- Nothing with mud: The summer in the Mecca of the metalheads
The water in Wacken this summer comes from a tank trailer. A tractor is using it to moisten one of the paths at the Heavy Metal Festival (W:O:A) in Schleswig-Holstein. After mud problems last year, the metal scene is delighted with 26 degrees and nothing but sunshine. "Sun is better, you don't get stuck in the mud," says Bodil, a 24-year-old from a nearby village who is prepared.
Most of the expected 85,000 metalheads, as the scene calls itself, are enjoying the weather. Sergio, who is from Portugal, is here for the second time after his wedding. He wants to show his wife the festival he's been raving about for years. "You just have to experience it," he says. When setting up his tent, camping neighbors immediately offered him beer. "They don't know you here, but they treat you almost like brothers," he describes the unique atmosphere.
700 liters of beer and an old fire truck
Martin, from Lower Saxony, has come with about 40 companions. For this metal fan from the Osnabrück region, it's his tenth or eleventh visit. As a joke, they bought a house right on the main street of the small town. After the festival, at least one holiday apartment will be used there. Martin arrived in an old, decommissioned fire truck. "The advantage is: nine-seater and lots of cargo space for lots of beer," he says. On board were 15 cases and 8 pallets. In total, the group brought around 700 liters.
The festival has changed a lot over the years, with merchandise becoming more expensive, says Martin. More tourists are coming to Wacken who aren't metal fans but want to experience the festival due to its hype. But it doesn't bother him. "It's completely relaxed, it's like a holiday for us."
Less traffic
So far, the fans' arrival is running smoothly, according to the police. By the afternoon, 52,000 metal fans had already reached Wacken, according to the organizers.
Last year, due to the weather, the organizers had to stop admission for the first time in the festival's history for security reasons. In the end, only 61,000 visitors made it onto the site. The arrival concept was changed, and metal fans were directed on different routes.
There's already a lot of activity on the main street before the official festival start. Mostly black-clad metal fans stroll through the town, queue at the ice cream parlor, or carry beer supplies to the campsite. In the afternoon, an announcement is made to festival visitors: "The swimming pool is full, they're not letting anyone else in." Around 400 people are already waiting outside.
"They don't cause any trouble"
Every now and then, festival-goers pass by Walter's house. The 79-year-old watches the scene from his garden fence. "We're always happy when they come, and when they go," says the Wackener. "They don't cause any trouble." Walter is wearing a 1992 festival T-shirt but doesn't go to the concerts. "It's loud enough here," he says. The stages are only 800 meters away by air.
The festival officially starts on Wednesday, with the last concerts ending on Sunday night. It's considered one of the world's largest heavy metal festivals. The annual 85,000 fans from all over the world turn the village of 2,000 inhabitants into the scene's center for several days. Some of the headliners are Scorpions, Korn, Amon Amarth, In Extremo, Blind Guardian, and Gene Simmons. Tickets for 2024 sold out in four and a half hours.
Bodil's friend Lia moved to Wacken with her boyfriend a year ago. "We met here in 2022. Our love for the festival brought us together." The 27-year-old says she grew up with metal thanks to her father. She's happy about the better weather this year: "Like this - 26 degrees - it's actually perfect."
Fire Alarm
From the police's perspective, there have been only minor incidents so far. "It's incredibly peaceful," a police spokesperson said. However, the fire department had to respond to the site in the early morning hours. Around 4:00 AM, a merchandise tent caught fire for unknown reasons. Despite the quick response from the fire department, the flames spread to two vehicles and three tents. One car was completely burned out, and another sustained significant damage. Three people were treated for suspected smoke inhalation.
The organizers decided to address the issue of mud at the festival by announcing, "The following shall be added: more path moisture to prevent mud problems."
Despite the fire incident, the festival goers were in high spirits, with Bodil's friend Lia commenting, "Even with the fire, it's still perfect, just like this 26-degree weather."
