< PreviousFloor Jansen has performed with Nightwish on stage at the Wacken Open Air several times. This year she is going solo for the first time - a special moment, both for her fans and for herself. In this interview, she reveals why this new path is so important to her, which new projects she is already working on and who told her not to sing. Since 2012 Floor Jansen is the singer of Nightwish. The band is on a tour break at the moment Pop, rock or metal – Floor Jansen not only speaks all the languages of music, she also talks about her life on YouTube and loves to interact with her fansBy Andrea Leim utch singer Floor Jansen is one of the most influential voices in symphonic metal – but she has long been more than ‘just’ the front woman of Nightwish. With her solo al- bum, she has unveiled a new, personal facet of her art and shows that she can balance effortlessly between bombas- tic rock and soulful pop. She has just celebrated her 44th birthday, which we naturally congratulated her on at the beginning of the interview. All the best to you, Floor! Did you get yourself a present? Floor Jansen: Not really (laughs). We were actually on holiday in Thailand on my birthday and my youngest got sick. She must have gotten something wrong in her belly, so she was puking all over. Oh no! The gifts only children will give you… How has being a mother of two changed you as a creative person? Floor Jansen: You change inevitably with children. Maybe not fundamentally, but they will change how you look upon things, how you see life in general, perhaps, your own mortality. You can only spend things once: Your money, for sure, but more importantly time and energy. With children you’re choosing differently, with greater awareness. And in that sense, I guess, you grow. Lately, and since Nightwish isn’t touring, you have put a lot of time and energy into your solo projects. How does working solo differ from working in a band? Floor Jansen: A band has a whole different dynamic, especially when you start singing in one that already exists. You fill a role within that machine, which sounds very business-like, but I don’t mean it like that. I am honored to be part of that. When you start solo, it’s under your own guidance. I started from scratch and the entire decision-making on all levels is up to me, which is both exciting and scary. Of course, this has been a couple of years in the making now, but it’s also constantly changing and growing, whereas Nightwish is a phenomenon that’s like a solid, massive ship. “ ’ , . , , .” With her unrivalled presence, Jansen will be singing as a solo artist at this summers Wacken Open Air for the first timeIt’s been floating forever and it will for much longer. Why did you decide that your solo project shouldn’t be metal? Floor Jansen: Mostly because I’m already doing it on the highest of levels. If I were to make another metal album, it will always be compared to Nightwish. I wanted to do something else and explore a different sound in me. Playing these songs has been super fun and I love it. But I do notice that whenever I bring out the heavier songs in my setlist, it tickles the most. I’m a rocker by heart and it’s fun to explore this rockier side also in my solo project. Coming out to metal festivals this summer is a new step. Will your show in Wacken be a mixture of everything you’ve done so far? Floor Jansen: Indeed, yes. That has been my concept from the get-go. When I did my first solo shows, I did not even have an album. I played things that I’d already played before from the various bands and projects that I’ve done. After 25 years, there’s enough music to choose from. „Paragon“ is a non-metal album, but to bring pure pop music to Wacken might not be the best idea (laughs). I’m sure a milder touch won’t be a bother, but I would love to explore that more heavy sound in my solo songs and bring back the metal. Are you also working on new material? Floor Jansen: For sure. I already started before having my second child. I would love to continue, since we are not playing shows with Nightwish. That is why I’m super grateful that I already have this solo career up and running so I can continue making music and playing live. I’m going to be working on new material as well as getting these shows in 2025 going. I’m excited about doing festivals and I’m looking forward to continue playing next year – hopefully, indeed, with a new album. The Dutchwoman is one of the most famous and greatest voices in the genre “ , ’ . ’. , ? .” You have done a lot of collaborations and various projects throughout your career. What artist would you like to work with in the future? Floor Jansen: I would love to do something with Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. I think her voice is just awesome. We’ve been in touch, but time hasn’t really been there on my end. But that would be super cool. You have an active Youtube channel on which you interact with your fans, tell them stories, answer questions and open up about musical and personal things. When did you realize you felt comfortable with sharing all that? Floor Jansen: I guess it started with me talking about what happened when I got cancer. I didn’t think I was ill, at all. Nothing on the outside said that there’s something potentially lethal inside of me. I found it very important to share the shock I felt, because it can happen to anyone. It didn’t have anything to do with spreading any fear, but with spreading awareness. To make sure that other people have check ups if they can. I guess the appreciation towards this openness helped me to bring up other subjects and become a bit more accessible than I have been throughout my years with Nightwish. And if I share things, I usually have the purpose to make others feel seen, understood and not alone, and give a sense of community. You started in the business early, your sister is a singer as well and your husband is the drummer of Sabaton. How would you react, if your daughters wanted to pursue a career in music? Floor Jansen: I don’t know. I can see that the world is changing constantly. When I started, there were not too many female artists in metal bands for sure. Things have been changing, social media is constantly changing, the music industry is constantly changing. My eldest daughter will be eight in two weeks. By the time she comes of age, we’re already ten years ahead. It’s hard to say how things will be by then. But at the moment, it’s not an easy business. It really isn’t. Then again, what is? Especially as a woman. That constant extra proving yourself and still no equal rights or payments. I don’t know… At least as a musician, you have the freedom to set out your own course. But regardless of what they will do, I hope it’s something that we as parents can give them the energy and confidence to do. If they want to become musicians as well, they sure as hell are going to need it! That is very true… Floor Jansen: But you can see that they both grew up with music, and especially now with our youngest one, you can just see that I’ve been touring so much with her in my belly. As soon as something heavy comes out, she’s like: „Yeah, I know this stuff!“ I can just see the recognition. I remember that from our first daughter, as well. But now she’s turning eight and Kids that age start developing their own taste, and it’s very dependent on the things that they hear at school. Now it’s going to be the other way around: She’s going to play me music that I’ve never heard before… Have you, being such a great singer, ever been told to not sing by your daughters? Floor Jansen (laughs): A lot, actually. Especially around the age of five, my older one was saying: “No, Mummy!” But the younger one is a fan for the time being, so that helps. Jansen with Nightwish at Wacken Open Air 2018. It is unknown when the band will be playing live again Singer, songwriter, frontwoman and storyteller - exceptional artist Floor Jansen Credits: Tim Tronckoe, WOA, Laura ZalengaJust five months to go until the Holy Ground shakes beneath the footsteps of 85,000 metalheads from more than 80 countries. Wacken fans sometimes undertake lengthy journeys to visit their favourite festival and be part of the huge community. As Ray and Bety from Mexico show: Together with W:O:A’s official travel partners, this experience kicks off en route to the Holy Ground. By Victoria Schaffrath he journey started in Guadalajara, Mexico: equipped with lightweight hiking backpacks, Bety Guil- len(41) and Ray Figueroa(40) boarded a plane – it was to be the first on their long jour- ney to the Holy Ground. They had prepared more for the “shine’ than the “rain” – “We could have bought camping equipment or other clothing in Europe or directly in Wacken,” the couple explains. The fact that their trip got off to such a relaxed start last sum- mer was mainly down to Ricardo Morales-Rodriguez and his trav- el company Rockmetaltours. Since 2011, he has been ferrying up to 245 metalheads to the Ack- er each year – Bety and Ray have been loyal customers since their first W:O:A in 2022. They both agree: “The friendships we’ve From Far Far Away to Wacken Bety und Ray arrive at the Holy Ground in a TRVEly good mood – thanks to the W:O:A travel partnersmade on the travels are the icing on the cake of our festival trips!” When it comes to metal, no distance is too far and no effort too great for the true fan, as Milena Milicevic from Mondial Events & Travel confirms: last year, she helped a fan cover the considerable dis- tance between the Pacific island of Guam and Northern Germa- ny without losing their head or their suitcase. Berlin-based Milicevic, who has been help- ing people get to W:O:A with her business partner Gabriele Karstädt for over 20 years, tells us: “More and more nations have been added in recent years.” Countries from the Americas, for example, have become reg- ulars at the World Metal Camp – the place where many interna- tional travelling groups come to- gether to experience W:O:A and a whole host of other attractions. João Roberto Valle, for exam- ple, takes 80 to 100 travellers to Wacken Open Air each year with his company A Amplitur: “Most of them come from Brazil and other Latin American countries. But there are also people trav- elling from the United States, Canada and other nations.” On site, any language barrier can be overcome with translation apps, a sense of humour and a beer in hand – after all, the devil’s horns are universally accepted around the world. The travel partners are also on hand to help their customers with other challenges, such as bureaucracy. “We help wherever we can, for example by issuing the necessary accompanying letters for embassies,” explains Milena. Travelling is also a chal- lenge for people with disabili- ties, but the travel agencies are equipped to deal with that. Ri- cardo recounts stories of W:O:A fans who he accompanied all the way from Mexico to the Holy A little bit of a different kind of cultur just before they get to the metal part of the journey … While stopping in Amsterdam Bety tries the typical Stroopwafels for the first time With Rockmetaltours even the bus is showing off the in W:O:A colours There are a lot of sights at the Holy Ground as well You can find friends for live at the World Metal Camp The Pommesgabel is a universal languageGround despite their limited mobility: “Metal is an important part of all of our lives!” From Guadalajara, Bety and Ray went to Spain for their first layo- ver last summer: “We first spent a few hours in Madrid before flying on to Amsterdam,” recalls Bety. For other guests, however, the Dutch capital is the starting point of their journey. The company Festival Travel, for example, trans- ports Wacken fans from the Netherlands to Wacken. “Metalheads really are a great bunch,” says Rose Groot, who coordinates communication with the festival. “Whether the weather plays ball or not, they’re always in a good mood.” Some travellers even get on the bus in wild costumes and use the time on board to make friendships that outlast any mosh pit. Our Mexican couple can confirm: “In Amsterdam, we met up with other travellers before continu- ing our journey and had a great time. That’s when we made our first friends.” There are also plenty of fans coming from Scandinavia - and they gladly use the services of Matthias Gabrielsson and his company Festivalbussen. He has been transporting people to the world’s most famous metal village since 2003, most of them from Sweden and Den- mark, but also people from Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands. Coach journeys from the North of Sweden can take up to 28 hours. Time that Mat- thias’ tour guides know how to bridge: “There are activities en route and the party often starts on the bus. Some people arrange to meet up the evening before departure.” The last few kilometres to the Holy Ground – whether by coach, shuttle, train or car – turn You can’t almost see the big Wacken logo behind all the fantastic fans from Mexiko Our travel partners also assist and help Metalheads with mobility issues Ray’s metal vest had to come to Wacken of courseTRVE is in the eye of the be- holder – and those who sleep soundly can take more noise. With the W:O:A package by Travelcircus you get the full blast of Metal – without the camping hassle! With Travelcircus’ all-in- clusive metalhead service, your neck gets the treatment it deserves: heavy headbang- ing on the Holy Ground by day, heavy sleep in a hotel bed by night – hot shower included. Once breakfast and freshly brewed coffee have invigorated your sys- tem, a shuttle will take you straight to the Infield. If you want to party smart, get yourself the best of both worlds, starting at just 970€ per person. Don’t turn your W:O:A into a circus, book your all-inclusive package now at travelcircus.de/wacken-festival out to be as diverse as the trav- ellers themselves. “Especially those who have already travelled a long way will often sleep while they can,” says Milena from Mondial. Others are already in a celebratory mood and take turns curating the playlists with the tour guides. But the travel partners don’t just organise transport, they also provide an upgrade to the good old pitched tent if required: from fully erected tents or sleeping boxes in the T E .N.T. area and accommoda- tion in the Residenz Evil or the Moshtel to hotel rooms featur- ing a daily Wacken shuttle, you’ll find everything your black heart desires – even the very, very last festival tickets that are still up for grabs here. Once they hit the festival grounds, Bety and Ray almost feel at home in the World Met- al Camp: “When we used to go to metal shows in Mexico, we didn’t know anyone,” explains Ray. “Now we meet up with a close-knit crew - and we met them all in Wacken!” , ! Every year since 2022 Bety and Ray have traveled to Wacken Credits: Bety Guillen & Ray Figueroa, Mondial events & travel, Rockmetaltours You can stay at Hotel Alsterkrug … … at the B&B Hotel Hamburg-Nord … … or at The Niu Bricks Credits: Hotel Alsterkrug, B&B Hotels, The Niu» Ontours » RTP vzw » Wackenbus » Festivalbussen| Norden AB » Metal Travel Agency » Festivalbussen| Norden AB » Elmu ry » Breakdown Tours » Ontours » HICLIVE » MAHO on earth » Metal-Train » Mondial events & travel GmbH » Travelcircus » Wackenbus » Festivalbussen| Norden AB » Breakdown Tours » Festival Travel » RTP vzw » Festivalbussen| Norden AB » A Amplitur » Festivalbussen| Norden AB » TT-Line AB » Breakdown Tours » Festivaltravel » GAST AG » Wackenbus » Metaltrip » A Amplitur » Patagonia Metal Experience » A Amplitur » A Amplitur » Makila Crowley » A Amplitur » Craneo Metal » Rock Talking Heads » Metalhead Tours » Rocktravelco » Top Events Travel » We Wanna Rock Tours » Travelhousecr » Eurometal Tours » Top Events Travel » Death Tour’s Guatemala » Metal Vacation » Y-O-U / Yama Oto Umi » Eurometal Tours » I Was There Tours » Life’s Metal Tours » Makila Crowley » Metalhead Tours » Rockmetaltours » Top Events Travel » Tour Concerts & Travels » We Wanna Rock Tours » Addictive World Tours » Rockmetaltours » Metal Vacation » Vizit Travel » Metal Battle Uruguay » Metal Vacation » A Amplitur » Addictive World Tours » Life’s Metal Tours » Festival Travel » MAHO on earth » Mondial events & travel GmbH » Travelcircus Credit: Rockmetaltours They finally arrived: Wacken-Fans from MexicoNext >