Luxembourger recounts festival experience following Tomorrowland blaze

For as-yet unknown reasons, a fire broke out at the Tomorrowland main stage on Wednesday, destroying the iconic backdrop and casting doubt over whether the festival will be able to go ahead as planned this weekend.

With just two days to go before the festival, attendees began arriving at the nearby campsite in Boom, Belgium, on Thursday morning, including a group of around a dozen Luxembourgers.

Every festival organiser's worst nightmare came true on Wednesday evening amid preparations for the event, which is expected to draw daily crowds of 65,000 to 70,000 people over the weekend. Over a hundred firefighters were in attendance, with a dozen fire engines, but their best efforts could not prevent the destruction of the 150-metre main stage and its 200 speakers, fountains, and spotlights. 
 
An investigation has been launched into the incident by the local prosecutor's office, but the reason for the fire is not yet known, although there is speculation in the media that it was caused by pyrotechnics. The fire service was deployed throughout the night to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. No injuries were reported, and work is now underway to dismantle the wreckage.

Luxembourgish attendees share their experience

Despite the fire, the campsite opened as normal on Thursday morning, welcoming the first festival-goers. Among them were 16 Luxembourgers, who departed the Grand Duchy at 6.30am to make their way to the festival. One attendee, Michael Povoas, spoke to RTL to share his impressions of the site.

"We're currently waiting at the entrance gates to be let inside, but it could take some time. The atmosphere is really good, people are dancing, drinking, there is music. Really, the atmosphere is like any other year. It's just the fact that the main stage is no longer there, but I think people here understand that."

Guests are no doubt glad the festival has yet to be cancelled, but organisers were said to still be debating whether the event should even go ahead.

© Michael Povoas

In the meantime, Tomorrowland organisers have officially confirmed that just the main stage was affected by the blaze, and it has not impacted other stages and the rest of the festival site. However, alongside the necessary reorganisation of the line-up, there remains the question of security, and above all whether it can be guaranteed for the 60,000 odd people who are planning to attend the festival. The organisers were working closely with local authorities and had decided to proceed with the campsite opening as normal, but the rest would largely depend on whether the authorities grant permission, spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told RTL Belgium.

"We have to wait and see about Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The experts will tell us what is possible with the rest of the site. Of course it will have an impact, but we hope to know more by Friday."

RTBF quoted the fire service as saying the situation could change from hour to hour. The latest updates were due to occur at 12.30pm. It is possible that a new main stage could be built in time for the second part of the festival in two weekends' time, but it would be impossible to achieve in time for this Saturday, meaning the event would be missing its heart for the opening weekend.

The Orbyz main stage is special for festival-goers, said Michael Povoas:

"Among us are people who have attended seven times. Each year they change the stage with different themes and concepts. Tomorrowland stands out because they have such spectacular stages, with the pyrotechnics and everything else. It's a shame that it will be different this year, but it's very fortunate that no one was hurt."

Two Luxembourgish DJs, DJ Nosi and Djane Ogazon, are set to appear at the festival on Saturday. Both acts are still waiting for further details from the organisers.