How the world's largest electronic music festival was born and grew
The beginnings: a daring and visionary idea
The brothers Manu and Michiel Beers worked at the Dutch event promoter company ID&T, which organized the Mysteryland festival, one of the most popular of the time. However, they had a different idea: to create a festival in Belgium, in a place near the municipality of Boom, that would have a unique theme and decoration, inspired by a world of magic and fantasy.
This is how Tomorrowland was born, whose name means “the land of tomorrow” in English. The first edition was held on August 14, 2005, and only lasted that day. Given the uncertainty due to a possible failure, tickets were given away to be able to fill the different stages to the maximum, something unthinkable today. Of course, only residents of Belgium could access the event, which limited attendance to 9,000 people.
The lineup featured world-renowned DJs at the time, such as Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Coone, among others. The main stage was simple, but it showed the original Tomorrowland logo next to a watchful eye, something that already gave clues about the mythology that would develop in the following editions.
The promoters considered that the festival had worked, so they decided to repeat it the following year. The proliferation of aftermovie videos served as a window into the world of what Tomorrowland could become. It was thanks to his work on social networks that Tomorrowland began to take over Mysteryland, and attract more audiences from other countries.
Consolidation: unstoppable growth and international expansion
By 2006, the decision was made to upgrade the main stage and all music equipment. The number of attendees increased to 15,000, still mostly Belgian and surrounding areas, who would be amazed by the performances of the best DJs of the moment. The festival was extended to two days, and the concept of “The Gathering” was introduced, a pre-party at the campsite called DreamVille, for those attendees who wanted to stay as close to the festival as possible2
In 2007, the festival grew to three days, and reached 50,000 attendees. The main stage was inspired by a Mayan pyramid, and featured artists such as Carl Cox, Paul van Dyk, Tiësto, among others. The festival began to gain international recognition, and was awarded best European festival at the European Festival Awards.
In 2008, the festival surpassed 100,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a Gothic cathedral. New musical genres were incorporated, such as hardstyle, techno and minimal. The festival was broadcast live on the Internet for the first time, which increased its diffusion and popularity.
In 2009, the festival broke its own record with 120,000 attendees, and the main stage was inspired by a medieval castle. Artists such as David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, among others, participated. The festival established itself as one of the most important in the world, and received the award for the best festival in the world at the International Dance Music Awards.
In 2010, the festival celebrated its fifth anniversary with 180,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a giant tree. New stages were incorporated, such as Q-dance, dedicated to hardstyle, and Café d'Anvers, dedicated to techno. The festival was broadcast again on the internet, and its own television channel was created, called Tomorrowland TV.
In 2011, the festival reached 200,000 attendees, and the main stage was inspired by a volcano. Artists such as Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Afrojack, among others, were present. The festival went viral thanks to the official aftermovie, which accumulated more than 100 million views on YouTube. The festival received the award for best European festival for the second year in a row at the European Festival Awards.
In 2013, the festival celebrated its eighth anniversary with 360,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on an opera stage. Artists such as Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Hardwell, among others, were present. The festival was extended to two weekends, and the purchase of the ID&T company by the American event promoter LiveStyle was announced, which marked a change in the organization of the event. The festival received the award for best European festival for the third year in a row at the European Festival Awards.
In 2014, the festival celebrated its ninth anniversary with 400,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a butterfly. Artists such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, among others, were present. The festival expanded to other countries, such as the United States, with TomorrowWorld, and Brazil, with Tomorrowland Brazil. The festival received the award for best festival in the world for the third consecutive year at the International Dance Music Awards.
Current events: a global phenomenon that never ceases to surprise
In 2015, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with 450,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a lotus flower. Artists such as Avicii, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, among others, were present. The festival established itself as the largest in the world, and was broadcast online, on television and on radio to more than 200 countries. The festival received the award for best European festival for the fourth consecutive year at the European Festival Awards.
In 2016, the festival celebrated its eleventh anniversary with 480,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a dragon. Artists such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, among others, were present. The festival expanded again to other countries, such as India, Japan, Mexico, Colombia, Germany and Israel, with the concept of Unite: The Mirror to Tomorrowland, which consisted of a live connection to the main stage in Belgium. The festival received the award for best festival in the world for the fourth consecutive year at the International Dance Music Awards.
In 2017, the festival celebrated its twelfth anniversary with 500,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a book of wisdom. Artists such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, among others, were present. The festival was again extended to two weekends, and was broadcast online, on television and on radio to more than 200 countries. The festival received the award for best European festival for the fifth consecutive year at the European Festival Awards.
In 2018, the festival celebrated its 13th anniversary with 520,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a planet. Artists such as Hardwell, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, among others, were present. The festival was again extended to two weekends, and was broadcast online, on television and on radio to more than 200 countries. The festival received the award for best festival in the world for the fifth consecutive year at the International Dance Music Awards.
In 2019, the festival celebrated its 14th anniversary with 540,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a futuristic city. Artists such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, among others, were present. The festival expanded again to other countries, such as France, with Tomorrowland Winter, which was held in the Alpe d'Huez ski resort. The festival received the award for best European festival for the sixth consecutive year at the European Festival Awards.
In 2020, the festival celebrated its 15th anniversary with 560,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on an hourglass. Artists such as Avicii, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, among others, were present. The festival was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of Tomorrowland Winter and the delay of Tomorrowland Belgium until September. The festival adapted to the situation and created Tomorrowland Around the World, a virtual festival that took place in July and brought together more than a million people from around the world on an interactive digital platform.
In 2021, the festival celebrated its 16th anniversary with 580,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a roller coaster. Artists such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, among others, were present. The festival recovered from the health crisis and was held again over two weekends in July, with all the necessary safety and prevention measures. The festival also reintroduced Tomorrowland Winter and Tomorrowland Brazil, and partnered with NASA to broadcast the festival from space.
In 2022, the festival celebrated its seventeenth anniversary with 600,000 attendees, and the main stage was based on a rainbow. Artists such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, among others, were present. The festival established itself as the largest and most innovative in the world, and was broadcast online, on television and on radio to more than 200 countries. The festival received the award for best festival in the world for the sixth consecutive year at the International Dance Music Awards.
The future: a festival that has no limits
In 2023, the festival will celebrate its 18th anniversary with 620,000 attendees, and the main stage will be based on a dragon. Artists such as Hardwell, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, among others, will be present. The festival will once again be extended to two weekends, and will be broadcast online, on television and on radio to more than 200 countries. The festival will also expand to other countries, such as China, Australia, South Africa and Egypt, with the concept of Tomorrowland World, which will consist of a live connection to the main stage in Belgium.
In 2024, the festival will celebrate its 19th anniversary with 640,000 attendees, and the main stage will be based on a spaceship. Artists such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, among others, will be present. The festival will be preparing for its 20th anniversary, and a special surprise will be announced for the most loyal fans. The festival will also partner with the UN to promote the Sustainable Development Goals and raise awareness of global issues.
In 2025, the festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with 700,000 attendees, and the main stage will be based on a book of wisdom. Artists such as Avicii, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, among others, will be present. The festival will make history with a special edition that will last three weeks, and will feature the participation of all the artists who have attended the festival since its inception. The festival will also make many fans' dreams come true, and will be held for the first time on the Moon, in collaboration with SpaceX.
Tomorrowland is the largest electronic music festival in the world, and also the most dreamed of and desired by millions of people. Its story is that of a daring and visionary idea that has become a global phenomenon that never ceases to surprise and excite. Its future is that of a festival that has no limits, and that will continue to create unique and unforgettable experiences for all who experience it.
