Airbeat One: 60,000 fans celebrate – but beware of deadly drugs!

Airbeat One: 60,000 fans celebrate – but beware of deadly drugs!

The electronic mecca “Airbeat One” has opened its doors in Neustadt-Glewe, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and welcomes around 60,000 celebrating visitors to the opening event. Under the motto “Viva España”, guests immerse themselves in a colorful world full of music and an exuberant atmosphere. On the first evening of the celebrations, Slovakian DJ Luisdemark kicked off on the impressive main stage, which, at 180 meters wide and 45 meters high, is reminiscent of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. International stars such as Afrojack and Steve Aoki were also among the festival's first acts, whose joint performance sent the crowd into ecstasy.

The journey was largely problem-free and there were no traffic jams, so festival visitors were able to immerse themselves in the picturesque surroundings of the glider airfield in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district. In addition to the big headliners, party hit singer Isi Glück, DJ Robin and reality TV star Calvin Kleinen also ensure a real Mallorca feeling. In the so-called Mallorca area there will be party hits for an hour on each festival day. A total of around 250 artists will be performing until Sunday, including greats such as Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha and Amelie Lens. Organizers expect an average of 65,000 visitors per day, which could bring the total number of festival visitors to around 200,000.

Warning about dangerous drugs

But the joyful celebration also has its downsides. Health Minister Stefanie Drese has warned urgently about the high-dose ecstasy pills called “Blue Punisher” that could be in circulation. These pills, which are dark blue, diamond-shaped and have a stamped skull motif, can be life-threatening. Drese pointed out that consuming these pills can cause serious damage to health, which is unfortunately also proven by an incident: A 13-year-old girl died in 2023 after consuming the “Blue Punisher” pills in Altentreptow.

According to the AOK, the risk of toxic impurities in party drugs is a far-reaching problem because unknown chemicals and other harmful substances are often added. Buyers on the black market generally have no control over the exact dosage of the active ingredient. It is often enough to consume half a pill to risk an overdose. The high demand at festivals often results in the drugs being mixed with more than 50 percent other substances, which can cause extremely dangerous side effects.

A festival with many facets

Nevertheless, “Airbeat One” is much more than just a music festival; it is a total experience. The decorations and designs on the premises reflect Spanish culture and create an atmosphere of joy and celebration. With a variety of artists and thoughtful event planning, the festival ensures that visitors are offered an unforgettable experience. It will be interesting to see what the remaining days will bring and whether the warnings about drug use will actually be taken seriously.

It remains to be hoped that festival visitors will focus on the excitement and joy of enjoying music, while at the same time being mindful of their own limitations.

Further information about current developments and festival events can be found at n-tv, star and AOK.