Have you ever experienced something so powerful that it slowly started to trickle its way into your everyday life? Tomorrowland 2019 did just that for us. For years now my friends and I have only dreamt about one day attending the mecca of all music festivals.
With fate on our side, we were able to get our hands on a ticket. What happened next, went above and beyond our wildest expectations. On Friday, July 26, 2019, to Sunday, July 28, 2019, all of our hopes and dreams became a reality. To find out what happened, check it out below! Upon entering the festival’s gate, we scanned our Tomorrowland wristband. We could almost feel the rave Gods crossing off this ultimate goal from our bucket list.
ATMOSPHERE
The sheer sense of togetherness, bliss, and joy that Tomorrowland had to offer instantly wiggled its way into our hearts. What made the atmosphere different compared to other festivals is the slogan, “live today, love tomorrow, unite forever“. Uniting together, no matter one’s background, and sharing the same passion for EDM, is a gift that we will always treasure.
Seeing everyone’s beaming smiles, and hearing the faint sounds of the bass in the distance, reinforced the fact that we had made it to Tomorrowland. The lines were short, the staff was welcoming, and everyone was ready to conquer the last weekend of the fest’. Flags from around the globe were proudly sported, and instantly emphasized the bounding experience that Tomorrowland is distinguished by.
SAFETY & SECURITY
To ensure that all partygoers stayed safe, airport-grade metal detectors were installed at the entrance. In addition, friendly staff members distributed clear plastic bags for electronic devices, speeding up the entry process. Furthermore, numerous and well-identified paramedic tents were on-site, offering judgment-free zones for anyone needing any kind of assistance.
STAGES
We couldn’t contain our excitement. We made our way to one of the nearest stages to begin to soak in the magic held within Tomorrowland’s grounds. Throughout the weekend, we had the opportunity to discover the captivating beauty of the incredible stages.
In the past, we’ve been blown away by the magnitude of the stages at well-known festivals such as Ultra Music Festival and EDC Las Vegas. Without any doubts or hesitations, we can proudly confirm that Tomorrowland is truly in a league of its own. Whether it’s a smaller stage such as the Rave Cave or a larger stage like the Freedom Stage, we were never disappointed.
Every stage was distinguished by its unique traits. One truly needs to witness the attention to detail, elaborate thought, and sheer scale of the stages to begin to comprehend their extraordinary beauty. Over the course of the day, the stage designs became even more mind-blowing and intricate.
Take the Rose Garden stage, for example. During the day, the dragon’s wings offered shade. When the sun had set, the tail lit up with fire.
When we think of Tomorrowland, our mind instantly goes to the legendary Mainstage. We couldn’t wait to see if it lived up to our expectations. When we walked through the beautifully designed arches, reflecting the Book of Wisdom theme, we could have cried. The overwhelming feeling of pure bliss overcame us.
Like our readers, we’ve watched the aftermovies, or have seen the Mainstage via clips on YouTube, but it’s even better in person. The magnitude of the stage alongside the attention to detail is out of this world! The Mainstage heavily reflected the theme, paid tribute to Avicii, and left an Easter egg potentially revealing next year’s theme.
Even after spending the entire weekend at the fest’, we continuously discovered special touches added to each of the stages. We were in constant awe! It’s safe to say that the Mainstage, along with the other incredible stages, went above and beyond our expectations.
PERFORMANCES
Speaking of surpassing expectations, we absolutely need to touch on the outstanding performances by those billed to play. We were very lucky to have had the opportunity to witness some of the best DJs in the industry.
We kicked off the first day by seeing the one and only Boris Brejcha completely destroy the Mainstage with his killer energy and expertly chosen tracks. Other standout performances on day one included Patrick Topping, Adam Beyer b2b Ida Engberg, Chuckie, Eelke Kleijn, Eric Prydz, The Chainsmokers, and Carl Cox.
We almost couldn’t contain our excitement for day two as we were finally able to see FISHER for the first time. The hilarious Australian lived up to the hype by unleashing an undeniably entertaining set on the Mainstage.
Day two was very techno-focused and included show-stopping performances by a long list of A-list musicians in the genre. Some of our favorite performances included John 00 Fleming vs. Paul Thomas, Vini Vici, Astrix, and Tale of Us. We’re positive you’ve seen some clips from Salvatore Ganacci‘s performance, and we can confirm it was just as gloriously out-there as one could have hoped.
Stepping into day 3, we were geared up to push through the fatigue to send off Tomorrowland 2019 with a bang! Although Layton Giordani, Enrico Sangiuliano, Cirez D, and Adam Beyer ‘Drumcode Closing Set’ kept us moving, the Symphony of Unity truly stole the show. The 60-piece orchestra, conducted by Dirk Brossé, paid tribute to many of EDM’s most legendary songs. If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, click here.
Looking back at this infamous moment is giving us goosebumps. The sense of unity was in full force at this particular moment. The impeccable talent and impressive transformations of the anthems will truly leave you speechless – like we were that Sunday afternoon…
We’d like to give a special shoutout to all of the artists who performed over the course of the weekend. Although some played more-so than others, no act went unnoticed and will forever be appreciated by all. Lastly, the 15-anniversary edition of the festival offered spectacular and once in a lifetime performances such as the 15Y Spectacle. We absolutely can’t wait to relive the magic soon (thanks, YouTube)!
SPECIAL TOUCHES & ATTENTION TO DETAIL
In addition to the stages and performances, the impressive attention to detail at the festival is what sets it far apart from all of the others. We could spend days talking about the undeniable beauty and intricacy of the stages, however, many do not know about the additional special touches.
When weekend 2 kickstarted, it was extremely hot. Tomorrowland’s team is truly brilliant – they installed spray deodorant stations to keep partygoers smelling fresh. Another smart preventative measure to ensure that all we were kept safe during the heatwave was sliced watermelons distributed to keep everyone cool and refreshed.
Speaking of food, the numerous food vendors offered a wide range of options, catering to all food preferences. We suggest you try the burger, it was delicious! A Post Office was also in place to keep ravers in touch with their loved ones from across the globe, reinforcing the “unity” value that the festival prides themselves on. Truthfully, we could speak for weeks about the attention to detail. The Tomorrowland experience is one that everyone should live; their team thinks of everything!
PERFORMERS/SPECIAL ACTS
At Tomorrowland, the performers not only enjoy their “job” but are overjoyed to sprinkle additional happiness into the partygoer’s overall experience. The complexity of the costumes and makeup, the captivating theatrics, and the undeniable joy exuded by the acts gave us chills. We were in awe of their talent and thank them for their contagious positivity.
Furthermore, we also want to extend our appreciation to all of the other staff members who made this festival experience what it is today. From those who were discretely picking up garbage, or to the hardworking organizers who made the festival come to life, no action went unnoticed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tomorrowland 2019 has fulfilled everything and more than what we could have ever dreamed of! Meeting so many kind-hearted people, bounding together through the love of music, living life to the fullest, and ultimately, crossing off one of our ultimate goals is a gift that we will forever cherish.
Coming back to our everyday life has been bittersweet, but we promise to continue to spread the joy, unity, and love, that Tomorrowland has taught us. People of Tomorrow, take what you have experienced this summer, and spread the gifts that you have learned with the universe. Everyone deserves to live a life like within the Tomorrowland grounds…
