It’s the news of the month before, during and after the show. Tomorrowland is THE event. We don’t need to tell you about its notoriety or why the massive festival in Boom continues to break records. But if you look at it in perspective, the biggest spot for artists and ravers will also give you clues as to where the industry is heading. Rising genres, artists and the way they get noticed. Tomorrowland 2023 was the icing on the cake to an impressive season, but what are the conclusions?
Legends endure on the mainstage by adapting
Tomorrowland has always been the festival of headliners. Avicii, NERVO, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike or Afrojack are the names that are automatically linked to the Belgian macro-event. And the truth is, many of them still keep their place at the top but not without adapting their sound to what the crowd demands nowadays.
Many of them are associated with the era of progressive house, big room and EDM and removing that label is no easy task. Even so, we still see the lovely Mim and Liv rocking thousands of people on the mainstage or the Thivaios brothers playing hard. It’s clear that new faces are coming to the industry titan, but we all know that watching these legends still gives us the goosebumps. Whatever they play.
Remixes of timeless classics and music in Spanish exploded
Steve Aoki playing the lyrics to ‘La Gata Bajo la Lluvia’ by legendary Spanish singer Rocio Durcal on the mainstage. Yes, it happened. And it’s happening more and more. Spanish music is booming and Tomorrowland was a living reflection of that. Is it the Rosalía effect, or reggaeton? What we do know is that the latter has been controversial because of the presence of Maluma during Gordo‘s set, also on the mainstage. The old croaks obviously don’t find it funny, but what is clear is that it’s everywhere and we have to accept it.
Some examples outside Tomorrowland are the viral I Hate Models remix of ‘Toro’ or the English Charlie Sparks at Monegros, who seems to be releasing an official remix of ‘Mari Carmen’ by La Pegatina.
Techno, but increasingly varied
At this point in life, the lines between main genre and sub-genres are no longer noticeable. In the same song you can find sounds of techno, trance and Nepalese folk.
Techno is objectively conquering the scene. But it’s no longer just our idolised Amelie Lens and Charlotte de Witte that stand out. This year we’ve seen genres like psytrance take over the mainstage with Indira Paganotto, the Drumcode sound of Lilly Palmer and, of course, the melodic of Tale Of Us and company.
The latter continue to break records with Afterlife around the world. No video of their visuals fails to go viral on TikTok. We like the performance, but do we like the music? There are more than a few who say its days are numbered. Hard techno artists continue to climb the ranks, although they have not yet made the leap to the big time.
DJ banter as a new form of communication
This edition of Tomorrowland has also been full of funny moments, which many have taken advantage of to cause a sensation on social media. This was the case of Belgians Netsky and Lost Frequencies after a private Whatsapp conversation.
Lost Frequencies sent a voice note to Netsky beatboxing an edit that he had liked a lot, and the latter couldn’t think of anything else but to sample it and play it in the middle of his set before the drop. Undoubtedly, the kind of marketing that brings people together and engages nowadays. Bravo for them.
Hard music is still thriving, but keep an eye on drum and bass
The 19th edition of the festival was proof that hard sounds are in better shape than ever, especially rawstyle. The takeover of Q-Dance on the Freedom Stage, Da Tweekaz on the Mainstage, Footworkxx, Sefa in The Library… And the list goes on. Although it doesn’t come as a surprise. Just look at how well the harder styles artists are doing all over the world.
What is really noticeable is the rise of drum and bass. Belgium is the country of Rampage, so it’s about time to give it the attention it deserves. The most liquid side of the genre has had the strongest impact this year, with the young Andromedik representing the mainstage and the Rampage brand takover during both weekends at The Rose Garden.
Everyone will draw their own conclusions from Tomorrowland 2023 based on their own tastes, but we can all agree that the festival is still a real blast. But buckle up, because in 2024 it will be their 20th anniversary and promises to be more explosive than ever. And you, what was your favourite thing about this edition?
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