WACKEN OPEN AIR 2010

Wacken Open Air 2011 - BLIND GUARDIAN Confirmed; New 2010 Helicam Footage Available, Post-Fest Message Issued, Fan-Filmed Footage Surfaces



BLIND GUARDIAN are the fourth act confirmed for Wacken Open Air 2011, scheduled for August 4th - 6th in Wacken, Germany.

Organizers state: "We are proud to announce that Blind Guardian will be the 4th band to play the 22nd W:O:A next year. After their huge European tour and the release of their new album next summer they will say again: 'Bards we are! Bards we will be!'

This will be the only German Blind Guardian show in 2011."

Acts on the bill now include: APOCALYPTICA, AVANTASIA, BLIND GUARDIAN. SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.

Go to this location for further information and updates.

Another update from the Wacken camp reads: "Here's a new record of our Helicam, shot August 7th, .2010. Further records will follow." Check out the footage below:

As previously reported, a German television report on the 2010 edition of the annual Wacken Open Air festival, which was held August 5th - 7th, can be viewed below

Organizers issued the following post-festival message:

"Dear Metalheads,

The 21th W:O:A is already part of our history and we will keep in memory four essential aspects of our legendary festival, this year:

* the best fans in the world

* tremendously good bands with outstanding performances and the best W:O:A line-up of all times

* the sun is only North-German!

* a lot of dust but no traffic jams

We'd like to thank you for your support. Without you we wouldn't be what we are: The greatest heavy metal festival in the world!

A lot of innovations like the WLAN – world premiere and as first festival ever with the offer of an WLAN access at the whole area! With this access it was possible for every visitor to surf the internet with a five day festival flat for just 9 euros!

Our innovations like the Party Stage access, medieval market, wrestling tent, the rearrangement of the infield, Wackentube, Wacken mobile, W:O:A streaming on rockalarm.com and our concert stick initiative have all been very well adopted and appreciated.

We had 82.500 participants, comprising artists, volunteers covering many sections, press, the so called VIP's, rescue- and security staff as well as numerous fans. Further information and statements are consecutive, according to our evaluations.

Please kindly note: we appreciate and request constructive critisism and improvement suggestions. Subsequently, it will be evaluated, published and taken into account for additional plans. Thank you very much!

We would like to express our gratitude towards all the residents of the Wacken community, Gribbohm, Holstenniendorf, Besdorf, Bokelrehm, Bokhorst, Nienbüttel and Agethorst. They have shown great hospitality and we appreciated their support and identification with your/our festival.

Additional gleanings and press reports regarding W:O:A 2010 will follow - please also refer to the photo gallery. A special "Memories" photo album in special W:O:A design will follow. More info coming soon. The festival is the headliner and the bands play their "best of" program.

We are looking forward to next year and will be proud to announce for the 22nd time: Faster - Harder - Louder - see you in Wacken 2011- rain or shine.

Metalheads, thank you very much for your support!

Your W:O:A team."

Check out some early fan-filmed footage from this year's fest below. Stay tuned for further reports on the festival, which featured performances from ANVIL, ALICE COOPER, IRON MAIDEN, MÖTLEY CRÜE, SLAYER, and many more.