Main questionnaire:

Hello, Nick! How’s going now that there is the big euphoria around a new W:O:A edition?
Hi Julius, we’re all feeling fine and looking forward to the festival. The first workers are already at the festival area and the rest of us will follow next Monday.

What’s more difficult: the work before, during or after the festival and why?
The work is always difficult ;) To be honest in the period of two months before the festival until two weeks after the festival it’s the hardest time, but it’s fun although. That’s why we’re all working for the whole year and then we’re looking forward if all plans and inventions will work out fine.

How do you find the journey between 1990, when the very first installment of the festival with “only” 800 attendances took place, and 2008 with a sold-out show for the third time in a row and 65.000 people?
In fact, I can’t answer this question because I started working for W:O:A in 2004. So I can only talk about those years which were amazing.

Ok. Then what are the criteria on which you base the choice of the bands for a new festival?
It depends. There are bands we or the fans would like to have at the festival. Other bands are offered to us or apply for the festival. But for sure all the bands have to be “Metal” in any kind of way.

I’ve once read an interview with one of the organizers where he was saying that Gothic bands don’t come into consideration for the billing at Wacken, although one could see some of the groups of this Genre during the latest editions. How’s that?
I can’t tell you something specific about this interview because I don’t know which one it was. I think what he wanted to say is that W:O:A will not be a moreover Gothic festival at any time. But, as you can see from the past, nearly all kind of Heavy Metal styles have been present at W:O:A.

Were there ever any problematic issues (like the choosing of certain controversial bands or fan incidents etc.) with the official authorities from Wacken regarding the festival during its 19th year longevity?
As you propably know Wacken is one of the most peaceful festivals worldwide so that we are very glad to say that except from the tragical accident of one of our visitors who felt drunken in front of a first aid car nothing serious ever happened. We also never had any problems with the official authorities from Wacken because we are working very close together so that any difficulties can be avoided.

Or the imminence of cancellation due to such issues or weather conditions (like in 2007 for instance)?
There are always some kind of problems we have to handle. Mostly those are the weather conditions which cause loads of organizational work for our crew.

The festival often presents the same groups almost every two years and this could become at one point a contradictory issue with many fans that probably would prefer to see some other new or never invited before bands. Wouldn’t be maybe more interesting a higher degree of variation and to have at Wacken also artists like ANATHEMA, PARADISE LOST, RAMMSTEIN, MANOWAR, JUDAS PRIEST, HELL & HEAVEN or even METALLICA, considered the most influent act in the Metal scene of all times?
We’re always trying to present as many different bands as possible. But not for every price. Our slogan is that the fans are the headliners and we don’t want to spend tons of money for headliners and then have to raise, for instance, the ticket prices just because of that. As long as it’s affordable we’ll do it. And, as you mention, the bands who played more often in Wacken. You can also see the other side of this, as there are always loads of people in front of the stages, when those bands play, who want to see their live appearences in Wacken as happens with MOTÖRHEAD or SAXON for example.

Wacken Open Air also became famous for the great and exclusive reunions in the last years. Are you planning to keep this trend alive or are there some other marketing policies being prepared for what is to come?
Reunion shows have always been part of Wacken. Also this year with reunions from bands like MASSACRE, CARCASS, HEADHUNTER, AT THE GATES and CYNIC. If it’s a band people like to see again and it’s possible to make it happen we will try.

Next year it will be the 20^th Anniversary for W:O:A. Are you preparing something special for this unique occasion, like a more grandiose approach in comparison to the previous years? Any surprises that you might share with us, so to speak?
We’re working on some special plans, but I can’t share them with you right now. You guys have to be patient for a while but the 20^th edition will be for sure a special one...

Individual questionnaire:

What kind of music do you like most and how did you get into contact with it for the first time?
Personally I’m very into the Stoner, Doom and Rock ‘n’ Roll stuff. I got in touch with it when I was like 10 or 11 and my older brother heard bands like KYUSS, BLACK SABBATH, AC/DC, LED ZEPPELIN, ROSE TATTOO etc.

What do you think of the German Soccer Team’s presence and performance at Euro 2008?
Well, they made the best of the players potential, except in the final. Spain was over all the best team in the tournament and a dignified champion, but we played very bad in this final. I was dissapointed about that fact. But, to be honest, I haven’t even thought that they’ll be able to make it to the final. So I think they made a good job.

If you’ll find yourself on a distant island one day, what album you’d like to have with you over there and why?
Definitely KYUSS with Blues For The Red Sun. One of the most powerful and innovative albums of all time. I’m always starting to smile and get in a good mood when I hear this album. And I can never get enough of it. I think that’s the most important point. When you’re alone on an island for a long time, it’s important not to get tired of the album at any time!

General questionnaire:

You already have some festival oriented collaboration with Seaside Open Air (Germany) and Bloodstock Open Air (UK), showing a preference for business expansion into other territories. Many other Western festival organizers already chose to throw their eyes also into the Eastern European countries. Do you think that W:O:A will go on a similar path in the future in such lands like Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary or even Russia?
That probably can happen. The Wacken Rocks Seaside will be a concept for the next years. But you have to find the “right” partner.

Don’t you think that the Wet Stage needs at this moment a little bit of refining as in the last couple of years it became quite difficult to be able entering its designated area?
You’re right. That’s why this year this area will be extended.

How do you imagine the Wacken Open Air in 10 or even 20 years from now on? Will it still be happening or could this music style go into reclusion or extinction some day?
Well, I can’t have a look into the future, but as you can see the Metal community was always a very strong one and never died. I can’t tell you what happens with W:O:A in the next 20 years but of course we all hope that there will be a 30^th year Anniversary ;)