Rock im Park 2025 – Festival Review
- L7
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Expectations
Since 2014 I’ve been at Rock im Park almost every year. And it’s always the same: at first, I think “There aren't many bands I truly care about this time”, but by the end I’ve discovered new acts, seen unforgettable performances, and had way more fun than expected. This year? Same story. Korn and Slipknot were the eye-catchers, but I also had a list of bands I wanted to see based on friends’ recommendations and online buzz.
Arrival, Merch & Beer
I didn’t camp, since I live in Nürnberg. That made the logistics easy: either a direct bus or tram-to-bus combo. Getting the wristband was quick, security was smooth, and I was inside the festival grounds in no time, every day.
Beer
This was the first time the festival served San Miguel. I wasn’t thrilled at first, but after years of complaining about Beck’s… I gave it a chance. And surprise: it was way better than expected. Cold, refreshing, and very tasty. I also spotted stands with Franziskaner Weizen and of course, Beck’s — didn’t try those, but you know what to expect.
Merch
The Rock im Park festival merch this year? Possibly the best designs I’ve seen. Purely personal taste, but I finally bought a festival shirt — and had to choose because there were so many great ones.35€ felt like a solid deal, especially compared to the 55€ at Iron Maiden one week ago.
Band merch wasn’t as broad as in some past editions, but still strong. I picked up the Korn tour shirt for 45€, and yeah… we’re slowly getting used to those prices. Some others, like Falling in Reverse, went up to 50€.
First Day
Airbourne
I kicked off the festival with Airbourne. Not a band I regularly listen to, but on stage? Always a party. Pure energy, crowd interaction, and full-on rock ‘n’ roll. It rained — nobody cared. That’s how you open a festival.
Heaven Shall Burn
First time seeing them live, and wow. Brutal vocals, killer riffs, and a powerful presence. I read their singer had to cancel Rock am Ring. Hopefully he recovers quickly — fans need to see them like this.
In Flames
Exactly what you'd want: a balanced set with old and new material, tight sound, and a crowd fully invested. Metal excellence, delivered.
Slipknot
What can I say? Slipknot was one of the top performances of the weekend. Less pyro this time, but a massive screen setup and vibrant lighting. They even pulled out a few deep cuts never played in Germany before.
And: Scissors at the end!
Second Day
Jerry Cantrell
Didn't even know he was on the lineup until I checked the schedule that day. Some Alice in Chains covers? Hell yes. His solo material was great too — a real treat and a pleasant surprise.
Jinjer
One of the acts I came for. Tatiana’s vocals remain unmatched in this scene. The band nailed it, full package, no weak points. Jinjer is always a festival highlight.
Falling in Reverse
Biggest surprise for me. I’d never heard a single song from them — just knew people loved them. The first few tracks were way more rap or melodic oriented than expected, but the crowd was going wild. When the heavier songs hit, I was fully in. The whole show was top-level. For me? Top 2 of the weekend.
Korn
One of my main reasons for buying a ticket — and they did not disappoint. A strong setlist, great energy, and a new light setup that I hadn’t seen at their previous shows. Yes, they’re aging, but the show was sharp and hard-hitting. Korn still got it.
Third Day
Knocked Loose
Of the three "very special guests" announced, this was the only one revealed ahead of time — and the only one I liked. I'd missed their tour earlier this year, so this was perfect. Big mosh pits, high energy.
Only thing missing? A Poppy guest spot for “Suffocate.” She played later that day, so they could’ve done it… but oh well. The song still ruled.
Weezer
Was already there, so why not? Came for that one American Pie song — and yep, it was the opener. Super fun to see live.
Poppy
Maybe my favorite surprise. Went in with low expectations, only knowing a few songs. Turns out she leaned more into metalcore than pop — plus fire effects, screaming vocals, and total stage command.
I’ll 100% be there again if she plays another festival.
Static Dress
I wanted to check out the new fourth stage. No idea who Static Dress was, but they had a passionate crowd. Good performance, tight set — and later I found out some friends are fans too. Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t heard them.
Nasty
Another blind discovery. Walked over without knowing the band, got blown away. Heavy, intense, and full of energy. If they’re near your city anytime soon — don’t miss it.
Bring Me The Horizon
Not my favorite band, but I stayed. The show had a PlayStation-style theme, with face scans and animated sequences. Visually impressive, well executed. They even covered Wonderwall.
Final Thoughts
All in all, another strong year for Rock im Park. I ended up having more fun than expected — as always. The food was solid, the beer was cold, and the music? Better than advertised.
A few small issues with organizational stuff — like getting redirected by confused staff or waiting too long to switch stages — but nothing deal-breaking.
In fact, this might’ve been my favorite edition so far.
How was your experience?
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