Cheers erupted from the crowd and organizers breathed a sigh of relief as Tomorrowland officially kicked off on Friday—just 48 hours after a massive fire engulfed the main stage and cast doubt over one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals.
Since Wednesday, crews had been working around the clock to clear debris from the elaborate stage backdrop that was destroyed in the blaze. Despite the setback, Australian electronic duo Nervo took to the main stage with only a slight delay, shouting “We made it!” as charred stage structures still loomed behind them.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to festival organizers. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Held annually just outside the Belgian town of Boom, Tomorrowland draws hundreds of thousands of fans from around the globe. By Friday, around 38,000 people were already camping on-site, according to Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen.
“There might be a very small percentage asking for refunds, but most people are still here,” Wilmsen told the Associated Press. “This festival is all about unity, and with the positive energy and good vibes our attendees share with each other—and the music we offer—I think they’ll still have an amazing time. We really gave it our all.”
For many, the fire was just a bump in the road to a long-awaited dream. Australian fans Zak Hiscock and Brooke Antoniou, who traveled halfway around the world for the festival as part of a European summer trip, recalled how they found out about the blaze.
“We were having dinner when we heard the stage was on fire. We were devastated… pretty upset because we’d come such a long way,” said Hiscock.
Ukrainian visitor Oleksandr Beshkynskyi expressed his joy that the festival was moving forward as planned.
“It’s not just about one or two DJs,” he said. “It’s about the whole vibe—and keeping the dream alive.”