Getting pumped for electronic music festival

The Magic of Tomorrowland, returning to Shanghai on Oct 17 and 18, has officially unveiled its dazzling lineup, adding an expanded and immersive experience.

One of the world's largest and most iconic electronic music festivals, Tomorrowland made its sold-out China debut in Shanghai last year, drawing over 20,000 people from across the world to the celebration.

Following the massively successful inaugural edition, Tomorrowland and its partners Budweiser, Hero Esports and INS Land, will present this year's The Magic of Tomorrowland at the newly upgraded Hero Dome in the city's downtown Huangpu district.

Themed "Planaxis", this indoor spectacle returns bigger than ever, with a fantastic underwater kingdom filled with giant shells, seahorses, coral-like structures, fountains, and other marine elements. First introduced in Belgium in 2018, the production will include special new elements exclusive to the Shanghai edition, according to the organizers.

The Shanghai show will once again bring together the festival's signature storytelling, world-class production and electronic music culture with cutting-edge technology and local creative influences.

This year, each day will feature a carefully curated artist roster, allowing fans to experience a different atmosphere across the weekend.

On the first day, Swedish house maestro Axwell and Belgian DJ and producer Lost Frequencies are ready to blow the audience away, joined by other DJs including Bhaskar, Carly Wilford, DJ Sally, Hauzer, Linska, MC Stretch, Morten, and Nosi.

On the second day, Grammy-nominated and multi-award-winning Dutch DJ Tiesto will take the stage with other big names, such as Alison Wonderland, R3HAB, Evin King, Joel Corry, Mansun Lui, and Miss Monique.

The venue, Hero Dome, has also undergone a major refresh to better host the event. It now features a 99-meter curved LED screen and 80 ceiling screens to create a 360-degree visual environment that fully immerses audiences in an underwater spectacle.

Meanwhile, for the first time, GA (general admission) Plus ticket holders will enjoy access to an exclusive new site — Harbour Villa, a premium space to relax and enjoy the festival throughout the weekend.

Returning favorites at the festival also include curated Michelin-starred food and beverage offerings, interactive brand activities, and the signature Tomorrowland atmosphere that has made the festival one of the world's most iconic live entertainment experiences. Fans can also purchase an expanded range of locally inspired official merchandise created exclusively for the Shanghai edition.

Rico Xia Tianyi, president of INS Land, highlights that over 80 percent of the audience at previous editions of The Magic of Tomorrowland came from Shanghai, and about 18 percent of participants were overseas visitors. The two-day event and the organizers' other efforts offer a more complete weekend experience that is "fantastic, immersive and memorable".

Following the successful debut of The Magic of Tomorrowland in China, Shanghai continues to play an important role in the festival's long-term vision for Asia. The expanded two-day format reflects the growing enthusiasm for the Tomorrowland experience across the region and further strengthens the festival's commitment to bringing world-class entertainment to Asian audiences.

"We look forward to coming back to China for the second edition of The Magic of Tomorrowland. The first show was a huge success, from the incredible venue and audience energy to our strong partnerships. We are thinking long-term and look forward to continuing our journey in Shanghai.

"As with last year's Paperworld edition, we are creating a completely new experience. While fans will recognize the signature spirit of Tomorrowland, it will also feature elements created specifically for these shows. So if you want to see this stage, you have to go to the shows in China," says Debby Wilmsen, spokesperson for Tomorrowland.

This year, the festival also coincides with the launch of INS Sea, a brand-new stretch of entertainment on the south bank of the Huangpu River. It encapsulates several landmark sites, including the existing Shanghai KPL Esports Center and Hero Dome.

Danny Tang, co-founder and CEO of Hero Esports, says, "After the overwhelming response to our first collaboration with Tomorrowland, we knew we had to go bigger — not just for one festival, but for the future of Shanghai's entertainment landscape. That's why we've upgraded the Hero Dome. This isn't a one-off event, but a long-term commitment."