Just announced... Maiden at Wacken 2008

[Hell Mike]

Lastly, if Maiden does sell the fest out, you'd have to have concerns about the remainder of the line-up. A sell-out prior to the announcement of the second band, would certainly lessen the promoter's motivation to put together a quality card.
Zod

You think so? Sure, it's a possibility, but on the other hand it gives them the money they need to get whomever they want more or less - plus the Wacken festival site has the potential to be HUGE.

 

[Demonspell]

I don't think securing Maiden and an instant sellout would necessarily make the promoters assemble the rest of the lineup halfass, unless they end up blowing most of their budget on the cost of a full-blown Maiden stage show...

 

[General Zod]

Trust me, Maiden will get a giant headlining set next year. No doubt whatsoever bar none. I guarantee they play at least 2 hours, unless the band decides not to.

I'm not referring to what the promoters would allow. I'm sure the promoters would be thrilled if Maiden played every song they ever wrote. However, I'd be surprised if Maiden had any inclination to rehearse extra material, solely for Wacken. Why would they (unless they decide to shoot a DVD)?

The Scorpions played for like 2 and a half hours last year.

As for the Scorpions, a few things. First off, I'm sure they care a lot more about playing in front of a German audience than does Maiden. Second, I believe the Scorps played Thursday, when there's very little going on. Third, if memory serves me correctly, this was a special show, where they were rejoined by former members. Lastly, how often (these days) are the Scorps playing to audiences that size?

You think so? Sure, it's a possibility, but on the other hand it gives them the money they need to get whomever they want more or less - plus the Wacken festival site has the potential to be HUGE.

If Maiden were to sell this festival out, before a second band was announced, it simply wouldn't make good business sense for them to pay out a ton of money to fill the roster with quality acts.

Zod

 

[Disgustipated]

I was planning on going to Oktoberfest next year, this might just be the motivation to make my one month trip into a two month trip.

 

[Dark One]

I'm not referring to what the promoters would allow. I'm sure the promoters would be thrilled if Maiden played every song they ever wrote. However, I'd be surprised if Maiden had any inclination to rehearse extra material, solely for Wacken. Why would they (unless they decide to shoot a DVD)?

Actually, I didn't mean they'd play extra material just in the Wacken set, I meant they would play extra material on their European headlining dates (and festivals in particular) they way they did on the first Early Days tour. They played multiple dates in Europe with extra songs. Wacken actually is a fantastic place to film a live DVD so that could certainly be extra motivation as well. I can all but guarantee they play more songs at Wacken then they do at Holmdel, NJ. Now, should that be enough to steer us to Wacken when there are other great festivals to check out? Definitely not, but if Wacken does turn out to be the destination, definitely do not expect the same old, same old from the band.

As for the Scorpions, a few things. First off, I'm sure they care a lot more about playing in front of a German audience than does Maiden.

No doubt about it; however, Maiden does care a lot more about playing in front of a European audience than they do a North American audience.

Second, I believe the Scorps played Thursday, when there's very little going on.

Honestly, I could see Maiden playing on Thursday next year just for that very reason. The festival attendence doesn't pick up on Friday, it's uniform throughout making a Thursday appearance the most flexible without losing any of the atmosphere. BTW, just for the heck of it I checked the running order and Saxon is scheduled for a 2 hour set on Thursday.

Third, if memory serves me correctly, this was a special show, where they were rejoined by former members. Lastly, how often (these days) are the Scorps playing to audiences that size?

Yeah, it was indeed a special show, but I can tell you that they co-headlined Sweden Rock in 2004, played for over 2 hours and had the place rocking. They're still big in Europe, but definitely not over here anymore.

If Maiden were to sell this festival out, before a second band was announced, it simply wouldn't make good business sense for them to pay out a ton of money to fill the roster with quality acts.

That is an absolutely excellent point. The only counter I can offer is that they have such an important historical reputation that I can't see them jeopardizing it by low balling fans with the remaining acts. If they sign Maiden and then the next largest band they have is like the Dancing German Banjo Heads or something that would be beyond ridiculous.

Jason

 

[Hell Mike]

If Maiden were to sell this festival out, before a second band was announced, it simply wouldn't make good business sense for them to pay out a ton of money to fill the roster with quality acts.

Zod

I don't agree. Sure, this year's economy would look awesome but not thinking about the future is rarely good business sense. Also, to some extent the wacken peeps (festival organizers) are heavy metal maniaxe themselves so they WANT good bands and lots of them. With some luck they can just expand the festival and camping area to house more people, but otherwise my biggest concern is that people who don't buy their tickets soon enough will have to go without even if they primarily want to go for bands other than Maiden

 

[JayKeeley]

my biggest concern is that people* who don't buy their tickets soon enough will have to go without even if they primarily want to go for bands other than Maiden

* infidels

 

[Evil?]

I love the Dancing German Banjo heads.

 

[Dark One]

LOL - maybe I was onto something.