How Metallica Rescued Tomorrowland 2025 with a WorldWired Tour Miracle

21 July 2025 rocknews

Heavy metal legends Metallica have stepped in to save Tomorrowland 2025 after a devastating fire destroyed the festival’s main stage. The band’s WorldWired Tour stage, stored in Austria, was airlifted to Belgium, enabling the EDM festival to proceed as planned.

The Fire That Threatened Tomorrowland

On July 16, 2025, a massive fire erupted during pyrotechnics testing at Tomorrowland’s Orbyz Mainstage in Boom, Belgium, destroying approximately 75% of the structure just two days before the festival’s July 18 opening. No injuries were reported, but the incident left organizers scrambling for a solution.

Metallica’s Heroic Intervention

In an unprecedented move, Metallica provided elements of their WorldWired Tour stage, built by Belgian company Stageco, which was stored in Austria post the 2019 European leg. The touring rig, designed for rapid assembly in under 24 hours, was airlifted overnight and assembled by a dedicated crew, ensuring the festival kicked off at 2 PM on July 18 with the first DJ set at 4 PM.

Stage Details: WorldWired Meets EDM

The WorldWired stage, known for its massive video walls and speaker arrays from the 2016-2019 tour supporting Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, brought a metal edge to Tomorrowland’s electronic vibe. The setup, adaptable for stadiums, was reconfigured with lighting and visuals tailored for EDM acts like Martin Garrix and David Guetta.

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Fan and Artist Reactions

Martin Garrix expressed gratitude on Instagram, posting a photo with Lars Ulrich: “I can not believe I’m actually typing this… but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening! Massive love to the Tomorrowland team and Metallica for the new stage parts.”

The Build Process: A Race Against Time

Crews worked tirelessly, transporting components via trucks and airlift, with Stageco’s expertise enabling a 36-hour rebuild. The new stage, though smaller than the original 45-meter-high, 160-meter-wide Orbyz, delivered a seamless experience, proving the versatility of Metallica’s touring rig.

Tomorrowland’s Resilience and Lineup

Despite the setback, Tomorrowland 2025 runs through July 28, featuring headliners like Swedish House Mafia, Axwell, and Eric Prydz across 15 stages. The main stage’s survival has been hailed as a testament to music community solidarity.

Metallica’s Legacy and Future Tours

Metallica’s generosity aligns with their All Within My Hands Foundation’s disaster relief efforts, including recent $100,000 donations for Texas floods. The band’s M72 World Tour resumes in Australia in November 2025 and returns to Europe in May 2026.

Metallica’s heroic stage rescue turns tragedy into triumph at Tomorrowland!” This cross-genre collaboration highlights music’s unifying power, ensuring Tomorrowland’s legacy endures.