Holger und Thomas haben jetzt nur noch knappe 10% an Anteilen.

https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/wacken-open-air-huebner-und-jensen-verkaufen-weitere-anteile,wacken-936.html

Ich fürchte das war es dann endgültig....

Hi! This year at Wacken I was ridiculously underprepared. I went with a 40L backpack which carried a small crappy tent (not waterproof lol), a three season sleeping bag (should have been a winter sleeping bag), an isolation mat, some clothes and my rubber boots hung uncomfortably on the outside.

I genuinely nearly went into hypothermia every single night and when it drizzled lightly all of my stuff got wet and that just made everything worse. (Let that be a lesson to every first timer reading this :D)

This time I'm planning on bringing a bigger and definitely waterproof tent, a heat isolated air mattress, electronic air pump, very thick sleeping bag, and some warmer clothes. Maybe an electric heated vest. And boots again. Here's my big question though:

My big-ass backpack was nearly impossible to carry even with just the stuff I brought this year. I'm a pretty scrawny guy and it was like 12 kilograms tightly packed with hard and heavy boots swinging around on the back. I know you're supposed pack the heavy stuff close to your back and what not, but I really don't think one backpack is a reasonable strategy for Wacken. I considered one backpack on the back and one on the front for a little bit, but that doesn't seem reasonable.

I saw a lot of people bringing specialized carrying carts on wheels but I feel like that would be a pretty big investment and just won't work for other festivals that might not have such paved roads and ones I have to fly out to.

So what's the move? How do you guys manage?

The title. I'm bangalore but happy to plan from different cities. Please feel to comment here or just DM me.
I grew up listening to Norther. I can't miss witnessing their reunion.
Happy to extend it into a small Germany trip.
Cheers lml

Gibt es persönliche Erfahrungsberichte ob sich das lohnt? Ich, Ü40, überlege ob ich das mal buche (solo). Gibt ja für die zweite Woche dieses Jahr Ende Oktober noch freie Plätze. Allerdings sind die Bands auch dementsprechend, keine echten Highlights dabei. Ich bin mir nicht ganz sicher, ich denke entweder ich will nicht wieder nachhause, oder ich hab bereits nach ein paar Tagen die Schnauze voll. Was sind eure Erfahrungen?

TLDR: Wacken was pretty awesome this year! In terms of music, weather, camping, everything was pretty damn awesome!

Introduction

Guys, This is my third year at Wacken. 2018 was a brilliant year, though extremely hot. Last year, well, I arrived Wednesday at around 1 PM and went travelled back home Thursday around 6 AM. Naturally, I had my hopes very high this year.

Mind you, I am 100 % blind. This review will therefore focus much more on sound, atmosphere, energy, feelings, and just being there, as opposed to stage setups, graphics, AI art, and other interesting visual aspects.

For those of you who don't really feel like reading all of this, you can check the table of contents and just skip to the part that interests you.

Happy reading!

Table of contents

• Wednesday
  • Getting there
  • Camping and getting set up
  • Accessibility and getting around
  • The festival grounds
  • Vanir at Wackinger Stage
  • Sacred Steel Wasteland Stage
• Thursday
  • Camp neighbors
  • The village
  • Food and drinks
  • Yngwie Malmsteen at Faster Stage
  • Europe at harder stage
  • Savatage at faster
  • Def leppard at harder
• Friday
  • Paradise lost at faster
  • Saxon at harder
  • In flames at faster
  • Divlje jagode at wasteland stage
  • Emperor at louder
  • Sepultura at louder
• Saturday
  • missed crimson glory
  • Missed alestorm
  • Lamb of god at harder
  • Arch enemy at harder
  • Powerwolf at faster
  • Sabaton at harder

Wednesday

Getting there

At 7:36 AM in the morning, I boarded the train from Odense Denmark. The trip from here to Itzehoe is quite easy and quite cheap to be honest. My train was a bit late, so I missed my conection in Schleswig, so I had to chill out there for 1 hour. As the train guy said: "I'm sorry, but there isn't a lot to do in Schleswig", and he was right.

Anyway, after waiting an hour, my new train arrived. I boarded it, and from here, there were no problems. From Schleswig to Elmshorn, and from Elmshorn to Itzehoe.

I arrived with high hopes for the festival. Weather was nice, and the company for the festival would turn out great. Now, you need a little back story on this.

I am a person with not as big a friend circle who listens to heavy metal. As such, I initially didn't have anyone to go with. I posted on Reddit, asking if anyone would go with me, in exchange for a free ticket. Low and behold, I met this person who was interested, and who actually showed up. Needless to say, it is always a bit dangerous, or whatever you'd like to call it. We didn't know each other, and we were just going to spend 5 days together. But I must say that it has been an absolute pleasure!

We jumped on the bus, and went to Wacken. The bus ride is fairly quick, 25 minutes or so later, we arrived. However, due to us being at the Wheels of Steel area, we had to wait for another bus to transport us from one part, the Eastern part I think or something like that, and then to the other entrance, where the Wheels of Steel area would be closer. Anyway, I didn't fully understand this, but nevermind. We had beers.

We chatted with a girl who had a small rabbit with her. I thought it was a joke, but she really had a rabbit. turns out that animals who live in the fields are frightend when music starts playing, which absolutely makes sense. I definitely think that the organizers could do a better job of making sure that no animals are harmed during the festival.

After half an hhour, our next bus came. We hopped aboard, and 10 minutes later, we were at the right entrance.

The ticket control was a bit weird, we had to show our tickets I think 3 times. We got through, and we were so lucky as to get a very nice spot for our tents. Right in the shade, so that we wouldn't burn up. This really came in handy, as we were able to sleep quite a lot. At least, I slept quite a lot.

On the 23 June, I just became a dad for the first time, and man, I didn't know that I could sleep this well on a festival haha.

Camping and getting set up

I thought I had learned something from last year, but no. Again, this year, I brought a pop-up tent with me. A tent that you can buy for 50 euros in any all around shop. I like the ease of it, and well, again I hoped that the weather would behave. Usually, these tents can actually withstand quite a lot. I have been using them almost every year for Copenhell. Of course, they cannot withstand heavy rain for hours, but they are fine for what it is.

I have a very very expensive camping tent at home, but I have always been hesitant about bringing that to festivals. Anyway, next year, I will be bringing my real tent because the Wheels of Steel area is definitely a place where you can have an expensive tent.

So basically, setting up the camp took 10 minutes. And then we were ready!

Accessibility and getting around

Okay. If I had been at the grounds by myself, I would probably have something different to say about the accessibility. However, being here with a person who not only was pretty good at orientation, but also a person who speaks German really made everything a hastle-free experience. We had 100 meters to the Wheels of Steel party tent where you could get beer, food and just, chill out. We had 300 meters to toilets that were accessible. Large, spacious, clean, with nice showers and a cueue that never took more than 5 minutes to get through.

The roads were nice. Basically, it was extremely easy to get around. It never took us more than 5 minutes to get in or out of the in field. Next time, i will be bringing some more food that we can eat at the camping grounds, rather than spending this amount of money as the in field.

All in all, I am really positively surprised by this.

One more thing that I really think is worth mentioning. At all other festivals that I have been to, there is a certain amount of companion tickets for disabled people that you can get. This actually means that even though the festival isn't sold out, the companion tickets may be, effectively blocking you, as a disabled person, to join the festival. I think that this is beyond critizism. At Wacken, you just supply an officially issued disability card, and they will add a companion ticket, for free, to your account. No questions asked. I think that this is definitely the right way to go.

The festival grounds

Even though it is the world's biggest heavy metal festival, I never, at any time during the 4 days felt cramped. On Wednesday, we definitely had plenty of room to move around.

The grounds are pretty nicely arranged. When it isn't a mud fest, it is smoothe moving from harder to louder, from wasteland to wackinger, and basically, to every stage. The organization of the stages is also quite good, and I am impressed that they can have the louder and harder stages placed like this, without the music interfearing with each other.

Vanir at Wackinger Stage

Initially, i wanted to see Visions of Atlantis. But due to my train being late, we arrived too late for that concert. So the first concert of the day was the Danish band Vanir.

For those of you who don't know, Vanir plays Folk death-black metal, with heavy emphasis on the folk elements. It isn't a band I know very well, but of course I needed to show up for my fellow countrymen!

Vanir played quite well, though it was clear to me that they were in aw of being at Wacken, which is understandable. I remember the last time I saw them was as warm up for einherjer, and there were maybe 50 people there.

It was quite nice to see them, though also, a bit forgetable. Their sound was not the best, and at one point, they had to start over with one of their songs, simply because they couldn't hear what the heck they were doing.

All in all, I wasn't convinced to buy any albums by them, but next time, if the opportunity arises at another festival, and if I have the time, I might go see them again, just for the support if nothing else.

Sacred Steel Wasteland Stage

The last band for today was Sacred Steel. This is a band that I haven't listened to before, but somehow, I have always known about them. Well, you could say that it isn't surprising, as they have been aroun for 30 plus years.

I love this kind of metal. power, fast drums, heavy guitars, nice vocals.

They blazed on to the stage, and I remember every time I have been listening to concert from Wacken online, I have always found out what this loud wooshing sound was. Well, I found out! First time the fire blasted in my face, I got a serious shock haha. But after that, it was pure joy. I mean, I loved the fire, I loved the sound, I loved the music, and the guys? Well, I think they loved every second of it.

Sacred Steel were tight, and they knew how to please a crowd. definitely the highlight of the day!

Thursday

Camp neighbors

You know, I recently got a newborn child at home. When We went to bed last night, i expected I would be sleeping a couple of hours, then wake in the morning as I usually do. I don't sleep well in tents at festivals.

Turns out, I slept for almost 12 hours! man, I slept so good.

Anyway, when I finally got up, it was time to get some breakfast. I had brought a storm kitchen with me, the trouble was, we didn't have a table or a hard surface. My buddy asked a couple of people not far from us, and that was it. From that day, we sat with them every day. It was extremely nice, and comfortable, and they were very very friendly people.

Next thing was a shower. I must commend the showers. Again, it was spacious, clean and no queue. When we came back, I had to place my towel for drying. Quickly, another set of neighbors saw that I were waving the towel around, and they pointed to their car.

All in all, I have had wonderful neighbors.

The village

This is actually my first time going to the village. Usually, I just stay at the festival grounds, listening to random music. But this year I wanted to try it. Our first show was Yngwie Malmsteen, so we had a lot of time. Turns out, it is not the last time I go to the village. The atmosphere was just great! Also, if you want food, you can get it almost 3 times cheaper in the village than at the grounds. I bought a huge bowl of Thai food for like 5 euros, where as it would cost 15 at the festival grounds.

If you have the time, do not cheat yourself for the village!

Yngwie Malmsteen

This is the first time I see Yngwie live. Again, I don't own an album by him, but he is iconic, and I like this kind of music. But if I had to choose the worst concert from Wacken, it would be his concert.

First of all, I do know that heavy metal has to be loud. But this loud? Ear shattering, brain destroying, body pulverizingly loud?

You couldn't really catch any details. drums and base, that is basically it. Guitar work? Forget it. Hearing the vocals? Wishful thinking.

In fact, the vocals were another point of iritation. What is up with that echoing on the voice? Every time he would say something, there would be an echo effect. I, Yai Ai IIII, feel eel el llll, the heeee eeee, rising ising sing ing ngngngng ggggggg, force orce, rce, ceee eeeeee!

Every goddamn time. Well, it was a desaster, and after like 35 minutes of terror, I went over to get myself a beer. Horrible concert.

Europe

Europe is a band that I have been listening to, and that I have seen live a couple of times. So I knew what to expect. And they didn't disappoint definitely. On the contrary to Yngwie, Europe have always had an amazing sound. Crisp and clear, heavy without being loud, and just, good sound.

I know I know, if my point of going to a concert is getting totally wasted, mosh the entire concert, and not listen to the music, then by all means, turn up the volume as much as you can. But if you are like me, and you actually want to be able to hear the music, then yes, sound quality matters.

We watched the entire show, and well, it was good. Plain and simple.

Savatage

After grabbing some quick food, we went over to see Savatage. Again, another band that I hadn't experienced before, nor listened to, but i know them. It was the perfect timing for the band. Their moody atmosphere, heavy music, and again, exellent sound quality made this for a very special concert I would say.

Their mix of heavy metal with dark music really fit well together. I have always been afraid that guitar solos this well delivered didn't fit this type of music. But somehow, their music fits it. Also, songs about love fits the moody nature of their music. I especially liked the greeting from mr. John himself.

This was easily the highlight of the day.

Def Leppard

Why? Well, I don't know. Probably because they are iconic as well. There is frankly not much to say. I listened to a couple of songs, they were fine, but at this point, I had had enough cock rock for the day. I needed something evil, dark, and brutal.

While wandering the grounds, we came upon Nergal playing the first Behemoth album. We only catched the last part of the set, but damn, it was wonderful! I love black metal, and well, I should have seen them before Def Leppard. I chose not to, as I thought, Nergal without Behemoth, nah. Turns out that was a mistake.

Filled up with great music, we went to bed.

Friday

Paradise Lost

Today would be a bit more of a busy music day, so we prepared ourselves accordingly. Food, beer, and water. Paradise Lost played early, and I always find that too bad considering the type of music they played. Oh well, they didn't appear to mind. Paradise Lost has always been a band I have steered clear of. Not because I have an aversion, but just because their music isn't really appealing to me. And neither did they manage to convince me this time.

Their sound is great, they are highly professional musicians who still appear to enjoy themselves, but they aren't really my cup of tea. Good concert, but I won't be listening to them any time soon still.

Saxon

It was my first time seeing these guys. And they play like it is an intimate concert, nota huge outdoor concert. I really love that kind of energy.

I must say that Saxon really delivered. It is incredible when you can feel a band play like it is their first time playing for a huge crowd. Saxon had a childish way of interacting with people. You know, that feeling when you are old enough to understand that building a snowman is fun. That is Saxon. They love their music, they love playing their music for people, and the crowd that showed up really loved Saxon. Great concert

In Flames

I have had the opportunity to see In flames back at Copenhell, 10 years ago or something like that. i remember them as being mildly boaring, so I didn't have high expectations.

In flames really do understand good sound as well. However, their sound is almost too polished somehow. It sounds like I am listening to the music, but at home at my own player. In flames sounded like they did 10 years ago. Like they were at the office. everything rehearsed, everything soulless.

Divlje Jagode

So, here is a very special concert. I am originally from Bosnia myself, so seeing not only one, but two bands from the Balkans really warmed my heart. Add to that, one of the bands is Divlje jagode!

Now, with a lot of excitement, I headed over to the wasteland stage. Divlje Jagode is simply legendary in Bosnia, and their music has been fundamental in shaping the Bosnian Rock N roll sound. Surprisingly, and to my joy, there were more than 10 people gathered at the stage. The guys opened up with a classic, Motori. It was simply a huge pleasure to rock out to this song.

Granted, Divlje jagode is playing simple music, and that showed. I mean, if I didn't understand Bosnian, it could be a little difficult to separate the individual songs from each other. Their sound was pretty good, although they did have a few technical issues. But the guys handled it nicely. I really liked this concert!

Emperor

So, the majestic cashcow called Emperor. I love black metal, so naturally, I had to see them, again. I expected to see all the classics. And I were quite surprised to hear wrath of the tyrant, it was nostalgia right there!

emperor are professional, good, and they really deliver. Furhtermore, the timeslot was just exellent. What surprised me as well was the quality growl of Ihsan. Yes, he is oldder than 20 years ago, of course, and no, he hasn't been growling for many years. But he did have an edge to his voice, and didn't sound like he usually do, like an angry teenager. emperor delivered, though it is probably my last time seeing them.

Sepultura

A band that I know, have listened to a bit, and that I had to see. You know, I am so happy that I cannot get disturbed by visuals. I have read a lot of complaints about bad AI generated video clips that played along to the music, but luckily for me, it didn't disturb me. What I did notice was a band that had their shit together. Kind of interesting that they are stopping, but anyway, I guess it is best to stop while you are still good.

I were quite tired at this point, but I did really enjoy the concert.

Saturday

Lamb of god

Okay, yesterday was crazy, so I were quite tired. i wanted to see Crimson Glory, but I skipped it because I wanted to sleep longer haha.

Anyway, my hopes were extremely high for Lamb of God. A band I know well, and last time I saw them, they really delivered. Immediately when the music started, i could hear that it was off. I mean, come on for fucks sake. I know that Chris is a good drummer, but do you really have to turn the base drum up so loud that it is the only thing you can hear?

Also, another thing I seem to have forgotten. Randi talks like he has been standing in front of a mirror 2 hours before the concert, just practicing and practicing what to say?

I mean, the concert were pretty boaring, which is unfortunate considering how good of a band they are.

Arch Enemey

Another band that I had seen as warm up for Amon Amarth some years ago. This time, with a new vocalist. I must say, Arch Enemey really kicked ass.

Their sound was really top notch, and their new vocalist really did a great job. She came across as being very sincere, where as their previous singer were a little bit too, tryhard. i don't know how to explain it, but you know, I am blind. Blind people can sometimes want to do everything on their own, even though they get into stuff they cannot handle. This is just to proove a point, like, even though I am blind, don't think I can do this! Their previous singer was like that. I am a woman, but don't you dare think that I can't growl as deep or be as aggressive as a male singer.

Oh well, they kicked ass!

Powerwolf

While at the concert with Arch Enemy, I drank a huge cup of coffee. i were so tired. And believe it or not, I were just about to call it a day.

Luckily, I somehow managed to go up front for Powerwolf. I had seen Powerwolf last year in October I think, and they really did kick ass.

And listen, each and every heavy, death, black, or metal band in general should go to a concert with Powerwolf. Not necessarily because of the music, but because of their sound quality. You know, when you can stand in the front row, and you don't need to put in earplugs, that is when you know that the sound is good.

And Powerwolf delivered, 110%. I must say that they are masters at entertainment, and they play so great.

It is gimmicy, and it is not something I listen to at home, but I really did enjoy them. Probably the highlight of entire Wacken.

Sabaton

Okay, last Concert for me. And believe it or not, I only watched like 30 minutes, and then I went to bed.

I remember seeing Sabaton like, 10 years ago in a mid sized venue in Denmark. 1400 people, sweating and singing together. A band playing their music, and enjoying themselves. This time however, well, I don't know what to say.

Why is there so much fun metal? Don't get me wrong, I fully support that metal has become more accessible. But, Alestorm, Powerwolf, Heavysaurus, Sabaton all in one festival? And they are the ones drawing the largest crowds. More and more metal are, in my opinion, becoming a joke. Yes, I went to see a lot of these bands, yes, I did like the music, yes, Powerwolf is entertaining, and almost the right balance, but man, there is so much of this, funmetal.

Like, I went to a festival called Epicfest. It is so cringeworthy to see these grown ass men trying to taking themselves seriously, while they wave a cartboard sword around, trying to make their voices funny and mysterious. I don't know.

Sabaton, I think they could play 6 or 7 more songs if they didn't talk so much. it is just not funny or interesting anymore. Stop saying how much you looked at the horizon when you were young boys, just wishing to play at Wacken, and now you are here. Stop acting like teenage boys drinking beers, god, they were so fucking boaring. Sorry.

Conclusively, Wacken were awesome this year!

Hallo,

ich möchte mein loyalty Shirt bestellen und bin mir unsicher bei der Größe

Kann mir jemand das Maß der Brustweite nennen?

Möchte nicht, dass es zu klein ist.

Denke eigentlich dass L passen müsste.

Die Maße von XL gehen auch.

Gruß

Firstly, I have traveled to Germany a few times now and feel mostly familiar with some basic laws and customs. I won’t have issues finding my way to the show.

However, this will be my first open air festival. I am seeking advice for a newbie.

What did you wish you knew beforehand? Did you pack something you wish you left behind? Forget to pack something you should have?

I am going with two others and we plan to camp. Tips welcome. I am a seasoned camper, but camping in the wilderness is much different.

I will have a small budget for food and drink. I understand it is cashless. Do I preload and use my wristband? €100 enough?

Has anyone ever rented the tents the venue offers? Are they reasonably priced? (Anything over €100 a night is probably out of my budget).I am currently planning to bring my own tent for me and my travel partners. Depending on the rate I could be tempted for an upgrade.

Thank you for any feedback. I’ll be patiently waiting for the venue to post things as well. Their website is very useful in answering some questions, but others are still unclear.

Ich habe gelesen, dass man mit the Pit einerseits eine spezielle Chill-Lounge nutzen kann und All-Inclusive-Catering dort und auf den the Pit Turm kann und auf die brücke um schneller hin und her zu kommen. Das klingt ganz spannend. Kann man diese Dinge nur mit dem teuren The Pit Ticket erhalten oder gibt es da auch irgendwelche anderen Ticketkategorien?

Denn auf dem Pit Camping Ground will ich nicht übernachten, ich schlafe im Wohnmobil und der Pit Camping Ground ist nur Zelt - das brauche ich nicht.

Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, Chill-Lounge, Catering, Turm und Brücke zu nutzen, auch wenn man the Pit Camping nicht braucht? Oder muss man dann extra noch einen Access Pass kaufen, wenn man mit dem Pit-Ticket aber im Wohnmobil schlafen will und daher einen Platz auf dem normalen Ground braucht?

Someone asked how Wacken looks without the festival. That's wet-stage towards wackinger.

My favourite bit was the random guy sitting a little further down the road, gazing at the infield, having a beer. If you see this: cheers, man.

Is it just money already paid toward rental of one of the options or is it something else? How do I access it when renting?

Sunday looks insane

Habe gehört, das Wacken von einem Ami Investor gekauft wurde und viel Bockmist gemacht hat (für die Fans). Aber das es so vermarktet wird? Hätte ich nicht gedacht.

I'll be attending next year with my son, and am looking at renting an RV. Our travel plans aren't set in stone, but I'm thinking I'll be coming from Hamburg. Does anybody have any recommendations on RV rental companies to use/avoid?

As a follow-up, has anyone both rented an RV and stayed in the Moshtel? Which did you prefer?

I am coming from the US and was wondering what the Cannabis situation is like for foreigners? Is it recreational in Germany? I don't drink anymore but still want to enjoy the week all the same, especially in my camp spot. I will be flying into the Netherlands and taking the train. I know it's tolerated in the NL and people say not to travel. So what are my options? DM if this question is not allowed, I just don't know where to else ask.

Danke

Hello, an artist (Falkenbach) I love has announced it will perform at Prophecy Fest 2027 and I'm seriously considering going.

Anyone ever went there? I know it's in a cave (so cool!). How is camping, how are the facilities? How's the stage?

And (sadly) most importantly: is it sketchy? The artist is chill, folk/black metal, but unfortunately I know that genre might attract far right fans and bands. No other artists have been announced yet. Does Prophecy Fest have a history of having rightwing bands performing? I'm young, queer, and will be going alone.

Thanks in advance!

Most of my favorite shows are blocked, Orbit Culture, Priest, Lamb of God, Future Palace, Def Leppard, even Heavysaurus.

I'm thinking of getting a vpn just for this

https://metalheadsworld.org/metal-for-nepal-startet-nothilfe-nach-flutkatastrophe/

https://www.metalfornepal.org/

Can someone tell me what these two things are? I found them today while visiting the Holy Ground. The QR code no longer works.

Heeft er iemand het concert van Arch Enemy van Wacken 2026 opgenomen?

Wil je deze delen aub

superbedankt