Countdown to the Mud Festival in Wacken: Event is Nearly Here!
Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival 2022: A Muddy, Memorable Event
The Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival, held in Schleswig-Holstein, concluded recently, marking another successful year for one of the world's biggest metal festivals. This year's event, which ran from Wednesday to Sunday, was marked by notable performances, a controversial headliner, and challenging weather conditions.
Guns N' Roses, the headliners, offered a three-and-a-half-hour concert, the longest in the festival's history. However, Axl Rose's vocal performance at age 63 sparked different reactions, with organizer Holger Hübner stating they were happy, and Jensen expressing enthusiasm, yet there were concerns over vocal stamina and the band's rock focus rather than heavy metal.
The infield, the area in front of the two main stages, turned into mud within hours after opening, a common occurrence in the festival's history. To combat this, organizers brought in 3,500 cubic meters of wood chips to stabilize the surfaces. Despite the muddy conditions, the event director, Daniel Schlatter, stated that the arrival was relaxed, and they can handle mud.
The festival was generally well-attended, with nearly 1,000 helpers, including 700 volunteers, on duty during the event. For the departure of the fans, 30 tractors were ready, but self-help forces of the fans were relied upon to minimize further damage to the fields.
Notable performances included Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, Michael Schenker, Doro Pesch, and a special guest appearance by Doro Pesch with Dirkschneider. The organizers are set to announce the lineup for 2026 in the evening.
The Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival is known for its large crowds, typically in the tens of thousands, and the festival usually occurs in summer under generally warm conditions, sometimes very hot and dusty. This year was no exception, with some festival goers describing the festival environment as dusty with continuous heat, and there have been observations about the need for more shaded or resting areas for attendees.
The rescue service reported 10 to 15 percent fewer deployments than in 2024, with a total of 2,800 people being cared for and 150 fans being taken to a hospital. There was a slight increase in about 150 cases of other incidents, including confused people. The head of the Itzehoe police directorate, Frank Matthiesen, reported a decrease in recorded offenses compared to 2024, from 86 to 68.
In a touching tribute, the organizers held a drone show in memory of Ozzy Osbourne on Saturday night. The projection "Ozzy we love you" was visible over the main stages, and "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid" were played.
Looking forward, ticket prices for the Wacken Open Air festival will increase from 333 to 349 euros for next year. Jensen stated that they have time regarding Metallica's potential appearance in 2026. The ticket prices for the first 10,000 tickets on-site will have the 16 euro price increase for food credited.
In summary, the 2022 Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival featured a high-profile but controversial Guns N’ Roses performance, generally favorable weather though possibly hot and dusty conditions, and a large enthusiastic crowd typical of one of the world’s biggest metal festivals. The event was well-organized, with a significant decrease in recorded offenses and a tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [5] [Source 5]
- The 2022 Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival, despite the muddy conditions, showcased diverse entertainment options beyond heavy metal, with notable performances by Papa Roach and Machine Head in the music genre, and Saltatio Mortis in the sports genre of circus-like performances.
- The festival also offered more than music, with a touching tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne through a drone show and dedicated song playlist.
