The gates to the so-called infield of the heavy metal festival in Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, open to loud cheers in the best summer weather. Then thousands of metal fans flock to the area in front of the two main stages of the Wacken Open Air (W:O:A, until August 1st). Calls of “Wackeeeen” keep echoing across the lawn that still exists there. Many fans show the metal greeting, the famous french fry fork, others kneel with joy.
“We wish you a great anniversary festival week,” shouts festival founder Holger Hübner. His colleague Thomas Jensen said the organizers had chosen the right song to start with. As the gates opened, “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead played.
Stars of the 35th festival are bands like Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Sabaton and Powerwolf. In the evening, Hematom was scheduled to play on the big stages. The W:O:A is sold out with 85,000 visitors. The weather was good at the start, in contrast to the capricious weather of last year. On the first day of the festival, highs of up to 30 degrees were expected in sunny weather; on Thursday it is expected to get a little hotter with 30 to 31 degrees.