Tomorrowland Festival set to go on: main stage fire won't dim the rave spirit

Festivalgoers have been reassured that their travel plans to the much-anticipated Tomorrowland festival in Boom, Antwerp, Belgium, can proceed as scheduled, despite a significant incident that unfolded just a day before the event's launch.

A fire erupted at the main stage, causing extensive damage and raising concerns among electronic dance music enthusiasts, many of whom are en route to the spectacular gathering.

The Tomorrowland festival, famously held within De Schorre provincial recreational park, has evolved into one of the world’s most renowned electronic dance music events since it started in 2005, born from the vision of brothers Manu and Michiel Beers.

Given its fame, the festival has amassed numerous accolades, securing the title of "Best Musical Event of the Year" at the International Dance Music Awards on five separate occasions.

With thousands of attendees expected, the stakes were high for this year’s gathering.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported following the blaze, a significant relief for both festival organisers and attendees alike.

In a statement released by Tomorrowland’s organisers, they confirmed the damage to the main stage, assuring fans that "the show must go on.”

The statement read: “Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged. We can confirm that no injuries were reported during the incident.

"We can announce that DreamVille (campsite) will open tomorrow (Thursday, July 17) as planned and will be ready for all DreamVille visitors.

"All Global Journey activities in Brussels and Antwerp will take place as planned.”

Echoing the excitement and resilience of festivalgoers, netizens took to social media to express their sentiments regarding the incident.

User @rockstardjdoc commented, “Time to go old school, just a table with the decks and a bunch of speakers; ravers just want to party.”

Another, @CrokkoK, suggested an impromptu gathering, stating, “Let’s do it without a stage; it would be the biggest gesture and memory for everyone.”

While some praised the safety protocols, others were less optimistic.

@DANNYonPC remarked, “Mainstage burned down and you're still going through?? Bruh,” highlighting a sense of disbelief among some festival-goers.

Conversely, user @310Ventures expressed scepticism regarding the organisers, stating, “These concert companies are the most greedy entities I have ever seen.”

As Tomorrowland prepares to open its gates, the focus shifts towards rebuilding and creating unforgettable experiences in the face of adversity.

Each passing moment brings the festival closer to becoming a symbol of resilience and celebration in the world of electronic dance music.