< Previousby Celia Woitas he words “We support Metal” adorn the back of Emil Bulls singer Christoph von Freydorf as he pushes through the last few metres to Wacken Open Air. For this year’s journey to the festival, the musician relied on his bike “Fu- chur“, the German name for the luck dragon Falkor in “Never- Ending Story“. His objective: to collect donations for the Wack- en Foundation. “The journey was wonder- ful and actually pretty interesting. I travelled from the South to the North of the country and I’ve never seen it like this before,” he says, beaming. In total, the musician covered a distance of more than 1,000 kilometres from Munich to Wacken. “I cycled an average of 200 kilometres a day, the longest segment was almost 250 kilometres. That’s a lot of pedalling. I was actually lucky that I was on time and was even able to make a detour to the coast.” The musician has travelled to festivals by bike in the past. On social media, he re- ceived a lot of encouragement and support, which is how the idea for the fundraising cam- paign emerged: “I knew last year that we would be playing at W:O:A 2024 and thought I’d ap- proach the Wacken Foundation about a little fundraiser. They were instantly thrilled by the idea.” Although Christoph is a passionate cyclist and trained for his trip in advance, he was nerv- ous about whether he would be fit enough and what obstacles he might encounter along the way. Fortunately, the musician arrived at Wacken physically unscathed on Wednesday: “I feel great. My bum is in good shape, Who needs trains and buses when there are bikes? Under the banner “The Ride to Wacken”, Emil Bulls fronter Christoph von Freydorf has cycled more than 1,000 kilometres from Munich to Wacken. The result: over 2,800 euros in donations to the Wacken Foundation. Over the finish line: Christoph spent a week cycling the country The last metres on the Holy Ground are covered on footmy calves are fine and my thighs feel fantastic. I could get right back on the bike to go home, but for now, I’m going to stay for a few days and party.” In addition to the sporting aspect, the ride has also paid off in terms of do- nations. So far, Christoph has raised roughly €2,800 for the Wacken Foundation and the campaign is still going. At the Wacken Foundation tent, there were numerous other campaigns aimed at collecting donations. Organi- sations such as DKMS, Metality and the blood donation team from Eppendorf University Hospital were present. In return for a donation, you could get a cup of Wacken coffee, a haircut from the Barber Angels Broth- erhood or buy works of art in the neighbouring artists’ tent. The Wacken:Music:Camp was also present. The long-standing project, for which the Founda- tion collaborates with Kultur- Raum Steinburg e.V. and the Association of Music Schools in Schleswig-Holstein, currently takes place twice a year. The next camp runs from 10 to 18 August. “The final event will take place at the Landgasthof here in Wack- en,” says Enno Heymann, Wack- en Foundation curator. “The kids love it: First they attend concerts and then a week or two later they are on the same stage with their band and get to play their songs. Many former camp participants support us during camp week, help out or act as band managers. It’s really touch- ing when everyone sits around the campfire and the counsellors share the significance of their own camp experiences,“ says Enno. Teenagers between the ages of twelve and seventeen can register. With its donations, the Wacken Foundation also supports other future pro- jects within the metal sector: These include the Wacken Metal Academy and, of course, Met- al Battle. In addition, all artists and bands in the heavy metal scene can apply for funding. The Foundation receives 60-70 ap- plications per quarter, and the organisation allocates around €70,000 to various projects each year. “I have personally ex- perienced how difficult it is for bands to make progress without the necessary funding. That’s why there can never be enough support,” emphasises Emil Bulls singer Christoph, who will cer- tainly rock more charity bike rides in the future. Day 1: Munich to Nuremberg Day 6-7: detour to St. Peter Ording and Husum Day 5: Hanover, Buxtehude and Itzehoe Day 4: Kassel, Einbeck and Hanover Day 3: Bad Salzungen to Kassel Day 2: Nuremberg to Bad Salzungen The Wacken Foundation tent had lots to offer Trying your luck….…or taking it out on the drums – Wacken foundation is here to help Fotos: Susanne MüllerFoto: WOAYou are the anchor we can rely on. Our team, all the crews on stage and off stage, all the bands, performers and their technicians, all the security people, service providers and metal guards, all the vendors and caterers, our cooperation partners and sponsors. The same applies to the great sup- port and cooperation with the police, rescue services, fire brigade, customs and the Schenefeld Department for Security and Supply. Without you, your help, your solidarity, your heart for this festival – and of course with- out the best fans in the world, W:O:A would not be possible. You all are Wacken Open Air! Holger Hübner & Thomas Jensen Organisers of Wacken Open Air he best metal party in the world is over once again. A massive and loud “Thank you!” goes out to all those who made this wonder- ful Wacken Open Air 2024 possible. The weather always plays a part, whether we have rain or – as was the case for most of last week – blissful, unadulterated (sun-) shine. We have no way of changing it, we have to take it as it is. And that’s what we’re able to do – because we have you!For the past couple of days, a wonderfully vintage jukebox has been on display in the Wacken United tent. W:O:A bosses Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen personally selected all 120 vinyl singles for it from their private collections. For us, the two look back on their early days as rock fans and discuss the best tracks. by Andrea Leim and Christof Leim This year, Suzi Quatro is playing the legends slot on Wednesday evening. You chose her single “Mama’s Boy” for the jukebox. What connection do you have to Suzi? Holger: I listened to Suzi Quatro a lot in the seventies, she was touring with Slade and TheSweet back then. At that time, her music was considered heavy compared to others! … and she paved the way for many women in rock’n‘roll. Holger: Definitely! Thomas: This year she is celebrating her 60th year on the stage! One should’t talk about a woman‘s age, but that‘s very impressive. With “That’s The Way I Wanna Rock’n’Roll”, you’ve picked an end-of- eighties song from AC/DC. Angus on the Acker – wouldn’t that be nice … Thomas: There were rumours about that, but AC/DC are a logistical challenge. By the way, do we even know whether these singles will work properly here? Holger, they were stored under your bed, weren’t they? Holger: They’ll have to work, otherwise we’ll oil them. (laughs) Your selection also includes “Lay Your Hands On Me” by Bon Jovi. Would he be allowed to play at the festival? Thomas: That’s a tough one … Holger: Vocally, I don’t know. His legendary backing vocalist Richie Sambora isn’t with the band anymore. Thomas: But the B-side has “Runaway”! That was the first song I played with Skyline. Holger: In the eighties, this was still considered “heavy”, but not so much now. Thomas: But it’ll have to go in the jukebox regardless. Holger: Absolutely, we played that over and over. “New Jersey” in particular was a hot record back then. Hardly any band is better suited to W:O:A than Judas Priest. Which song did you choose as a single? Thomas: “Johnny B. Goode” – that’s also a classic, and I always thought the cover by Priest was great. Holger: Here’s Uriah Heep, they’ve been to Wacken, too. They have to go in! Thomas: You can still watch that show on Magenta TV. People couldn’t stop singing during “Lady In Black”. Mick Box was laughing his face off. You’ve chosen several songs by Tom Petty … Thomas: We obviously can’t get him to the Holy Ground anymore, but if Holger and I Holger and Thomas, flicking through their collection and picking singles for the jukeboxHEART : ABarracuda : BCry To Me THIN LIZZY / EAST OF EDEN : AWhiskey In The Jar : BJig A Jig DESMOND DEKKER : AIsrealites : BIt Mek PRINCE BUSTER : ADon’t Make Me Cry : BTen Commandments THOM PACE : AMaybe : BFriends LEE MAJORS : AThe Unknown Stuntman : BLust In A Lady’s Eyes ARTHUR BROWN : AFire : BRest Cure SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS : AYou’re Ready Now : BRunaway MARLENE DIETRICH : ADie Antwort Weiß Ganz Allein Der Wind : BSag’ Mir, Wo Die Blumen Sind JANE BIRKIN : AJe T’Aime … Moi Non Plus : BJane B. KENNY ROGERS : AThe Gambler : BMomma’s Waiting DOLLY PARTON : AJolene : BCoate Of Many Colours IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS : AHit Me With Your Rhythm Stick : BThere Ain’t Half Been Some Clever Bastards ROSE TATTOO : ABad Boy For Love : BRock’n’Roll Outlaw COCKNEY REJECTS : AI’m Forever Blowing Bubbles : BWest Side Boys BLACK SABBATH : AParanoid : BThe Wizard THE JAM : AGoing Underground : BDreams Of Children ROSE TATTOO : ARock’n’Roll Is King : BI Had You First SLADE : AMy Oh My : BKeep Your Handy Off My Power Supply DAVID LEE ROTH : AA Lil’ Ain’t Enough : BBaby’s On Fire THE DAMNED : AI Just Can’t Be Happy Today : BBallroom Blitz THE CLASH : AEnglish Civil War : BPressure Drop GEORDIE : ACan You Do It : BRed Eyed Lady HARRY BELAFONTE : AGod Bless The Child : BHallelujah I Love Her So RIO REISER : AJunimond : BIch Leb Doch ELVIS COSTELLO : AVeronica : BYou’re No Good THE DAMNED : AEloise : BBeat Girl / Temptation THE STRANGLERS : ANice ’n’ Sleazy : BShut Up THE STRANGLERS : ANo Mercy : BIn One Door UK SUBS : AStranglehold : BWorld War / Rockers had had the chance to have Tom Petty and Bob Geldof in this tent? Priceless. Holger: Absolutely! Thomas: (flicking through the records) “Las Palabras De Amor (The Words Of Love)” by Queen! Holger: That was a hit in the eighties, we have to include it. Thomas: They always played that song at midnight in our favourite club – legendary! By the way, we have to include Samantha Fox, as well. Not because of the song, but for Lemmy. Why “And The Bands Played On” by Saxon? Thomas: That’s the festival song – and important to me, personally. The lyrics were practically written for Wacken. SUZI QUATRO : AMama’s Boy : BMind Demons SAXON : AAnd The Bands Played On : BHungry Years RAM JAM : ABlack Betty : BI Should Have Known SAMANTHA FOX : AI Promise You (Get Ready) : BSuzie, Don’t Leave Me With Your Boyfriend QUEEN : ALas Palabras De Amor : BCool Cat URIAH HEEP : ALady In Black : BEasy Livin’ HEART : ABarracuda : BStraight On JUDAS PRIEST : AJohnny B. Goode : BRock You All Around The World BON JOVI : ALay Your Hands On Me : BRunaway (Live) AC / DC : AThat’s The Way I Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll : BKissin’ Dynamite PETE TOWNSHEND : AUniforms : BDance It Away FLEETWOOD MAC : AAlbatross : BNeed Your Love So Bad CHRIS DE BURGH : ADon’t Pay The Ferryman : BLiving On The Island CHEAP TRICK : ADream Police : BHeaven Tonight TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS : ARefugee (Live) : BHere Comes My Girl KILLING JOKE : AKings And Queens : BThe Madding Crowd EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER : ALucky Man : BKnife-Edge AEROSMITH : AAngel : BGirl Keeps Coming Apart BANGLES : AWalk Like An Egyptian : BI Should Have Known PATTI SMITH : APeople Have The Power : BWild Leaves NAZARETH : AThis Flight Tonight : BCalled Her Name PINK FLOYD : AAnother Brick In The Wall : BOne Of My Turns MOTT THE HOOPLE : AAll The Young Dudes : BRoll Away The Stone NILS LOFGREN : ACry Tough : BGoin’ Back HANS ALBERS : ALa Paloma : BAuf der Reeperbahn Nachts Um Halb Eins MEN AT WORK : ADown Under : BThe Cassette THE KINKS : ASunny Afternoon : BSittin’ On My Sofa ELTON JOHN : AI’m Still Standing : BTortured TWISTED SISTER : AWe’re Not Gonna Take It : BI Wanna Rock THE ROLLING STONES : ALet’s Spend The Night Together : BOut Of Time BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE : AYou Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet : BRoll On Down The Highway TORFROCK : APreßlufthammer B-B-Bernhard : BRollo, Der Wikinger Holger: Yes, that one has to go in! Thomas: And Rose Tattoo! The band is from Australia and first came to Wacken in 2000. They’re our friends and musically, they’re a similar mix of blues, rock’n’roll, metal and punk as Motörhead. Great stuff. The jukebox can be found in the Wacken United area to be played by anyone who walks by. Why are your personal records included? Thomas: So that our favourite songs from back in the day are always on! (laughs) They both continue to flick through the singles, saying things like “Wow, that’s a great track!” and “Hey, that’s mine! You took it!” Unfortunately, some of the treas- ures aren’t suitable for the jukebox be- cause the vinyl discs only have a small opening in the mid- dle, designed for home record play- ers only. Otherwise, Motörhead as the loudest common denominator of the Wacken world or Holger’s person- al favourite Bruce Springsteen would surely have made the cut. Thomas also has some good punk singles that he couldn’t get hold of quickly enough. But he does find anoth- er treasure: “Preßlufthammer” by Torfrock. “My daughter loves that song because I used to sing it to her at bedtime.” Hmm … Which one should I choose? Holger mid-choice Credits: Pep Bonet, Steve BraunCredits: W:O:A, Steven Braun Dreads and spirits flying high – Korn ended their spectacular set with their hit “Freak On A Leash“ Onesies are the new black Spiritbox perform “Holy Roller” on the Holy Ground Straight from the fiery depths of hell onto the Louder Stageriday was all about Wacken’s epic shows! With the support of the Wasteland Warriors, Swed- ish metal outfit Pain took to the stage and delivered an ex- cellent performance. As had been previously requested by Peter Tägtgren, yellow shirts were scattered throughout the audience. Simultaneously, the crowd during Blind Guardian’s set was unbelievably packed. The legendary German band took their fans straight to Valhalla – and the metalheads gladly followed along. Harder headliner Korn presented not just an im- pressive stage set, but also a suitably suited fronter: Jonathan Davis sported a green sequinned sweatsuit. The Wasteland was almost overrun by fluffily dressed individuals when Warriors and metalheads united for the annual Plushy Party – but due to the heat, the fancy costumes were soon discarded. Late in the evening, Tobias Sammet’s Avanta- sia brought the melodies to the Infield, with guest singers such as Bob Catley (Magnum), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids) and Geoff Tate (ex-Queensrÿche). Meanwhile, Watain got quite a bit darker. Their Law- less Darkness show was brim- ming with fire and crosses. Pain’s Peter Tägtgren fits right in Avantasie close out the Faster Stage Fully armed for their set Giving it their all Polished metalNext >