The truth about Germany

- the cult festival -

What do you need for a great festival? The right people, a big selection of different music styles, a breathtaking atmosphere?

You can find a lot of those great festivals which satisfy these important criteria. Especially in Germany there are big festivals such as “Nature One”, “South Side”, “Splash” or “Wacken”, where people from all over the world come together to celebrate their favorite music.
But there is still one festival which fascinates us especially; it´s called “Rock am Ring”.

About Rock am Ring:

logo till 2009 latest logo since 2010

Rock am Ring, the oldest and biggest open air festival in Germany, is especially focused on Rock. People from nearly everywhere come to the Nürburgring in the Eifel to see their favorite bands on three days (from Friday till Sunday). The visitors can expect a lot of great bands and shows.

But first of all let us tell you something about its history:

Rock am Ring started on May 25, 1985 with only one stage and 75,000 visitors. The host, Marek Lieberberg, aimed to create a place where people can come to and celebrate together to great music. Nobody calculated with such an afflux and success. Bands and artists like U2, Joe Cocker and Chris De Burgh are only some who played at that first festival.

After three successful years the attendances slumped extremely; only 30,000 visitors came to Rock am Ring in 1988.
In 1991 Marek Lieberberg restarted the project Rock at the Ring with some new ideas again; with success!
In 1993 started the smaller accomplishment of Rock am Ring which is called “Rock im Park”.

During the last 27 years a lot of great and famous bands performed at “the Ring”. But not only famous bands and artists performed at the Nürburgring. The festival Rock am Ring is also known for publishing newcomers! For bands it has always been a diving board to a big music career to perform at Rock am Ring. Just one example: Only few people knew U2 when they played at the festival first. But after their performance in Germany they started a big career all over the world!

Top 5 of:

…the most famous bands who played at RAR	…the bands who played the most at RAR
Metallica Enter Sandman (Live 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXstB-FdEkg	Sportfreunde Stiller Siehst du das genauso (Live 2008) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efqgEk_Kc3U
Linkin Park Burn it down (Live 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn6AR5Vc9fs	Korn Got the life (Live 2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntMavnVLdJ4
Die Toten Hosen An Tagen wie diesen (Live 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAG__hsozXQ	The Hives Hate to say I told you so (Live 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCJJbcozB2g
Rammstein Sonne (Live 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZryTEMFrM4	Bad Religion Generator (Live 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD1W10m2GBY
Kiss Cold Gin (Live 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElKS2yFoC7o&feature=related	Beatsteaks I don´t care as long as you sing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7LkLH7z130

The festival area:

Rock am Ring has been taking place at the Nürburgring, Eifel, since 1985. The atmosphere animates people from all over the world to visit this cult festival.

To get into the festival area you need to have a festival bracelet which gives you the permit to stay on the festival and camping ground.

The visitors are spoilt for choice because they can choose between three stages: the Centerstage, Alternastage and Clubstage. On every stage there is another band performing, so you have the choice between different bands.

The area in front of the Center stage has been subdivided into three parts since 2009 because of safety arrangements. The limited zones A and B serve as prevention of overcrowding. Only zone C is unlimited.

Zone A: max. 9,000 viewers
Zone B: max. 12,000 viewers
Zone C: no limit

The viewer capacity in front of the Alternastage and Clubstage is unlimited.

Around the whole area is cared for catering and sanitation.

The camping area:

This is the place where you can recover yourself from the exertions of the day - providing that your "neighbor" is calm and doesn´t listen to music loudly.

If you want to get a camping ground near by the festival area it would recommended arriving Wednesdays or Thursdays.

There are three different types of places:

- the normal camping area,

- the green camping area (which would be better if you really want to sleep)

- and the parking area.

It is forbidden to camp next to your car but there are offered special areas (mostly private) for camp mobiles.

Of course there are sanitation and catering areas at the camping ground too. You can take a shower or use the restrooms for only a few Euros. There are also restrooms which you don´t have to pay money for.