Wacken 2024 - Day 2

My first proper Wacken day starts earlier than expected. Around 6:30 AM we have some kind of construction or cleaning vehicle on the campground, which is doing some pumping and it is not possible to ignore it. I have slept a deep and exhausted sleep and I am happy to announce my back is not killing me. The camp beds were a wise investment. As we are up so early, there is no queue at the toilets and we have a very relaxed morning with some fresh coffee out of a plastic cup as I've forgotten to pack some mugs. Marie and I both suffer from sunburns and vow to do better with sun protection. It is going to be another sunny and hot day and I am trying not to be too grumpy about it.

On my agenda for today are the Wacken Firefighters, Girlschool and Hellripper. We make our way towards the Wackinger stage at quarter past 11 and are confronted with a massive queue. It seems there is only one female security person and all the female visitors have to queue on the left side. This, of course, slows things down, plus there are discussions about handbags and other stuff not allowed on the Holy Ground. It takes forever and by the time we arrive at the Wackinger Village, the Firefighters are nearly done. There are several unicorns and bubbles and inflatable beach balls flying over the audience and there are good vibes all around. Already, I feel the heat taking its toll on me, though. We wander around for a bit and I witness the discussion between a woman who is "thankfully not a vegan" with the crêpe-vendor, who is trying to convince her that vegan crêpe can actually taste good. She is deeply distrusting, because after all, if there is no milk and no eggs in it, it is just flour and water, right? She is treated with a sample portion on the house and although she likes it, she feels the need to make sure he knows she will never eat vegan. It is just not right. I am sighing deeply and retreat from the shadows of the crêpe stall back into the blistering sun.

Short stop at the EMP lounge for some water and a toilet break and then we are heading back to the Louder stage to see Girlschool. One of the very first bands I listened to and liked on my journey into metal, I was naturally very excited to see and hear them play live. Denise Dufort ist my hero. She and Kim have been playing together for nearly 50 years now and it is great to see them performing. The set is well... a bit boring to be honest, I am really just waiting for Race With The Devil, the rest sounds more or less the same. It is a gig I am watching for historical and nostalgic reasons. After Girlschool, I am off back to the tent, because by now I can't feel my toes. The way to the Residenz Evil campground is a relatively short one compared to other campground sites, but holy cow, it drags on forever. I am hating everything a tiny bit right now. I hit the showers as the campground is nearly empty and make my way back to the Wasteland Stage, arriving just in time to hear the last notes of Hitten, who play in front of a very loyal and loud crowd. With perfect timing, I can secure myself a spot in the front row.

Hellripper - probably my personal highlight of Wacken this year. With a short set of only 45 minutes those guys flipped the switch and went from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. 45 minutes full speed with an air of juvenility and daredevilry. James McBain clearly loves what he is doing and at the end he joins the endless wave of crowdsurfers himself ("I am coming down now! You better well catch me!"). At some point it gets a bit scary, because I am small and have trouble handing over the crowdsurfing people, especially those no longer in full command of their limbs. Security seems absolutely flabbergasted as if they hadn't expected any kind of crowdsurfing, so everything gets a bit muddled. In the end, even the press is crowdsurfing and I am so hyped up and pumped we decide very spontaneously to walk into the village of Wacken. To hell with my blistered feet!

We see more of the campground on our way to the village and walk past the Moshtel area, which is at a really great location. (I am still secretly wishing for moshtel tickets, btw.). Suzie Quattro is playing on the Louder stage and Marie and JH are later telling me, she performed really well. We meet some more colourful people on our way and once we arrive in the village, I am really psyched. Atmosphere is nice and relaxed. Like at any village festival there are beer stalls and wurst stands and loud music coming out of every corner. People have opened their front gardens to sell whatever they could think of. A bit further down the road, I immediately recognise the house for sale I had been looking at a week before. I'd still buy it, if I had the money to invest. It really has potential. Anyone, who wants to start a crowdfunding campaign for me?

We arrive at the Wacken Landgasthof just in time to catch the last two songs of Ozzyfied's set. They are really really good! I am totally surprised. They end their set with Paranoid and the crowd is positively going wild, singing along each line. The way back to the camp feels very long now. We save a hedgehog from the road, see two hares in the field under the In Extremo light show and stumble across the big Wacken logo at the bus park. By the time we arrive at the tent, I am really spent. What a day. We end it with a game of Categories (Trennungsgrund mit B: Bier).

My first festival day is over. I am tired and exhausted, but happy and curious to find out what the next day will have in stock for me.