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PortuguêsTomorrowland festival replaced its burned main stage within 36 hours with Metallica's assistance. DJs and attendees praised the more intimate replacement setup, with the event proceeding successfully.
Rapid Recovery at Tomorrowland Festival
Belgium's Tomorrowland electronic music festival successfully overcame a major setback when its main stage burned down just days before opening. Through extraordinary efforts, organizers constructed a replacement stage in under 36 hours, allowing the festival to proceed as scheduled.
The Unexpected Blaze
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a fire completely destroyed Tomorrowland's elaborate main stage in Boom, Belgium. The structure, which had been under construction since 2023 with contributions from 35 artists across ten countries, was reduced to ruins hours before the festival's opening.
Emergency Reconstruction
Organizers received crucial assistance from American band Metallica, who provided components from their touring stage stored in Austria. These elements were transported overnight to Belgium. Working around the clock, crews assembled a new 70-meter wide, 8-meter high structure in just 36 hours - a remarkable feat compared to the original stage's two-week construction period.
Positive Artist Reactions
Headlining DJs expressed enthusiasm for the replacement stage. Martin Garrix praised the 'Tomorrowland family' during his closing set, while Belgian techno artist Charlotte de Witte noted: 'I felt much closer to the audience. Normally at Tomorrowland you're positioned very high and distant.' The duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike adapted their performance to focus on musical connection over spectacle.
Attendee Feedback
Festival-goers described the replacement stage as 'magical,' with many appreciating the more intimate atmosphere. One visitor told VRT: 'The new stage is better than the old one. The DJ stands closer to the crowd, which enhances the shared experience.'
Looking Ahead
Tomorrowland's second weekend begins July 25, with organizers planning minor enhancements to the replacement stage. Meanwhile, cleanup continues at the original stage site. Since its 2005 inception, Tomorrowland has grown into one of the world's premier electronic music festivals, attracting over 400,000 attendees annually to its Belgian home.
