Against all odds, Tomorrowland has pulled off the impossible. Just 36 hours after a devastating fire destroyed its iconic main stage, organizers, designers, and engineers rebuilt a brand-new structure — delivering a world-class experience for tens of thousands of festivalgoers.
“I don’t know how they did it, but they did,” said techno superstar Charlotte de Witte, who is scheduled to play the main stage twice this weekend. The sentiment was echoed throughout the festival grounds, where awe and admiration mixed with disbelief.
The fire broke out Wednesday evening, sending smoke billowing over De Schorre. Even before the flames were fully extinguished, a team was assembled with one goal: preserve the magic of Tomorrowland, no matter the challenge.
“The fire wasn’t even out yet when we started asking: how do we give 40,000 people a Tomorrowland-worthy experience?” said Joris Corthout, CEO of Prismax, the visual animation studio behind the stage’s immersive visuals.
Within hours, plans were drawn. A replacement stage, spanning 50 meters wide and 6 meters tall, featuring a deep, high-tech video wall, was greenlit.
Wouter Van Mierloo, operations director at Stageco, recalled receiving fire alerts while on tour in Madrid. “By 10 p.m., we were already in crisis meetings. By 4 a.m., we had a concept. By 6 a.m., logistics were underway.”
With crews rushing in from all over Europe — many canceling vacations or pulling double shifts — the new structure began to rise. Simultaneously, Prismax launched a “war room” in Mechelen to develop entirely new 2D and 3D visuals, crafted for the rebuilt screen — over 3,000 animation loops in total.
Everything had to be done without knowing the DJs’ exact setlists. “It was pure improvisation,” said Corthout. “We adapted visuals live to the music, using emergency backup systems. It felt like going to war.”
Tomorrowland’s long-standing relationships with local authorities and suppliers proved invaluable. “We’ve worked here for 20 years. We know the people, we know the terrain,” said festival spokesperson Debby Wilmsen. That familiarity allowed for swift permissions, tight safety oversight, and near-miraculous coordination.
On Friday, shortly after 4 p.m., the new main stage was unveiled. The crowd roared in approval — some even brought flowers to celebrate the team’s herculean effort.
“We were nervous. We didn’t know how people would react,” Wilmsen admitted. “But they cheered. And then we knew: we did it.”
Tomorrowland lives on — resilient, magical, and as unforgettable as ever.
