Yesterday is history. Today is a gift. Tomorrow is a mystery.
These three sentences were the slogan for one of the largest and most legendary EDM festivals in the world: Tomorrowland.
As a frequent house music concertgoer, I had high expectations for this behemoth of a festival, which garnered buzz earlier this year after it released a YouTube promo video that captured 13 million+ views.
Below are three reasons why Tomorrowland met my expectations:
1. The Production: The theme of Tomorrowland was magical mysticism, a world in which we escape reality and travel to a land where anything can happen, where mythical creatures rule, where dreams come true. This theme came to life through the enchanting décor of the 16 stages of the festival and their surrounding walkways, bridges, and hangout areas.
The main stage was decorated with huge fairy tale books – their electro-inspired titles included “Beauty of the Beat” and “All the Right Moves.” The stage’s décor was enhanced when costumed creatures such as a joker and a midget with devil horns hopped around onstage, specifically during Dmitri Vegas and Like Mike’s set. Another stage boasted a cartoonish multicolor castle – a golden sun with blue moving eyes held court in the center of it while a giant Ferris wheel stood
behind. But my favorite surprise was the stage in a cave…yes, there was a rave in the middle of a cave.
The grandiose production also included shots of fire during big drops, gorgeous and colorful fireworks shows (especially during Guetta’s set), and bright smoke shooters during the daytime.
2. The Sets: The big names – Avicii, Guetta, and Alesso, to name a few – did not blow me away. The heavy hitters tried to appeal to a diverse international crowd, playing many of the same tracks and sounding repetitive. My fellow rager and I wanted to shoot ourselves in the feet after hearing “Kick Out the Epic Motherfucker” for the 57th time.
Avicii – Live Set @Tomorrowland 2012 by Tomorrowland 2012
It was French DJ Tristan Garner that blew my mind with the most innovative set I have seen in a long time. Garner intricately combined big-room bangers with classic rock jams, mashing the likes of Pink Floyd, Oasis and Nirvana with his own hits and those of Skrillex, Nicky Romero, Quintino and Cazzette. Garner also weaved the renowned tracks of Daft Punk and Justice into his bootlegs, taking this uniquely epic set to another level. The most explosive track Garner dropped? Hard Rock Sofa & Swanky Tunes Vs. Dada Life Vs. Wolfgang Gartner - Here We Space Wolf (Gregori Klosman Bootleg)
✖ Tristan Garner Rockin’ Tomorrowland 2012 by Tristan GARNER
3. The Crowd: The vastly European audience of sixty thousand dance devotees was certainly guido-free, making me one happy camper. Donning less neon and fewer cheesy T-shirts than the stateside ragers, the predominantly male Euro crowd brought an energy and enthusiasm that made this festival come to life. They got down differently than their American counterparts, too – the Euro-bros stood on their friends’ shoulders to get a better view, waving their country’s flags in the air – American chicks just sit on their guys’ shoulders. The USA folk still reigned supreme in one arena though – we had far superior fist pumps.
Can’t wait to catch the magic madness next year.
-Jourdann Lubliner
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One Comment
Hey Jourdann,
I am brasilian and I am looking foward to Tomorrowland 2013.
I’m already looking for plane tickets and researching the best way to have the most intense experience next year. Did you have trouble to buy tickets for the festival? How is camping?
Would luv to talk about festivals around the world, I am a freshman on the e-music world.
Beijos
Bai