A first tour around the festival area shows the impressive work of the bulding crew. The two main stages are dominating the field and are fully ready to accept their technical payload. At first glance their sides appear to have shrunk. "This impression is false, but here is a good reason for it", reveals festival co-founder Thomas Jensen, while explaining the situation to a camera crew. "The stages are two metres taller this year, which makes them appear less broad. With the additional height we gain more space for extra lighting systems. This should give us more spectacular optical effects."

Another new feature on the inner area is an additional video wall immediately behind the FOH-tower (Front of House – darin containing the mixing boards for sound and light). "Due to our special set up with only one tower for both stages we have minimised the blocked line of sight to the absolutely necessary", explains Thomas. "Yet there is still that tower in the way. The new video wall offers anybody ending up behind it, when the grounds are packed at least a digital view on the stage."

The Party.Stage is slightly lagging behind as some last tarpaulin covers are currently being fixed to the roof, but this should be finished by tonight as well. In the ten of the W.E.T. Stage the technical gear has arrived and light and sound are already in the process of being installed. Stage manager and Drone frontman Mutz is releasing a satisfied grunt, but unfortunately he has not time to relate one of his outrageous stories – for now...

The landmark green beer stands are already prepared and waiting for their first customers and the food stalls too. That well liked Viking mead-ship has beached as well, while in the Wackinger village the inhabitants are still busy setting up their tents and booths. This year’s Bullhead City is an eight mast circus tent, which rules undisputedly over this area. The Metal shopping area is being set up by an army of traders. Need new boots, t-shirts or bullet-belts? Here you will find all you want. Around the corner a new feature rises into the sky. Several posts with carved in seats are awaiting those slightly crazy participants of a continuous sitting competition. Well, at least they will get a good view onto the stages.

Now, so much for the sober facts. Clearly less sober are some of the (too) early arrivals staggering over the camping grounds. A little hint gained from personal experience: If you do not go too wild in the early days, you will enjoy the festival that much more. Now, whatever you do, please look out for each other and just enjoy this great party.

Your Wacken diary team