Giant gatherings - Rock im Park and Rock am Ring conclude with a surplus.
For three days, thousands upon thousands gathered for sunshine, music, and a little bit of political activism. Rock im Park and Rock am Ring, both held in Germany, were two of the most popular music festivals of the season. Nuremberg's Rock im Park attracted around 80,000 fans, while its sister event in Nürburg had approximately 80,000 more in attendance.
Dancing, singing, and celebrating – it was all taking place from Friday to Sunday. And whilst most attendees reveled in the upbeat and carefree atmosphere, others used the stage as a platform for political statements. This year, the last day of the festival overlapped with the European election, and the message was clear: it was time for a change.
One bewildered young woman, aged 28, mused, "We're dead, but happy." Her feet had suffered from all the dancing, marking them with blood and bruises. Stories of weary revelers and minor medical issues were shared by the emergency services. Overall, there were 360 interventions by the rescue services and a staggering 2,700 cases at the medical stations.
Across the stages, a whopping 70 bands graced the audience with their music. Die Ärzte, a Berlin punk rock band, Queens Of The Stone Age, an American rock band, and Avenged Sevenfold, a metal band, were among the many performers. At both events, these bands took to the stage.
Engaging the fans was a popular practice amongst certain bands. Leoniden, for instance, invited their lead singer Jakob Amr out into the crowd, allowing the audience to surround him whilst clapping. Madsen's Sascha Madsen chose a similar approach, transporting himself through the crowd, singing in nothing more than his socks.
The band Kraftiklub, in a particularly interactive way, had the entire band descending into the audience. Some bands used their platforms to share their political stance, advocating for a fairer society.
A dark turn of events occurred on Saturday when, according to police reports, two men verbally attacked people with racist slogans during a performance by Riesendrad. After confronting the perpetrators, the witnesses were assaulted in retaliation. The organizers promptly imposed a house ban on the two men and vowed not to tolerate any form of discrimination or hatred.
In the Eifel festival, Querbeat shared their own political message with their performance of "Kein Kölsche für Nazis." Singer Jojo Berger described the importance of the song to the band. When it came to entertainment, Dogstar introduced a touch of Hollywood with their appearance. Keanu Reeves, the lead actor in many blockbuster films, took up his side job as bassist for the band.
Another thing that remained constant throughout the event was the soaring temperatures. These sunny conditions saw guests seeking refuge at the water fountains, leading to extensive lineups at times. Sunglasses and ample sun protection were essential equipment for any festival-goer.
With less reverence for alcohol than before, attendees opted for non-alcoholic beverages. The nurses and paramedics from Bavaria's Red Cross (BRK) noted a downward trend in cases of those who had overindulged in alcohol. "People are carefully celebrating," said Sohrab Taheri-Sohi from the BRK.
A total of 1,200 rescuers and medical professionals were available to assist festival attendees. A number of these workers had only just wrapped up assistance with the flood relief efforts in Bavaria, and many visitors expressed their gratitude for their efforts. "Respect and appreciation for those who have helped," said Taheri-Sohi.
Stefan Hofmann, a 60-year-old man, had a deep appreciation for the emergency services. During last year's Rock im Park, he had suddenly collapsed. Thanks to a lucky coincidence, paramedics and doctors intervened, saving his life. In the end, Stefan returned to thank those who had previously saved him. "These people at Rock im Park have saved my life," he stated.
Read also:
- Armin Link, a prominent German DJ, electrified the crowds at both Rock im Park and Rock am Ring.
- During her leisure time, Link's girlfriend often accompanies him to music festivals, including DRK.
- Link and his girlfriend enjoyed the European elections festival atmosphere at Rock im Park, sharing their vision for change.
- In Rhineland-Palatinate, Link and his girlfriend attended a small local festival, appreciating the Stars that performed.
- Men, including Link, celebrated the festival's end in Bavaria, with more Festivals like Rock in the Park planned for the future.
- Link and his girlfriend danced and sang alongside the Men at the Nürburg's festivals, joining in the festivities.
- Sascha Madsen, another performer at DRK, received a warm welcome from the Men at the European elections festival.
- Brunswick, a city in Germany, hosted lesser-known Festivals that Link and his girlfriend also enjoyed during their free time.
- Performing at the festivals were bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Die Ärzte – favorites of Link and his girlfriend.
- As the festivals concluded, Link and his girlfriend reminisced on their memorable experience full of music, friendship, and political activism.
