The future is Tomorrowland

After an exciting debut at the iconic electronic music festival Tomorrowland in Belgium in July, Li Shali, better known as DJ Sally, made another impressive appearance at The Magic of Tomorrowland in Shanghai.

In both shows, the 25-year-old DJ from the Chaoshan region of Guangdong province performed a remix of the classic Chinese song Shanghai at Night, sparking an audience sing-along at the Hero Dome in Shanghai's downtown Huangpu district on Oct 17.

This is the second time Li joined The Magic of Tomorrowland, launched last year in the city with a sold-out inaugural edition. As one of the world's largest and most iconic electronic music festivals, Tomorrowland partnered with Budweiser, Hero Esports and INS Land to present a successful second edition on Oct 17 and 18, drawing over 10,000 people from across the globe.

With a scenography built entirely locally, the event brought together music, culture, fashion, gastronomy, technology, brand activations, and exclusive merchandise in one setting. Themed "Planaxis", the delicately designed indoor spectacle featured an ambitious main-stage production, with an 88-meter-long stage and 72 moving ceiling screens, creating an immersive visual environment that surrounded the audience and brought Tomorrowland's distinct stage design to life.

Returning to the Shanghai stage, Li feels quite different: "Everything is fantastic. The whole production is upgraded and more complete this year. I'm very excited to be back in Shanghai and sharing the energy I gained from across the world and to create more memorable moments with our domestic audiences."

Recognized for her stunning four-fader mixing and looping performances, Li is earning immense admiration and love from countless electronic music fans worldwide. This year, she stood among the festival's dazzling artist lineup, including Axwell of Swedish House Mafia, Lost Frequencies, Tiesto, Cassian, Morten, Linska, Joel Corry, Miss Monique, and Alison Wonderland.

Inspired by her parents, Li was captivated by electronic music at 17 and soon embarked on her journey as a DJ and producer. She told China Daily that what attracts her most to being a DJ is the shared "energy and vitality" that resonates with global audiences off the stage, regardless of national or cultural boundaries.

Li has performed in several countries, including the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

"I can hear the fans calling my name, and that energy always strikes me. Especially in China, I see a growing electronic music fan base in recent years, and an increasing number of electronic music activities and parties," says Li, who is looking to incorporate more Chinese elements into her music and introduce them to a wider global audience.

Belgian DJ and producer Felix De Laet, better known as Lost Frequencies, shares similar sentiments. Having traveled to China frequently over the past decade, he is deeply impressed by the nation's rapid growth and dramatic changes, from air quality and infrastructure to the music scene.

"China's music scene has grown a lot, and I feel very blessed to experience all these changes. I have seen a lot of Chinese fans come to the festival in Belgium, and I'm excited to come to China and play for them. The indoor experience creates a club energy, like a big rave party. I love being here," he says.