How did Metallica help save Tomorrowland 2025 after the main stage fire? Details explored

Legendary metal band Metallica have played a major role in saving Tomorrowland 2025.

On July 16, just two days before the opening of Tomorrowland 2025, a massive fire engulfed the event's main stage in Boom, Belgium, according to Complex. The 45-meter-high structure was reduced to rubble. With 70,000 attendees expected and headliners like Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Deadmau5, and Martin Garrix on the bill, the future of this year's festival was left unsure.

However, the festival is now saved by Metallica. Tomorrowland 2025 was able to proceed as scheduled, with a reimagined stage setup.

Metallica had recently wrapped the European leg of their "M72 World Tour," and their stage setup — including modular rigs, video walls, sound systems, and trusses — was in storage in nearby Austria. After the tragic incident, Metallica allowed the use of major components from their retired "WorldWired Tour" rig, which were airlifted overnight and transported to Belgium.

In less than 24 hours, construction teams and technical crews pieced together a makeshift stage in time for the festival's opening. The revamped main stage opened to attendees at 2 pm on Friday, July 18, 2025. The first DJ set began two hours later. Despite the last-minute build, the new setup accommodated lighting, sound, and visuals without serious technical issues.

About the fire

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, fire broke out and "severely damaged" the Tomorrowland main stage. Local authorities advised residents to keep windows shut as 10,000 onsite workers rushed to contain the flames. No injuries were reported. However, the blaze destroyed the custom-built structure.

According to Rolling Stone, Debby Wilmsen, spokesperson for Tomorrowland, acknowledged the impact, stating:

"Years of love and passion have gone into building that stage. Those teams are devastated. Tomorrow, 38,000 festival-goers will arrive. We are really looking forward to that, and we are going to give them a warm welcome. We are going to make it a wonderful festival.”

Martin Garrix thanked Metallica after their intervention to save Tomorrowland 2025

One of the first artists to perform on the rebuilt stage was Dutch DJ Martin Garrix. He publicly thanked the heavy metal legends. Taking to his official Instagram page, Martin wrote:

"I can not believe I'm actually typing this… but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening! 🙏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 🤘❤️ beyond excited to close the mainstage tonight. & this will hands down be the most unique Tomorrowland ever — and yes, I will be streaming it too. lets make history. WE UNITE ❤️"

Notably, this is not the first time Metallica has come to the rescue. Through their charitable organization, All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH), the band has donated significantly to emergency relief and disaster response efforts. Recently, they contributed $100,000 to Texas flood relief via Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen.

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