Just two days before Tomorrowland was set to open its gates in Boom, Belgium, a massive fire destroyed its iconic main stage. The 147-foot-tall, 524-foot-wide centerpiece, under construction for weeks, was reduced to rubble in a blaze that remains unexplained. With headliners like Martin Garrix, Axwell, Alok, and Nervo scheduled to perform, the festival was suddenly in jeopardy.
A Rock Band to the Rescue
As organizers scrambled for a solution, help came from an unlikely hero: Metallica. The legendary rock band happened to have gear from their M72 World Tour stored in Austria, and when they heard about Tomorrowland’s crisis, they offered up elements of their stage setup. The parts were airlifted overnight to Belgium and quickly incorporated into a replacement stage, just in time for the festival’s kickoff on Friday, July 18.
Behind the Scenes of a Miracle
The rebuilding effort was made possible by longtime Tomorrowland partners including Pixel Screen, Stageco, and Prismax, along with a team of more than 200 workers. Though the replacement stage was about a third the size of the original, it brought performers closer to the crowd and carried the spirit of the event forward. Local authorities, however, prohibited the use of fireworks on the temporary structure for safety reasons.
Martin Garrix Shares His Gratitude
One of Friday’s headliners, Martin Garrix, celebrated the comeback on social media. “I can not believe I’m actually typing this… but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening!” he wrote, giving “massive love” to the Tomorrowland team and Metallica for helping make it possible. The post included a picture of Garrix with Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer, and the band later commented with a black heart emoji.
The Show Went On, Stronger Than Ever
Despite the setbacks, Tomorrowland pulled off a miracle. The festival stayed on schedule, and the opening weekend was a huge success. Attendees praised the unique vibe created by the smaller, more intimate stage, proof that even stripped-down, the spirit of Tomorrowland remains electrifying.
A Testament to the EDM Community
This incident showcased more than just technical prowess, it highlighted the resilience and unity of the global electronic music community. When faced with chaos, artists, crews, and even fellow musicians from other genres came together to keep the dream alive. As fans danced under the lights of a last-minute stage, one thing became clear: EDM isn’t just music, it’s a family.