Chasing Beats in the Snow: Exploring Tomorrowland Winter’s Electronic Wonderland
| 28th March 2024
| 28th March 2024
Over 22,000 Tomorrowland enthusiasts came together in the French ski resort of Alpe d’Huez to celebrate the spectacle of friendship, marking the fourth winter edition of this iconic electronic dance music festival.
It was a gathering of epic proportions, where music, camaraderie, and the magic of the Alps converged to create unforgettable memories for all the people of Tomorrow.
Attendees were treated to an extraordinary fusion of music, winter sports, and the enchanting atmosphere that Tomorrowland is renowned for. Under the theme ‘Amicorum Spectacular,’ the festival showcased performances by world-class DJs and artists against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alps.
VIVA made its debut at Tomorrowland Winter, and who better to represent us at this electrifying event than our Dubai team, E.M.A and Carla Taboada.
From the scorching heat of Dubai to the snowy landscapes of Tomorrowland, they embarked on an unforgettable journey. Here’s a glimpse of their incredible adventure…
E.M.A reports…
Tomorrowland Winter was an absolute dream come true for me, combining two of my greatest passions: snowboarding and electronic music. From the moment I heard about the event, I knew it was a must-do on my adventure list, and it certainly lived up to my expectations. The blend of adrenaline-pumping slopes and electrifying beats created a truly unforgettable experience.
The festival frenzy begins at 12 pm each day amidst the breathtaking slopes of Alpe d’Huez. Spread across the majestic mountains are five colossal stages, offering a unique experience where attendees can ski or snowboard to their favourite sets.
For those preferring a more leisurely pace, chairlifts and bubble lifts provide convenient access to each stage, ensuring everyone can revel in the music regardless of their preferred mode of transportation.
Highlights on the slopes…
Closing out the Crystal Garden on day 5 was none other than the electronic dance music supergroup, 3 Are Legend. Comprised of Belgian brothers Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike alongside American DJ Steve Aoki, they delivered an unforgettable performance that left the crowd in awe. From the trademark cake-throwing to Steve Aoki’s daring crowd-surfing in an inflatable dinghy, their set was nothing short of epic.
The drum ‘n’ bass powerhouse Andromedik delivered an electrifying performance that took the brand-new Reflection of Love stage by storm. His set was spectacular, captivating the audience with his high-energy beats. Backstage, we had the chance to chat with Andromedik about his collaboration with Lost Frequencies on “The Feeling…”
Andromedik said: “At first it was supposed to be a remix but then I sent him an original one and he was like, yeah I like it do you want to finish it together? I said yes. I went to the studio the next day and 2 days after that the record was finished so it was an organic process and it’s been doing great.”
Amber Broos took centre stage and stole the spotlight, captivating the audience as she closed Frozen Lotus. The venue was at maximum capacity, and Amber had the crowd completely entranced, effortlessly guiding our energy and enthusiasm with her expert mixing and distinctive blend of house and techno. We had the opportunity to catch up with Amber and ask her about her experience at Tomorrowland Winter…
Amber said: “I’m loving it, such cool vibes, and it’s so nice that all the artists and people of Tomorrow are in the same village for a week so I’m getting to know different artists that I’ve never met before and partying with them, plus I’m going paragliding for the first time.”
After a thrilling day on the slopes, Alpe d’Huez beckons with its vibrant après-ski scene. With an array of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, there’s no shortage of places to unwind and socialise.
After indulging in some delicious local French cuisine and sipping on a few glasses of rosé, we were fully prepared to dive into the exhilarating nighttime festivities of Tomorrowland Winter.
Navigating the nighttime festivities at the festival was a breeze, with all stages conveniently located in one area of the resort. From the electrifying Core and the pulsating Cage to the lively Moosebar, the adventurous L’Aventure, and the awe-inspiring Mainstage, attendees could easily move from one epic experience to another without missing a beat.
Nighttime highlights…
On Day 5, the spotlight was on the incredible female talent dominating the mythical Core stage. BBC Radio 1 host Jaguar set the stage on fire with her electrifying warm-up set, setting the perfect tone for the evening.
Irish-born artistic soul Cici wowed the audience with a unique remix of “Right Said Fred,” injecting her creative flair into the night. And of course, techno queen Nina Kraviz took things to the next level, delivering a set filled with absolute bangers that had the crowd in awe. It was a day when female artists truly shined, leaving an indelible mark on Tomorrowland Winter.
Our beloved NERVO duo ignited the ‘Amicorum Spectaculum’ Mainstage, infusing it with boundless energy throughout their set. Their performance reached a crescendo as they concluded with a NERVO classic, “Faded,” eliciting a passionate sing-along from the packed tent.
Meanwhile, ANNA delivered a mesmerising performance, punctuated by an exceptional remix of “Opus,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy of euphoria.
VIDO emerged as a rising star in the French DJ scene, capturing attention with his electrifying debut performance at the Cage stage. The 21-year-old techno prodigy delivered a set that was fast-paced, full-throttle, and packed with relentlessly hard-hitting beats. Before taking the stage by storm, we had the chance to chat with VIDO about what awaited us in his debut set at Tomorrowland…
VIDO said “I’m going to try to adapt myself a bit to the Tomorrowland style. There’s going to be more vocals but always hard kicks, step by step it’s going to get harder with some atmosphere melodic sounds along the way”.
Backstage Stories
The charm of Tomorrowland Winter lay in its intimate atmosphere and the opportunity to forge new connections. Among these was our encounter with ADAMK, a versatile figure in the industry as a DJ, producer, and radio presenter.
VIVA bumped into Adam backstage during his busy schedule, juggling interviews for Tomorrowland’s One World Radio Station. His thoroughness in interviewing nearly every DJ on the lineup (including myself) made him the ideal source for some juicy backstage stories…
ADAMK Reports:
The Steve Aoki cake scenario: “We are celebrating 20 years of Tomorrowland this year. I’ve been speaking to Steve Aoki for the best part of 15 years, and I’ve tried hard to get the cake recipe from him, but he always says no! So this year, I asked him to cake me in the crowd at Tomorrowland Winter Mainstage. Steve and his team were well up for this, and Steve was really happy with his direct cake hit at me. It was a bullseye! If you haven’t yet seen it, the clip is on One World Radio’s Instagram.”
The bathrobe scenario: “I narrowly avoided a scenario involving Kevin DeVries, Konstantin Sibold, and Kolsch all arriving at the interview in their bathrobes. They had been in the spa together and, to save time, decided not to change. Needless to say, I’m glad they eventually decided to put clothes on.”
Music News: “In music news, I got to catch Vintage Culture. His album is set to drop at the end of May—it’s called ‘Promised Land,’ and he assured me that there is even more music coming after that album release. Plus, he’ll also be coming back to Belgium this summer for Tomorrowland.”
Tomorrowland Winter 2014 was a unique fusion of music, camaraderie, and winter magic, leaving attendees with cherished memories and new connections.
As Tomorrowland in Belgium beckons on the horizon, you can immerse yourself in the enchantment of Tomorrowland Winter 2024 right now on YouTube.