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  • Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 Starts In Boom On July 17 – First Weekend Expected To Draw A Massive EDM Crowd

    Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 opens its first festival weekend at De Schorre in Boom on Friday, July 17, followed by two more days of electronic music through Sunday, July 19. A second weekend runs from July 24 to 26.

    According to the official Tomorrowland website, the event is sold out. The Belgian edition is expected to welcome about 400,000 visitors across both weekends, representing more than 200 countries and filling 16 stages.

    Weekend 1 brings major sets from Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers, Sebastian Ingrosso, John Summit, Alesso, Fisher and Armin van Buuren.

    The scale matters for Boom, a small Belgian municipality between Antwerp and Brussels. For six festival days, De Schorre becomes a major global meeting point for electronic dance music, while rail services, shuttle routes and local roads absorb an international audience.

    Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 at a Glance

    Festival access begins at noon each day, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday. DreamVille campers arrive earlier for the Thursday opening party known as The Gathering. The official opening hours confirm the daily schedule and final entry times.

    Detail Confirmed Information
    Venue De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
    Weekend 1 July 17 to 19, 2026
    Weekend 2 July 24 to 26, 2026
    Friday and Saturday 12:00 to 01:00
    Sunday 12:00 to 00:00
    Theme Consciencia
    Ticket status Sold out
    Festival scale About 400,000 visitors across two weekends
    Program Hundreds of artists across 16 stages

    Performers from more than 40 nationalities will appear in 2026, according to the official lineup announcement. The audience is expected to come from more than 200 countries, giving the event a reach closer to a global cultural gathering than a regional music festival.

    How Large Will the First Weekend Crowd Be?

    Weekend 1 is likely to account for roughly half of the festival’s two-weekend audience, although Tomorrowland has not published a separate attendance figure for July 17 to 19.

    The official benchmark is about 400,000 visitors across both weekends, based on the festival’s published attendance and event figures. An even split suggests around 200,000 admissions per weekend, but that number is a planning estimate rather than an audited count of unique people.

    Three-day pass holders attend repeatedly, day-ticket guests change daily, and DreamVille campers remain in the area throughout the weekend. The sold-out status still points to full demand and heavy movement around Boom station, festival entrances, shuttle points and nearby roads.

    Organizers warn drivers about congestion and road closures. The official transport guidance recommends following event signs rather than relying entirely on GPS directions near the festival grounds.

    Who Is Playing During Weekend 1?

     

     
     
     
     
     
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    A post shared by Dimitri “Vegas” Thivaios (@dimitrivegas)

    Weekend 1 combines mainstream EDM, techno, house, drum and bass, hard dance, Afro House and large audiovisual productions.

    Friday’s Mainstage broadcast moves through Vintage Culture, NERVO, Marlon Hoffstadt and Novah before The Chainsmokers at 21:40, Sebastian Ingrosso at 22:45 and Martin Garrix at 23:45.

    Saturday places Boris Brejcha, John Newman and Fisher ahead of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, followed by David Guetta at 23:30. Sunday features John Summit, Alesso and Calvin Harris, with Harris scheduled for 22:50. An official surprise slot appears at 19:40.

    The published livestream timetable also highlights Freedom Stage appearances from Miss Monique, Mind Against, Symphony of Unity, Netsky, Armin van Buuren, Chase & Status and Alok. All published times are in Central European Summer Time.

    Calvin Harris is one of the defining bookings for 2026. The Scottish producer appeared at TomorrowWorld in the United States in 2013, but 2026 marks his first Mainstage performance at Tomorrowland Belgium. He headlines Sunday of Weekend 1 and Saturday of Weekend 2.

    What Makes the 2026 Program Different?

    Consciencia gives the edition a creative framework built around emotion, connection and unity. The official Consciencia theme announcement says the concept will provide a shared visual identity for Tomorrowland events in France, Belgium and Thailand during 2026.

    Friday, July 17, brings Tomorrowland’s first full Afro House lineup at the Melodia stage, including Da Capo, Caiiro, Enoo Napa, Thakzin, AWEN and Rosey Gold. CORE, Freedom, Atmosphere and The Great Library add melodic house, techno, hard techno, bass music and orchestral reinterpretations.

    Dedicated audiovisual shows are planned for Amelie Lens, Mind Against, Armin van Buuren, Netsky, Fisher and James Hype, along with Alok’s Rave The World production. Fans therefore have reason to build schedules around stage concepts and production formats, rather than headliners alone.

    The return carries added production interest after a fire destroyed the Mainstage shortly before the 2025 edition opened. No injuries were reported, and organizers kept the festival running with an adapted setup. Reporting on the 2025 Mainstage fire showed the scale of the disruption. The 2026 Mainstage is therefore likely to receive unusually close attention from fans and the live-events industry.

    How Should Visitors Travel to Boom?

    Train travel is the clearest option for guests staying in Antwerp. Boom station is about a 20-minute walk from the entrance, and extra night trains will run to Antwerpen-Centraal after each festival day.

    The trains end in Antwerp and offer no guaranteed onward connections to other cities, so late-night transfers need advance planning. Rail tickets must also be purchased online before travel. Tomorrowland warns that tickets will not be sold at the festival site and that travelling without one can lead to a €90 fine.

    Eligible ticket holders can use account-linked codes for a 40 percent discount on Belgian event-train fares. DreamVille guests arriving at Boom station can use a free camping shuttle.

    Official round-trip shuttles serve Brussels, while direct public buses connect Mechelen with Boom in about 45 minutes. City shuttles also depart from selected Belgian and Dutch cities. Drivers need parking vouchers and should expect temporary road closures.

    What Should Ticket Holders Know Before Entry?

    Tomorrowland Belgium has a strict minimum-age policy. Anyone born in 2008 may enter, even when their eighteenth birthday falls after the festival. Anyone born in 2009 or later will be refused, including guests accompanied by an adult. Full requirements appear in the official age policy.

    Friday and Saturday check-in closes at 22:00, while Sunday check-in ends at 21:00. Day bracelets do not allow re-entry after leaving, and standard Full Madness holders cannot leave and return on the same day.

    First-aid teams and a doctor remain on site during opening hours. Free earplugs are available from Info Points and first-aid booths. According to the festival’s medical and safety guidance, prescription medication should be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate for inspection at the entrance.

    Can Fans Watch Tomorrowland 2026 Online?

    Fans without tickets can follow both weekends through Tomorrowland’s website, official app and One World Radio. Live video will cover the Mainstage and Freedom Stage, while radio programming carries sets, interviews and coverage from additional stages.

    One World Radio plans daily coverage from 12:00 to 01:00 CEST, and selected performances and highlights will return throughout August. The online program gives viewers access to major sets without travelling to Belgium.

    Tomorrowland Weekend 1 Sets the Pace

    Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 begins on July 17 with a sold-out first weekend, a global audience and one of the year’s deepest electronic-music lineups. Sixteen stages, contrasting genres, detailed visual production and an international crowd turn De Schorre into a temporary music city.

    Transport planning, entry deadlines and a realistic stage schedule will matter as much as artist selection. Official streams offer a direct route into the Mainstage and Freedom Stage for viewers at home. Weekend 1 will establish the atmosphere for the second sold-out gathering on July 24 to 26.

  • CRISPY DANGER To Make Live Debut Supporting CHASING LANA This Weekend

    HEAVY fell in love with Melbourne outfit Crispy Danger the moment they sent in their debut single, Outta Control. A refreshing blend of rock, metal and darkwave – described as sounding like “a heavy metal disco” by the band – Outta Control introduced the world to Crispy Danger and ensured they were welcomed with open […]
  • Semblant – Two Members Leave

    In two announcements made two days apart, founding vocalist Sérgio Mazul and longtime drummer Welyntom “Thor” Sikora revealed their departures from Brazilian gothic metal band Semblant. Mazul was part of the band’s original lineup from 2006 and sang on all of their albums; Thor joined in 2013 and played on all albums except for the band’s 2010 debut, Last Night Of Mortality.
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  • Album Review: Imperium – Exodus Unknown

    Album Review: Imperium – Exodus Unknown

    Reviewed by Matthew Williams

    The British underground thrash scene is in reasonably good health right now with the likes of Oldham’s Tortured Demon, Derby’s Devastator and Norfolk’s Struck A Nerve leading the charge alongside old schoolers Lawnmower Deth. However, with the release of their debut album, London quintet Imperium could be about to join them as their modern thrash sound and razor-sharp riffs explode onto the scene.

    I first saw the group at Thrashchester in 2024 and commented back then that in vocalist Ben Porter they have a firebrand of a frontman with the riffs to back up their intensity. So, I was intrigued to review this album, to see how they’ve progressed in that period. It all starts with “Hell and High Water” which gives a great indicator as to what the album will sound like, with strong guitars, a great opening riff, huge drums, commanding vocals and a beastly bass sound.

    The album title track is next, led by drummer James Hawes, but it’s the bass from Jean-Raphael Cross that stands out for me before lead guitarist Hardip Sagoo takes control of proceedings. It’s a strong song that will be quite brutal in a live setting, and the solo midway through is particularly pleasing on the ear. “Reap What You Sow” has that kind of old school thrash intro, but with a modern twist, alongside an anthemic chorus line which will resonate with audiences, as they chant it back at a, no doubts, smiling band.

    Again, the guitar work is impressive from Sagoo and Scott Lomas and it leads into “Unstoppable” a further sonic assault on our senses. They mix their tempos well on this track, with a slower section before it bursts back to life with some crunchy guitar notes accompanying the tight rhythm section. They strip the sound back with a slower, ballad esque beginning to “The Gun” as the guitars become more of the focus with the drums being more forceful as the song progresses. The vocals are given a proper work out on this track, with Porter going through his range efficiently, and in parts he’s very Chuck Billy.

    They return to a heavier and faster sound on “Hangman” which has more venom to all aspects of their music and is easily my favourite song on the album. It’s relentless and I love hearing that bass lick just before the solo kicks in as the track flows effortlessly before another feisty little number entitled “Tread The Serpent”. With plenty of angry vocals to match the hostile composition, it clicks along at quite a speed, which is always great to hear. They end it off quite appropriately with “The End” a sombre, more reflective track, that demonstrates their varied approach to the entire album, which works well for them, to wrap up an absorbing debut release.

    For all the latest newsreviewsinterviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebooktwitter and instagram.

    The post Album Review: Imperium – Exodus Unknown appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

  • Listening Now : Strange Plants – What A Time

    Strange Plants strike the perfect balance between infectious indie rock and thoughtful social commentary on What A Time. Driving rhythms, jangly guitars, shimmering synths, and irresistibly catchy hooks propel the song forward, while its tongue-in-cheek lyrics offer a sharp reflection on digital overload and the dizzying pace of modern life. The contrast between upbeat melodies and underlying unease gives the track a compelling emotional tension, making it as thought-provoking as it is instantly memorable. Polished yet organic, What A Time is a vibrant slice of modern guitar pop that proves meaningful songwriting and irresistible melodies can coexist effortlessly.

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  • Firtan – New Album In Fall

    German black metal crew Firtan have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming album, Helios. The album will be released on October 2nd through AOP Records. Their fifth full-length, it follows 2024’s Ethos. The first single, “The Hierophant Way”, is scheduled for release soon.
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  • Inferno – The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair) (Review)

    Inferno are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their ninth album. 2013’s Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness, 2017’a Gnosis Kardias (of Transcension and Involution), and 2021’s Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity) were all strong releases of an esoteric nature. With four new songs that expand across 41 amorphous minutes, Inferno have arrived once … Continue reading “Inferno – The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair) (Review)”
  • LEPER COLONY release video single & details of new album

    LEPER COLONY drop the first brutal advance track ‘These Blades‘ taken from the deadly international trio’s new full-length “Back to Primal Sludge“. The third album of these death metal fanatics has been slated for release on October 9, 2026. Pre-sale link: https://spkr.store/collections/leper-colony LEPER COLONY comment on ‘These Blades’: “This ferocious track whips uptempo filth your way and opens up a new breathing hole in your neck”, shred-master Rogga Johansson claims. “Meaty, fully fleshed-out […]

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  • ABYSMAL GROWLS OF DESPAIR Unveils “Growth” Pt.1 & Pt.2 Video Experience from Torn

    UK-based funeral doom visionary Abysmal Growls Of Despair has released the video for “Growth,” split across two parts — Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 — due to its length. The single is a monumental composition taken from the acclaimed album Torn, available now via Wormholedeath. Rather than presenting the song as a single visual piece, “Growth” unfolds across two interconnected chapters, allowing […]

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  • Natron – Former Guitarist Died

    Italian death metallers Natron have shared the news that founding guitarist Vito Ranieri has died. Ranieri started the band in 1992 and left in 1994; while the only release he played on was the 1994 demo Force, the band remarked that he “was a fundamental element in the first years of the band” and “helped to shape the sound direction of the band”. Though Natron has been defunct for some time, they went on to release six albums between 1997 and 2012 and become pioneers of the Italian death metal scene.
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