Nova Rock Day 2: The Cure enchant Burgenland with a melancholic finale

The Offspring and the largest crowd of the day

The Offspring drew what was likely the largest crowd of the day on the Blue Stage with a hit parade of older songs. „Etwas Geduld war gefordert, aber zum Schluss kamen die Hits doch noch: Why Don't You Get a Job, Pretty Fly (for a White Guy), The Kids Aren't Alright, You're Gonna Go Far, Kid und Self Esteem." The Californians also paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, playing "Crazy Train" and "Paranoid" in his honor.

Zakk Wylde set his own accents with Black Label Society. The 59-year-old American, long-time guitarist of Ozzy Osbourne, presented material from the album "Engines of Demolition" as well as the Osbourne classic "No More Tears", which he co-wrote. The song "Ozzy's Song" was dedicated by Wylde to the late "Prince of Darkness". Speaking about the joy of touring, he said: „Jeder Tag ist ein neues Abenteuer. Im Sport kommt man nach Arm-, Knie- oder anderen Operationen irgendwann an den Punkt, wo man aufhören muss. Aber bei Musik? Ich hätte Ray Charles zugehört, das Telefonbuch zu singen, wenn er 200 Jahre alt geworden wäre." On the recognizability of guitarists, he remarked: „Das ist ja auch das Schöne an der Gitarre, jeder Gitarrist hat seinen eigenen Anschlag, sein eigenes Gefühl dafür, ob er nun kraftvoll oder sanft spielt - das bestimmt den Wiedererkennungswert."

Taylor Momsen and The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless, fronted by Taylor Momsen, provided an early musical highlight in the afternoon and also promoted their upcoming album "Dear God" in Nickelsdorf. Momsen, known as an actress from productions including "Gossip Girl", was taken with the festival vibe: „Wir spielen schon unsere ganze Karriere auf Festivals. Und Festivals haben so eine - wie soll ich sagen? - so eine Scheiß-drauf-Einstellung, die total cool ist und die man nicht überall findet." About the journey there, she said: „Die Fahrt hierher war sehr schön. Die vielen Windräder!" Her pre-show preparation was described as: „Ich schminke mich, ziehe meine Stiefel an, lasse meine Finger knacken und gehe auf die Bühne. In-Ear-Kopfhörer nicht vergessen! Aber nein, nicht wirklich."

New York hardcore band Quicksand kicked off their European tour at a Czech festival before stopping at the Pannonia Fields. The occasion is the new album "Bring On The Psychics", which, according to singer and guitarist Walter Schreifels and drummer Sergio Vega, is set for release in July. About the conditions on tour, Vega complained: costs had risen „überall, nicht nur in Europa". At the same time, Schreifels stressed the economic importance of festivals: „Darum ist es wichtig, auf Festivals zu spielen, weil sie mehr bezahlen!" The band wants to offer listeners a „positive, uplifting experience" in „dieser beschissenen Zeit", according to Quicksand.

Horror show, crossover and domestic newcomers

On the Red Stage, Boston's Ice Nine Kills delivered a horror-film-inspired metalcore show. Singer Spencer Charnas appeared as the Joker during "The Laugh Track" and referenced "Halloween" in "Stabbing In The Dark". Props such as a chainsaw, knives, fire pillars and figures like Hannibal Lecter and Michael Myers were part of the stage design.

The Swedish rock band Royal Republic provided danceable sounds in the afternoon, building atmosphere with the battle cry "Rata-Tata". Welsh crossover band Skindled — featuring singer and MC Benji Webbe — blended reggae, hip-hop and metal into a distinctive profile. The British band President stood out with a singer in a Ronald Reagan mask and members in black face coverings as well as sacral symbolism on the Red Bull Stage. Domestic newcomer Pure Chlorine also played there, and early in the afternoon the sisters Jules and Jyl Wylde — not related to Zakk Wylde — opened on the Red Bull Stage.

Outlook on the third festival day

Overall, the second Nova Rock day showcased the full breadth of current rock and hardcore output — from established headliners to Austrian newcomers. The organizers recorded what was, according to APA, possibly the largest crowd of the day at the Blue Stage during The Offspring's set. With The Cure, the evening found a worthy conclusion in a quiet, melancholic contrast to the louder daytime gigs.

The Nova Rock Festival runs until Sunday on the Pannonia Fields in Nickelsdorf, with the organizers expecting several tens of thousands of visitors over its entire duration. The third festival day is set to continue on Saturday with further notable acts; details have not yet been finalized by the festival management.