Tomorrowland 2025 update: Festival gates officially open after fire

Tomorrowland organisers have pulled off the unthinkable with the help of an unlikely band just 24 hours before gates were due to open.

Tomorrowland organisers have pulled off the unthinkable in 24 hours – with the help of Metallica.

Just days before the popular electronic dance event was due to kick off on in Belgium on July 18, dramatic footage showed its magical “Orbyz Mainstage” up in flames.

Organisers said it was a “race against time” to build a substitute stage with the likes of Meduza, Axwell and Vini Vici all due to perform – but they did it.

A photo posted to their official Instagram account shows the new Mainstage and while very different to the usual elaborate design that’s 45 meters high and 160 meters wide – it has still been welcomed and in some cases more preffered by fans.

“Honestly this looks much better and you know why? people are closer to the DJ. It will be more about dancing than posting videos since a long time ago. I hope people there will enjoy it!” one follower wrote.

The new Mainstage at Tomorrowland 2025. Picture: Instagram/tomorrowland

According to local news outlet, HLN, stage parts from the European leg of Metallica’s current M72 World Tour stored in Austria were airlifted to the site overnight, ensuring the Mainstage proceedings can go ahead as planned.

One of this year’s headlining acts, Martin Garrix, also took to Instagram to thank the metal heavyweights, just hours before he took to the stage.

“I cannot believe I’m actually typing this … but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening,” the post reads.

“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.”

The new stage’s sound system comes from Lier. Just as with the original stage, Phlippo Productions, along with the Antwerp-based company Noizboyz, handled the sound, the outlet reported.

Meanwhile, PRG is responsible for the lighting and together, the companies set up a completely new system overnight and worked around the clock to get everything ready on time.

Technicians worked on the previous Mainstage set for two weeks before it went up in flames on Wednesday. It included 2,616 cubic meters of styrofoam, 2,278 sheets of plywood, and 2,460 cans of insulating polyurethane, according to HLN.

The Mainstage in 2022. Picture: Jonas Roosens/Belga Mag/ Belga via AFP

US artist Steve Aoki, who performed at Tomorrowland Winter 2025, described the image of the new stage as “inspiring”.

“This is one of the most inspiring images in my feed. Gives me goosebumps.”

“One of the coolest pics in music history. Love you Tomorrowland,” another fan added.

Footage shows thousands of people rushing in as soon as the gates open with the event due to attract 400,000 festivalgoers over July 18-20 and July 25-27.

The stage went up in flames on Wednesday, just days before gates were due to open. Picture: Belga Mag

Technicians worked on the Mainstage set for two weeks before it caught fire. Picture: Stringer/Belga/Sipa USA/AAP

“The symbolism of this is very powerful it shows more than just a stage that was destroyed and rebuilt,” one fan wrote.

“It reflects how the world stands today, back there, and how we envision it moving forward.

“Nothing is stronger and more imposing than the message it carries. Enjoy, this will be an incredible edition.”

It’s currently still unclear what caused the fire, but a local firefighter, François van den Eynde, told reporters the blaze “spread very quickly,” likely because of the “materials used” to build the stage, according to Rolling Stones.

Tomorrowland 2025 line-up. Picture: Instagram/tomorrowland

“Despite all our resources, it was impossible to stop something like that,” he said. “We tried to extinguish the fire, but as soon as you realise you’re not succeeding, you have to limit the damage to the rest of the festival site. That’s what we did. Everything is under control.”

The 2025 Tomorrowland line-up will also see the likes of Eric Prydz, Armin Van Buuren and John Summit, as well as Australian producers including FISHER and NERVO.

The team behind the massive festival, that made a whopping $A15 million in 2023, simply wrote, “Unite Forever”, after sharing the now iconic image of the new Mainstage.

Meanwhile, Metallica are scheduled to bring the M72 World Tour to Australia and New Zealand this November, with stadium shows locked in for Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland.