Music: a tale of two journeys
DAY
Charlotte’s Daybreak Session was not just a set, it was a story. Opening a festival the size of Tomorrowland requires more than big drops and crowd pleasers. “I knew people would trickle in slowly, so I wanted to build gradually, she shares. For the first few minutes, ambient and atmospheric sounds set a tranquil tone, gently welcoming early risers into the day.
Then came the kick – no dramatic breakdowns, no hands-in-the-air climaxes, but a constant, flowing groove. “And half an hour in, I dropped my own track ‘How You Move’, which seemed to spark a sense of recognition, after which I subtly shifted gear toward more energy.
I treated it like a condensed all-nighter,” she explains. “Start slow, end strong, tell a story.” Even as the BPMs climbed towards the end, this set remained unmistakably techno: purposeful, pure, and poised.
NIGHT
Come nightfall, the strategy flipped entirely. “There’s no overlap between the two sets,” she notes. “I have more than enough music to dig into. While I approached the morning as a story, with patience, I wanted the closing set to be pure intensity.”
Tracks were tighter, edits sharper and the pacing fierce. “People crave triggers during a MainStage area closing. You have to deliver quickly and relentlessly,” Charlotte says. She even reimagined her own techno tracks, trimming them to maintain high energy.
Legendary anthems like the ‘Age of Love’ remix which she played during her closing set in 2022 now appeared in the opening set, creating contrast and evolution.
People: waking up vs. letting loose
DAY
The amphitheatre in front of the MainStage area slowly filled with life as the sun climbed above the Holy Grounds. Up front, in the pit, fans were already fully locked in, flags waving, cardboard signs flashing heartfelt messages.
“The energy was surprisingly present,” Charlotte recalls. “I could see people further in the back still waking up, sipping coffee and taking it slow, but the front rows? So supportive. It meant a lot.” There was intimacy in that morning light, a softness that allowed the music to breathe and the connection to deepen.
NIGHT
By the time the closing set kicked off, the crowd had transformed into a sea of fire and fervour. “At night, they’re ready to explode from the first second,” she says. “They’ve been dancing all day, they’re glowing, and you have to grab them instantly.”
Unlike the morning where Charlotte led the energy, in the evening she had to match it, match the roar of thousands already in motion. “You feel the demand for immediate
Charlotte's own vibe: focus and release
DAY
For Charlotte, the Daybreak Session demanded clarity and composure. “It’s an early start, you sip your coffee on the way here, stay focused,” she laughs. “With millions tuning into the global livestream, there’s a special kind of pressure to deliver something refined and intentional.
I really tried to keep my head clear, water on stage, mindful energy. It’s Tomorrowland, every move counts.” In those early hours, her presence matched the music: composed, grounded and powerful.
NIGHT
But as dusk turned to night, that composed focus transformed into celebratory fire. “Tonight was different. It’s the end of the day, the pressure starts to melt and you just ride the wave. Adding to the energy is the fact that my birthday is around the corner, so the MainStage area closing was a bit of a pre-party.
We’re here to celebrate,” she smiles, “and to enjoy those magical Tomorrowland vibes together!” What began in serenity ended in ecstasy, both sets reflecting who Charlotte De Witte is, an artist capable of sculpting every shade of sound, mood and moment.
