Rammstein concerts mean: flamethrowers, foam cannons and crowds. This is exactly what is planned for the New Year’s Eve performance in front of 145,000 spectators in Munich. The city council will probably allow the concert on the Theresienwiese, but the security authorities consider the performance too dangerous.
“This is a major event that has not yet taken place on the Theresienwiese in this way,” emphasized the spokesman for the responsible district administration department (KVR). There is still a lot to be clarified. He recalled that on New Year’s Eve the police and fire brigade forces were already under a lot of strain. You still have to talk to them about topics such as folders, escape and rescue routes.
Security authority reminds of the Loveparade 2010
In addition, there is not enough time. Normally, such events would have a lead time of up to a year, the spokesman explained. “Now there are still 4.5 months until then – it will definitely be tight”.
The KVR also recalled the Loveparade 2010 in Duisburg, where 21 people lost their lives in an accident. The Theresienwiese, like this area, is not suitable for the event, according to the KVR. The time pressure when planning can be “life-threatening”.
Advertising for Munich
The Munich Department for Labor and Economics sees the planned event in a different light. The concert will “generate considerable attention for the tourist destination Munich”. For the usual increase in sales for the catering trade and hotels, the event should function “as an advertising medium for Munich”.
It was not announced how quickly Rammstein would have to know if they were actually performing. Also unclear: whether the event could also take place on another day and on a smaller scale.
+++ This article first appeared on rollingstone.de +++