Festival's China debut connects DJs, producers and loyal fans from around the world.

With the last note fading out at the recent The Magic of Tomorrowland music festival in Shanghai, 21-year-old American Tram Ngo's dream came true in China — being part of the united global community that shares a love and passion for electronic music.

Tomorrowland, one of the largest and most iconic electronic music festivals in the world, made its China debut with a full indoor music showcase on Nov 22 and 23 in Shanghai. The event, themed "Paperworld", integrated Chinese cultural heritage and was held at the brand-new Hero Dome on the city's landmark Bund waterfront.

Launched in 2005 and held annually in July in Boom, Belgium, Tomorrowland now stretches over two weekends and welcomes around 400,000 people from around the world. It caters to almost all genres of electronic dance music with hundreds of renowned artists performing across more than 15 different stages.

Captivated by electronic music since she was a child, Ngo long wanted to attend the festival. Currently studying at a university in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, she was excited by the opportunity to realize her dream in the neighboring city rather than flying all the way to Belgium.

In partnership with Hero Esports, INS Land, and Budweiser, Tomorrowland's production in Shanghai features cutting-edge technology, offering an immersive experience that blends music, innovation, and unique storytelling. The two-day show brought together an exceptional mix of international stars and local talents who delivered a series of unique collaborations, creating fantastic live entertainment and an immersive journey with imagination, sound, and technology.

Ngo, along with two Italian friends, immediately decided to attend the show, especially when they saw Dimitri Vegas in the lineup. They enjoyed the stage, music, and atmosphere, and had fun dancing for five hours straight.

"We've been watching Dimitri's videos since we were little, and I feel like I'm literally in a dream. I am surprised that everything was put together so well. Everyone is having fun listening to the music and dancing. It definitely lives up to the idea of a rave and shows how music unites everyone," Ngo says.

Vegas closed the first night with an explosive performance and was joined by Chinese rapper Ma Siwei, whose surprise appearance thrilled the crowd. Known for his explosive festival anthems and electrifying main stage energy, the award-winning Vegas had previously headlined Tomorrowland's major festivals.

When speaking about his collaboration with Ma, Vegas highlights that the show's main concept is "unity" — bringing East and West together. He sees electronic music as one of the main music genres that easily translates and travels across all cultures.

"Shanghai has an energy unlike anywhere else in the world. The people's vibe here is truly incredible. China has had the first core audience that has supported us. It feels like a family reunion, and I'm just very happy to be part of the family," says Vegas.

The landing of the iconic event in China is not only a dream come true for audiences like Ngo, but also for Chinese DJs and producers. At this inaugural event, Tiger Drama and Halo, who made their Tomorrowland debut in Belgium this July, kicked off the show in their home country with impressive sets.

Tiger Drama, or Li Guangxiang, is a Shanghai native. He feels extremely proud that Shanghai hosted such a magnificent show in the heart of the city. Born into a musical family, Li fell in love with electronic music as a child and has worked in the industry for 16 years. As one of the first DJs on the show's two stages, the 32-year-old producer spent over a month working to make his sets special, to energize the audience.

"Electronic music is very cool and groovy, making me see diverse colors and feel like dancing. The event is huge, amazing, beautiful and crazy. My childhood dream has been to perform on a big stage. As a local artist at this show, it's a dream come true," says Li.

He adds that China has been seeing a consistently growing fan base of electronic dance music (EDM). As he continuously works to bridge China and the world, Li believes such big international events will inspire and motivate more Chinese DJs and producers.

"It brings us more hope. The Chinese electronic music market needs time to grow, but we are on the way," says Li.

Wang Zhenqing, or Halo, shares similar sentiments with Li. As one of China's most prominent house music producers, the 28-year-old DJ could hardly believe the show was real until he was standing in the center of the main stage.

"I felt so honored, happy, and excited to be on that absolutely epic main stage and to witness all this happening. I even felt time stood still for a moment when I saw all the people come to the dance floor, get connected, stay together, and enjoy the show," says Wang.

For Wang, EDM is iridescent, immersive, and passionate with cool, refreshing sounds. He especially values the unique life experiences that such music has given him. As a versatile DJ, Li has staged various events in over 40 cities nationwide and is expanding his presence on the global stage.

"Chinese DJs at my age are like witnesses to the nation's rave and EDM festivals. As we grow together, we'll grow faster," Wang adds.

Henri Peiffer, better known as Henri PFR, is celebrated for his deep melodic house and thoughtful, emotive productions. The 30-year-old Belgian artist notes that Chinese DJs are "technically impressive", and he is particularly impressed by Halo's opening sets.

Describing electronic music as "smile, energy, and trance", Peiffer jokes that he has been smiling stupidly for five hours. He feels the pure happiness, "insane" energy, and goose bumps throughout the historic event.

"They really managed to bring the magic of Tomorrowland to Shanghai. They bring the world together with the same love for electronic music. Everything here was perfect, and everyone was jumping, smiling, and waving their hands. I loved every second of it," he says.

Don Pepijn Schipper, also known as Don Diablo, is a beloved Dutch DJ and producer among many Chinese fans. Similar to Vegas and Ma's collaboration, the 45-year-old future house pioneer also presented a special set with Chinese rapper Gali during the show.

"Our collaboration pays respect to the culture. Gali is very modest and easy to work with. I felt his artistry, presence, cadence, and vibes. I think we did something special," says Schipper, with a bright smile.

His China debut dates back over 10 years, and he is happy to see the nation's EDM market still growing amid global challenges. The fan base is becoming more open-minded, with a different understanding of the music.

"Chinese fans are very memorable. They are really sweet and loyal, and make you feel loved once you have captured their hearts. I received the warmest welcome when I saw dozens of fans waiting in front of my hotel. It goes beyond music; it's more about human connection," he says.

He even made a record — Another Chance — as an ode to China, released with an account under the nickname given by his Chinese fans.

"Tomorrowland coming to China for the first time is something special, not just for us, but for the Chinese fans as well. The whole production is fantastic, and the crowd is even more excited. I think it's another step closer to bringing people together," says Schipper.

The event resonates with Tomorrowland's slogan of "Live Today, Love Tomorrow, Unite Forever!", which is the shared goal of the show's local production team.

Clinton Lau, head of Hero Esports Music Festivals and Music at INS Land, says that they are not just bringing a festival, but helping change the entire festival landscape in China, because Tomorrowland represents magic, detail, and unity. "Seeing Chinese fans experience that for the first time is incredibly emotional," Lau says.

"Magic happens when our worlds come together," says Danny Tang, CEO and co-founder of Hero Esports. "Our aim is to create unforgettable life moments that bring people together, and this weekend in Shanghai is certainly one of them."