In a devastating blow to one of many world’s most iconic digital music festivals, the primary stage of Tomorrowland 2025 was engulfed in flames on Wednesday night, simply two days earlier than the competition’s opening weekend.
Footage aired by Belgian broadcaster VRT NWS captured the huge construction ablaze, with thick gray smoke and roaring flames tearing by what was set to be the centerpiece of this yr’s version. Further on-site movies shared on social media confirmed the extent of the destruction, with the stage, often known as Orbyz Mainstage of Tomorrowland Belgium 2025, fully consumed by hearth.
The incident occurred on July 16 round 18:00 native time within the city of Increase, south of Antwerp. On the time, solely occasion workers have been current on-site. Competition organisers confirmed that no accidents have been reported. “It’s unattainable to place into phrases what we’re feeling,” learn a press release posted by Tomorrowland on Instagram Thursday morning.
“This [Orbyz] wasn’t only a stage. It was a residing, respiration world. From the very first sketch on a clean web page, to numerous hours of conceptual design, creative collaboration, engineering, crafting, constructing, each single piece of Orbyz carried a part of our soul,” the assertion continued. “However, we maintain on to the magic Orbyz gave us. To the goals it carried. To the workforce who gave their all.”
Emergency companies, together with hearth and police models, swiftly responded to the scene. Some close by residents have been evacuated as a precaution, and officers suggested locals to shut home windows and keep away from smoke publicity. Police spokesperson Joris Van Camp acknowledged, “Individuals’s security is our high precedence.”
Regardless of the dramatic setback, organisers stay decided to proceed with the competition. In a press release to press, they confirmed that DreamVille, the competition’s tenting grounds, opened immediately (Thursday) as deliberate, and that festival-related actions in Brussels and Antwerp are additionally transferring ahead. “We’re centered on discovering options for the competition weekend,” the assertion reads, including that conferences with security authorities and native officers are ongoing to evaluate the scenario and create contingency plans.
“We spent the night time engaged on potential options for the Mainstage space. No different elements of the competition venue, phases or areas have been impacted.”
Tens of hundreds of attendees have already begun arriving in Belgium for what is predicted to be one other sold-out yr. Unfold over two weekends (July 18–20 and July 25–27), Tomorrowland 2025 is slated to host roughly 400,000 followers from across the globe, that includes a large lineup of digital heavyweights together with Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Swedish Home Mafia, and plenty of extra.
Whereas the mainstage has historically been the point of interest of the competition, there are 14 different phases on web site. Officers are actually contemplating whether or not to demolish the broken construction earlier than Friday’s kickoff or discover an alternate resolution. No reason for the fireplace has been formally confirmed, although investigations are underway.
One crew member on-site described the second the fireplace broke out to Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad: “We instantly heard bangs and noticed hearth close to the stage… An enormous quantity of fireside. We have been simply placing the ending touches on it. 4 weeks of labor… gone in half an hour.”
As of now, organisers are urgent ahead with the occasion, dedicated to salvaging the expertise for followers and artists alike. A follow-up assertion and additional logistical updates are anticipated within the coming hours.
