland means to me: our differences don’t disappear, but for a while, we understand each other perfectly!”
Chris
Lee, Chicago, USA
Other visitors expanded their horizons even further through Discover Europe. Barcelona’s beaches, Berlin’s nightlife, Budapest’s thermal baths, Rome’s classic beauty, Amsterdam’s ‘grachten’ and Ibiza’s legendary sunsets all became chapters leading towards one unforgettable ending in Belgium. Every destination added another layer to the experience, proving that Global Journey isn’t simply about travel logistics but about collecting stories across an entire continent before bringing them together on the Holy Grounds.
Some travellers chose a slightly different rhythm. The newly introduced Wellbeing Package introduced an entirely new perspective on festival preparation. Instead of counting down with restless anticipation, participants slowed down. A relaxed welcome dinner created the first connections, before yoga sessions helped bodies awaken and massages eased away the final traces of travel fatigue. It felt almost poetic: preparing both body and mind before diving headfirst into one of the world’s most energetic festivals. Watching participants leave Brussels for DreamVille with calm smiles instead of tired eyes, it became obvious that celebration and self-care can coexist beautifully.
Those in need for more speed were also thought of with adventures tailored to (almost) every sportsy passion. Some festivalgoers swapped dancefloors temporarily for cycling routes through the steep hills of the Flemish Ardennes, discovering another side of Belgium on wheels before returning to Boom. Others combined Tomorrowland with the speed and adrenaline
of Formula 1 during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Pit lane walks, exclusive experiences and roaring engines created a remarkable contrast to the melodic sounds waiting later on – but somehow, it all made perfect sense. Belgium offered every kind of excitement imaginable within just a few unforgettable days.
Meanwhile, younger attendees discovered their own community through the Youth Package. Designed specifically for travellers under 26, this was the ideal way to connect and bond with fellow up-and-coming Tomorrowland diehards. Shared activities across Brussels, countless conversations and a dedicated camping area inside DreamVille ensured that nobody ever felt alone.
Back in Boom, DreamVille had once again transformed into one of the world’s most remarkable temporary cities. Home to approximately 38,000 residents every weekend, many of whom arrived by Global Journey, it buzzed from sunrise until long after midnight. Morning coffee queues became language lessons while neighbours borrowed camping chairs, shared sunscreen, and recommended artists to one another. Every street seemed to host an impromptu gathering, every corner another soundtrack. It was difficult to remember that, only days earlier, none of these people had even met. And that’s the true magic of Global Journey: it doesn’t simply bring people to Tomorrowland, it turns the journey itself into Tomorrowland.
FRESH FREQUENCIES
The soundtrack of Tomorrowland keeps growing, with three brand-new releases arriving this July on Tomorrowland Music. First up is ‘Dumb Decisions’, the infectious new collaboration between Ely Oaks and Lavinia. This truly is a track that has the spirit of Tomorrowland running through its veins.
On the heavier side of the spectrum, Indira Paganotto and El Karima join forces on ‘Dream’, the focus track of the new ARTCORE x Tomorrowland Music compilation. Celebrating ARTCORE’s stage hosting at Tomorrowland last weekend, the release brings together artists from the line-up, making it the perfect thing to check out if you’re curious for a glimpse of Weekend 1.
Meanwhile, Brazilian superstar Alok will unveil his four-track ‘Rave the World EP’, released with Tomorrowland Music alongside his brand-new Rave the World Records imprint. Featuring a title track with the iconic voice of Tomorrowland, the EP captures the spirit of Alok’s immersive live show, blending peak-time festival energy with the timeless values of rave culture: unity, freedom, respect and togetherness.
With these three releases, Tomorrowland music puts out three unique stories with one shared destination: the dancefloor. Be sure to check them all out over the course of the weekend!
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.
NEW FLAVOURS
Make no mistake: Tomorrowland is as much about discovering food as it is about finding out about new music. Here’s some new street food suggestions for 2026: grab your favourite Latin American sandwich near the Moose Bar, enjoy a plant-based pita near the Freedom area and, if you love seafood, certainly pay a visit to the stand selling oysters and mussels at Papillon.
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 Yves V 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.
A BRIGHTER FUTURE, TOMORROW
How do you feel about the future of technology? The Lab of Tomorrow, located in Boom just a stone’s throw away from the Holy Grounds, is a hotbed for the development of creativity and technology. This is where various enterprises at the crossroads of technology and entertainment are put to work, making the world a more beautiful place. Take Time-line, the company behind a new software tool for electronic live performances, co-designed by none other than drum & bass producer Netsky. Based on machineassisted realtime analysis of the music DJs play, Time-line was used to optimise many shows across Tomorrowland this year. Their neighbours at the Lab are Prismax, a company specialised in the creation of high-end visual content for live experiences, who also enhanced various Tomorrowland performances in 2026. These artists and start-ups are working on a mindblowing festival future, not far from where you are right now!
the great dreamville move-in
meet the people setting up camp
DreamVille may be a city of dreams, but it does not open silently. In fact, it does quite the opposite, arriving on squeaky trolley wheels being dragged through the gates by people who have slept on planes, trains, buses and, occasionally, airport floors. Where one minute there is grass, the next, an entire neighbourhood has appeared, complete with flags, mirrors, inflatable butterflies and somebody testing a portable DJ set before their air mattress has even left their bag.
It’s amply clear: arrival day is part logistics operation, part campsite fashion week, and part group project in which nobody remembers who packed the tent pegs. Some travel light, but the vast majority appears to have brought a hardware shop, a pharmacy and sixty kilos of ice. Both approaches can work, especially once neighbouring camps begin swapping tools, stories and cold drinks. Consider these field notes from the great DreamVille move-in. Behind every overloaded cart is a plan, however questionable. And should you discover you forgot something, remain calm. Someone three tents away has probably brought twelve.
dreamville essentials
DreamVille’s unofficial economy runs on objects that invite a question. Some of them solve problems, some create entirely new ones and none of them would make sense outside this unique little world. Here are nine arrival-day discoveries, judged by nothing more scientific than their ability to start a conversation.
Lisa is producing custom bracelets at industrial speed. They are small, colourful and almost guaranteed to make a friend. Best etiquette: offer one back, or provide excellent conversation while she threads.
A Polish group brought butterfly balloons to soften the campsite skyline. By day, charming – by night, they light up. Tent decoration has officially entered its bioluminescent phase.
An enormous blue cocktail container makes its British owners remarkably easy to locate. It is communal, conspicuous, and as they proudly note, made by a women-owned brand. Hydration? Debatable. Navigation? Excellent!
Anyone can chill drinks in a tub. Adding a working fountain, however, turns basic refrigeration into true campsite theatre. Does it improve the beverages? Unlikely. Does everyone stop and look? Absolutely.
Monika arrived with glitter, colour and two pieces of home: a framed photograph of her dog Fu!, who died two and a half years ago, and Fu!’s first stuffed toy. “She comes everywhere with me.” What a heartfelt way to start the weekend!
Bring a couch. Within minutes, someone will sit down, another person will join, and a completely unplanned talk show will begin.
Comfortable seating is DreamVille’s most powerful piece of social infrastructure.
is DreamVille’s local pharmacy this weekend. Earplugs, eye masks, muscle-pain relief, raincoats, she brought the whole shebang. “I grew up camping, but I’ve become a bit of a princess since,” she says.
10 years of camp2camp
For ten years, Camp2Camp has been proving that the end of a festival can be the beginning of something meaningful. What started in 2016 as a small initiative collecting abandoned tents and camping gear at DreamVille has now grown into one of Europe’s leading examples of circular festival innovation. In partnership with Ecoso and De Kringwinkel, thousands of tents, sleeping bags and chairs are collected each year, then cleaned, repaired and given a second life through rental, donations and upcycling. Beyond reducing waste, Camp2Camp creates opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, making every reused tent part of those employees’ life stories as well as a bigger tale of sustainability and social impact.
Silicone can covers are genuinely clever: they keep insects out, help prevent spills and discourage mystery hands from adopting your drink. Tiny, practical and deserving of far more applause than they receive.
Hair extensions are difficult to justify on a normal packing list, which is precisely why they belong here. For sudden braids, outfit escalation or helping a neighbour in aesthetic distress, they may yet save your Friday.
Forget the sensible hoodie. A faux-fur coat is warmer, louder and impossible to ignore. When someone asks whether fashion is your future, there is only one answer: “Do you see this coat?”
Matching hats look good in photographs, but their true purpose appears when eight heads vanish into a crowd. Pro tip: choose a shape, colour or absurd feature that remains visible from several tents away.
Jessie
Leon returned from Weekend 1 with every item technically intact, provided taped together counts as such. Now he is chasing the unofficial Grand Slam: Winter, both Belgian weekends, Brazil and Thailand. ‘Seasoned’ seems insufficient.
a taste of belgium
Belgium takes beer seriously, but never too seriously. At the Belgian Beer Bars by Leffe, located at the Marketplace at DreamVille and in the Brasa Area at the festival, you can explore a selection of Belgian brews. These are fine places to slow the pace for a minute, especially when your legs have been negotiating with the timetable since noon. Taste something classic, compare notes with your friends, and enjoy a small lesson in Belgian brewing without needing a classroom. Just a glass, a counter and a bit of local character. Santé!
Chris and Baddy’s heavily loaded cart lost a tyre on the way in, certainly not due to the insane amount of cargo. Twenty friends await them in Friendship Garden, each carrying a different essential. Should civilisation topple, this group appears ready.
hear pure sound
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 limited-edition, 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, and hear the music, feel the energy, and keep dancing tomorrow.
High above this Plymouth group’s camp flies Pete the Pirate, a glowing nod to the town’s seafaring history. Pete helped them find their tent last year, started countless conversations and repeatedly appeared on Instagram. Naturally, he has been rehired.
Luna’s nails are covered in tiny blueberries, inspired by the fruit in her grandmother’s garden. “Everyone chooses strawberries, but blueberries are just… stranger.” They also match several outfits, proving sentiment and wardrobe planning can share ten fingernails.
Nancy brought the campsite item everyone else will soon request: a full-sized mirror. There are cowboy looks, glitter and a different pair of sunglasses for every day to inspect. “The outfit
important.” Quite
Just a tip from Bas and Jip: when your camping trolley keeps breaking, upgrade to a wheelie bin. This is their fourth Tomorrowland, the bin is bigger than last year’s, and it currently holds 60 kilos of ice. Find their bar in Friendship Garden.
Sam DJs in New York, but his name is not on this weekend’s timetable. Solution: bring your own decks. He has claimed a spacious corner and is preparing an unofficial DreamVille afterparty. The guest list currently reads: whoever turns up.
This group from Chile wanted a flag inspired by a great party film. Project X nearly won, but McLovin’s legendary fake ID now flies above camp instead. A useful landmark, a cinematic masterpiece and a very clear statement of priorities.
Every great fortune begins on paper. Ours began with Thursday’s edition, still carrying that faint fresh-from-the-printer smell, and the Candy Store was kind enough to convert it into a lollipop. Inside, the assortment of sour, sweet and brightly coloured treats makes grown adults point excitedly and say, “I had those as a kid!” According to the lovely lady behind the counter, lollipops remain a fan favourite. And thus, our trading journey had officially kicked off.
The lollipop was small, but its market value proved astonishing. At the Bakery by LIDL, it was traded for a pain au chocolat and a cinnamon roll, both still emanating the warmth and mouthwatering smell that make walking past a bakery without stopping practically impossible. The pain au chocolat began shedding flakes before the bag had even closed, while the cinnamon roll looked wound tighter than tomorrow’s timetable. Any exchange involving two pastries feels like economic progress, especially before breakfast has fully settled. Use this knowledge to your advantage.
trade-up today
from tomorrowland today to tomorrowland wr1 sneaker at the dreamville marketplace
The Marketplace has its own exchange rate, set not by economists but by hunger, weather and whatever you suddenly realise you left at home. To find out just what that rate is, we began with Thursday’s Tomorrowland Today and an irresponsible ambition: to trade our way along the boulevard until one newspaper somehow became the new Tomorrowland WR1 Sneaker. The route took in sugar, carbohydrates, inflatable wildlife, emergency electricity, sun protection and a cold chapter of Belgian brewing. A word of advice, though: since your audacious Tomorrowland Today reporters have already made these exchanges, the Marketplace traders are unlikely to accept if you approach them with the same offers – but who knows what you can achieve in trading with your neighbours?
We started with a paper and ended with a pair. Economists, and People of Tomorrow alike, are kindly asked not to investigate.
By lunchtime, sugar had stopped counting as a strategy. The pastries were therefore exchanged for a bowl of fusilli with tomato sauce and rocket, the dish’s pale spirals, vivid red sauce and green leaves forming a loose interpretation of the Italian tricolore. This naturally made it taste at least ten times more authentic. The first forkful disappeared almost before the transaction had been properly photographed. Walking, dancing and repeatedly returning to the tent for forgotten items require carbohydrates; Marketplace economics had officially become appetite-based.
4: fusilli > giant yellow duck
After lunch, negotiations moved upwards. Literally. The Balloon Shop is where DreamVille’s temporary skyline gains its dolphins, unicorns and other inflatable landmarks, bobbing above the crowd on long strings. Their practical value becomes clear whenever your group loses you for three seconds and immediately assumes you have crossed an international border. Our choice required no committee meeting, though: a giant yellow duck. Bright, enormous and thus almost impossible to overlook, provided somebody remembers to look up. The pasta became the duck. And fortunately, nobody asked why.
2. lollipop > pain au chocolat and cinnamon roll
3: pastries > fusilli
1: tomorrowland today > lollipop
8: kwak > tomorrowland wr1 sneaker
The final exchange required real audacity: one Belgian beer for Tomorrowland’s first-ever sneaker. The WR1 arrives in seven colourways, ranging from White Glacier and Silver Moon to Deep Moss, Solar Violet and Arctic Glow. Its fluid shape takes cues from natural structures, including dragonfly wings and the traces left by mushrooms. Festivalgoers receive first access before the global launch in September, with pairs available at DreamVille and the dedicated Sneaker Store on the Holy Grounds. We started with a paper and ended with a pair. Economists, and People of Tomorrow alike, are kindly asked not to investigate.
The duck then made its most important contribution to the expedition: it became a powerbank at Anker. Both parties approached this transaction with surprising seriousness. Rightly so. A charged phone contains the timetable, camera, festival map, group chat and the all-important location pin sent while standing beside a landmark nobody else can see. The actual charging service at Anker keeps rechargeable batteries moving through full-for-empty exchanges, which is considerably more reliable than poultry-based trading.
Freshly charged, we checked the forecast. Naturally, the sun appeared the instant we had stopped preparing for it. At the Camping Store, everyday objects have a tendency to acquire heroic status at just the right time: sunglasses, suncream, aftersun, a hand fan and, for those who prefer their breeze battery-powered, an electric one. Our power bank was exchanged for a compact department of sun defence. Be sure to purchase these items while your cheeks are still your natural skin colour, because by the time they start turning red, the negotiations will already have turned against you.
Properly defended against sunlight, the trade route continued to Beers & Stories by LEFFE. The name promises both a drink and something to talk about; a cold Belgian Kwak delivered nicely on each. Upstairs, tables were comparing favourites with the seriousness of a tasting panel and the volume of a campsite at midnight. For a short while, the Marketplace stopped feeling like an errand run and became a café terrace. Nice. Was exchanging our sun kit financially sound? Absolutely not. Did the beer arrive cold? Absolutely yes.
6. power bank > sun survival kit
5: giant yellow duck > powerbank
7: sun survival kit > kwak
CELEBRATE PREVENTION
At Tomorrowland, celebration is everywhere. MSD brings a quieter but important layer to that feeling with Celebrate Prevention, Celebrate Life. At DreamVille, you can visit a relaxed chill area to learn more about HPV* prevention, and to write, reflect and share a message for the future. Each day at 10:00, the area wakes up with a small celebration rave, because health conversations do not have to feel grey. On the festival grounds, MSD also has a booth where you can learn more about prevention. A little knowledge, carried lightly, can travel far.
The Celestia stage by KuCoin brings new life to the Holy Grounds, At this joyful stage, music, light and a vibrant atmosphere come together in a world of wonder. As you journey through Tomorrowland and DreamVille, keep your eyes open for the KuCoin Guardians as well. Always happy to help with directions, practical support or simply a helping hand, they are there to make your festival experience even more magical. And when you catch the KuCoin Guardians, ask them how you can unlock exclusive, magical experiences along the way!
A SPECTACLE IN THE SKY
Following last weekend’s blanket ban on fireworks and pyrotechnics on account of ongoing drought in Belgium, authorities have decided to allow limited, controlled pyrotechnics at the Mainstage for this weekend. Thanks to new, intensified safety measures and continuous monitoring, the wildfire risk can be managed, and you’ll be able to experience that extra layer of spectacle over the next few days. Enjoy it while it lasts though – in case of changing conditions, the decision may be reversed at any time!
Think you’ve got what it takes? Keep your eyes open, because Mega DreamVille Twister is waiting at the Marketplace to put your balance – and your flexibility – to the test. From Friday to Sunday, between 11:00 and 14:00, DreamVille residents can step onto the giant Twister mat and compete for the title of Twister Champion. Who knows? You might make new friends along the way... or finally find the perfect excuse to break the ice with that special someone.
When the festival starts to feel wonderfully enormous, rise above it for a moment. At the Home of Amare by Brussels Airlines, next to the Freedom Stage, the Ferris wheel gives you a view that is hard to explain from ground level. Suddenly the paths make a lot more sense, the stages sit like little worlds in the landscape, and your friends below become tiny moving dots. After the ride, linger around the lounge area, let the music drift past and take a breath before diving back in. Even birds need a landing spot, after all!
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.
JAKE, AUSTRALIA
Adrián Mills, ‘Siren Sound’
“I love that 240 sound, and ‘Siren Sound’ is properly filthy. The second it drops, I want to charge into the crowd, throw myself low and come back up with everyone around me!”
CAITLIN, SAN DIEGO, USA
Armin van Buuren, ‘I Live for That Energy’
“This one makes me feel energetic, happy and completely euphoric. I heard Armin play it at Ultra Miami in 2023, and ever since then those opening seconds take me straight back into that crowd.”
LEE, UNITED KINGDOM
John Summit, ‘Where You Are’
“John Summit gives me goosebumps, full stop. ‘Where You Are’ is the one. Wait, the DJ has literally just started playing ‘When the Lights Go Out’ over there. Sorry, this interview is over. I have to go!”
WHEN THIS ONE COMES ON
THE GATHERING’S FAVOURITE ANTHEMS
Some songs wait patiently in a playlist, while others instantly take command. Within seconds, they can pull Joy to the surface, stir an old Sadness, awaken Desire or make a familiar crowd feel suddenly full of Wonder. At the Gathering, Tomorrowland’s official opening party and the musical prelude to the weekend, those reactions become wonderfully visible. A melody lands, recognition flashes across someone’s face, and the dancefloor gains yet another body. No debate, nor delay: these are the tracks twelve People of Tomorrow simply cannot resist.
DENISE, NEW ZEALAND
David Guetta & OneRepublic, ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait’
“It has the lyrics, the beat, everything. Whenever David Guetta plays it, the whole place lifts. I always end up shouting, ‘Let’s make tonight the weekend, I don’t wanna wait!’ before the chorus even arrives.”
ERICA, UNITED KINGDOM
Rihanna, ‘Where Have You Been’
“It is Rihanna, so the crowd is already going to lose it. She has not given us much new music lately, which means we have to keep living on this one. Luckily, it still works every single time.”
MICHAEL, BRAZIL
Lost Frequencies, ‘Black Friday’
“I come to Tomorrowland specifically for Lost Frequencies. I was here last weekend, I am seeing him now at The Gathering, and I will see him again during the festival. That song always finds me.”
EILA, SPAIN
RÜFÜS DU SOL, ‘Innerbloom’
“I have the Spotify code for ‘Innerbloom’ tattooed on me, so that probably says it all. I always say that if I only had ten minutes left to live, I would spend them listening to this song.”
JOSH, MALTA
Monolink, ‘Father Ocean’ (Ben Böhmer Remix)
“This became our best-friends song during Covid, when we were all missing each other. Near the end of it, we travelled to Bali and heard Ben Böhmer play it himself. That sealed the deal forever.”
HANNE, DENMARK
Hypaton x David Guetta ft. La Bouche, ‘Be My Lover’ (2023 Mix)
“The original brings back memories from when I was younger, but this remix gives it a whole new lift. I can dance without thinking, be completely myself and just let the upbeat side take over.”
LOLA, BELGIUM
Calvin Harris, ‘Sweet Nothing’
“Everything about ‘Sweet Nothing’ is beautiful, but I recently broke up with my boyfriend, so right now it hits much harder. I’m hoping Calvin plays it on Sunday. I may dance, cry, or probably both.”
PETER, NORWAY
Armin van Buuren, ‘Heading Up High’
“Tomorrowland is like having a child without actually having one: it makes you emotional about everything. I’m the Crying Viking. ‘Heading Up High’ was my first song here in 2016, so hearing it during my ten-year anniversary would finish me.”
BAYWATCH, SEATTLE, USA
Sofi Tukker, ‘Purple Hat’
“The rhythm catches me immediately. The moment I hear ‘Purple Hat’, I drop low, forget whatever conversation I was having and head straight for the dancefloor. There is no polite transition. My body has already decided.”
LOVE TOMORROW SUMMIT
SHAPING A BETTER TOMORROW
The Love Tomorrow Summit, the annual conference centred around breakthrough technologies, human wellbeing, natural intelligence, cultural shifts, entrepreneurial impact and entertainment, is becoming more all-encompassing year after year. Since its inception in 2022, this single-day event between the two festival weekends has turned into a mainstay for everyone interested in these topics. Yesterday, young professionals in the sustainability, technology, entertainment and adjacent industries got to meet broadly interested visitors and forward-thinking organisations, in the very same venues where you’ll find yourself dancing to music by the world’s best DJs today. During this year’s edition, whether deliberately or not, many of the conversations and keynote speeches adhered to Consciencia’s six primal emotions that form the foundations of human existence: Wonder, Love, Anger, Joy, Desire, and Sadness.
More than anything, the Love Tomorrow Summit is where all the elements of nature, humanity and technology come together as one. Love Tomorrow’s mission is to build a better, sustainable future by driving positive change through five core values: Responsibility, Nature, Innovation, Health, and Respect. Just a cursory glance at the extremely varied programming of the conference reveals how these goals can only be achieved in conjunction with one another. This is where spiritual leaders exchange thoughts with entrepreneurs who operate in a socially responsible manner and the everyday people who need to make change happen. Naturally, the summit is also where experts in human well-being join hands with scientists who closely monitor the current developments in AI, and explore the opportunities or possible downsides AI technologies impose on humankind and our dear planet.
EXCELLENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Among those exploring the Holy Grounds on the pleasantly cool Thursday ahead of Tomorrowland’s second weekend are lots of people in their twenties and thirties, keen to see what participating startups and organisations have to offer. Away from the day-to-day at their current jobs, they aim to get inspired to change things up in the companies they work in – and some are even looking for a new place to work entirely. With over 3000 organisations involved, this is where networking happens on the go: not only are seeds planted for growth within existing companies, steps towards completely new careers are also made.
INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS
While visitors to the Love Tomorrow conference casually learn about themselves and their surroundings by just talking to the people around them, the event’s major attraction are its many speakers. Among the great inspirators are drum & bass artist Netsky, Google Deepmind senior Jeff Chang, multimedia artist Daan Roosegaarde, executive director of Oxfam Belgium Eva Smets, head of Tomorrowland Music Michel van Buyten and many others, who work across vastly different disciplines. Where in the world would you get the chance to learn from so many leaders over the course of merely one day?
MUSIC AT NIGHT
As the sun sets on a day filled with inspiring talks, meaningful exchanges, and new relationships across the extraordinary grounds of Tomorrowland, the atmosphere transforms into an unforgettable shared experience. Surrounded by spectacular performances, immersive visuals, and the energy of a community that has spent the day exploring fresh perspectives, inspiration takes on a whole new dimension. The Symphony of Unity’s classical live music reinterpretation of muchloved EDM classics marks the turning point between day and night. While the speakers received their applause during the day, now it is time for some of the world’s greatest artists to be cheered for. Swedish DJ, producer and activist Ida Engberg is on double duty today; after her talk earlier on, she now helps the crowd shift their focus from their brains to their bodies and souls. A fitting end on a high note for a highly inspiring day.
RUTGER (30), MOLLY (30) & SULEIKA (28)
Molly: “We all work in marketing at VRT, the Belgian national broadcasting company, and we came here to find inspiration and to learn more about the events sector.” And a common theme has emerged: “It doesn’t matter which topic it is, the challenges are the same,” says Suleika. “It is important that we let creativity shine through. That really is the solution, no matter the topic, whether it’s sustainability, community or, of course, AI.”
CHIARA (23)
While everyone we meet at the summit is full of energy, Chiara is particularly excited to be here, as she’s here in preparation for an internship at the station you’re all familiar with: One World Radio. “I’m currently studying International Media Entertainment Business and I’ll be commencing work in September,” she says. “Right now, I’m figuring out what’s what and who’s who at Tomorrowland and Love Tomorrow.”
MATHILDE (24) & MARTHE ROOS (25)
Mathilde: “We don’t really have time to speak as we’re on our way to the Save Yourself First workshop. It’s about sustainability, and as we both work in this field, we really don’t want to miss this talk. The session will be about small things that can make a difference in your daily life if you feel stuck when big companies aren’t really making progress. I hope the speaker will share some small tips and tricks to help us feel that we can help change the world!”
SADn ESS & WONDE r
One of the most talked-about developments in today’s society, AI seems to be at the forefront of everything. Some people fear for their jobs while others predominantly see opportunities. Saving time on having to do boring jobs leaves them with plenty of time to do the fun stuff, they argue. “AI feels so liberating. But I’ve always had the feeling that there’s something missing. AI is so smart that it hurts us in subtle ways,” says Domink Katz, as he faces a crowd eager to find out more about the topic they’ve been discussing amongst each other during the months or even years leading up to this day. But what is Dominik trying to tell us? That this very smart and promising cluster of technologies is fostering human Sadness? There’s one big question that is central to Katz’ talk: we built the most powerful collective-intelligence machine in human history, so why did we immediately point it inward? While his curiosity leans on the darker thoughts we all have as human beings, he also provides solutions during the session: “We can embrace the cosy comfort of an increasingly frictionless and efficient world and witness the slow decline of our collective intelligence,” he says. Or is that not what we want? It’s a rhetorical question. “If not, then I think there are a couple of things that we can actively do to bring some of that creative friction back into our lives. I suggest we step out into the streets, into the turmoil, into the resistance, into the network and look for the people at work that push us to be better and get them to challenge our ideas. Let’s create a space for real collaboration!”
LOTTE VANWEZEMAEL, CHARLOTTE WILMSSEN & UWE PORTIERS
DESIRE & LOVE
It is a recurring theme all over the Love Tomorrow Summit: technology is helping us, but it also comes with challenges. Instead of being a hotbed for punishing techno, this Thursday afternoon the Atmosphere hosts a discussion between three women with important things to say about topics like teenagers’ social media usage and its effects on their mental health, single as opposed to married life, sexy motherhood and general visions of women in current society. All three panellists passionately talk about these topics from their own expertise. Lotte is a sexuologist who presents a radio show called ‘Bloot’ (‘Naked’), where she openly discusses sex, body image, and relationships. Charlotte, on the other hand, hosts a popular podcast titled ‘How to be Single’, and founded a platform for singles that brings together a vibrant community through events and online connections. Uwe, the third speaker on stage, asks herself and her audience
DOMINIK KATZ
an original question: “Why is it that we find it strange to use the words ‘motherhood’ and ‘female sexuality’ in one sentence? Collectively, the three women discuss a variety of topics, including the technological challenges young people are faced with nowadays. TikTok and Snapchat provide a gateway to communicating with lots of people, but this accessibility also comes with a clear downside. The ease of online communication causes a kind of addiction and we, or our children, ‘unlearn’ how to communicate in the physical world. We’re still hungry with Desire and we haven’t stopped longing for real romantic or non-romantic Love, but do we still know how to connect when we can’t hide behind our phones?
ATTEND THE SUMMIT NEXT YEAR!
Are you a curious mind, always looking to learn about your inner self and the outer world? The 2027 Love Tomorrow Summit is, as always, scheduled to take place on the Thursday between the two festival weekends. The program will undoubtedly be spectacular with a diverse range of leaders telling their story. If you’re looking to change your life and a little piece of the world, this is where it may all start for you. Save the date and keep an eye on lovetomorrow.com!
GURUDEV
ANGER &JOY
In 2023, Indian guru and spiritual leader Gurudev guided over one million people in the largest group meditation in the history of the United States. But where does this story start? For that, let’s travel back in time and space to a small village in South India and a boy named Ravi Shankar. A boy often found deep in meditation. A boy who told friends that he had family everywhere. Even as a youth, Gurudev would spend time in silence, meditating. He then emerged with a discovery, a new breathing practice, which he named Sudarshan Kriya, or Sky. Since then, Sky has been the subject of over two hundred scientific studies, including research at Yale and Stanford. Through Sky, people have released stress and anxiety, let go of the past, and found greater health and happiness. Soon, word spread in India and beyond. Gurudev teaches the art of living and the Freedom stage is bursting at the seams with curious visitors. “Are you with me?” Gurudev asks every now and then. The presence of his audience is clearly important to him, and the regular silences in his talk seem to fulfil the same role - Gurudev really wants everyone to leave the room wiser than before. In a way, the audience at the Freedom is an easy one, but this brilliant leader hasn’t always had such a willing crowd, having worked in prisons to break the cycle of violence. A movement inspired by his teaching gradually grew from there, taking on mental well-being on college campuses, offering support and trauma relief for veterans and their families. Volunteers are now building bridges and communities as well, providing support amid disasters and deradicalising terrorists. It’s become one of the Earth’s biggest volunteer movements, even negotiating for peace at the highest levels. Gurudev’s greatest achievement may well be that he teaches fellow human beings in adverse situations how to find Joy and celebrate life. The Love Tomorrow visitors attending this session had the privilege to tap into the source of Gurudev’s energy, and returned to the Holy Grounds wiser than before and emptied of Anger. No easy feat for one single speaker!
TOMORROWLAND ACADEMY
A GATEWAY TO SUCCESS
The success of Tomorrowland and its celebrated artists travels further than the casual onlooker may realise. Every visitor (yes, that’s you!) could one day take part in a glorious future, dreams of a musical career come true. The ultimate catalyst for change in this respect is the Tomorrowland Academy, which is starting to look a lot like an actual university these days, with courses tailormade to everyone’s desires and needs. New this year are genre-specific online production courses catering to aspiring artists in the fields of melodic techno, Afro house and tech-house, and 2026’s big premiere is the edition in Thailand later this year, which has already sold out.
Tomorrowland Academy’s first bootcamp outside Europe will take place over the course of two weeks and was modeled on the original one in Belgium, which
STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
SHINAN (29), SRI LANKA
“I made so many likeminded new friends here. We all want to pursue a career as a DJ, that’s what we have in common. We share ideas and knowledge, and the teachers are also really kind. We ask a thousand questions, and they’re always willing to answer all of them. The course we attended extended well beyond the creative scope. They taught us how to do socials, how to maintain a profile and think like an artist. Music-wise, I’ve focused more on DJ’ing than on producing because I already have that experience. The most important thing I’ve learned this week is how to get more bookings: if I keep working on my online presence, they will see my profile, hear and see my sets, and they can start booking me. It’s a step-by-step thing.”
now covers an even longer period. “We’ve got three full weeks of workshops here in Boom now,” says Chesney, project manager for the Academy. “The first week, suited for kids from 8 to 16 years old, is followed by a course for adult beginners. The final course is for advanced grown-ups. Before registering for a specific course, we ask everyone to answer some questions about their experience in terms of production and DJ’ing. Even then, we find that levels vary within these groups. That’s OK though, as we’ve got plenty of tutors teaching everyone the skills they need, varying from performing in the booth to making tracks and the business and promotion side of things. How to get noticed is an important element of the latter, non-musical element of the course. We’re flexible in terms of course contents: as the week progresses, individual students let us know what they want to focus on, and we always make sure to cater to their specific needs.”
TAILOR-MADE COURSES
“The way we look at courses here at the Academy has changed over the years,” says DJ/producer and certified Ableton tutor Kriss Reeve. “You see, back in 2012, everyone was into big room, which was the dominant sound during that period. We’re now seeing a much wider palette of popular styles. Techno, house, deep house and Afro house are just a few of them.” Does Kriss find it challenging to constantly switch between all the styles he’s teaching? “Not really, as I’ve seen so many trends come and go throughout my career as a producer. Each genre has specific elements which are identifiable to the trained ear”.
GETTING BETTER EVERY YEAR
The Academy is popular as ever with courses usually sold out well in advance, but it is an institution that keeps on maturing year on year – even in terms of the seemingly little things. “A drinks night where everyone gets a chance to get to know each other has always been part of the bootcamp courses,” says Kriss. “But this year we decided to take a different approach. We organised it on the second night and gave everyone the chance to DJ on the terrace as others sipped their drinks. It turned out to be a big success, so I think we’ll do it again. I think we’re still getting better and better at ensuring everyone has a great time.”
STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
TARU VELLO (35), INDIA
“I moved to Amsterdam not to pursue a career in music, but to pursue my existing career as a personal trainer. It’s a great base for me to coach celebrities from around the world. Various members of the Dutch royal family are my customers, but also André 3000 – when he walked the red carpet at the Met Gala with a replica grand piano strapped to his back, I was the one who trained him. I joined the Academy because I love music, though. Performing at the Rise stage for a few minutes has been incredible. It gave me the chance to practice my learnings: use the effects, phrase mixing, everything.”
SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
While the students of the Academy are busy improving skills from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday is a particularly special day during the adult beginner course, as this is when everyone’s given five minutes to perform at an actual Tomorrowland stage – before the Holy Grounds open to the public. The Rise is where they ‘premiere’ their short set in a relaxed setting. They know their fellow students by this fourth day of the course and play their two or three tracks while the others wiggle, nod or – if they’re in luck – actually dance to their set. Thursday is also traditionally when an established artist arrives at the camp to share their best (and sometimes worst!) practices from their long career. The students don’t know who will be speaking to them, so before this year’s guest arrives,
there’s a big drum roll moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… Thom Jongkind of Blasterjaxx!” Turns out Thom has a lot to say, and the students have many questions to ask. How do you prepare for a set? Do you have enemies in the scene? Do artists generally date other artists? Can it be annoying to be recognised everywhere?
The aspiring artists start opening up, asking all they want to know after a slightly hesitant start. The most important takeaways according to Thom: “Always be yourself and follow your heart. Don’t follow trends just because they’re trends, as you’ll regret it sooner or later. If you produce and DJ the style you love the most, you’ll be the first one to ride the wave of success as soon as your favourite genre becomes popular.”
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!
PSYGATHERING PLANAXIS
At Psygathering, reality bends, time dissolves, and you’re invited to follow the white rabbit deeper into the unknown. This is more than a stage: it’s a meeting point for explorers, psychonauts, dreamers, and souls connected by the hypnotic pulse of psychedelic trance. Leave expectations behind, open your mind, and let Blastoyz, Phaxe and Electric Universe guide you through a journey of colour, emotion and pure collective energy. Whether it’s sunrise vibrations or mind-expanding nighttime rituals, every artist here is ready to take you on a bassline-fuelled trip. Are you ready to transcend? Then step inside the world of Psygathering at Planaxis and surrender to the rhythm.
FOOTWORXX CAGE
Long before the present hard techno hype, there were the styles known as schranz and industrial hardcore, and Footworxx has been their torchbearer since time immemorial. The brainchild of prolific Belgian DJ and producer Sandy Warez, Footworxx continues to provide the wildest nights with little regard for genre boundaries – as long as it slams hard and goes fast, you’ll hear it here. Tonight, a barrage of distorted kicks will be provided by ‘terror’ luminaries like Partyraiser b2b DRS and TerrorClown, alongside expert industrial & hardtechno DJ/producer Yoshiko and one of the originators of the jumpstyle sound, DJ Furax. Get your kicks at the Cage!
DISCO ZONDERDAG MELODIA
Jeroen Delodder is one of the figureheads of popular Belgian radio station Studio Brussel, and exclusively for Tomorrowland, he reconceptualises his Disco Donderdag show into a stage hosting every year. With Jeroen himself known for extensive knowledge of classic disco and house as well as more modern styles of house music, it’s no surprise that he mostly invites veteran selectors with an ear for infectiously groovy sounds, such as Planet Groove DJ’s and John Noseda. Additionally, a rare set by Cameroonian funk and disco legend Eko Roosevelt – the oldest performer ever at Tomorrowland, in his first live appearance since Nyege Nyege 2022 –makes the hosting an absolute must-visit. must visit.
FRIDAY
TODAY’S TALE n T, TOMOrrOW’S STAR
RUBY XX
ELIXIR | Saturday | 14:00 - 16:00
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 lineup. This is today’s most exciting prodigy!
Real name: Ella Dumon
Age: 15
Country of origin: Belgium
SoundCloud: rubyxx.net/#soundcloud
Style of music: Ruby is a DJ of the instinctive type: she plays whatever she feels like. Depending on her mood, this may be urban, pop, house, trance or techno. On most days, however, she loves mixing it all up.
First attempt at DJ’ing: Ruby started popping up on the line-ups of youth venues across Belgium when she was just eleven years old.
Famous words: “Discovering the Renaissance compilations by Sasha & Digweed got me hooked for life.”
Why you shouldn’t miss this gig: DJs confident enough to effortlessly switch between styles are rare these days, let alone ones that are just 17 years old!
There are artists who fill dancefloors, and then there are artists who fill them with something far less tangible: true emotion. For almost two decades, Nicky Romero has belonged firmly in the latter category. Long before streaming numbers, social media trends or virality became defining metrics, the Dutch producer carved out a sound that has always felt unmistakably human. Euphoric melodies, heartfelt vocals and soaring progressive house anthems have become his signature. Not because they are designed to impress, but because they are designed to make people feel. Ahead of his unforgettable slot at the Mainstage today, he shared his thoughts on how feeling plays into music with us.
Although popular with big crowds at big stages, Nicky Romero’s records rarely live entirely in Joy; instead, they constantly move between it and Sadness, creating the emotional tension that has become one of progressive house’s defining characteristics. “It’s always a balance,” he says. “Euphoria mixed with more sensitive chords, softer accents and emotional songs. Those are the moments that really touch me. And if something touches me, it’s much easier for me as an artist to transfer that feeling to other people. People immediately recognise whether that sincerity is genuine.” That philosophy has not only shaped his music, but also the trajectory of his own life.
Like every successful career, Romero’s story is often told through its highlights: chart-topping releases, sold-out shows and iconic Mainstage moments. Yet he believes the greatest lessons came from the moments nobody envies. “And there have been several of those,” he says quietly. One loss still carries enormous weight. “I think everyone knows about Tim… Avicii.” His voice immediately changes. “I really didn’t see it coming.” At the time of Avicii’s passing, Romero was working closely with his friend on music. “I was talking to him a lot. I even asked him how he was doing. He explained everything to me, and I genuinely felt he was in a stable place. I thought things were getting better.” For a long time Romero carried an emotional burden that, rationally, he knew did not belong to him. “Of course I’m not responsible for what happened, and nobody is. But emotionally I still felt some responsibility. That was very difficult for me.”
The conversation naturally broadens to mental health in electronic music. From the outside, life as one of the world’s biggest touring DJs appears glamorous. Reality, Romero explains, is often more complicated. “The touring, all the festivals… they also have a downside. You have
these incredible endorphin rushes while performing. Then afterwards you sometimes end up alone in a hotel room.” Even surrounded by an exceptional team, those moments can feel surprisingly isolating. “You miss birthdays, family events. The people you grew up with continue living their lives while you’re constantly getting on another plane.”
Family has always occupied a central place in Romero’s life, making those sacrifices increasingly difficult. “I’m really a family person,” he says. “I love my family and the people I grew up with. Feeling that distance became harder and harder.” Eventually, years of constant touring caught up with him. “It ultimately led to a burnout around 2016.” Romero used it as an opportunity to completely rethink what success actually meant. “I simply decided to do fewer shows,” he adds. “The shows I do now, I give everything in them. And because I’m doing fewer, I feel like I have the best of both worlds.”
Here, Consciencia quietly echoes in the background: awareness, growth, turning darkness into understanding. When disappointment inevitably does rear its head, Romero has discovered another surprisingly simple solution: padel. “I play a lot of padel,” he laughs. “I love being just another guy on the court…” He pauses before adding something refreshingly grounded: “Because that’s what I actually am. Just a completely normal guy. I understand why fans often put artists on pedestals. It’s flattering, don’t get me wrong. But I love just being Nick, playing padel with Jeroen, Tim, Klaas and Karolien. Nothing more.” It has become a new community for Nick, one built not around fame but around ordinary human connection.
As the conversation slowly shifts from Sadness towards Joy, one story bridges both worlds perfectly. Romero is thinking of Tim – not Avicii this
time, but another Tim, a young fan connected to him through the Make A Wish Foundation. Romero spent time with Tim and his family, creating memories during an unimaginably difficult period. Some time later, Tim’s mother called. “There was one day left before things would become really difficult, and she asked whether I would visit one more time. So I went.” It remains one of the most emotional experiences of his entire career. After Tim passed away, Romero attended the funeral. “They even played one of my songs.” Then came another moment he could never have anticipated. “When they unveiled his gravestone…” He pauses briefly, then continues even more tenderly. “It was the logo of my record label.” Even years later, he still struggles to fully process what that meant: “I never imagined music could mean that much to one person.” For Romero, every career achievement suddenly became secondary. “If you can make that kind of difference for even one person, then everything is worth it.”
Finally, inevitably, the interview turns to Joy. What has been the happiest moment of his life? Romero does not hesitate. “Without any doubt, playing the Tomorrowland Mainstage.” And one particular edition stands out above all others. Ironically, it came after one of the festival’s darkest chapters. Following last year’s devastating Mainstage fire, nobody quite knew what Tomorrowland would feel like when the music finally returned. But when Romero walked onto that rebuilt stage, something extraordinary happened. “The release of emotion…” Nick is clearly still searching for the right words. “The strength of everyone behind the festival, combined with the energy of all the visitors who carried each other through that moment…” It became far more than just another performance: “It was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever experienced.” Let it be clear, then: Nicky Romero has a lot to teach us all about balancing emotions. Come find out how at the Mainstage today!
FRIDAY
OSCAR AND THE WOLF
CORE | 23:45 - 00:50
Operating on the fine line between indie rock and electropop, Max Colombie aka Oscar and The Wolf has always had a sweet spot for club music. In recent years, he’s embraced his love for the dancefloor even more than earlier on in his career, as he recently told us in an interview: “A lot of my songs live in that space between euphoria and vulnerability. That late-night energy is something I’m exploring even deeper right now; darker, more hypnotic, more instinctive.” If you wonder what honest songwriting and a more upbeat dance vibe could amount to when combined, then don’t miss the highly anticipated performance by this much-loved Belgian artist.
THE GREAT LIBRARY | 22:00 – 23:00
Ryan Gary Raddon aka Kaskade will be forever known for the soaring anthem ‘I Remember’, his 2009 breakout crossover hit produced together with deadmau5. However, with an extensive back catalogue and years of experience in the scene –he released his first single all the way back in 2001 – he remains as versatile as ever. While most of Ryan’s output is centred around progressive house with a keen ear for poppy hooks, his sets range wider and his recent productions veer much further afield than just that one genre. Hot on the heels of a whole collaborative album with deadmaus, ‘Kx5’ from 2023, Kaskade released another part of the ongoing ‘Redux’ series of EPs as well as full-length album ‘undux’ late last year, a more intimate and introspective record than ever before. It’s the latest in an oeuvre of no less than twelve albums – including two Christmas records – which have earned the producer eight Grammy nominations over the years. ‘undux’ was followed just this week by latest release ‘A Little Bit’ (with Crankdat) – an early 2010s-style brostep record that rivals Skrillex at his loudest peaks. With more variety than ever before in his outputs, there’s no telling what Kaskade will do, but there’s one thing about which there cannot be any doubt: the Great Library will have been turned upside down and inside out before his hour behind the decks is over.
KASKADE MAHMUT ORHAN
HOLY PRIEST
00:00 - 00:50 ATMOSPHERE
Adding a touch of mystery to his persona with his trademark black cross on a white mask, this enigmatic hardtechno and rawstyle producer gained significant recognition in 2025 through a series of viral remixes. This included a rework of German-language smash hit ‘Vielleicht Vielleicht’ that earned him major accolades. By collaborating with artists outside his own genre, such as hardstyle icon D-Sturb and uptempo hero Lil Texas, Holy Priest has slowly but surely made a name for himself across the entire harddance scene. His sets may even include elements of dubstep, hardrock and hiphop, so if you love insane energy, make sure to head to the Atmosphere when this first magical day is coming to its unforgettable end.
CRYSTAL GARDEN 23:00 – 00:30
Born in Bursa, Turkey, Mahmut Orhan has become a globally recognised name in house music circles. Following the European chart-topping success of ‘Feel’ (ft. Sena Sener) in 2016, Orhan built a reputation for hypnotic DJ sets in which he brings the audience along on a journey through deep house, indie dance, nu disco and, lately, some Afro influences as well. His 2024 debut album, ‘Pangea’, reflects this approach of blending in elements from all over the world, not only in name, but also in collaborations with Turkish, Azerbaijani and Lebanese artists. Come along to Crystal Garden tonight for a healthy dose of exceptionally deep grooves!
SADNESS
IS ANYONE
THERE?
MISS MONIQUE, HRRTZ, JANTINE
17:30 - 18:30 | MAINSTAGE
You may not think so at a glance, but there’s plenty of sad music that will keep you going on the dancefloor. Take Miss Monique’s ‘Is Anyone There’, where the lyrics bring you along on a journey of sorrow: “Feel like a stranger, but that’s enough. Can’t feel my body, what should I care? Is anyone there?” This is one of those melancholic tracks that seem to keep going forever: you’d just want this one to never end as you dance with your head down and your eyes closed, drenching yourself in someone else’s sadness that will, in the end, turn into happiness. Turn it on, feel it, and you’ll soon understand why Armin van Buuren is such a big fan of Miss Monique, too.
DESIRE
I COULD BE THE ONE AVICII & NICKY ROMERO
19:35 - 20:35 | MAINSTAGE
A huge anthem by Nicky Romero and the late, great Avicii, ‘I Could Be the One’ is clearly a song that wants to seduce you. The lyrics are about that moment when desire turns quietly into temptation: “I could be the one to make you feel that way, I could be the one to set you free…” In the video, as we follow a woman stuck in her work situation, flashes of a better life appear in her mind: she rides a horse, enjoys a striptease, and takes a bite of a gorgeous dish on some exotic beach. And indeed, that’s the kind of feeling that the song itself can seduce you into, as you belt out the lyrics to your heart’s desire during Nicky Romero’s larger-than-life appearance at the Mainstage. Used to be so easy, can’t you see!?
$HIRAK
ELIXIR 20:00 - 21:00
Following on her rocking Artcore label hosting at Atmosphere last weekend, this Mainstage performance is set to come with an even more complete picture of Indira Paganotto. One of the most exciting names to emerge from the Spanish techno scene in recent years, Indira isn’t a genre purist. Instead, she borrows heavily from adjacent styles such as psytrance and even hardstyle. Prepare yourself for this keynote set by checking out some of her stunning recent releases, such as the driving ‘Gipsy Queen’ and ‘Dragon’, a signature track where the worlds of techno and psy come together in perfect harmony. With Indira, you just never know what kind of kick you’re gonna get.
Known for providing the soundtrack to many Dutch-language hiphop hits, $hirak is much more than a typical producer; his productions seamlessly fuse hip-hop, Afro, dancehall, Latin, and electronic influences. Beyond crafting hit singles, $hirak has built a reputation for discovering new talent and pushing artists to develop their own unique sound. As such, this true maverick of instrumental urban sounds is always in the know about the hottest hip-hop-inspired new tunes coming from Northwestern Europe delta. Holding such a key position within the scene is an asset that $hirak never fails to turn to his advantage during his highly entertaining DJ sets.
THE BEAUTY OF MUSIC IS THAT WHE n IT TOUCHES YOU, YOU FEEL EMOTION
HANNAH LAING PAGANOTTO
18:30 - 19:30 | ATMOSPHERE
Growing up as the child of two raver parents in the post-industrial, punk-minded city of Dundee, Scotland, Hannah Laing was no stranger to hardhouse, trance, acid and other UK rave sounds. These days, she’s all about what Sottish ravers call ‘the doof’ – the type of kick that all of her favourite styles share. She turned Doof into a label as well as a successful event concept in her home town and elsewhere. With a residency at Hï Ibiza completed last year and tracks with Marlon Hoffstadt (‘Stomp Your Feet’) and Armin van Buuren & Wippenberg (‘U Got 2 Know’) recently out, there’s really no excuse not to check out this bright Scottish star as she tears down the Atmosphere today.
BIBI SECK
17:00 - 19:00 | CORE (B2B FAISAL)
The ultimate summertime DJ if ever there was one, Antwerp’s Bibi Seck works hard to make you feel good, with an immaculate mix of filter-heavy house and upbeat disco. Both styles are characterised by strong grooves and uplifting vocals designed to fill dancefloors with smiles, so it should be no surprise that Bibi is a regular guest at some of the world’s most-loved community radio stations including Brussels’ Kiosk, The Lot out of New York, and of course One World Radio. Her real-life DJ sets like today’s at CORE are very much like her best radio shows, but with another added dose of energy to keep you and your smile going strong for ever and ever!
