Three of Germany’s most prominent music festivals, the twinned Rock am Ring & Rock im Park and heavy metal event Wacken Open Air have been cancelled due to Coronavirus.
The events posted the news on their respective websites today (April 16).
The 75,000 capacity Wacken was scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 1 and would have seen performances by the likes of Judas Priest and Amon Amarth.
Rock am Ring & Rock im Park were due to take place from June 5-7 with bands such as Weezer, Korn and 3 Doors Down booked to play.
The cancellations follow reports published in German media yesterday (April 15) that the country was set to ban major events until the end of August, (although federal states would decide on the size of the events).
The German government confirmed the ban extension in a statement, which said that, “since major events play a major role in infection dynamics, they remain prohibited at least until August 31, 2020”.
You can read Rock am Ring & Rock im Park’s statement below:
In their eventful and eventful history, Germany’s most popular open-air festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park have faced unexpected and difficult situations more than once. Now the ban on all major events due to the corona pandemic until August 31 forced the cancellation of the anniversary events at the Nürburgring and in Nuremberg.
For the organizers and their teams, the artists and 175,000 fans who wanted to celebrate 35 years of Rock am Ring and 25 years of Rock im Park on the first weekend in June , this alternative decision is of course disappointing. Nevertheless, the producers have an unreserved understanding of this inevitable measure in the interests of the safety and health of everyone involved, however sad the cancellation of the sold-out twin festivals is. At the same time, they expressly thank the fans for their sustained support.
Together with the live music industry, all hopes are now focused on the time after the state of emergency ends. The renewal of the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park anniversary festivals is now scheduled for the second weekend in June 2021.
Due to the details about the further processing, all ticket buyers are asked for a little patience. The organizers and their teams are working on concrete information about the exact procedure, which will be announced in the next step. Until then, fans are asked for understanding.
Rock am Ring – Rock in the park
June 11-13, 2021
Save the date!
You can read Wacken’s statement below:
Dear Metalheads,
Yesterday, the German government decided that due to the Coronavirus pandemic, no mass gatherings will be allowed until August, 31st 2020. We are facing an unprecented situation in our 30 years: It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that there will be no Wacken Open Air this year.
Our whole team has been working intensively on the festival these last months and the more all of us are bitterly disappointed that we are not allowed to celebrate a Wacken Open Air with you. This administrative order affects us heavily and we will need some time to process the bad news.
Nevertheless, we support the decision of the German government in this difficult situation for the whole world. Your health and safety have always been and always will be our top priority. We as promoters are therefore bound to take an even greater responsibility and have to follow the instructions of the experts.
Concerning Wacken Open Air 2021 and options for your already bought tickets we will reach out to you asap but ask for a little bit of patience whilst we work through this. We thank you for your trust during times which are unparalleled for all of us.
Stay healthy – In Metal We Trust!
Your W:O:A Team
Picture Credit: Rock am RingMusic Business Worldwide
