While many metal fans are currently annoyed because of the difficult journey, the organizers have announced several surprises for Wacken Open Air. As part of the festival, legendary Motörhead rock musician Lemmy Kilmister (1945-2015) will find another resting place in the small northern German community of Wacken.
According to the festival’s website, they have prepared “absolute surprise surprises” for next Wednesday. “In a celebratory ceremony supported by [the] Motörhead legends Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee, Lemmy’s ashes will find a new home in Wacken!” There will be “another resting place at the W:O:A” for Lemmy, the organizers also announced in a press release. He should be honored with “an unforgettable act”.
“It’s a great honor for us that Lemmy is coming back to Wacken – it’s hard to put into words how big it is,” organizer Thomas Jensen is quoted as saying. “We will create a place of remembrance for him that does justice to his importance for an entire genre and beyond.” There has always been “a special connection” between the festival and Motörhead, explains co-organiser Holger Hübner. “The fact that his journey also ends here will remain something special forever.”
Phil Campbell (62) and Mikkey Dee (59) from Motörhead will be in attendance. “Wacken meant a beloved piece of home for Lemmy,” says manager Todd Singerman. They are happy “that he will always find a place here. Lemmy was a friend of many people and therefore lived in many places around the world. Our goal is to give him a permanent resting place wherever he was at home […].”
In addition, thanks to an additional program, there will be a full festival day for the first time on Wednesday when the gates open at 3:30 p.m. The Broilers, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Ankor and Your Cousine will also be there. The highlight on Wednesday is the anniversary show of the German metal queen Doro (59), which will now take place on the main stage. This year’s headliners include British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Heaven Shall Burn, Helloween and of course Doro. The updated schedule is available on the festival homepage.
However, the arrival in 2023 will be less pleasant for many music fans. The organizers temporarily interrupted this on Monday. Due to heavy rain, most of the camping areas are currently not passable. One has to assume that only up to a quarter of the vehicles planned for Monday can be accommodated on site. It was further communicated: “Please stop your journey and look for a suitable waiting place where you are until we can inform you that the situation has improved.” So far, for example, the red car park at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion has been available as an alternative area. If you haven’t been on your way yet, please postpone your arrival.
It is also possible that not all planned areas will be available at a later date. Hence the request to move closer together in order to be able to fill the available areas as well as possible. “We are currently assuming that everyone will be able to move into their campsite, but not as desired, but with a delay,” said the organizers of the “Bild” newspaper.
