Heavy Metal Frenzy at Wacken Festival Concludes
The Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) heavy metal festival, held in the small German village of Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, continues to make waves in the global metal scene. This year's event, which concluded on Sunday night, saw the attendance of over 180,000 fans from around the world[1][2].
One of the highlights of this year's festival was the performance by Guns N' Roses, who delivered a concert lasting over three hours, setting a new record for the festival[3]. Axl Rose led the performances, paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during the show[4]. The iconic band was the headliner for this year's event.
Other notable performances included Apocalyptica, Saltatio Mortis, Machine Head, Within Temptation, Papa Roach, Michael Schenker, Gojira, and BAP[5][6]. The W.E.T. Stage provided a platform for newcomers, showcasing fresh talent in the metal scene.
The Wacken Open Air began in 1990 with just 800 visitors, but it has since grown into one of the largest heavy metal festivals globally[1][2]. Its continuous expansion and influence on metal culture are notable. Originally held in a small local gravel pit, it has grown in size through the 1990s and 2000s, adding multiple stages and increasing infrastructure to handle tens of thousands of visitors[1].
Despite challenges like heavy rains, the festival has maintained its reputation for quality performances and a vibrant, dedicated fan community[1][2]. The festival also evolved organizationally, with local landowners and new production staff helping it expand while addressing local concerns about scale and impact. By the mid-2000s, Wacken was already recognized as a fully sold-out festival well before the event started, illustrating its strong global demand[1].
The upcoming 35th anniversary in 2026 will commemorate Wacken's continued growth and its importance in metal music history[4]. The Wacken Open Air is indeed considered the epicenter of the metal world, attracting fans from all corners of the globe to celebrate their shared love for heavy metal music.
[1] https://www.wacken.com/en/wacken-open-air/history/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacken_Open_Air [3] https://www.loudersound.com/news/guns-n-roses-set-wacken-open-air-record-with-three-hour-show [4] https://www.wacken.com/en/wacken-open-air/35th-anniversary/ [5] https://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/wacken-open-air-2022-lineup-confirmed-with-guns-n-roses-headlining [6] https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/wacken-open-air-2022-lineup-announced-with-guns-n-roses-headlining/
Amidst the various performances at this year's Wacken Open Air, the music scene was enlivened by the entertaining acts of bands like Apocalyptica, Saltatio Mortis, Machine Head, Within Temptation, Papa Roach, Michael Schenker, Gojira, BAP, and more.
The iconic band Guns N' Roses, who had the honor of headlining this year's event, delivered an entertaining music experience lasting over three hours, setting a new record for the festival and paying homage to Ozzy Osbourne during their performance.
