ROCK AM RING DAY 1: Great Beginnings & Bitter Endings

This weekend, it is finally time again for Rock Am Ring, one of Europe’s premier music festivals, held at the iconic Nürburgring in Germany! This legendary event brings together fans of rock, metal, and alternative music for a thrilling weekend of unforgettable performances. From navigating the stellar lineup of headliners and rising stars to tips for soaking in every moment of the live shows, we’ve got you covered with photos and words of many of the acts on this year’s impeccable lineup to ensure you can enjoy the festival from afar. We are excited to witness this epic celebration of music once again.

House of Protection, a band formed by former members of FEVER 333, kicked off proceedings for us on the first day of Rock Am Ring. The band brought a high-energy performance to the festival stage, captivating the audience with their dynamic presence. The group, now carving out their own path, demonstrated a clear focus on connecting with their fans through active engagement. Throughout their set, they maintained a strong rapport with the crowd, encouraging participation and keeping the energy high.

A standout moment came during their second song when the singer/guitarist Stephen Harrison lept into the audience, performing from the heart of the moshpit and creating an unforgettable experience for those in the thick of the action. This bold move highlighted their commitment to breaking down barriers between the band and their fans, something their previous band is also known for. House of Protection’s performance was a testament to their potential as they build their new identity, blending raw energy with genuine crowd interaction. They sure are a duo to keep track of throughout the coming years.

Knocked Loose, the Kentucky-based hardcore punk and metalcore band, delivered a high-energy set as a special guest at the festival, announced just days before the event, adding an element of surprise for attendees. Known for their ongoing commercial success, with their 2024 album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To topping the UK Hard Rock & Metal chart and earning critical acclaim, the band brought their signature intensity to the stage.

The performance was marked by relentless energy, with vocalist Bryan Garris engaging the crowd through commanding stage presence and encouraging active participation. Guitarist Isaac Hale and the band drove the atmosphere with heavy riffs and breakdowns, creating a chaotic, massive moshpit that kept the audience moving. We first saw Knocked Loose in very small clubs, so to see them captivate an audience of this perimeter is mind-blowing. Their ability to connect with fans, combined with their rising prominence in the hardcore scene, solidified Knocked Loose as a standout act, proving their growing influence and ability to captivate festivalgoers.

LØLØ has been tirelessly building her career, delivering a steady stream of releases and performing worldwide. This year, she’s back on the European festival circuit, including a standout performance at Rock Am Ring. Her live shows are a highlight, marked by vibrant audience engagement and personal insights into her music. LØLØ’s songs, often centered on the fallout of failed relationships, resonate strongly with the TikTok crowd. While her style may not suit everyone, her energetic live performances are undeniable. Her Rock Am Ring set was no different, with familiar tracks shining through live. Keep an eye on LØLØ—she’s one to watch in the coming years.

Next up and lastly for us on the mainstage were Biffy Clyro. Biffy Clyro’s festival set was a solid performance. The Scottish band delivered their usual mix of rock with sharp guitar riffs, steady basslines, and strong drumming. The singer’s voice was clear, moving between soft and loud with ease, keeping the crowd engaged. Their energy was high, and they played tightly as a unit, showing years of experience. The set had a good balance of intense and calmer moments, appealing to both fans and new listeners. The lighting and visuals were effective, matching the music without being distracting. The audience responded well, singing along and staying invested throughout. It was a reliable, high-energy show that hit the mark for a festival main stage.

Following an impressive lineup of performances throughout the day at Rock Am Ring, the evening showcased several prominent acts we have consistently supported over the years. At large-scale festivals like this, it is common for bands to maintain approved photographer lists or require contracts outlining specific terms for photography. These agreements may restrict the sale of merchandise featuring the photographs or, in some cases, require photographers to relinquish rights to their images. In recent years, the prevalence of such lists and contracts has significantly increased. However, for acts we have photographed extensively—often more than ten times—we remain committed to supporting them by agreeing to their terms and delivering our best work with passion and dedication.

Unfortunately, during this evening’s events, we encountered an unexpected setback. Despite our long-standing history of covering and photographing A Day To Remember and Bring Me The Horizon—each more than ten times over the years, including a recent shoot with A Day To Remember at their Tilburg performance—we were denied permission to photograph either band. This was particularly disheartening given Bring Me The Horizon’s milestone as festival headliners. For an independent outlet that was created out of passion and love for the alternative scene, that has supported these artists for over a decade, this exclusion underscores the increasing challenges within the industry. These difficulties have ramped up drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides the aforementioned bands, we have been unable to photograph half the bands we had on our to-do list for the day. The bitter truth is that some of these bands do not care about independent media, especially once they’ve grown enough to garner attention from mainstream media, and tonight that became abundantly clear. This was a bitter pill to swallow. While we are deeply disappointed, we remain committed to covering the remainder of Rock Am Ring throughout the weekend with enthusiasm and professionalism, though we felt compelled to share this moment of frustration and profound disheartenment.

Check out some of the images of the performances of Rock Am Ring throughout this page and stay tuned for all our Rock Am Ring coverage by following our socials over on X, Instagram and Facebook.

Glenn van den Bosch

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