Features
International Festivals: 80,000 At Wacken, Truck/Y Not Anniversaries
Attendance figures from a selection of recent European Festivals confirm that audiences are ready to go to events again.
Wacken Open Air returned triumphantly with a lineup led by Judas Priest, Slipknot and Powerwolf, Aug. 2-4. The 31st edition of the iconic metal gathering welcomed 83,400 fans.
Festival promoters Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen commented, “Wacken Open Air is back – finally! We missed the festival as much as the fans did. Now we’re very much looking forward to next year’s edition, which will offer four full days of live concerts for the first time.”
Tickets for the expanded Wacken Open Air 2023 went up on Sunday, the closing night of the 2022 edition, and got snatched up within five hours of going on sale.
Iron Maiden has already been unveiled as one headliner for next year’s edition, Aug. 2-5. Megadeth, Dropkick Murphys, Wardruna, Beartooth, Ensiferum, Pentagram (50th Anniversary Show), Jinjer, Nervosa, Deicide (Special Legion Show), Burning Witches, and Two Steps From Hell (exclusive Wacken Show), have also been confirmed.
Commenting on the quick sell out, Jensen said, “A sold out festival in that amount of time – unbelievable. Especially in these times the backing of the community is enormously important. We are still knocking off the dust of this year’s Open Air and now, thanks to the trust of our fans, we can continue to fully concentrate on the program in 2023.”
Hübner added, “This is an enormous proof of confidence from our fans and we appreciate it very much. This allows us to push Wacken Open Air forward and develop various projects and themes alongside the billing, which we will announce during the year”.
Beer Pipelines, Metal & Family: Wacken Open Air Turns 30
Y Not Turns 15
Y Not Festival returned to the Peak District, England, for the first time since 2019, to finally celebrate its 15th edition, July 28-13.
Headliners Stereophonics, Courteeners, Blossoms, and The Kooks were joined by a host of brilliant acts across the four days, including Manic Street Preachers, Nothing But Thieves, Kelis, The Vaccines, Laura Mvula, Amy MacDonald, The Big Moon, Alfie Templeman, Yard Act, Dream Wife, and many more.
Promoters counted 27,000 fans in attendance, and Y Not Festival MD Jason Oakley commented, “After over two years away, this edition of Y Not Festival was the celebration that everyone deserved. We are incredibly grateful for the support and goodwill from our customers over the past couple of years and hope that each Y Not attendee has enjoyed these four days of live music and entertainment. Thank you to the brilliant artists from across the weekend, our incredible headliners Stereophonics, Courteeners, Blossoms and The Kooks, and the rest of this year’s top line up. This was our biggest year yet, a sold out festival with 27,000 in attendance – so we thank you for sticking with us. See you all in 2023.”
25,000 At 25th Truck
Truck Festival also celebrated a triumphant return, celebrating its 25th anniversary with 25,000 fans, who made their way to Hill Farm, Oxfordshire, U.K., July 22-24.
Mora than 250 artists performed at what promoters called Truck’s “biggest edition to date.” Sam Fender, Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Blossoms delivered headline sets, leading a bill that also featured Sigrid, The Kooks, Easy Life, Inhaler, Sea Girls, Sports Team Kelis, Sam Ryder, Yard Act, Shame, Black Honey, Jade Bird, The Oxford Symphony Orchestra, and many more.
Speaking about Truck Festival 2022, Festival Organiser Conor Burns said, “What can we say about Truck 2022. After so long away, it was an emotional weekend that reminded us all why this show is so special. From iconic headline performances from Sam Fender, Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club and Blossoms to real ‘you had to be there’ turns from Easy Life, Sigrid, Sports Team, Inhaler, Yard Act, Baby Queen, Alfie Templeman and more – what kept shining the brightest was you, the Truck Festival crowd. Unlike any audience in the country, you made countless memories that we’ll never forget. It definitely was the best Truck yet! (P.S – love you Barry).”