Let’s begin this article by doing something a little unusual for us – taking a look at the DJ Mag Top 100 lists for both 2022 and the year 2000. Yes, we’ve got the same reservations as you about doing this, but bear with us – because there just might be an interesting point at the end of it. Or so we hope, at least.
In the year 2090, Martin Garrix will be 94 years old. David Guetta will be 123, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike will be 108 and 105 respectively – whilst Armin Van Buuren will be 114, and Steve Aoki will be a sprightly 113 years young. Now, let’s repeat the same exercise with some of those in that chart at the turn of the millennium.
Sasha – then rated at number one – will be 121 years old in 2090. Paul Oakenfold will be 127, and the now mysteriously blond John Digweed will be 123. Elsewhere, Carl Cox will be 128 years young, Pete Tong will celebrate his 130th birthday, and Danny Tenaglia will be 129 years old.
In other words, every single one of these DJs – with the possible exception of Martin Garrix – will be long dead. And yet one thing that could potentially still be around is Tomorrowland – which began in 2005 and has since become one of the biggest dance music festivals in the world.
They’re certainly confident they’ll still be around, having signed a deal promising to remain at their existing De Schorre Park site for another 66 years – taking their lease all the way to 2090. Tomorrowland have made enormous investments into the venue – such as installing wheelchair accessible pathways and other infrastructure work at the park – and wanted some legal and financial security in return.
In a dance music world that seems to be full of here today and gone tomorrow types, Tomorrowland’s statement to the world by signing this deal means one of two things. Either they really do think their formula of festival – the McDonald’s type where the menu is the same no matter which one you go to – can last 85 years and above, or these are going to become famous last words.
Our editor just needs to live until he’s 106 to find out…
