"The whole point was to put on a party with our mates and the music we loved." How Wacken became one of metal's biggest and most beloved festivals

Wacken Festival 2024.

When Thomas Jensen co-founded Wacken Festival in 1990, the idea was simple. Book a few bands, get some beers in, and invite some mates to have the time of their lives. Thirty-five years later, the idea is still the same, except those ‘mates’ have ballooned to 85,000 metal fans.

“It’s pretty crazy,” he admits, bristling with pride. “I can’t believe how much it’s grown.”