REVIEW: Tomorrowland Day 1 @ De Schorre (Boom, Belgium) 26-07-13 by Lindsay Cabrera

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pic1As the day I had anticipated finally arrived, the feeling of anxiousness depleted as I checked in for my flight at YYZ. Days before, I was walking around with knots of excitement to the point of feeling ill; it was uncontrollable. Usually this occurs before any major festival or EDM event, but this time it was taking over me. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, all I could think about was Tomorrowland and the preparation involved: packing, completing all my work, and any few last minute things.  As I waited at my gate to depart to Brussels, a strange feeling of calm came over me…

As a publicist for EDM artists, I was informed via a Skype meeting that my South American duo HIIO (www.hiio.net) would be performing at Tomorrowland this year and if I wanted to come for the journey, I was more than welcome. I of course took this opportunity – it would be rude not to after all.

I arrived to Brussels at 8AM, and luckily for me, our hotel was connected to the airport. Jet-lagged to the max, I tried checking in early, only to find out I had to wait. So I took over the hotel lobby couches and passed out until, an hour later I was able to check in. I was relieved to get a nap in before we had to head over to Boom Brussels for the day. I got under the covers, only to get a message from Nico – of HIIO – to come down for some breakfast. I decided I should eat something, then get a nap in. That nap never happened. We ate, I got myself together, and the HIIO crew loaded up into the Tomorrowland Artist shuttle on our way to our first day of magic.

After a 30 minute drive, we entered the town of Boom and the Tomorrowland grounds. As I passed through, I started to see groups of festival goers walking with smiles on their faces, geared up in festival attire, flags of various nationalities, and excitement. We were kindly greeted by the Tomorrowland staff as we checked in at the Artist camp. There, we sat down on a beautiful patio surrounded by many talented artists, coming through to check in, grab a bite, mingle and prepare before they headed to their sets. Passing through, we ran into Fedde Le Grand (big supporter of HIIO), John Digweed, Nervo, No ID, Steve Aoki, Toronto’s Dzeko & Torres, and a few others along the way.

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Ortzy, Lindsay, and Nico

It was 1:00PM and time for HIIO to head over to the Samsung Galaxy Secret Forest Stage. We were taken through the backstage roads to near where our stage was, and from there we trekked by foot into the Tomorrowland madness, where we got just a glimpse of the festival grounds. When we arrived Dux & Mr. DUM we’re finishing up with a crazy energetic crowd raging out on a stage that was essentially floating on a small lake. Nico and Ortzy of HIIO geared up for their set, and it went off! The stage was literally shaking from all the people jumping up and down, I for sure thought this stage was going to sink. The bartender’s fridges were moving back and forth, and everyone was going crazy – but no one seemed to mind that we were potentially going down. It was a moment in time where I took a look around at where I was standing and what was actually happening and all I could do was smile and take it in. HIIO ripped the Samsung Galaxy dance floor for one hour and were just dripping with sweat when they got off the decks. We then went right into interviews, which was perfect since their adrenaline was thriving right after their set.

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HIIO set at The Samsung Secret Galaxy Forest Stage – Friday July 26, 2013 – Day 1

It all happened so quickly, but it was now time to make our way over to the Main Stage. We took the back roads to avoid the hoards of people. As we got closer, the bass was vibrating up through my body, and I could see an entrance out from the Artist back roads into the Main Stage – I got goosebumps. There we were, FINALLY! Main Stage; where Fedde Le Grand had just started. It was unreal.

Walking into Main Stage – Tomorrowland Day 1

Walking into Main Stage – Tomorrowland Day 1

Main Stage – Tomorrowland 2013 - Day 1

Main Stage – Tomorrowland 2013 – Day 1

This year ID&T created more than just another music festival. It was a theme park surrounded by lakes and ponds and rolling hills of green and bridges, which lead to more majestic stages and awe. The Main Stage was set up as a massive volcano with waterfalls, and of course, fantasy décor and characters. With 400 artists, 180,000 attendees, 15 stages, countless art installations and very helpful and friendly staff, Tomorrowland has set the bar extremely high for all music festivals World Wide.

Some of the stages for day Day 1 included a Carl Cox & Friends Stage (Loco Dice, Marco Carola, John Digweed + More), Dim Mak Stage (Steve Aoki, Felix Cartel, Datsik +more) Paradise Stage (Jamie Jones, Art Department, Infinity Ink + More), and of course the Main Stage featuring Tiesto, Hardwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)

Day one is officially done, and now only 2 more to go! I’ll of course have two more reviews and pictures to follow.

Follow Lindsay Cabrera on her Social Media for more Tomorrowland Updates and photos:

Twitter: @LindsayCabrera

Instagram: LindsayCabrera_

 

 

 

Carl Cox at the Carl Cox & Friends Stage – Day 1

 

Day 1 of Tomorrowland TV features performances from Tiësto, Hardwell, Afrojack, Carl Cox, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Fedde Le Grand, Loco Dice, Quintino, Red Foo and Steve Aoki.

 

Tomorrowland TV – Day 1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzD3s1jZNvY&feature=player_embedded

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