Good morning! Charlotte de Witte just shattered the glass ceiling (and the rulebook) by becoming the first artist ever to open and close Tomorrowland’s mainstage—all in one day.

Will her unprecedented double-header on July 19 push other festivals to rethink their headliner playbooks, or is this a one-off exception for techno’s reigning queen?

In today’s EDM recap:

• Charlotte de Witte makes history with Tomorrowland’s first mainstage double booking

• Alok drops ‘Unforgettable,’ a summer-ready Afro house anthem with Daecolm and Malou

• ISOxo & Knock2 announce San Diego’s Niteharts fest featuring rare Skrillex B2Bs

• REZZ stuns Europe with secret PORTAL stage debut at Rampage Open Air

Charlotte de Witte Makes History with Double Tomorrowland Mainstage Sets

The Recap: Charlotte de Witte makes history as the first artist to open AND close Tomorrowland's mainstage on July 19 - marking a watershed moment for techno and female headliners. Official announcement.

Unpacked:

• Her Daybreak set at noon will showcase techno’s versatility, while the closing act delivers peak-energy fireworks - study both for masterclass pacing.

• This completes a 14-year arc since her 2011 Tomorrowland debut via DJ contest, proving grassroots hustle still pays off. Career timeline.

• As the first woman to close the mainstage (2022) and now double-book it, she’s rewriting festival hierarchy norms in real time.

Bottom line: Major festivals are finally recognizing techno's mainstage appeal beyond peak-hour slots. Watch how other promoters respond to Tomorrowland's bold booking gambit.

Alok, Daecolm & Malou Drop Summer Afro House Anthem 'Unforgettable'

The Recap: Alok teams up with Daecolm and Malou for 'Unforgettable,' a sun-soaked Afro house anthem primed to dominate summer playlists. Listen here.

Unpacked:

• Daecolm’s soulful vocals (of 'I Adore You' fame) blend seamlessly with Malou’s pop-electronica flair, creating a vocal dynamic ripe for remixes.

• Alok’s production layers warm percussion and airy melodies, making it a festival-ready groove with crossover appeal.

• The track’s release follows Alok’s groundbreaking Coachella debut, hinting at a live-show spectacle for future performances.

Bottom line: 'Unforgettable' is a masterclass in Afro house accessibility, merging global star power with dancefloor magnetism. Expect it to soundtrack beach clubs and main stages alike this season.

ISOKNOCK Announces Niteharts Festival with Skrillex & Zedd B2Bs

The Recap: ISOxo and Knock2 are launching their own festival, Niteharts, in San Diego this October, featuring rare B2B sets with Skrillex and Zedd. Presale signup is now open.

Unpacked:

• Hometown energy: The duo transforms last year’s “San Diego 4EVER” into a full-fledged festival, blending trap, bass house, and experimental sounds.

• Unreleased heat: ISOxo’s B2B with Skrillex may debut collabs from Skrillex’s latest album, while Knock2 and Zedd reprise their viral Echostage chemistry.

• Lineup depth: Beyond headliners, expect sets from JOYRYDE, Yellow Claw, and underground standouts like horsegiirL and ericdoa.

Bottom line: Niteharts reflects ISOxo and Knock2’s DIY ethos, offering a stacked lineup and intimate B2Bs rarely seen at major festivals. Grab presale access before it sells out—San Diego’s bass scene won’t disappoint.

REZZ Stuns Rampage Open Air with Surprise PORTAL Stage Debut

The Recap: REZZ stunned fans at Rampage Open Air with an unannounced European debut of her immersive PORTAL stage, showcasing next-level production and last-minute stage magic. Read more.

Unpacked:

• REZZ’s PORTAL stage, developed with Bending Lite Productions, features hypnotic visuals and design previously seen in her 'Spiral' and 'Spectacle' sets.

• The festival crew overhauled the stage layout last-minute, proving how agile production teams can elevate a surprise moment into a headline event.

• REZZ’s cryptic pre-set tweets and post-reveal shock tactic (see tweet) show how artists can leverage unpredictability to amplify fan excitement.

Bottom line: This unplanned debut proves that live EDM thrives on spontaneity and technical agility. For producers, it’s a masterclass in how to turn a last-minute idea into a defining set.

The Shortlist

Angel City reimagines her 2004 hit 'Love Me Right' with A-Tribe, blending nostalgia with modern melodic house and trance influences.

Chris Lorenzo teams with Max Styler and Audio Bullys on 'London’s On Fire,' a bass-driven club anthem debuting at Coachella.

Bela unveils the GEM audio system, pairing PocketBeagle 2 with ultra-low-latency stereo/multi-channel interfaces for live performance.

Tape B announces his first bus tour across 22 U.S. cities, following sold-out Red Rocks and Shambhala performances.