Anybody who is somebody on the EDM scene never gives up on a chance to be at Tomorrowland, the biggest electronic music festival in the world. Of course, all the big hitters –– Avicii to Steve Aoki, David Guetta to Alesso –– will be there at the annual do from July 24 to 26. And there’s something more.... If you are in Mumbai (or in Mexico City!), you can watch the event live, thanks to a satellite link. The ‘Unite: The Mirror To Tomorrowland’ initiative –– to be hosted by Percept Live at NSCI, Dome, in Worli –– will take place on the second day of the festival. The streaming will include sets by Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, with Anish Sood opening the event.

But what about rumours of a version of Tomorrowland making it to Goa? Michiel Beers, founder of Tomorrowland, answers a few questions for t2 over email.

What’s stopping Tomorrowland from having a full version of the festival in India?

Tomorrowland is always exploring possibilities and options but in the immediate future, the full focus is on the 11th edition of Tomorrowland in Belgium, the third edition of TomorrowWorld in the USA and the second edition of Tomorrowland Brasil in 2016. 

How important is India to Tomorrowland?

All three of the festivals sell out in no time and this means that a lot of People of Tomorrow (Tomorrowland community) have to get left out each time. That’s why, during the 11th edition of Tomorrowland, on July 25, there will be a satellite link set-up from Boom (Belgium). This has been organised with Percept Live in India. UNITE will bring love, unity, madness and magic to two stadiums, tens of thousands of kilometres across the globe from Boom.

How much of Tomorrowland is about finding new music?

We are a music festival and we are programming more than 400 artistes in Belgium and more than 200 at Tomorrowland Brasil and TomorrowWorld USA. We give local talent the opportunity to play at the festival and we have a daily changing programme with international top DJs/headliners on several stages. We offer a wide musical landscape of genres and up-and-coming artistes from across the world.

Does fatigue set in with the big DJs performing at your festival over and over again?

Not at all! Our line-up is different every year. We also allow local talent to grow year after year. An example: Dimitri Vegas started 10 years ago as a technician (backliner) at the festival and he was programmed at a very small stage with other local Belgian DJs. Nowadays, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are playing at the main stage of every festival. David Guetta performed for the first time in a tent of 1,500 people at the beginning of Tomorrowland. Netsky was booked in 2010 at Tomorrowland. He played in a tent of 1,500 people and last year he was playing at the main stage. So Tomorrowland is offering a wide range of musical acts.
 
Who decides the theme for each year?

Our creative team starts creating and designing in August and in September/October we start with the construction of the main stage. Everything is created and designed in Belgium by the creative team.

Is Tomorrowland on your bucket list? Tell t2@abp.in

 

The India experience

Shailendra Singh, joint managing director of Percept Live and inceptor of Sunburn, on Tomorrowland and the EDM scene in India...

Will we ever have a full-fledged Tomorrowland event in India?

We’re always in a rush to get to the climax. Let’s enjoy the foreplay! Tomorrowland is an established brand, and India has to be ready for it. We still have some work to do when it comes to things like government support, hospitality management, and so on. This is a great stepping stone for taking the relationship to the next level. Plenty of reason to celebrate. 

Why aren’t you having live streaming of Tomorrowland across Indian cities? 

Full live streaming from Boom, Belgium, timed and choreographed special effects with the Tomorrowland stages, shout-outs from India to Mexico City and Mexico City back to Boom. We wanted to make sure that we got everything just right for the fans. We set a good foundation with the experience, and then take it large!

How important is Calcutta to Percept Live?

East has a very creative and easy-going vibe. So cautiously and sensibly, we’ve been experiencing the East, and we have received an overwhelming response. 

Since you started Sunburn, how much has the music business changed?

Well, with 87 per cent of the dance music market share, we have been the one changing it! I think we’ve made massive strides in persuading fans to buy tickets for live events, and buy them early. We’ve proved to governments, time and time again, how music tourism can benefit the economy –– so hopefully we are gaining their support for all live ventures. Most of all, I think we’ve proved to the world that India can execute some massive parties and be a leading, innovative force in the industry. 

Who are your current favourite band or artiste?

Oh, there’s so much, depending on my mood. When I’m happy and bouncy, GoodLuck, out of South Africa, is a favourite. A little darker and moody? Nicole Moudaber. In a big room? Really enjoying KSHMR right now. 

Finally, festival tips? 

Be who you want to be. Live. Love. Dance. Drink lots of water.