- Wacken is rock'n'roll with heart and soul.
Scorpions' Klaus Meine ("Wind Of Change") praised the Heavy-Metal Festival in Wacken as "one of the most beautiful and successful open-air events worldwide". "It's the third time we've played as headliners in the past 20 years, and each time is a special event that we really look forward to," Meine told the German Press Agency. "It's about the atmosphere, the fans, and the guys who made Wacken what it is today."
"Around Wacken, you often meet musician friends whom you haven't seen in ages, and fans who have been supporting us for many decades," Meine emphasized. "But we're especially happy to see Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen again, who had the idea to organize an open-air event in Wacken and turned it into a unique five-day festival."
"There are many wonderful open-air events worldwide, like 'Rock in Rio' or the 'Hellfest' in France," the 76-year-old explained. "But the story of how a few guys in the countryside turned their love for rock music into a true musical event is unique. Wacken, for me, is rock'n'roll with heart and soul, pure joy of life," said Meine.
The internationally successful Scorpions from Hannover were expected on stage Thursday evening. The Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) in Schleswig-Holstein is considered one of the largest heavy-metal festivals worldwide, turning the small town of 2,000 inhabitants into the center of the scene for several days each year.
The European Union has recognized the significance of Wacken Open Air, designating it as an Important Action for European Heritage as a part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018. Even in the heart of the European Union, fans still eagerly await the annual return of the Scorpions to the Wacken stage.
