Around 60,000 fans celebrated the premiere of the Rolling Loud Germany Festival over three days with numerous hip-hop artists such as Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar and Wizkid on the outdoor area of the Munich Exhibition Centre. While the mood during the performances was mostly boisterous, the event was disrupted by a few aggressive visitors. On Friday evening, stones are sometimes thrown at stewards, which means that the program on the second stage on Friday evening has to end early.
On Sunday, the last day of the festival, announcements will be made on stage throughout the day, mostly by a moderator or by co-founder Tariq Cherif. Visitors should look out for each other, respect the security guards and follow their instructions. The first and second breakwaters are closed, but many visitors are still standing at the corresponding entry points, which are closed. The request to clear it echoes from the stage: “You can’t get in there anymore!” This fell on deaf ears for a long time.
At the entrance point on the left, seen from the stage (barriers were also overcome on this side on Saturday), the crowd pushes forward, in the meantime an additionally tightened barrier tape is pushed away, the security forces press the people back, the corresponding requests are passed on with a megaphone.
At one point, the entrance control is overcome, people push past the security and run in the direction of the first breakwater, but the situation is quickly clarified, someone from the stage gives instructions where there are still open gaps. This is followed by a long interruption, with many security staff and police officers running around, bending over documents. The moderator has the thankless task of simultaneously calling the audience to reason and keeping them happy, and throws. he water bottles into the crowd. Some throw back the empty bottles. There are threats that Travis Scott will not perform if the audience does not strictly comply with prompts and cooperate.
US President causes delays on the last day
When it is said after a long wait that Travis Scott will perform, the joy is huge. However, this is immediately clouded when instead of the artist Tariq Cherif and André Lieberberg enter the stage. Travis Scott is still on the plane. During his transfer in London, US President Joe Biden landed and all other planes had to remain on the ground: “The President of the United States flew to Heathrow with his shitty Air Force One, Travis Scott’s jet was being held,” says André Lieberberg. About an hour and twenty minutes later, Travis Scott plays an acclaimed concert – but instead of 75 minutes about 30-35. Before and after, visitors are asked to behave in a civilized manner.
By Sunday afternoon, the Johanniter responsible for the medical service had registered around 800 operations, including 27 transports. Most deployments involved minor injuries, such as cuts and abrasions. The operations management of the Johanniter described the number of operations as “comparable to similar major events”. The police are very present towards the end of the festival, the masses flock to the subway, where a man with a microphone coordinates the boarding process, as on the days before.
The visitors were very positive about the configuration of the site, with a large number of free drinking water points, a varied range of restaurants, sufficient sanitary facilities and protection from the sun. The awareness team present for protection against attacks was praised.