Last year I reported about the benefit festival Rock & Metal Day’z or short RMD’z at Oschersleben, time wise one of the earliest festivals in Germany. I reported about its organizers, the nonprofit organization M.A.DE. for kids e. V. I became member of it three days after the festival and everything else, which has happened by now, is history and destiny.
A week earlier
Even one week earlier than last year due to date overlaps with the Motorsportarena, whose campground hosts the Rock & Metal Day’z, it already took place from 18th to 20th May. My arrival was a few days earlier on Sunday ahead of the actual event, because I volunteered as a stage hand to help building up the whole festival from, more or less, scratch. My experiences will be part of an additional article. Today we concentrate on the three days of the festival itself.
A brief introduction
As I said, from Sunday to Thursday we built up the festival, and these are just a few pics from the beginning on nothing but a green meadow until the stage was ready to rock and roll all night and party every day and we finally opened the gates at 18:00.
Food and beverages
With the exception of Jalaschpistole all food and beverage stalls remained in the hands of M.A.DE. for kids e. V. Jalaschpistole itself was one of the sponsors of the event and provided an excellent selection of local specialties! This year we could, for the first time, provide breakfast for early birds on the infield from Thursday morning on and it was very well accepted. Needless to say all prices were far away from being expensive.
Thursday
Free entrance on Thursday and the rising stars of German Alternative/Crossover Metal as opening act, what do you want more? Yes, a cover band which celebrates the hits of bands like Whitesnake, AC/DC, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi or Europe in their very own versions. Welcome to April Art and Marry In Black!
April Art
April Art finally entered the stage at 20:00, after a long sound check which could already count as a pre-slot. I have known vocalist, drummer Ben, Chris on guitar and Julian on bass for quite a while now and last year I already thought, they would really fit to RMD’z, lovely personalities, good show and good fun. They did not disappoint, not a single second. Their arrival already proofed their cordiality, a very warm welcome and hello from all sides! We don’t only show some pics of the show, but also from the sound check and behind the scenes. The four musicians from Giessen simply are a band one must love. And you know what? They told me, a new album is in progress, to be released in 2024. April Art already started their songwriting sessions. Feel free to read my interview with Lisa from last year April here.
Marry In Black
Sure, they didn’t have the easiest job. First, because Marry In Black jumped in for Eisenkarl short before the festival. Eisenkarl had to cancel one week before the festival due to illness. That meant little time to prepare and arrange everything. Second, because April Art really rocked the stage. Nevertheless Marry In Black did a decent job and played a quite long set interrupted by a break. I’ve never heard “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” since I saw Pat Benatar in the very early 80ies. This Thursday was the first time again and I loved it. Name any popular rock song of the 80ies, the two female vocalists performed it very well. Not exactly to the point, but in their own version.
Early arrivers
Our most beloved Swiss guys Fire Rose arrived a day earlier than they would play, for two reasons, first long way home to the RMD’z, second, more time to party with the audience and members of the crew because they are really good friends.
