Songfest Season: From Glamping to Unwelcome Rain - The Festival A to Z
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Festival ABC Transforms from Camping to Stormy Conditions - Festival Transition: A Comprehensive Guide from Leisurely Camping to Intense Storms
With nearly 1,800 music festivals in Germany according to the Federal Foundation Livekultur, each has its own unique flavor. Yet some constants remain. A festival lexicon sums up essential know-hows for music enthusiasts:
A to C: Allyship to Campground
A like Allyship: Festivals aim to make all feel welcome. Many feature what's called awareness concepts sensitizing for respectful interactions, preventing harassment, discrimination, and violence. For example, Rock im Park has "awareness teams" or "A-teams" as on-site contacts. In need of assistance or feeling uncomfortable, ask staff the code question "Where's Panama?" on many festivals without any explanation required.
B like Bracelet: Trading your ticket for a festival wristband is standard. Fans often wear this not only during the music show but also as a keepsake for months afterward.
C like Campground: In addition to traditional tent areas, there are quieter, cleaner spaces. "Glamping" (a mix of glamorous and camping) has been popular on many festivals in recent years here, offering already-setup tents, small living modules, or even huts - sometimes equipped with real beds, refrigerators, fans, and power outlets.
D to J: Disposal to Jerks
D like Disposal: Classic toilets remain despite water-flush ones. Even so, these caused a real shower of criticism at Rock im Park in 2019. Because many toilets were out of order, the organizer had to order 250 chemical toilets due to the situation. Visitors complained about long lines on social media and posted photos of horribly clogged bowls.
E to I: Eats to Inclusion
E like Eats: Festival grub like sausages from disposable grills and canned raviolis remain widely available, but there's a broader selection now, including vegan options. Small supermarkets at the event set up so you can stock up on everything you need - including sunscreen and blister plasters.
F like Festival Fashion: Outlandish hats or sunglasses are must-haves for many music fans. Some even slip into animal or superhero costumes which can get a bit sweaty in summer heat. Shorts and t-shirts are, of course, widespread in fine weather, with many women opting for hot pants and tight tops. And some men go completely shirtless.
G like Gear: Wellington boots belong in every festival gear, even as a fashion statement. In dry weather, the ground is often dusty, but soon turns into a muddy mess during rain. Rain ponchos are must-haves, according to Rock im Park organizers. With them, you can continue reveling in front of the stages during a shower.
I like Inclusion: Wheelchair users can stay close to the action with platforms ensuring a good view in front of stages. Many festivals like Wacken Open Air, Rock am Ring, or Rock im Park provide barrier-free camping areas with paved paths, wheelchair-accessible toilets, showers, power outlets for electric wheelchairs, and cooling options for medications.
J like Jerks: While most festival-goers are friendly and respectful, occasional jerks do turn up. Remember, festivals are intended to be inclusive and welcoming spaces. Don't hesitate to report any unpleasant behavior to festival staff or security, such as inappropriate behavior or theft.
K to L: Kegs to Lightning
K like Kegs: The classic can of beer is still common, yet many revellers enjoy cocktails at drink stands, increasingly in non-alcoholic versions. "People are partying more responsibly," noted Sohrab Taheri-Sohi from the Bavarian Red Cross, who oversees rescue services at Rock im Park. Jana Posth, Festival Director at Rock am Ring, reported a change among the bands. "Now, people might drink carrot juice instead of vodka tonic," she said.
L like Lightning: Festivals can be turned into muddy messes due to rain, with examples like Nature One in 2024 and Wacken in 2023. Thunderstorms have occasionally caused injuries, like in 2015 and 2016 at Rock am Ring.
M to W: Mud to Water
M like Mud: After the festival comes the cleanup. Tens of thousands of fans leave piles of trash. Organizers try to limit this by distributing trash bags to campers and sometimes offering competitions or incentives for use. One major problem is camping gear like tents some attendees simply abandon. Wacken Open Air, for instance, recycles and turns abandoned tents into bags.
R to Z: Rollercoasters to Zone
R like Rollercoasters: Long gone are the days of merely focusing on the music on stage. Matt Schwarz, organizer of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, has witnessed this shift over the past few decades. Now, it's all about the experience, he says. Many festivals now feature rollercoasters and other attractions.
S like Sanitation: Besides the bands on stage, they are the heroes of the festivals. Sanitation staff are generally quite busy. At Rock am Ring last year, the Red Cross provided around 3,500 treatments and 450 ambulance services. Injuries, insect bites, and allergic reactions are common. In crowds, band crushes and fractures can occur. At Rock im Park 2023, medics even saved a man's life when he suddenly collapsed. Luckily, they were nearby and could revive him immediately.
T like Techno and Social Media: Festivals provide material for Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms. Many have their own hashtags and use social media to hype themselves. Surprise acts and other events are announced this way too.
U to V: Umwelt (Environment) to Vodka
U like Umwelt (Environment): Many German festivals emphasize sustainability and care for the environment, encouraging attendees to reduce waste and use reusable items.
V like Vodka: While alcohol is available, attendees are expected to drink responsibly. Rules concerning distances from minors still apply. Regulations vary at each festival.
- In the realm of entertainment, music festivals like Rock im Park and Rock am Ring have added sports-betting sections to their attractions, catering to a wider array of interests.
- Music enthusiasts may also find community aid for research and development at various festivals, such as Wacken Open Air, as some events feature exhibitions showcasing new technology and innovations in the music industry, such as virtual reality music experiences.
- Besides weather-related challenges like rain, some festivals also offer sports events and activities, like mini-golf or soccer matches, creating a more diverse entertainment experience for attendees during inclement weather.
