In a stunning turn of events, the beloved Tomorrowland festival faced an unprecedented challenge just days before its scheduled start. On July 16, 2025, the main stage for the expansive Belgian EDM festival located just outside Antwerp caught fire, resulting in significant destruction. The Belgian news outlet VRT confirmed the severity of the incident, with reports suggesting the stage was “almost completely destroyed.”
Fortunately, there were no festival attendees present during the catastrophe, as Tomorrowland was slated to welcome its first wave of guests beginning July 18. This annual festival has become synonymous with top-tier electronic dance music, featuring renowned artists like David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Deadmau5.
Shortly after the fire, Tomorrowland issued a statement on their official website, reassuring the public that no one was harmed in the incident and that they were actively exploring solutions to salvage the festival. “Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged,” the statement read. The festival team noted that DreamVille, Tomorrowland’s official camping area, would still open on schedule, fostering hope that the festival weekend could continue as planned.
Metallica to the Rescue
As the festival team scrambled for a solution, a monumental twist unfolded: Metallica stepped in to offer their stage setup, which had been stored in nearby Austria. This generous act ensured that Tomorrowland could go on without skipping a beat. Featuring an impressive array of video screens from their iconic “WorldWired Tour,” the Metallica stage was swiftly airlifted into Belgium overnight, allowing the festival to restructure its plans.
On social media, Dutch DJ Martin Garrix expressed his gratitude for the swift response. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he shared a picture with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and declared, “I can not believe I’m actually typing this… but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening! Massive love and a big shoutout to the incredible @tomorrowland team for pulling off miracles — and to @Metallica for coming through with the new stage parts.” Garrix culminated his post with excitement, stating that this year’s Tomorrowland would undoubtedly be the most unique edition in history.
Tomorrowland itself is a monumental event in the global music landscape, attracting over 400,000 visitors from around the world each year. Since its inception in 2005 as a humble one-day festival with a mere 9,000 attendees, it has evolved into a multi-weekend extravaganza that showcases a diverse range of electronic music genres and features hundreds of artists over 15 stages. The Tomorrowland website eloquently describes the festival as a gathering of “People of Tomorrow,” epitomizing the vibrant, communal spirit that the event fosters.
Add to that the unique DreamVille campsite, which serves as a bustling city for festivalgoers. It opens its doors to thousands of attendees, providing a joyful transition from daytime revelry to nighttime festivities, enhancing the overall festival experience.
This unexpected collaboration between Metallica and Tomorrowland is a testament to the solidarity in the music community, proving that even in the face of adversity, the show must—and can—go on. The next few days will surely be filled with unforgettable moments as festivalgoers come together to celebrate resilience and the power of live music.
