Countdown to Wacken's Mud Festival
The Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival, held from July 30 to August 2 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was a celebrated gathering of metal music lovers this summer. With an official attendance of 85,000 fans, the event featured a diverse lineup of electrifying performances that combined traditional and modern metal styles, as well as theatrical and Viking influences.
Highlights of the festival included headline performances by Saltatio Mortis celebrating their 25th anniversary, Mastodon, The Hellacopters, King Diamond headlining the Louder stage, and Floor Jansen of Nightwish. Notable acts such as Fear Factory, Static X, and Eihwar delivered a unique mix of heavy metal and electronic elements. Heavysaurus, a dinosaur-themed metal band known for their playful style, also graced the stage.
Saltatio Mortis headlined with a special 25th-anniversary set, drawing significant attention. King Diamond performed a late-night headlining set on the Louder stage, streamed live to fans. Mastodon and The Hellacopters were highlighted for their energetic, electrifying shows, adding to the festival's dynamic atmosphere. Floor Jansen’s presence brought a sophisticated musical element to the event.
Bands like Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, and guitarist Michael Schenker performed at the festival in recent days. The event was also marked by a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the late rock icon, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76. A drone show and the songs "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid" were dedicated to his memory on Friday night.
The festival was affected by heavy rain, with up to 39.3 liters of rain per square meter at the start. To stabilize the surfaces, organisers brought in 3,500 cubic meters of wood chips. Despite the mud and sludge, the arrival at the festival went smoothly. The rescue service reported around 2,800 people were cared for, with 150 fans being taken to a hospital. This was a 10-15% decrease in interventions compared to 2024.
The number of recorded offenses by the police also decreased from 86 in 2024 to 68 this year. Organiser Holger Hübner stated that they were happy with Guns N' Roses' performance, while Jensen expressed that the reaction depends on the viewer's perspective. Guns N' Roses offered the longest concert in the history of the festival at three hours, on Thursday night.
The first 10,000 tickets purchased on-site will have the 16 euro price increase credited for food. The final concerts were planned for Sunday night. The lineup for the 2026 Wacken heavy metal festival will be announced in the evening (8:30 PM). Ticket prices for the 2026 event will increase from 333 to 349 euros.
Metal queen Doro Pesch had a guest appearance with Dirkschneider. The Wacken heavy metal festival in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was a memorable experience for all who attended, with a wide range of performances that catered to every metalhead's taste.
- Despite the challenges of heavy rain and mud, the Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival showcased various forms of entertainment this summer, including music, sports, and theatrical performances.
- The event, which welcomed 85,000 fans, featured headline music acts like Saltatio Mortis, Mastodon, and King Diamond, as well as intriguing sports-themed acts like Heavysaurus and a tribute to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne.
