Yves V opened up about Tomorrowland, his legacy, and the summer that reaffirmed his bond with the festival in an exclusive interview with Angelo De Guzman, editorial head of EDMNOMAD. For him, returning to the mainstage never feels routine. “Tomorrowland feels like home to me, so its never dread-style nerves but more of anticipation and adrenaline – its excitement! It is one of the biggest shows in any artists calendar and I like to also make sure I bring a big show. I always like to include some exclusive forthcoming tracks and fun mash-ups always get the crowd pumped, bringing freshness with a dose of nostalgia!”
During his Daybreak Session on Tomorrowland Belgium’s second weekend, July 25–27, 2025, he leaned into that very balance. Sunrise brought exclusives, clever edits, and the kind of emotional pacing that only Yves V can deliver. Having performed on the mainstage more than any artist in the festival’s history, he continues to embody its spirit of renewal.
Tomorrowland’s Invisible Machinery
Behind the grandeur, Yves V pointed to the unseen precision that shapes the festival’s identity. “An easy answer could be to say that everything the Tomorrowland team does behind the scenes may be unnoticed by all the adoring fans, but it really doesn’t! Every detail from the production of the festival on the whole, the lighting and sound on each stage, over to the amazing food and drinks and activations, everything is thought out with meticulous detail. I think that is what truly makes it the best festival in the world.”
Production is not decoration at Tomorrowland, it is the skeleton of experience. Lighting cues, sound design, food stalls, and creative activations across Tomorrowland are stitched together with an exactness that artists like Yves V both rely on and admire. That dedication allows performers to chase their boldest ideas without worrying about execution. For fans, it translates into a seamless immersion, where every detail supports the story unfolding in front of them.
Themes as Living Narratives
When the conversation turned to Tomorrowland’s yearly themes, Yves V was candid. “That is a great question! I actually haven’t but I’d also like to know if any particular artists have! The aims of the themes every year are to celebrate the evolvement of the festival in a different light. I think it links in great with the progressions and constant development of the line-ups year after year. The team really know how to keep their finger on the pulse. Their eyes are on the trends. There is always something for everyone, from hardstyle to big-room and techno.”
For him, the themes reflect Tomorrowland’s ability to keep pace with electronic culture’s rapid evolution. They frame the festival without restricting it, ensuring that lineups, genres, and visual storytelling evolve in sync. Hardstyle, techno, and big-room coexist because the stage itself responds to the pulse of the community. Each year feels less like repetition and more like a new chapter written in light and sound.
The Art of Premieres
Debuting unreleased music on the mainstage is one of Yves V’s signatures. “It is always just a feeling, as cliché as that sounds. It also is, having played so many times on the mainstage, sometimes completely logistical. I may have one major release that I have had in the pipeline, waiting just to premiere it at Tomorrowland. Other times I may have several releases coming up that I want to show off to an amazing audience. So, sometimes I could just play a tease of a vocal or an edit. I’m always super proud of every single release I have put my name to, so to be able to finally let these see the light of day on the mainstage as unreleased exclusives is always a lot of fun.”
Tomorrowland has become his chosen stage for these unveilings. A place where a track’s journey often begins before streaming platforms catch up. Each decision balances instinct and strategy, but above all, it channels pride. By reserving debuts for this moment, he turns premieres into part of the festival’s living archive.
Tomorrowland Mainstage Fire and Resilience
This year’s mainstage fire threatened to silence Tomorrowland. Yves V remembered it with clarity. “Well, as you guys saw this year, there was an unprecedented fire that tore through the mainstage and really did break our hearts. Many of us worried if the festival would even continue, but the most important thing is that no one was injured and that safety was paramount. How the team managed to truly turn things around and pull through with hope and dedication for all the fans who travelled to Belgium from around the world, was nothing short but a miracle.”
For him, the disaster revealed Tomorrowland’s resilience. Within days, the festival pressed forward, transforming heartbreak into testimony. Safety came first, but the will to continue defined the moment. Tomorrowland’s survival rests not only on its design but also on its community’s shared determination to keep the music alive.
V Sessions as a Platform
Looking back on Tomorrowland’s milestones, Yves V lights up when he recalls curating his own stage. “I think being asked to host my V Sessions Arena for the first time was a true honour. The mainstage I love returning to year after year and there is absolutely no mistake about that, but to curate and direct my own arena from the bottom up was truly a dream. We have had some amazing artists over the past decade including Alan Walker, R3hab, Nicky Romero and so many more grace us, so to be able to continue bringing my V Sessions parties to further places across the world, such as Ministry Of Sound in London and to ADE, is something about the curation of my brand that I really enjoy.”
V Sessions became an extension of his artistic vision. It was never just about who played, but how the entire experience unfolded under his direction. From hosting Alan Walker to Nicky Romero, he built a distinct Tomorrowland space that later traveled to London and Amsterdam. In doing so, he extended the festival’s DNA far beyond Belgium.
Community, Pressure, and Discovery
Growth has defined Tomorrowland’s journey, but intimacy remains. “The sheer scale! Every year it gets bigger and better across every angle. Young artists have the chance to shine on a world-class stage alongside some of the biggest artists we have ever known in electronic music and I also love the fact that filters through to wider scenes. I remember seeing Dua Lipa with her friends, all in wigs as disguises, to watch Martin Garrix at the festival, so much fun!”
For Yves V, the Tomorrowland backstage is a place of camaraderie. “Most of the time, we are all talking about who we are excited to catch over the weekend! Its also great that if its someone I’ve not seen for a while from tour, or a fellow collaborator, Tomorrowland is the perfect place to grab a drink and reconnect.”
The crowd is another world he enjoys stepping into. “Yes, I have done many times, it’s the best way to experience the festival! I have been asked for pictures and its always nice when fans approach me with kind words that they have enjoyed my set, or are enjoying my music, there is no better connection.” He recognizes Tomorrowland as a stage that carries weight. “Not a pressure necessarily, but it is a super important event to me to perform well. It’s something that I love and a festival that I have played at on the mainstage more than any other artist, that is never lost on me, and so I always want to perform the very best I can.”
Yves V, the Enduring Heartbeat of Tomorrowland, and What’s Next
Beyond performance, discovery keeps him inspired. “I’m a techno lover so I really enjoy the Core and Atmosphere stages this year. I always like to catch some favourites like Carl Cox and Eric Prydz if they’re playing. I really also like to get lost when I can, you never know what stage or artist you might stumble on, which is the beauty of such a diverse festival.”
With Tomorrowland behind him, Yves V looks ahead to ADE this October and more global shows. His reinterpretations of “All That Mattered (Love You Down)” and collaborations like “We Got That Cool” keep him tied to both classic roots and modern reinvention. Tomorrowland remains his anchor, but his story continues to expand worldwide.
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