European Festivals: Wacken 2022 ‘Practically Sold Out,’ Lovefest Serbia At Full Capacity

A Wacken Open Air Sunset.
ICS Festival Service GmbH – A Wacken Open Air Sunset.
After postponing for a second year running, Wacken 2022 is practically sold out.

Wacken Open Air 2022 Is ‘Practically Sold Out’

More than 95% of Wacken Open Air 2021 ticketholders decided to transfer their tickets to 2022, when the popular metal gathering is scheduled to take place Aug. 4-8.
Most of those holding on to their tickets already did so after last year’s Wacken Open Air was forced to cancel due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions in Germany. The festival’s fanbase proved its loyalty yet again, after promoting company ICS Festival Service GmbH had to scrap the event for a second year running.
The few remaining available tickets won’t go into a regular presale, but will instead “be assigned randomly among interested people on a mailing list,” according to a promoter statement, which is why Wacken Open Air 2022 can already be considered sold out.
Wacken Open Air managing director Holger Hübner commented, “We are deeply moved by the backing we have received from our fans over the past months. The fact that the percentage of people keeping their tickets is even higher than last year marks another highlight prompting us to wholeheartedly say: thanks for your support, Metalheads! It is an honor to be able to create events for you.”
His partner Thomas Jensen added, “With the entries on our list for people interested in tickets far exceeding the contingent still available, W:O:A 2022 is practically sold out. We understand this as a signal from the fans, telling us they’re as hungry for live music as we are. We can hardly await the reunion with them – with some joining us already in September for our new event format Bullhead City!”
The confirmed lineup for Wacken Open Air 2022 includes Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann, Slipknot, Judas Priest, Limp Bizkit, Hämatom, In Extremo and many more.

Richie Hawtin at Lovefest 2019.
Courtesy of Lovefest – Richie Hawtin at Lovefest 2019.
The festival aims to host 15,000 vaccinated and tested people on site this year.

Lovefest Serbia At Full Capacity

Meanwhile, Serbian festival Lovefest is following in EXIT Festival’s footsteps, by opening its gates to those vaccinated and tested negatively for coronavirus.
Apollonia, Joseph Capriati, Seth Troxler, Ilario Alicante, Loco Dice, ANNA, Jamie Jones, and Michael Bibi lead the bill for what marks the 15th edition of Lovefest, which takes place in the central Serbian town of Vrnjacka Banja, Aug. 5-7.
The event will be go ahead at its full 15,000-per-day capacity. “Only vaccinated people will be able to enter the festival, as well as those with a negative PCR test. Also, body temperature will be measured and there will be available free rapid antigen tests at the entrance,” a promoter statement reads.
To encourage tourism in the region, Lovefest is giving away 500 tickets to international visitors for free. A link to apply for this offer is provided on the festival website.