The electronic dance music scene has never been more escapist, and Tomorrowland serves as a prism that refracts anxieties into core memories.
In an era of mental health awareness, today's ravers consider wellness their personal biggest star, and the unfiltered euphoria of dance music festivals comes with a price. So today's entries must hold the promise of much more than just music.
CORE certainly fits the bill. Harnessing the power of nature metaphors, Tomorrowland's visionary event brand creates a symbiotic relationship between music and its environment. Through its storytelling and scenic design, the brand offers an immersion into the sublime interplay of electronic music and the wonderful complexities of the natural world.
Born from the iconic festival's desire to cultivate deeper connections between attendees and their surroundings, the offshoot emerged in 2017 as a renegade stage hidden in a forest on its grounds. Now, after introducing a spectacular new stage, CORE has become so popular that it lives independently of Tomorrowland itself, carving out its own universe in the helices of the festival's DNA.
As the legendary Tomorrowland brand celebrates its 20th anniversary, CORE stands as a bastion of its deeply rooted ethos, which says its events are not so much festivals as vehicles for memories. We've partnered with them to explore their evolution and celebrate their lasting impact on the global dance music community.
2017
CORE at Tomorrowland Belgium, July 21-23 and 28-30
The first CORE stage debuts at Tomorrowland Belgium with performances by Tale of Us, Richie Hatwin, MK, Jax Jones, Loco Dice and Paco Osuna, among other illustrious techno and house music producers.
2018
CORE at Tomorrowland Belgium, July 20-22 and 27-29
CORE returns to Tomorrowland Belgium after its successful presentation. Stage takes on Jamie Jones' Paradise and Claptone's The Masquerade fan the flames with massive sets from Nicole Moudaber, Claude VonStroke, Patrick Topping and more.
2019
CORE at Tomorrowland Belgium, July 19-22 and 26-28
CORE emerges as a hotbed of techno and house music in its third year. Techno legend Sven Väth closes the stage on his final day following performances by many influential artists, including the late Vigil Abloh, who tragically died two years later after battling cancer.
2020
CORE at Tomorrowland Around the World, July 25-26
In a virtual world without any concerns about COVID-19, CORE goes digital at Tomorrowland's groundbreaking 'Around The World' event after postponing its flagship festival in Belgium due to the impact of the pandemic. Charlotte de Witte, Adam Beyer, ANNA and more collapse beneath the giant, intricate stage face.
STAGE PREVIEW: CORE – Surrounded by nature and the deepest sounds of Tomorrowland Around the World. Welcome to the Core stage with @realAdamBeyer, @adriatiquemusic, @djannamiranda@CelliniGianM, @CharlottedWitte, @jorisvoorn, @patricebaumel and @yvesderuyter. pic.twitter.com/nOWlsQZFSx
– Tomorrowland (@tomorrowland) July 17, 2020
2021
Launch of the CORE radio program
Tomorrowland launches monthly magazine central radio program on his native station, One World Radio. Described as a “hub for alternative electronic music”, the hour-long show is curated by host Dino Lenny and features a special guest each month.
CORE at Tomorrowland Around the World, July 16-17
After attracting one million viewers from an exhaustive list of countries, the virtual Tomorrowland festival returns alongside CORE, now a fan favorite. Tomorrowland fans dance at home to DJ sets from Amelie Lens, Mind Against and the Keinemusik team, among others.
2022
CORE at Tomorrowland Winter, March 19-26
CORE heads to the snowy mountains of southeastern France for Tomorrowland Winter, an offshoot of the legendary Belgian EDM festival in the idyllic ski resort of Alpe d'Huez. Dazzlingly designed with the CORE logo, the stage features performances by Vintage Culture, Kölsch, Kevin de Vries and EDM.com Class of 2022 star Anfisa Letyago.
CORE Festival Brussels, May 27 and 28
The first edition of CORE Festival, a two-day boutique festival in Brussels with five stages, takes place in Ossegem Park. A collaboration between Tomorrowland and Rock Werchter, the festival attracts 40,000 visitors and features performances by Peggy Gou, Sam Gellaitry, Nina Kraviz and more, as well as hip-hop luminary Nas.
CORE at Tomorrowland Belgium, July 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31
With its stunning front design, the CORE stage makes its real-life debut in the enchanting forests of Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium. London's iconic Printworks venue takes over the stage with a performance by Detroit techno legend Kevin Saunderson, followed by Âme, Maceo Plex, Marcel Dettmann and more.
2023
CORE Tulum, January 14
The CORE stage leaves Belgium for the first time and lands in Tulum for its debut in the heart of the Quintana Roo jungle. Maceo Plex, Brina Knauss, Vintage Culture, Channel Tres and more perform.
CORE Records Launch
The world of tomorrow is launched Central recordsa boutique label that “crosses and fuses borders, cultures and genres” thanks to releases from Afriqua, Mosley Jr and more.
CORE at Tomorrowland Brazil, October 12-14
The CORE stage travels to the lush Maeda Park in Itu for its debut at Tomorrowland Brazil. Nina Kraviz, Âme and Vintage Culture b2b ANNA headline each day after performances from a host of top artists including TSHA, Skepta and Jaguar.
2024
CORE Tulum, January 13 and 20
World premiere of the renovated CORE stage, a marvel of design not only for its remarkable divided human head, but also for its inflatable composition. A feat of sustainability and efficiency, the innovative stage deflates and fits compactly into a single container, making it portable and adaptable to locations around the world.
CORE at Tomorrowland Winter, March 16-23
The new CORE stage returns to Alpe d'Huez to debut in France. Italian duo Mind Against stuns with a mystical close beneath the stage's astonishing split human head.
CORE Medellín, May 11 and 12
CORE turns the page on a new chapter with a sold-out two-day festival in Medellín. The new CORE stage is set to occupy perhaps its most exclusive location yet, the lush Jardín Botánico de Medellín—more commonly known as the Medellín Botanical Garden—and its famous centerpiece, the “Orquideorama.” Bicep, Agents Of Time, ANNA, Chet Faker, Brina Knauss, Kevin de Vries and HAAi will perform.
CORE at Tomorrowland Belgium, July 19-21 and 26-28
The CORE stage will land in Boom for its biggest appearance yet: Tomorrowland's 20th anniversary festival. 400,000 people are expected to dance the night away at the festival, which features an epic line-up featuring Alesso, Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack, Hardwell, Amelie Lens, John Summit, NERVO, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Dom Dolla and many, many further. .
CORE at Tomorrowland Brazil, from October 11 to 13
The CORE stage will travel to Parque Maeda for its debut in Brazil. Hardwell, Axwell, Alesso, Charlotte de Witte, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, NERVO, Steve Aoki and Krewella, among more than 100 other people, will arrive in São Paulo in 2024.
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