We left off last week with beans, bacon, toast, eggs, blood sausage, and tea. A Full English. No better way to prepare for the adventure that lay ahead: Eurostar to Brussels, and a proper European rave. After breakfast and a little aimless wander, bags were packed and the Bank tube station once again provided the quick ride to St Pancras. Security was, as usual, significantly quicker and less cumbersome than TSA (but in fairness TSA has a solid track record of stopping zero terrorists since its inception) yet still thorough. It has to be said though, France…..please. PLEASE. Learn about deodorant. The Frenchists in front of me in line clearly had not been educated about this recent invention. I get it, your country is very old; it has an unbelievably rich history….but you don’t have to continue living in that history. Please.
Anywho…..the train was alleged in emails to be “no alcohol permitted”. Well that was a big fat lie. The train car became a rave car as soon as we were underway, and it was a blast. Thanks British passengers for making it fun!! The trip from London to Brussels took about two and a half hours. That thing is FAST. Upon disembarking in Brussels, it was pretty easy to figure out where to go, as there were Global Journey (GJ) people in fantastic bright uniforms grouped everywhere in Gare du Midi to point us all toward the shuttles.
This is where probably the biggest “complaint” (though it hardly is a big one, in the scheme of things) comes in. There were some pretty poor planning measures taken regarding shuttles from the station to hotels. Everyone was getting specific wristbands for their shuttle. We didn’t get any there; instead, we were told we’d get one at the hotel (which was in an area our shuttle driver couldn’t go, so he got us as close as he could then we walked the rest of the way in). Upon arrival at the hotel, our GJ host had no idea we should be given wristbands there. She commendably did the best she could given the curveball, but all she had was weekend 1 wristbands left over (a different color than weekend 2). She was fantastic though, and while an inconvenience I’d consider this more of a constructive criticism than a complaint. Didn’t really turn the experience sour at all.
After getting checked in and settled at the GLORIOUS Warwick Brussels Grand Place, since a rolling stone allegedly gathers no moss, it was time to wander around the amazing old town Brussels center for dinner, and then up to the hotel’s rooftop bar for…..well it wasn’t a terrible sunset. And of all things, a man and woman from the US who WEREN’T there to rave hung out for some lovely conversation and beverages while watching the aforementioned sunset. Not a bad first day in a country I’ve never properly visited before (but sorta walked to 24 years ago….another story for another day).
The next morning, it was time. Three years in the making….time to FINALLY experience Tomorrowland. Excited doesnt even begin to describe. I actually felt butterflies in my stomach. I haven’t felt that for a LONG time, not for something like this anyway. And the rave did NOT disappoint. After a brief walk from the hotel to the shuttles, it was about an hour’s ride to the festival. The mood on the bus can only be described as “buzzing”. Music bumping, everyone grinning, energy was high. Upon arrival in Boom (yes, really) the (rather aging) locals gathered on their apartment balconies to wave and welcome us to their town. We were there to keep them up late all weekend, but they were so genuinely excited to have us.
Day 1 highlights included Infected Mushroom doing a throwback set, Vini Vici absolutely KILLING it, Tweekacore and Darren Styles (I live for that tag team!!), Alan Walker, Cristoph, Eric Prydz (HOLO set….absolutely STUNNING), Armin Van Buuren, and a lot more. Along with that of course was all the artwork (the stages themselves were giant pieces of art), the little corners here and there with performers, tattoo shop, incredible food and beverage options, and some truly inspiring sights. In the crowd at Vini Vici I counted at LEAST 30 different countries’ flags represented. I watched a man wrapped in an Israeli flag fist-bump a man carrying a Palestinian flag as they walked past each other. As I was riding the rail at Tweekacore/Styles a man tapped my shoulder and said “DUDE! A guy with a horse mask and a tattoo kinda like yours was at EDC Vegas!!” I grinned and said “wow small world!” Soon as he heard my very ‘Merican accent he did the math and laughed. What a first day.
If you remember that wristband issue with the shuttles, leaving the festival after Armin’s unbelievable set was made a bit more difficult as those checking wristbands at the shuttles didn’t believe we were authorized to ride. It took a little convincing but eventually they let us on. Again, minor inconvenience but i’m putting it in the survey they sent to hopefully alleviate that small issue for future Global Journeys.
The next day it was another quick walk to the shuttles, which were noticeably quieter than Friday. I guess we’re all Aging Ravers in Belgium. No matter, a quick nap and once again Boom welcomed us.
Saturday was once again absolutely spectacular: Tiesto, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, DJ Jan, Airwave, Charlotte de Witte, Kungs, Riton, Duck Sauce, and Oliver Heldens all made for one hell of a party. But there was something else truly ridiculous that normally would have made me question oh so many choices made leading up to the event, but at this point i just shrug and enjoy it.
After a few hours, sustenance was required. Tomorrowland famously has some absolutely mind-blowing options for food. Sit-down restaurants with chefs from some of continental europe’s most well-known michelin-rated kitchens. While those options sell out VERY quickly, and I didn’t plan ahead enough to get a spot, one of them, Brasa, had a “second half” of the space dedicated to walk-up grab and go options. That’ll be burgers and beers, mostly. Not many tables were available, but a couple was nice enough to extend use of the other half of their table under some shade. As they were finishing up and leaving, a group of four fellas walked up and asked if they could share their wine to “earn” the other half of the table. And by wine, they meant the 3-liter double magnum of (not so spectacular) rosé. This turned into one of the coolest conversations and experiences I’ve ever had. They were Swiss, and it was really interesting to hear how things like mandatory military service shapes their culture. Don’t worry the serious part didn’t last long because we got ridiculously wine-drunk and had an epic time with them. They had a friend get married and everyone attending dressed up like Peaky Blinders. My kinda guys.
After that, on the way to see Tiesto at Mainstage (70,000 capacity) I ran into some guys carrying a flag of Kim Jong Un that said “Live Laugh Love”. I signed it as had many others they’d met that weekend.
Which brings us to Tiesto at the mainstage. Remember that part about being wine drunk? Yep….found myself against the rail. 70,000 of my closest friends behind and next to me. My life is weird.
Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike were fantastic, the fireworks were great, really a fun night.
Finally we have Sunday. The final day. Bittersweet for sure. But what a send-off. Fedde Le Grand TWICE, Klaas, Tujamo, Brennan Heart, Fisher, Alesso…..yet another phenomenal day/night in Boom.
And that, sadly, was the end of the weekend. Not a bad way to finish it off. Thank you, Boom. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The next day was a mix of souvenir shopping, finding the famous fountains of Brussels, Waffles and Frites.
Oh yeah, and missing the shuttle back to the Train Station. Oops. Had to take a cab. Didnt have any cash in Euros. None of the ATMs at the station were working, and nowhere to exchange money. The driver’s card reader was schfitzing. I felt horrible, because I had to give him Pounds. Overpaid by a lot to make up for the poor guy taking time and paying a fee to have them exchanged elsewhere in town. But all worked out, made the train back to London, had a chippy and a pint (The Lucas Arms, Grays Inn Rd), then went and had another pint (The Queens Head, Acton St), then went and found a stupid fun cocktail bar (Simmons Bar Kings Cross), then had a nap (Point A Hotels Kings Cross) before catching the tube to Heathrow on Tuesday. From there, back to BWI and real life.
All told, I ended up “massively disappointed” in a way from this trip. I really wanted to dislike it. I wanted to be able to say “yeah, did it once, that was enough for me.” But…..it isn’t. Not even close. Plans are already in the works for another trip. If you fancy a stab at joining us on the Global Journey in 2024, consider yourself invited.
If you’re not into raving that’s okay too. There’s a whole world out there waiting for you. Go check it out. Maybe I’ll see you there.