Rock am ring and rock in the park: cheers and records at the mega festival!

Rock am ring and rock in the park: cheers and records at the mega festival!

Nürburgring, Deutschland - The two major German music festivals celebrate this year, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park , impressive anniversaries: 40 years or 30 years. Both festivals take place at the same time from June 6th to 8th and are already sold out. With a total of 100 bands, including headliners such as Korn and Slipknot as well as K.I.Z. And The Prodigy, the events promise a musical spectacle of the extra class.

The opening concert by Rock am Ring will come up with surprise acts, while Rock im Park on Sunday will present three “very special guest”. Around 80,000 visitors are expected at Rock im Park, while Rock am Ring can look forward to around 90,000 fans. Compared to the early days, when Rock am Ring 1985 started with 70,000 visitors and less than 20 bands, the increase in the number of visitors and those involved is remarkable.

The development of the festivals

The importance of these festivals for the German festival culture is also emphasized by the Federal Association of Livekomm, which they describe as the pioneer of modern German festival culture. Despite the great popularity, many smaller festivals are burdened by increasing production and personnel costs. If many festivals were postponed or canceled last year due to the pandemic, the rush to Rock am Ring and Rock in the park is a positive sign for the industry.

In order to respond to the changes in the festival life, the organizers reported that festival goers expect more than just music. Rock am Ring and Rock im Park also offer a variety of leisure activities. In addition, relaxation offers such as massages are increasingly available for the bands. The ticket prices for both festivals often do not cover all costs, which is why additional income is necessary.

visitor profiles and trends

The visitor structure has become more diverse, and it is a trend to observe that younger people prefer smaller and cheaper festivals abroad. German festival goers are not only interested in music. For 80% of visitors, the live experiences are the main reason for your visit. The vast majority of them are ready to spend more than 200 euros for a festival ticket.

This year's festivals are not only important for the music scene, but also for the economy. The German music industry is an important sub-market within the cultural and creative industries. The total turnover of the top 100 music tours worldwide was $ 9.2 billion in 2023, with events such as the "The Eras Tour" by Taylor Swift set up new records.

A special highlight at Rock am Ring is the exclusive Utopia Stage Camping, which is designed for two people in direct connection to the racetrack. With a preinstalled tent, free WiFi and access to a lounge area, it offers festival visitors a comfortable experience during the event as described on the official website of Ring am Ring .

It remains to be seen how the festival landscape will develop, especially in view of the challenges of the industry. The steadily growing number of music festivals in Germany, of which around 1,800 currently exist, is illuminated by an upcoming study on the festival landscape that will be published in September.