Tomorrowland: 15 Non-Mainstage acts you MUST see

There’s no hiding the fact that Tomorrowland brings together the best of what the industry has to offer year after year. The most popular, arguably biggest acts, see themselves fit onto the Main Stage line-up, back-to-back, for three days straight. But there’s a little more to Tomorrowland than just the picturesque Main Stage and 50,000+ people jumping in unison. Much more in fact.

With over 15 stages each day also providing individual labels rosters or genre-specific collections, there’s something for everyone. With hundreds of artists performing at Tomorrowland 2015, so if something doesn’t take your fancy…we’ll be perplexed!

We’ve compiled a list of our favourite 15 artists you won’t find on the Main Stage, but are sure to deliver huge, memorable sets. Check out the list below!

1. Kicking off the list is none other than Carl Cox. The seasoned veteran has one of the most complete career’s in the industry. While a regular to the festival, Cox has usually opted to cater for his own interests, compiling the ‘Carl Cox and Friends‘ stage line-up which includes John Digweed and DubFire. As well as this, the legend will be delivering a 2-hour set on Friday 11pm – 1am at his stage, wrapping what will no doubt be one of the most popular stages on opening day.

 

2. No stranger to big events is Jamie Jones. From hosting the epic Paradise parties in Ibiza to entering the UK Top 40 Charts, the Welsh DJ certainly earned the ‘Best DJ’ award in 2012 from respected music magazine Resident Adviser. Wrapping up the ‘Paradise‘ stages’ line-up on Friday at 11pm – 1am, it’s certainly going to be tough deciding between Cox and Jones!

 

3. Cosmic Gate have been around for over 15 years now. The German trance duo have worked with the likes of Tiesto W&W and Hardwell, and performed over 1000+ shows globally, averaging over 100 shows a year since they reached mainstream success. Featuring on the ‘Full On‘ stage at 5.30pm – 6.45pm this Saturday, Cosmic Gate will no doubt be delivering an astronomical set.

 

4. Playing on the ‘We Play House‘ stage this Saturday at 7pm – 8.30pm, Oliver $ (Oliver Dollar) is certainly lined up to be one of the must-see acts this year. With a killer Essential mix earlier this year, the versatile, charismatic German returns to Tomorrowland for another round of non-mainstage brilliance.

 

5. MK. The 42-year-old American has seen his success span over two decades, topping charts with his production and seeing the festival scene explode to its scale today. Performing at the ‘Forma.T‘ stage after his namesake, 7.30pm-9pm on Sunday will no doubt be one of the best sets of the day, rounding off the festival in fine style.

 

6. Following straight after is Route 94. Bursting onto the scene with “My Love” with 21-year-old London-native has developed a highly respected stage prescene, letting the music dominate the stage rather than his persona. Performing 9pm – 10.30pm Sunday on the ‘Forma.T‘ stage, Route 94 will begin the final stages of the festival in true form.

 

7. Saturday night at the ‘Cocoon‘ stage will belong to Sven Vath. Performing a mammoth set on Saturday at 10pm – 1am, the unpredictable, utterly professional German pioneer will be bringing in Sunday with career spanning over 30 years. Talk about experience.

 

8. Bringing in Sven Vath at the ‘Cocoon’ stage is Ibiza legend, Maceo Plex. With experience in renowned clubs like Space and Amnesia the house-techno’s Maetrik stage-persona has taken a back seat, bring forth a more music, groove basis to his sets. Less armour, more soul will no doubt be the theme on Saturday at 8pm – 10pm.

 

9. Continuing the theme of established careers within this list, is Astrix. While comitted to the studio, Astrix has still managed to rack up over 1000 shows, including tomorrowland, Ministry of Sound, Brixton Academy and Burning Man to name a select few. Rounding off the ‘B2B‘ stage on Sunday at 10.30pm – Midnight, Astrix leads the psy-trance acts that originate from Israel performing in this years edition of the festival.

 

10. Soulful French new-comer Klingande already has a Hype Machine No.1 and over 100 million Youtube views. “Jubel” became one of the most Shazamed tracks of all time, and with an album coming later this year, his 2015 looks set to elevate his career even further. Performing at the ‘Bakermat & Friends‘ stage this Sunday at 3pm – 4.30pm, Klingande will be bringing in the final days evening with harmonica-saxophone instrumental bliss.

 

11. Young Dutch producer Bakermat is certainly a name to reckoned with at Tomorrowland this year. With his own stage (‘Bakermat & Friends’) on Sunday with a line-up including Oliver Heldens, Klingande, Robin Schulz and Thomas Jack, Bakermat looks set to rival the Main Stage with some of the biggest names in the new wave of electronic music. Not only that, but you can catch the man himself performing on Sunday at 9pm – 10.30pm on his self-titled stage. Get in!

 

12. John O’Callaghan is one of the most seasoned veterans out there. With experience at festivals like Ultra Music Festivals, A State Of Trance, Stereosonic, and Cream in Ibiza as well as time curating an Essential Mix and regular Subculture events, then trance icon is more than just that. Playing on Friday at 8pm – 9pm on the ‘trance addict‘ stage, John’s monumental artist approach is set to appear at Tomorrowland away from the Main Stage, with a more intimate gig.

 

13. The english-born canadian DJ/Producer, Richie Hawtin, has had a significant career, influencing the history of today’s electronic scene in a big way. The three time DJ Awards winner’s work as Plastikman and through his ENTER events in Ibiza have established his name within legendary ranks. You can catch Hawtin at the ‘Richie Hawtin Minus‘ stage on Sunday at 10pm – Midnight.

 

14. Didrick‘s rise onto the electronic scene was quite a unique one, kickstated by his remix of Avicii & Nicky Romero’s “I Could Be The One.” Having caught the eye of Hardwell on social media, he eventually signed with Avicii’s management, reflecting the talent he possesses. You can find Didrick at the ‘Mazda Journey Island‘ stage on Sunday at 5pm – 6pm.

 

15. And last but not least, Arches. Hailing from Belgium, Arches is a new project that brings together two studio talents; Seba (Moonlight Matters) and Jochen (Sound of Stereo). Well known for their solo achievements, together Arches are an exciting new act, ready and primed to take centre stage. Playing at the ‘Forma.T‘ stage on Sunday at 2.30pm – 3.30pm, be sure not to miss this on the final afternoon!

 

While the Main Stage may offer the biggest crowd, biggest sound and biggest pyrotechnics, Tomorrowland offers much more than just a single stage. It’s a spectacle. A experience. A lifetime of memories. So be sure to get out their and explore everything it has to offer!