Severe rain created a mud bog on the farmland in western Germany that plays host to the Wacken Open Air Music Festival. Wacken Open Air Stops Arrivals to the 2023 Festival. Organizers posted a “Total Admission Stop” on the event website. For safety, anyone who is already on site will have access to food, beverage and a potentially changing lineup of acts.
This 32nd year for the Wacken Open Air Music Festival comes after pandemic cancellations for two years. MoshPlayLive held tickets for the festivals canceled in 2020 and 2021. In August of 2022, we were able to finally use our tickets and enjoyed three hot summer days and nights on what fans call the hallowed ground. This was not without challenges, the first night we arrived late by bus and had to find our campsite with our rented Safari Lodge. We missed most of the first night's music though we did hear it while we waited in line to get our wristbands. We enjoyed the food, the showers, the clean toilets. Huge thank you, "Danke," to the event staff and vendors. Scott hobbled through the last two days after a 'minor' mosh pit injury.
Because of more extended travel in England, we missed the sale of tickets for this year’s event. When we had access to an internet connection, the festival was sold out.
Event organizers have posted ticket refund information for ticket holders who were denied entry or told not to arrive at the venue. From experience, we learned that unexpected travel delays, rebookings and even purchasing of travel insurance do not cover all costs. Veronica only makes plans at this point for the amount of money she is willing to take as a loss.
Survival tips:
Transportation changes. If you haven’t used airline, bus, or train tickets, first contact the company directly or the travel agent or website where the booking was completed. Find out if travel plans can be rebooked, perhaps without additional fees. Respect is number one, do not lay out your extensive complaints, make reasonable requests to return home or go to an alternate location.
Unexpected adventure. The four nights at Wacken Open Air may be canceled, consider seeking indoor events or alternative locations to spend the time. We had a flight canceled for two days this past month because essential weather equipment at the airport wasn’t functioning. We went bowling. Though it’s not the same thing, stomping on lemons will not fix the situation, but why not walk away with a story of resilience.
Money. In our experience, refunds rarely are quick. Look for budget options for lodging. Hostels in Europe are relatively inexpensive. Food can be purchased at grocery stores for low prices that astonished me. Travel stops also have decently priced and often healthy food options. Remember to carry small change in Euros to pay for toilets.
Laundry. For reasons learned from extensive experience, I pack light. My clothing is also quick dry, so I can wash it in the bathroom sink and hang it overnight to wear the next day. I always pack extra socks. If my feet are warm and dry, I feel less grumpy.
For those of you who have made it to Wacken 2023, we wish you a memorable experience. We’ve seen you sloshing through the mud. What we also see is your expectant smiles. While the music lineups will change, organizers are preparing for the safety of bands, staff, volunteers and fans. Enjoy every moment, and join our membership to share your Wacken experiences with the MoshPlayLive community.
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