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It would hardly have been thought to be possible at the beginning of the week: Instead of constant rain and mud hell, there is dry feet at the start of the 40th Rock-AM-Ring anniversary, a bit of sun and a program that leaves nothing to be desired and even plenty of space for surprises. Our rock-am-ring highlights from Friday.
The first Secret Act of the day: Electric Callboy
Speculators were speculated in advance: Who would be the Secret Act that opened the festival? At 1:30 p.m., Ingo Knollmann from the Donots then ventilated the well-kept secret: Electric Callboy started with air tanks, confetti rain and a remarkable selection of vokuhila wigs in their one-hour set.
Also included is a new face, the SUM-41 drummer Frank Zummo, who obviously also feels very comfortable with metalcore from Castrop-Rauxel. A rock-am-ring highlight on Friday is your cover version of “In The End”-the band fans a heart’s desire for the fans. If Linkin Park is not physically represented on the ring site, then at least musically.
Secret, the second
Roy Bianco & the Abbrunzati Boys, who enter the stage as second Secret Act, are more difficult. Her Italo-Schlager demolition caused a collective smile, but with such some that do not share the humor of the band from Augsburg and Munich, also for shrugs. The crowd whipped in front of the Utopia Stage needed a moment to understand: this is not a meme now. So: lemoncello tipped and participated.
Our find of the day: House of Protection. The electro-punk duo plays an energetic set on the Mandora Stage. Or rather in front of it, because singer Aric Imp competa simply places his microphone in the middle of the audience and lets a circle of pit dance around him.
Even if it is repeatedly complained that Frauenpower is neglected at Rock am Ring: The ladies who are on the stages on Friday are the best example of good music and top performances from the testosterone excess. Thanks to Corset Glam by Poppy, snotty indie punk of the Destroy Boys and Mia Morgan, the dark pop combines with female anger, orbit and mandora stage are temporarily the coolest place on the ring.
Rock am Ring – The highlights on Friday: Soft Play, What Mate?
Soft Play (formerly Slaves) initially compete in the onion look, but after Song Drei there is still aman and jacket and spice girls shirt come down. They play songs like “Fuck the Hi-Hat”, which aims to answer questions about the minimalist drumkit again and again. Behind them a huge banner with the inscription “Soft Cunts”. The fine English way.
A Day to Remember, however, mix on the Utopia Stage Hardcore, Emo, Acoustics, Confetti, Moshpits and Klopapierrollen to a set where you never know what comes next-a few meters further donated to Frank Turner sunset mood with Singalong guarantee. Whether male cheerleaders or a guy with unicorn shower hood, everyone enjoys a little feel-good atmosphere here before the evening continues brutally.
The most crazy duel of the day is fine cream fish fillet on the Mandora Stage and Biffy Clyro on the Utopia Stage. More pyro, more Bengalos, more pogo? Clear dot for the fish skyscapes. But: Both bands deliver a lot, the audience is split – and in the best sense.
“After three days of the festival you know why only animals were allowed on the Noah ark.”
Shortly afterwards, Adam Fear thrusts huge footballs into the crowd and try to spend a cover from “Don’t look back in Anger” and a false backdrop as an oasis. Olli Schulz, who also appears on the Orbit Stage, has to assert himself alongside The Prodigy. They had the best days behind them anyway. Instead of the usual pillow battle this time only good sayings: “After three days of the festival you know why only animals were allowed on the Noah ark.”
Suddenly a countdown on the LED screens and on the big stages. Is there still a surprise? First the “Interstellar” soundtrack sounds, then fireworks shoot from all towers and stages and the news appears: Linkin Park return to Rock am Ring in 2026. A collective moment of euphoria.
The end on the Main Stage Bring Me The Horizon with maximum production, laser show and pyro madness. But even after that is not over: KIZ take control of the late night special to ensure fun under the belt. And for the very persistent there is also the DJ set from Electric Bassboy-a full-circle moment for the first Secret Act.