Metallica Day at Rock Werchter: After the rain comes the sunshine, although artists continue to drop out due to corona or disease

Friday 1 July was already mentioned in Bazart’s agenda, because 6 years after their debut at Werchter, the trio played on the main stage for the first time today. A special moment for every Belgian band who gets this chance. “This is without a doubt the craziest thing we’ve ever done,” said Matteo Terrain, shaking his head.

As if that moment wasn’t special enough for the group themselves, they get one special guest In: Stijn Meuris. Together they cover the Monza classic “Van God los,” a song by her biggest fan. And it’s an excellent move to get people over 40 to get a little more involved in a performance about halfway through.

Bazart selects the most danceable versions of their songs. The highlight for the front-row fans is when Mathieu Terrain dives into the middle lane during the song “Grip (Embrace Me)” to embrace the fans. Perhaps surprisingly, the “gold” – decorated with gold leaf – is not the last chord in the performance. Well, ‘Don’t think about tomorrow’, with Teren’s message ‘Live now, and enjoy it all’.

Artists continue at the last minute to withdraw from Rock Werchter due to Corona infection. American group Greta Van Vliet, who will warm up the audience on Metallica’s main stage tonight, will not be performing, according to Rock Werchter via Twitter. So the revolving door moves from The Barn to the main stage.

Another programming shift, after it was announced earlier in the day that Charlotte Adigiri and Polis Popol will fill Club C tomorrow, replacing Clairo.

Rock Werchter programmers are having a tough time this year at the last minute, due to the Corona infection and artists with other health issues.

Yesterday, it became clear that Metallica, despite having the coronavirus in their entourage, will still be making headlines tonight. But Sam Fender had to actually give up due to a sore throat. Charles, winner of The Voice Belgium and the brain behind “The Wrong Place,” the Eurovision song for Hoverphonic, takes his place this afternoon at The Barn.

It will be clear later today if the Red Hot Chili Peppers will shut down Rock Werchter. The American group announced via social media, that it had to cancel a concert in Glasgow. It remains unclear if that jeopardizes their main show, such as the closing event of the 2022 Rock Werchter competition.

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The second day begins with a change of program: due to problems with their tour schedule, Sum 41 will be performed as the opening this afternoon, not Sunday evening. Canadian punk rockers are combining their show at Rock Werchter with another gig elsewhere today, because they don’t want to cancel either show. “We would love to play for you any time of the day because we are so happy to be back on stage after staying home for so long,” he said.

But early that afternoon, neither the band nor the audience could: score nostalgic scores for every hour of the day. In particular, offensive player Sum 41 Deryck Whibley (42 years old, but still on stage in a black sleeveless shirt) treats the meadow with a powerful energy shot. With all the tricks of the trade, even the big balloons, the audience is amazed and successful. For music lovers from the nineties and Nils it is a pleasure.

Enjoy some talented guitar playing, and you’ll find your first “circle hole” in the front areas. Singing also with the big songs “I’m Still Waiting” and “Into the Great Depths”. A more than worthwhile editorial for Day Two at the Rock Werchter. Because a lot of people and a lot of atmosphere is not at all guaranteed, noon on the main stage.

On the first day of the festival, heavy rain fell on the Rock Werchter. But on the second day, the weather gods completely change things up. Blue sky, sun and some clouds: perfect festive weather. This is noticeable in the turnout and enthusiasm in the early afternoon. Festival-goers are ready to travel.