Nurtured by Belgian visionaries, Tomorrowland has become a symbol of national pride—not just for its scale or production value, but for the soul it reflects: creativity, precision, and deep love for electronic music. This year I learned from a group of Belgian souls that it’s not merely a festival; it’s a global showcase of their country’s imagination and cultural leadership.
Photo credit: Tomorrowland – Official
Set in the scenic town of Boom, Belgium, Tomorrowland 2025, in its 21st edition, cemented its place as the crown jewel of electronic music festivals worldwide. Across two weekends in July, 18th–20th and 25th–27th, more than 420,000 people from over 150 countries came together to celebrate unity through music, transforming De Schorre Park once again into a living fairy tale. The festival continues to grow as one of the world’s premier electronic music gatherings. It originated in 2005 and has consistently evolved into a global phenomenon.
Just 48 hours before the gates were to open, a massive fire broke out during a pyrotechnics test and destroyed the Orbyz Mainstage—a 45-metre-high, cinematic centerpiece of the festival’s theme world. No injuries were reported, as the incident occurred during preparations with staff onsite. Emergency services evacuated everyone and contained the blaze swiftly. With remarkable efficiency, the Tomorrowland team constructed an entirely new stage in just 24 hours—an act of pure resilience and resourcefulness that left festivalgoers and artists in surprise. It wasn’t just a logistical miracle; it was a heartfelt promise: no matter what, the magic lives on.
Stellar Performances: Weekend Journey
Thursday, July 24th – The Gathering
Despite torrential rain starting around 8 pm, the vibes were unmistakable. The crowd danced under the rain, unified by the genuine joy of the first day. A beautiful rainbow arced above the stage. We even got a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Kaskade, the Grammy-nominated American DJ (Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 66th Grammy Awards, among other nods). His melodic house style set the tone: deep, emotionally resonant, and uplifting.
Friday, July 25th – The much-anticipated Solomun b2b Anyma
Traveling from Antwerp by bus, our journey proved longer on foot than expected, as public transit and taxis aren’t permitted inside the grounds. So, either by foot or by internal buses, it is around 5+ kilometers until you make it to the festival entrance from the public transport drop-off.
Friday was a journey of rising intensity, starting with a magnetic set from Kölsch at the Freedom Stage, where his timeless anthem ‘Countach’ flowed through the crowd like a pulse—familiar, euphoric, and uniting. The Freedom Stage, known for its massive LED walls and theatrical ambiance, held the perfect space for the crowd to surrender to Kölsch’s emotive techno. But nothing prepared us for what came next: Mathame’s ‘Dreams of NEO’, a spin-off from the world of NEO—a multisensory experience that blurred the lines between sound and cinema. As the opening visuals surged across the screens, showcasing futuristic robots, they were accompanied by layered cinematic textures and suspenseful crescendos that felt like the prelude to a sci-fi odyssey. Without exaggeration, it was the most powerful and immersive intro to an electronic set I’ve ever witnessed.
The night culminated with the Solomun back-to-back Anyma set that I had been anticipating for so long, at Crystal Garden—one of the festival’s most visually enchanting stages, settled among water features and lush green surroundings. The duo first premiered their collaboration earlier this year and have since become one of the scene’s most talked-about pairings.
Their set, subtle yet bold, blended Solomun’s deep house emotion with Anyma’s moody melodic techno. The synergy was undeniable, especially in the way transitions were crafted. Solomun laid the emotional groundwork with warm, hypnotic transitions and a few soulful, unexpected turns, while Anyma layered in his signature atmospheric tension and unreleased Afterlife tracks, including IDs now rumored to be part of his next live concept. While opinions varied, a sentiment emerged that this set was less mainstream crowd-pleasing and more a deep sonic experience for connoisseurs. After three editions of Tomorrowland, this set left the deepest mark on me—easily my favorite so far.
Saturday, July 26th – Belgian pride with Amelie Lens
With roughly 160 hectares to roam in De Schorre, Saturday offered us culinary flavors and a day of exploration. Did you know, though festival plates for food appear to be made of cardboard, they are actually edible? Enhancing Tomorrowland’s original, eco-friendly spirit.
As we stepped into the Core stage, Paul Swarming was spinning his track ‘Lost’, instantly pulling us into the mood with its sensual melodies echoing amid the forest.
We then shifted to the Main Stage to catch Argy joined by Lost Frequencies, where they premiered their upcoming collaboration ‘Summer Skies’.
Afternoon winds led us to an overcrowded Core, which meant missing DJ Tennis. We followed the energy of the crowd in the distance, which led us to the Crystal Garden for Fisher, whose energetic tech-house set had everyone dancing and singing along—pure party vibes.
Our highlight of the day was the Main Stage closing with Amelie Lens—a maestro of techno with intense precision. Her set blended goosebump-inducing lows and driving rhythms, featuring ‘The Light’ (by FLNK) and her freshly released version ‘Voices in my Head’ by Anyma. Experiencing it alongside our Belgian friends—eyes sparkling with national pride—made it unforgettable.
Sunday, July 27th – Techno vibes
By the final day, the crowd was weary but determined. At Freedom Stage, Miss Monique served a showcase of new, unreleased tracks from her label Siona Records—dark, hypnotic, and powerful.
Nico Romero followed on the Main Stage, accidentally playing ‘Woops’, the #1 Beatport track by Dimitri Vegas, setting the stage for one of the weekend’s standout surprises.
Then came Dimitri Vegas himself on the Main Stage with a vinyl-only set—pure artistry and nostalgia. As he said: “The idea was to bring a fresh spin to some of my favourite rave classics and press them on vinyl for a live show.”
It was a masterpiece of DJ technique and showmanship.
To finish off the night, Sara Landry walked out in a stunning outfit that resembled the one from the cover of her debut album ‘Spiritual Driveby’, similar to what she wore on the first weekend. Landry closed with the highly energetic W&W and Vini Vici track, ‘Rave Mozart’, to put a bow on what was a tour de force of a performance.
Tomorrowland has always celebrated the diversity of electronic genres—from melodic house and trance to deep techno and progressive beats. Originating in Belgium in 2005, it began as a love letter to global dance culture. Today, it’s the jewel of the electronic world, representing unity across styles, countries, and generations.
From rainbows and rare b2b sets to vinyl surprises and cinematic stage rebirths, Tomorrowland 2025 reminded us that electronic music is more than sound—it’s memory, energy, connection, and storytelling. In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, this Belgian-born celebration of unity offers something rare: a shared rhythm that transcends borders and language. Tomorrowland is not just where the world comes to dance—it’s where it comes to believe again.
