Rock am Ring is twin festival to Rock im Park in the South of Germany. Originally it was planned in 1985 as a one-time event on the Nuerburgring to celebrate the inauguration of a new and shorter version of the race track. Due to its enormous commercial success, it was decided to make it an annual festival. Nowadays, about 70,000 to 90,000 Rock and Metal fans gather every June to celebrate the biggest names in music business. Headliners since included Metallica, Die Toten Hosen, Muse, Green Day, and Rage against the Machine only to name a few.
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Nuerburg Castle was built in the High Middle Ages, made of black coloured basalt. Race track Nuerburgring, the location of Rock am Ring, is just nearby. The castle rises on a hill above the village Nuerburg in the Eifel region. It is considered to be the highest castle in Rhineland-Pfalz district, so on a sunny clear day it may even be possible to see the spires of the Cologne Cathedral from up here.
Located directly in the town of Nuerburg, this welcoming modern hotel is in absolute throwing distance to the race track where Rock am Ring takes place. Rooms are fully equipped, with a great breakfast offered. The attached café and restaurant offers local dishes.
Download Festival is a Rock with about 80,000 visitors, held annually at Donington Park. It is the most popular British Rock and Heavy Metal festival and has hosted some of the genres' biggest names, including Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, Judas Priest, and Guns N' Roses. Normally, Donington Park is a motorsport circuit.
Within a beautiful facade, cultural meeting place Vooruit in Belgian city of Ghent is host to live gigs from Indie and Alternative to Rock, Punk, and Metal. There is a major Belgian underground Rock scene so the event calendar is fully packed.
Kinky Star is an alternative music hotspot and bar in Ghent, notorious for its Irish coffees. Also homeport to a record label of the same name.
Elpee isn’t as accessible as many other pubs and venues due to its heavy music. Definitely worth a visit for any Metal fan around Ghent.
The Edwardian building has been hosting live music for decades now. O2 Academy Oxford hosted some impressive live performances in the past such as Editors, Foals, Elbow, Stereophonics, Ozzy Osbourne, Babyshambles, and Royal Blood. A Radiohead show even went on to become the video for their debut single Creep. Other highlight performances include Supergrass, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Robert Plant, The Killers, The Strokes, and Muse.
One of Oxford's leading independent live music venue: The Bullingdon showcases local as well as national and international touring acts along DJs. Topped with a great cocktail bar.
Lanxess Arena is the biggest venue in the city of Cologne when it comes to the major names in music business. Numerous big players from Rock and Pop have graced this stage in recent years.
Industrial exterior and interior make the special atmosphere of Cologne's E-Werk. Live music for an audience of up to 2.000 people - ranging from Rock and Pop genre up to Metal and Punk.
This small and intimate venue in the Belgian city of Ghent is all about Metal and Rock music. If your are in town and into the heavier tunes, check out their fine event calendar offering live music as well as party club nights.
Rock am Ring (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Festival time (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
