DEEP PURPLE, NIGHTWISH, SABATON, ARCH ENEMY, AMORPHIS Confirmed For WACKEN OPEN AIR

DEEP PURPLE, NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, ARCH ENEMY, SABATON, DORO, ANTHRAX and SUBWAY TO SALLY are the first confirmed bands for next year’s edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 1-3, 2013. AMORPHIS will perform an acoustic set, while Doro will celebrate her 30th anniversary in the music business. More acts will be announced soon.

Wacken Open Air was first held in 1990 as a small event for local German bands. By 1998 the event had become the major festival on the European metal calendar and has included over 70 bands from all over Europe, North America and Australia.

Wacken Open Air is usually held at the beginning of August and lasts three days, during which the festival-goers camp on several large camping grounds surrounding the actual festival area. The 70 or more bands perform across four separate stages over the course of the event.

Wacken Open Air, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in 2008 in the “Festival Of The Year” category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee.