In the south of Austria you can look forward to two Rammstein concerts on Wednesday and Thursday. And the double concert in Klagenfurt is not stingy with superlatives: the 36 meter high stage even towers over the Wörthersee Stadium. Singer Till Lindemann and his men play on a 210-ton stage.
4:20 p.m .: This is how the fans prepare for Rammstein
We asked the fans how they are preparing for the Rammstein concert today.
4:05 p.m .: Rammstein is getting closer
A storm briefly passed over the stadium. . . the fans are already queuing up and waiting to be admitted. The gates don’t open until 5pm, but the vibe is good.
3.10 p.m .: The tension is rising
More and more people are lining up to see “the best band in the world”. Helicopters are circling over the stadium. However, the heat is over for the time being: it has recently been pouring rain.
2.50 p.m .: The fans roll in from all over the Alps-Adriatic region
They come from far (Bavarian Forest and South Tyrol) and near (Graz): Tobias and André from Graz and Lannach arrived without any problems. “Now we’re going to take a look at the location and want to get to know people,” the two say. A merchandising stand is a must, of course, without it. They too line up at 5 p.m. when the gates open for the big Rammstein spectacle.
2:47 p.m .: This is what the stage looks like
It is 36 meters high, juts out over the stadium roof and at 210 tons is no lightweight – the Rammstein stage delivers what Rammstein promises: a great show. And this is how she looks:
2.40 p.m .: Festival mood arises
The fans have made themselves comfortable in front of the stadium. And there’s already a festival atmosphere. David Dillewanger, Alex Engl and Lukas Aukenthaler from South Tyrol left early and got hold of a parking space in front of the stadium. Right next to two fans from the Bavarian Forest: Erik Paukner and Noah Schleicher have unpacked their loudspeakers and are playing Rammstein songs. Paul Thelemann and Gina Kuprat will join them from Germany. The mood is rising – the weather is still holding.
2:00 p.m.: “Let’s get in line”
It is considered agreed that you queue up early – the doors don’t open until 5 p.m., but Lea Hoffmann, Hannah Hofmann (the two are not related) and Victoria Dienstl want to go as far forward as possible: “Fix”, say them and look forward to a superlative concert. The three friends came from Lower Austria to experience Rammstein in Klagenfurt. No way is too far for the fans. . . and the queue in front of the merchandising stand (which is also still closed) is not a problem.
1.35pm: Just arrived
Margit Weidenauer is 53 and a bank employee in Vienna: “Rammstein is my favorite band and I’ve been a fan since the ‘Mother’ album, so for around 20 years.” The 53-year-old has just arrived in her quarters in Krumpendorf and is looking forward to the concert: “I already had the one Klagenfurt ticket in May 2020 and the ticket remained valid because the concert was postponed. When it became known that If there is an additional concert, I bought a ticket for it right away. I’ll be at the front of both shows in the fire zone.”
1:30 p.m.: The first queues form
It’s lunchtime in Klagenfurt and the temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius. And things are slowly starting to get moving: more and more fans are showing up in front of the stadium and the first queues are forming. The first fans are already standing in front of the merchandising stand, which is still closed: Johanna and Marten from Tyrol want to buy a T-shirt before they plunge into the fray. “Finally tickets,” rejoices the two Tyroleans who attend their first Rammstein concert. They’ve always been fans, but tickets are hard to come by.
12.55 p.m .: Rammstein about everything
The first fans from Austria are also arriving at the stadium: Andrea and Nadine from Linz (mother and daughter) are prepared for Rammstein from head to toe (shoes to earrings).
12.30 p.m.: This is how the opening act Duo Jatekok sounds
The two musicians Naïri Badal and Adélaïde Panaget formed the “Duo Jatekok” in 2007 and appear in Klagenfurt as the support act for Rammstein. “Jatekok” comes from Hungarian and means “game”. The two ladies also show a lot of playfulness when they sit at the piano. The French piano duo sounds like this:
12.20 p.m .: German fans cavort around the stadium
Martin, Wolfgang and Matthias from Lower Bavaria have made themselves comfortable in front of the stadium: camper vans, white sausages and wheat beer are simply part of the Rammstein aficionados. They have set up their camping table within walking distance of the stadium. Anton and Nico are also from Germany, from Passau, where there is not only Hacklberger beer, but also lots of fans of the German metal heavyweights. The two friends combine their visit to Carinthia with a detour to the GTI meeting. It is clear that the two are real fans: they have already been to the concert in Prague.
12:00 p.m.: Merchandising is set up
No concert without merchandising: not even at Rammstein. The shops are still downstairs, but by 5 p.m. at the latest, when admission begins, you will be able to buy merchandising items. Rammstein to take away.
11:51 a.m .: Real fans get up early
The first fans are already showing up around the stadium in Klagenfurt. And some of them come from far away: Melanie Klinger and Andreas Brand from Germany find Klagenfurt perfect for combining holidays and concerts. Hugo and Andreas Kranzlbinder drove from Rosenheim in Bavaria to Klagenfurt at 5:30 a.m. And what luck: although it is recommended to use public transport, the two found a parking space not far from the stadium. The arrival was unproblematic. There was enough time to visit the Pyramidenkogel and take a look at Lake Wörthersee. After the concert, it’s back to Rosenheim.
10.45 a.m.:
The final stage construction work is in full swing. The employees buzz around the stage area like bees. The event agency Arcadia Live, which records both concerts, posted a short video on Instagram.
10 a.m.: Recharge your batteries at the lake
While the fans are looking for the best way to get there, the Rammstein rockers recharge their batteries on the Carinthian lakes before the concert in Klagenfurt, as they posted on Instagram. “Klagenfurt see you tonight” writes till_lindemann_official.
9.30 a.m.: Preparations for rush
The food and merchandising stands are also relaxed. “Because you can’t get into the stadium until 5 p.m., we don’t really expect a rush of fans before 3 p.m.,” explains a restaurateur.
8 a.m.: Crew at the corona test
Fans who camp in front of the Wörthersee Stadium from the early morning – there were Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran and, of course, Robbie Williams. The Rammstein listeners are obviously more relaxed. The only people waiting outside the stadium as early as 8 a.m. on Wednesday were members of the local crew. They first had to complete a corona test in order to be allowed near the stage at all.
12:00 am: Strange lights
The spectacle caused a stir on Wednesday night. In Klagenfurt and the surrounding area, many residents wondered where the light beam in the sky comes from, like “Klagenfurt elite” reported on Instagram. Of course, no aliens landed in Klagenfurt, as some (jokingly) suspected, but the light test for the Rammstein concert could even be seen as far as Ebenthal.
Austria’s largest stage
Up to 70,000 people are expected over two days – 2000 people helped get the concert off the ground. Modesty was yesterday, now Austria’s largest stage is prepared – and the concert will consume as much electricity as a small town with 10,000 inhabitants.
Admission to the double concert hosted by Arcadia, Live Blood and Rock The Nation starts at 5pm on both days. One can only hope that the weather will hold up: When the tour started in Leipzig last week, the band had to interrupt the concert due to a thunderstorm. In the afternoon it could also be thundery in Klagenfurt.
The duo Jatekok will heat up the atmosphere from 7 p.m. – before Rammstein take the stage with their new album.