Since the first edition of WORLD CLUB DOME in 2013, BigCityBeats, the long-standing German label, radio, event, and festival organization, has come a long way with its burning passion for music, quickly growing into one of the biggest festivals in the world. During the sunny weekend of September 6th, 7th, and 8th, the 2024 edition of WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition took place. The festival, which was voted 10th out of the top 100 festivals in the world by DJ Mag UK, accommodated almost 150,000 visitors from 80 nations. EDMHouseNetwork had the honor of being part of this extraordinary experience, and here’s how it went.
Flying in from Amsterdam, we landed at Frankfurt Airport at 11:00 AM and made our way to the Sheraton Airport Hotel, where we would be staying for the entire weekend. As this hotel is located directly at the airport and only 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes by public transport from Deutsche Bank Park—where the festival takes place—it’s a great choice for anyone traveling from outside Germany who wants a comfortable stay with minimal travel time.
Buying a ticket for WORLD CLUB DOME automatically gets you an RMV ticket for local public transport, and with the Sheraton Airport Hotel being located directly above the bus station, you’ll have very little to worry about in terms of travel time and transportation to and from the hotel. For those who are interested in getting a 3-day ticket for WORLD CLUB DOME and would like to get the full festival experience, buying a camping ticket is also an option. The campsite is located a 10-minute walk from Deutsche Bank Park and is open from Thursday to Monday. As there is currently no option to rent equipment at the campsite, it’s important to note that bringing your own gear is a must.
There is a store available at the campsite where you can buy necessities such as drinks and food, but it’s good to know that the only accepted payment method is cash. Campers are also charged a garbage deposit of €5 per person, which is returned upon departure if the site is left clean and the garbage has been properly disposed of. This is a great way to ensure that everyone leaves the area as clean as possible after the festival is over!
Another helpful tip is that there is a central power station for charging electronic devices at the campsite, and sockets can also be found inside the campsite lockers that can be rented. While no one should be glued to their phone during a festival, it’s definitely nice and convenient to know that you don’t have to stress about charging your devices if necessary.
Festival Area and Stages
As we approached the entrance of the festival and heard the music roaring in the distance, the real excitement for the weekend kicked in. Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park had been transformed into 700,000 square meters of unforgettable sights, sounds, and spectacles, all uniquely contributing to WORLD CLUB DOME’s 2024 theme: ‘Future Edition‘.
The idea behind the theme was to immerse attendees in a futuristic landscape shaped by state-of-the-art technology and forward-thinking collaborations. Through the use of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and a focus on sustainability—topics that are highly trending at the moment—WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition integrated a variety of unique elements throughout the festival to show that the future isn’t just a distant concept, but is actually already here.
Having partnered with groundbreaking organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Alfred Wegener Institute, WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition went beyond the traditional festival experience, focusing on the evolution of how we celebrate, connect, and experience entertainment.
With a total of 20 different stages that hosted over 200 artists throughout the weekend, and a broad variety of genres such as techno, hardstyle, hip-hop, pop, house, and drum and bass, there was no shortage of beats and music to enjoy. The different stages were scattered across the festival grounds and blended into the natural and existing elements of the area, ensuring that every stage had its own unique setting and vibe.
The Pool Area was definitely something we were excited to experience, especially on Saturday when temperatures soared above 30 degrees. We can confidently say that we can’t think of a better way to enjoy amazing music and vibes during a festival, especially when the skies are clear, the sun is high, and temperatures are even higher, than from the comfort of a cool pool. This is definitely an idea other festivals should consider incorporating into their events as summer temperatures continue to rise, making it more challenging for visitors to enjoy the experience.
Deutsche Bank Park
WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition as a whole was a unique experience that left a strong impression and left us wanting more. The part that truly made our jaws drop, however (yes, we were really standing there with “wow” expressions on our faces), was the transformation of the Deutsche Bank Park stadium into the “biggest club in the world.”
The stage set up at one of the short sides of the stadium was nothing less than monumental, with its cutting-edge LED screens, lasers, and pyrotechnics creating a futuristic atmosphere. The dance floor took up the entire ground floor of the arena, and surrounding structures such as bars and VIP areas made the stadium feel like a modern, impressively grand club.
The sound design was meticulously engineered to deliver high-quality audio throughout the massive space of the stadium. Special attention was given to the acoustics, ensuring that every corner of Deutsche Bank Park was immersed in crystal-clear sound. Massive speaker arrays and subwoofers were strategically placed to create an enveloping, bass-heavy soundscape that penetrated every part of the venue.
The carefully planned and executed strategy that brought all these crucial elements and details together ensured that the audience—up to 50,000 attendees in the stadium at once—experienced something spectacular no matter where they were in the arena. The combination of well-executed production design, iconic DJs performing on stage, and crowds full of devoted electronic music lovers created a vibrant energy that was infectious each day of the three-day festival.
Artists and Music
The Friday opening of WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition started off strong at the Pool Sessions stage with Grammy winner Black Coffee, followed by the Italian DJ Tennis. On the Zombie Stage, Angerfist fired up the crowd with some of his hardest kicks, and Don Diablo warmed up the crowd for US megastar Steve Aoki. The day ended with an exclusive performance by the legendary trio Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike—their only festival appearance this summer.
Due to temperatures of over 30 degrees on Saturday, WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition sold out completely, as this was clearly the best place to celebrate what was likely the last summer day of 2024. We can only say that it was a great choice, with Grammy Award winner Imanbek making his debut on the main stage, Le Shuuk warming up the audience for a spectacular Scooter Live fireworks display, and DJ Snake rounding off the day.
Added to this, WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition also celebrated the world premiere of the Flamenca Stage—a stage that delivered a unique mix of flamenco and electronic music. An amazing way to combine tradition with innovation by mixing the passionate sounds of flamenco with the electrifying beats of electronic music. Curious what this sounded like? Then you should definitely check out Don Juan, Nena Polap, and Esteban Garcia, who performed here.
Sunday, the third day of the festival, was largely dedicated to hip-hop, which is one of the most popular music genres in Germany. German rappers Celo & Abdi, Olexesh, Badmomzjay, and Katja Krasavice built up the mood until Haftbefehl closed the outdoor main stage with an amazing show. At the same time, Claptone hosted the Frankfurt Berg Stage with Masquerade, and techno masters such as Simina Grigoriu, DJ Rush, and Honey Dijon brought the action to the Forest Stage.
Sub Zero Project gave an incredible closing performance at the Zombie Stage, and after melodic sets from Joel Corry and Robin Schulz, one of the most anticipated DJs of the weekend, David Guetta, delivered a spectacular closing of WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition in a completely packed stadium that was going wild.
Additional Highlights
Besides great music and fantastic stages, WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition also offered a special treat for reality show lovers with the BigCityBeats GLAM – an influencer fair. Around 500 social media stars, such as Julian and Luka from Germany’s Next Top Model, Mohamadou Idrissou, and Caner Atik, were there to celebrate the future at WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition.
Together with stars from the German reality show The Realitystar Island, such as Oliver Pocher, Gigi, and Chris Broy, this gathering of reality stars became the largest ever executed. Accompanied by TV and the yellow press, the stars were celebrating at the WCD Pool Sessions, where other attendees of the festival also had the opportunity to apply for the different reality shows.
Conclusions
WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition definitely proved why it stands among the top festivals globally by combining cutting-edge technology, world-class performances, and unforgettable experiences. From its immersive futuristic theme to a diverse lineup across 20 stages, the festival catered to a broad variety of tastes while pushing the boundaries of what a music festival can offer.
In recent years, many festival-goers have expressed concerns about the growing monotony and commercialization of music festivals, with some claiming that the experiences are becoming anticlimactic, repetitive, and losing their unique charm. Through innovative themes such as the integration of futuristic technology, sustainability, and creative partnerships, WORLD CLUB DOME – Future Edition has done a great job demonstrating how festivals can evolve beyond “just” music, while still keeping music in main focus.
With its clear focus on innovation, WORLD CLUB DOME has not only set a new standard for future events but has also offered a glimpse into the next chapter of entertainment. Added to this, for those unfamiliar with their groundbreaking history, BigCityBeats and WORLD CLUB DOME made headlines in 2019 with the world’s first DJ set played in outer space, followed by the launch of the Space Club Kitchen at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2022.
With this in mind, the fact that WORLD CLUB DOME is already teasing with a ”mission to the moon” in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) during 2025’s edition, and combination with the “never done before” spectacles and surprises that we’ve already witnessed during these past years, there is no denying the suspense and excitement we feel about what BigCityBeats and WORLD CLUB DOME will deliver in 2025.
EDMHouseNetwork would like to thank BigCityBeats and WORLD CLUB DOME for allowing us to be a part of this extraordinary experience, and urge out fans and readers to get tickets for WORLD CLUB DOME Moon Edition 2025, 6-8th of June, by clicking here. Because one thing is clear – if you want to get your mind blown and embark on a next level musical adventure where the unexpected is to be expected, then WORLD CLUB DOME is definitely the festival that should be added next to your agenda.
