Metal concert commences at "Original Wacken-Weather" venue
Wacken Open Air 2021 Kicks Off with Thousands of Metal Fans in Attendance
The Wacken Open Air heavy-metal festival, one of the largest of its kind worldwide, has begun in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Wacken. The gates to the festival's infield opened at approximately 3:30 PM, and thousands of metal fans rushed to the area in front of the two main stages.
This year's headliners are the US rockers Guns N' Roses, with Axl Rose and his band set to perform at Wacken for the final show of their Europe and Middle East tour. Other notable acts on the lineup include Judas Priest, Kiss, Sabaton, and many others.
However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 festival took place under special conditions. The original dates were postponed, and the festival was held later in 2021. Attendance figures were likely lower or subject to restrictions compared to typical years, as many festivals had limited crowd sizes or enhanced safety protocols.
Festival founder Holger Hübner addressed the crowd, expressing his happiness to have them all back. He thanked the attendees for the rain and promised another great week. Hübner also spoke of the "original Wacken weather," a reference to the rainy conditions.
The first band to play on one of the main stages in the afternoon was Wind Rose. Also expected are the French band Gojira, the US rockers Papa Roach, Machine Head, Apocalyptica, and Michael Schenker. Saltatio Mortis was already scheduled to play on Wednesday evening.
Hübner mentioned that he and co-founder Thomas Jensen would only appear on stage on Sunday morning. The US rock band, Machine Head, is scheduled to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival. The French band, Gojira, and the US rock band, Papa Roach, are also scheduled to perform.
All tickets for the Wacken Open Air festival were sold out by the end of September. The Wacken Open Air 2021 is set to be a memorable event for metal fans, with a lineup that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Metal fans at the Wacken Open Air festival might find solace in alternative forms of entertainment when they need a break from the concert, as sports and even sports-betting could offer engaging diversions. For instance, during a lull in music, fans could place a bet on their favorite sports team or immerse themselves in a thrilling virtual sports experience, ensuring a well-rounded festive atmosphere.
