TuneLab
W&W
Tomorrowland Belgium 2018
The search for peak-time, fist-pumping catharsis at Tomorrowland Belgium 2018 leads us, inevitably, to the mainstage and the unapologetic bombast of W&W. This is big room trance at its most maximalist, a set designed for pyro bursts and synchronized flag-waving under the Belgian sky. The vibe is one of collective, chest-thumping release, where every build-up feels like the climax of a superhero movie. Operating at an average BPM of 133.8, the set is a masterclass in festival energy management, predominantly in the key of 3B.
The structure is a series of towering peaks, with long, drawn-out mashups and explosive drops that leverage a powerful mid-range focus. The mixing is bold and theatrical, prioritizing momentous transitions over subtle blends, perfectly suited for the vast scale. The track selection is a who's who of festival artillery. Their own 'Rave Culture' sets the tone, while the colossal mashup of 'Crank Vs Spaceman Vs Raise Your Hands' is a ten-minute exercise in mainstage excess we can't help but admire.
Throwing in Groove Coverage's 'Are You Ready' is a cheeky, nostalgic nod, and the W&W Remix of Avicii's 'Levels' feels like a respectful torch-passing. The journey is a relentless ascent: it kicks off with the commanding 'Repeat After Me' with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Armin van Buuren, hits its stratospheric peak with that endless mashup, and lands with the driving synth lines of 'Let the Music Take Control' with Blasterjaxx. It's a full tracklist of unbridled, mainstage euphoria.