Mega dance festival Tomorrowland is taking its New Year's Eve celebrations online.
After the success of its debut digital event, Tomorrowland Around the World in June, the Belgian music festival returns with another star-studded list of DJs who will perform within eye-popping new virtual worlds and multiple stages created from scratch.
The festival, called Tomorrowland 31.12.2020, which streams tonight on its website until Thursday, January 14, features leading spinners Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Lost Frequencies.
Due to the technological aspects at play, all of the artist pre-recorded sets at purpose-built studios in Belgium and Los Angeles during November, with a green screen and dozens of cameras capturing every break and fade on the decks.
Speaking to The National, Belgian artist Lost Frequencies, real name Felix De Laet, described the recording experience as both thrilling and daunting.
“I'm not an actor so I'm not really used to these kind of settings, and surely not for a DJ set. It was super impressive to be here but also a little bit intimidating as you are trying to fit into a particular vibe,” he says.
“I think this event is going to be a big game changer in what you will be able to do. And I think a lot of people will then be able to connect through these events. Even if you're not a big fan of electronic music, you will be able to feel connected with a lot of people like yourself that are hyped and talking about what's happening.”
In what can only be counted as a rare silver lining when it comes to the damage caused to the live music industry by the pandemic, Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen says the event was spoilt for choice when it came to hiring the right people to execute the vision for the festival.
“The teams working on this event are known from the Olympic Games, the Super Bowl and the game development world,” she says.
“We had the unique opportunity to have all these teams available at the same time and allowed us to create this technical set-up that has never been done before, certainly not with this high amount of content that needs to go through the production pipeline."
While nothing can beat the physical version of the event, normally home to 400,000 people for back-to-back July weekends in the Belgium town of Boom, Wilmsen says the pandemic pushed Tomorrowland to invest in digital - with satisfying results.
Even when things return to normal, she envisages the digital format will become a regular addition to the company's list of annual events.
"We could see virtual festivals becoming an ongoing experience we provide people," she says.
Tomorrowland 31.12.2020 is streaming from the festival website from Thursday 11pm to 6am UAE time, after which it is available to stream until Thursday, January 14. Tickets begin from €20 (Dh90) for a day pass, or €25 (Dh112) for the live stream and additional video-on-demand content. For details visit tomorrowland.com
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
