HAMRO Plays Tomorrowland Four Months After Cancer Diagnosis

From Diagnosis to the Rose Garden

HAMRO, the Ottawa-based producer who performs as one-third of THE STOOG3S, took the stage at Tomorrowland in July, less than four months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The trio performed during the festival's opening weekend at the Rose Garden during a stage takeover by Belgian bass music promoter Rampage.

Tarik Hamrouni, who performs under the name HAMRO, detailed the timeline in a candid Instagram post. He was diagnosed in late March and underwent surgery to remove the affected testicle shortly after. When he learned of the diagnosis, he says he had one question: whether or not he would be cleared to play Tomorrowland.

Treatment and Recovery

In his initial disclosure of the diagnosis, Hamrouni said he was "heartbroken" about the shows he would miss and confirmed that the STOOG3S tour would proceed without him. He also told other artists not to ignore what their bodies were signaling, writing that touring demands more than audiences realize.

Chemotherapy began in early May, with his final cycle of treatment beginning in mid-June. "Chemo is definitely the hardest thing I've ever had to do," Hamrouni wrote at the time. "After experiencing it I wouldn't wish for anyone to have to go through it."

On July 13th, he received the best news he could've hoped for: he was in remission just four days before the set was scheduled to take place.

Another Artist Returns to Tomorrowland

HAMRO was not the only artist to overcome a challenging diagnosis in Boom this year. Spanish DJ and producer B Jones, who revealed a lymphoma diagnosis in January, returned to the Mainstage and performed from a wheelchair days after informing fans she was cancer-free.

The STOOG3S performed at Tomorrowland's opening weekend in July 2026.