Page 7 - We Rave You Magazine | July 2022

EDITORIAL > A HISTORY OF TOMORROWLAND

“After a couple of years of building itself up and establishing a

solid foundation, Tomorrowland was starting to turn heads in a

serious way, which resulted in its third edition in 2007 to expand
to 2 days”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS THE FORMATIVE YEARS
It’s hard to believe that Tomorrowland wasn’t always this A lot had happened between the 2010, 2011 and 2012
massive, global spectacle but this was the reality for its first editions. Seen by many as three of the most pivotal editions
edition on 14 August 2005. With a tiny mainstage and not in Tomorrowland’s history, these are three editions that put
many other stages, it was more of an event that attracted the festival on the map forever.
locals rather than those from all corners of the earth.
Nevertheless, the lineup was just as stacked back then as it 2010:
is today, with the likes of Armin van Buuren, Coone, Justice,
Breaking records, the festival managed to sell out just a
and Ferry Corsten in attendance. It is said that around
few days ahead of the event and saw its attendee size hit
10,000 people attended this first edition with the organisers
an all-time high at an estimated 120,000 people in just two
even giving out free tickets to fill the venue, which is pretty
days. The ‘Zon (sun)’ theme saw the iconic blowup rainbow
hard to believe when you look at images of the mainstage
hit the mainstage (which fans will see is now paid homage
crowd from more recent editions.
to within the entryways and exits of Dreamville). The likes of
Swedish House Mafia also performed what would go on to
GROWTH AND EXPANSION
be considered one of the most iconic sets of the festival’s
Starting to make a name for itself in the electronic festival history that year.
circuit, many others started to pay attention to this rapidly
growing event. After a couple of years of building itself up 2011:
and establishing a solid foundation, Tomorrowland was
For the first time, Tomorrowland expanded to three days in
TOMORROWLAND 2005 - PC:DAILYMICHAEL.BE starting to turn heads in a serious way, which resulted in its
2011 and it has never looked back. In line with how it usually
third edition in 2007 to expand to 2 days for the first time in
sells out in today’s world, the festival managed to sell out
its history. On 28 & 29 July, the mainstage size and design
only a few days after the presale had ended, proving that it
also started to grow with its exceedingly bigger attendance
had officially become one of the biggest, most in-demand
size. Just a year later, it was the first time that they had over
festivals in the entire world with around 180,000 people
100 artists on the lineup, fitting with the demand to be part
enjoying the festivities that year. Due to its notoriety, it
of this event and make history, with over 50,000 attendees
gained its first-ever award nomination for Best Music Event
for the first time.
at the International Dance Music Awards.
INTRODUCING A THEME
2012:
Part of what has made Tomorrowland so well known and
This edition is highly regarded and is perhaps one of the
set apart from any other event is how it goes all out with its
most legendary to date. Its theme, The Book of Wisdom,
themes, being totally unique and different every year. For
was the one chosen to make a return for its 15th anniversa-
the first few editions though, there was no theme involved,
ry in 2019. Although it’s a known thing that now, those who
and this was only an addition to the experience starting
have Belgian residency get a dedicated ticket sale, this
from 2009. This was the year that saw Tomorrowland really
edition was the first time that this idea was introduced. As
up their game when it came to not only the lineup, but the
a nod to where it all started and wanting to, in a way, give
immersive designs and overall effort to create even more
back to its local community, around 80,000 tickets were
of a unique fan experience. Masker was the theme’s name,
set aside for Belgian citizens. By now, it was proving to be
and saw the mainstage match it perfectly: a huge, purple
notoriously difficult to get tickets, proven further by nearly
masked face. What was also fun about this is the fact that
200,000 tickets selling out in less than one day. It is also said
the design was thoroughly thought out and was cleverly
that close to 2 million people were signed up on the waiting
integrated into the DJ booth, with mainstage performers
list for the chance to attend that year. After being nominat-
being situated inside the mouth of the Masker. As every-
ed the year earlier at the International Dance Music Awards,
one would come to know, the theme was something that
it was nominated for the second year in a row but this time,
worked wonders for the popularity of the festival and the
it beat its competitors to win the award. This isn’t the only
growth of a storyline surrounding it all.
award it won that year either, as DJ Awards voted it the Best
TOMORROWLAND 2009 - PC: BART WERBROUCK
International Dance Music Festival.
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