31.07.2014 Fiddler's Green

Wacken Open Air XXV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

It was five years ago that I saw the six guys from Erlangen for the first time at the very same place. And also today the area in front of the Wackinger was more than crowded having the best weather you could imagine. There seemed to be even more people like me that were not interested in comedy (Why somebody like Bülent Ceylan gets 45 minutes on the main stage? Why is there comedy at a metal festival? That is something the promoters should think about.)
The gig was directly starting with a funny blooper when a roadie entered the stage with a sheep mask and a walking stick and the mask did not stay on his head no matter what he tried. Anyhow the crowd liked it and during “A Night In Dublin” it was directly tested how dusty the area in front of the stage already was. And it really already was! Partially you had the feeling of being in a brown fog and breathing was not very easy without having a scarf in front of your mouth and nose (an issue that one had the whole festival). It was just gorgeous to be right in the middle of this singing, dancing and partying mass of people. Especially the two front men Patrick Prziwara and Ralf Albers were encouraging the people more and more and from song to song not only in front of the stage the enthusiasm grew. It was extremely entertaining and way too early the last song came which simply declared: “Folk’s Not Dead”.
Indeed it is not and with a big grin and completely satisfied I went over to the main area for the first time. Who has the opportunity to watch once Fiddler’s Green live should absolutely take this change. It is absolutely worth it!