Wacken Open Air set for bumper comeback

German metal festival Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) is set for a banner comeback after last year’s weather-related struggles.

The 2024 edition kicks off today in Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, and features performances from the likes of Scorpions, Amon Amarth and In Extremo.

All 85,000 tickets to the festival were snapped up in just four-and-a-half hours in August, smashing the existing record of six hours set for 2023’s event.

With a historic on-sale behind them and a clear weather forecast ahead, organisers are excited to get back to business.

“The gates open and a flood of fans rush onto the Holy Ground,” W:O:A co-founder Thomas Jensen tells IQ. “Starting the W:O:A festivities on the main stages in the main area is always a very emotional moment for us, still, after all those years. We’re excited about this year’s festival and very much looking forward to it. The weather is great, the fans are celebrating, there are a lot of cool bands coming up… what’s not to like?”

“Starting the W:O:A festivities on the main stages in the main area is always a very emotional moment for us”

Last year, Superstruct-backed promoter International Concert Service was forced to run the 85,000-cap event at a reduced capacity after the festival site was hit by rain and thunderstorms in the days leading up to it, leaving the camping areas “impassable”.

Around 61,000 people entered the site before no further admissions were allowed, meaning close to 25,000 ticket-holders were denied entry. Jensen estimated that the capacity reduction caused a revenue shortfall of more than €7 million.

Ticket-holders denied entry in 2023 were given first refusal to buy Wacken 2024 tickets priced at €333.

This year, organisers have introduced an extra arrival day for campers with a limited number of access passes, priced €66.60 per vehicle for the Sunday before the festival – meaning that areas of the campsite are open for a whole week for the first time.

Wacken Open Air proper runs between 31 July and 3 August under the banner of Witches & Warlocks.

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Spain’s Madness Live! launching new rock festival

Spanish promoter Madness Live! is launching new rock and heavy metal-focused Rock Imperium Festival from 24-25 June.

AP Musicales reports the inaugural event is expected to attract 40,000 people across two days to Parque El Batel in the city of Cartagena.

The line-up is headed by Scorpions, Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia, Europe, Black Label Society, Bush and a farewell show by Whitesnake.

Tickets start at €85, with two day-passes priced at €145. The VIP Podium package, meanwhile, costs €280.

Murcia-based Madness Live! also has upcoming shows with the likes of Iron Maiden at Estadi Olimpic in Barcelona, Exodus at Valencia Rock City and Sanctuary at Boveda Barcelona.

Earlier this week, it was announced that another new Spanish festival, the electronic music-oriented Sophie, will debut this summer in Malaga. Organised by Sophie Group, the 40,000-cap outdoor event will run from noon to 2am over nine consecutive Sundays from 3 July to 28 August.

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