Metallica’s Gear Powers a Miraculous Main Stage Rebuild at Tomorrowland 2025
In an extraordinary turn of events, Tomorrowland 2025 kicked off right on schedule—just days after its main stage was devastated by fire. Thanks to a rapid overnight response, the festival’s iconic main stage was rebuilt using touring equipment from none other than Metallica.According to Belgian media outlet HLN, the gear used to create a temporary main stage came from Metallica’s WorldWired Tour. The components had been in storage in Austria after the band’s European shows and were airlifted directly to Boom, Belgium in a high-stakes logistical operation.
From Metal to Magic: Martin Garrix Thanks the Band
Martin Garrix, one of the festival’s headliners, took to Instagram to express his gratitude. Posting a picture alongside Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich, Garrix wrote: “I can not believe I’m actually typing this... but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening!”He continued: “Massive love and a big shoutout to the incredible Tomorrowland team for pulling off miracles — and to Metallica for coming through with the new stage parts...”
Less Than 24 Hours to Build a Stage
A specialized team was assigned to construct the emergency setup with fewer than 24 hours before opening. Despite the near-impossible timeline, Tomorrowland opened its gates to festival-goers at 2 PM today, July 18, with the revamped main stage coming alive with its first DJ set by 4 PM.Organizers Call It a Miracle
Speaking with reporters from DJ Mag, Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen called the turnaround a “miracle.”“Two hours ago we were still demolishing the old stage,” she revealed. “It is a miracle and we are beyond happy to be opening.”
As fans flood in for the world-famous EDM event, the festival’s resilience—and an unexpected assist from rock legends Metallica—have turned a near-disaster into one of the most inspiring stories in Tomorrowland’s history.
