The European metal festival circuit is gearing up for a busy , with organizers focused on navigating rising costs and evolving fan behavior. Ronny Paschinger, a veteran concert promoter based in Austria, recently shared insights into the current landscape and his plans for the coming year, including the Kaltenbach Open Air (K:O:A) and the Rock im Tank (RTE) festivals.
Paschinger described as a generally successful year, despite the ongoing challenges of increasing expenses related to bands, infrastructure, and logistics. He noted a concerning trend of fans delaying ticket purchases until closer to the event date, making financial planning more difficult. “Basically, I can’t complain, although it doesn’t get any easier each year due to rising costs,” he explained. “Also, the sometimes missing or, to put it better, sluggish pre-sales don’t make it easier, as the trend unfortunately is to buy tickets shortly before or directly at the box office.” Despite these hurdles, he expressed satisfaction with the Kaltenbach Open Air , highlighting its peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity for metalheads from around the world to connect.
Looking ahead to , Paschinger is enthusiastic about the diverse lineup for K:O:A, which aims to offer a broader range of extreme metal subgenres than the previous year’s black metal-focused event. While acknowledging budgetary constraints, he emphasized the commitment to providing value to fans. “We have put together a very good mix of all metal genres this year. Last year it was more black metal-heavy; we wanted to loosen that up a bit this year and also serve the other extreme metal genres more strongly,” he said. He specifically mentioned his excitement about performances by Sacred Reich and Firespawn, both of which will be making their debut appearances at the festival.
Paschinger underscored the importance of transparency, honesty, and respect in the relationship between promoters, and artists. He lamented the prevalence of unscrupulous practices within the industry, stating, “Important as a promoter, in my opinion, is always to be open, honest and transparent. That is, in my opinion, the be-all and end-all. Respectful dealing between promoter and artist is also a criterion that is indispensable. Otherwise it doesn’t work.”
Reflecting on his personal concert highlights of , Paschinger cited two Iron Maiden shows in Bratislava and Vienna as particularly memorable, marking his 19th and 20th times seeing the band live. He is already looking forward to his 21st Iron Maiden concert in .
Paschinger’s involvement in the music industry spans nearly two decades, beginning as a concertgoer and evolving into a promoter, booker, and organizer. He attributes his passion for metal to a long-held love of the music and the organizational challenges it presents. “I’ve been working in the music business for almost 20 years now. It’s amazing how time flies. Initially as a visitor, I quickly discovered the love for the music and also for the organization behind it. I wanted to get involved in the scene as a promoter, booker and organizer. I think I’ve succeeded quite well; at least I’m very satisfied with what I’ve achieved so far.”
Over the years, Paschinger has observed a significant increase in event costs in Austria, making it increasingly difficult to maintain profitability while keeping ticket prices affordable. He acknowledged the need for potential price increases in the future but expressed a desire to delay them as long as possible, upholding the festival’s motto of “by fans for fans.”
When asked about advice for aspiring event organizers, Paschinger offered a cautious response, citing the current instability of the music scene. He advised potential newcomers to carefully assess the risks and to realistically calculate their budgets. “A difficult topic. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to give any tips to a ‘freshman,’ as you affectionately call it. The current situation in the scene is too uncertain for that. And I’m the last person to want to lead someone to ruin, so I’d rather refrain from giving advice. Just one tip, perhaps: calculate realistically.”
Paschinger also discussed his collaboration with the band VULVARINE, a relationship initiated through a mutual friend, Beate. He praised the band’s refreshing sound and expressed confidence in their potential for success. “Beate is a long-time friend from the music scene, and I came across the band through her. I was enthusiastic about their music from the start – I think it’s really refreshing.” He emphasized his commitment to providing full support to VULVARINE, viewing them as a promising addition to his roster.
Looking ahead to the Rock im Tank (RTE) festival , which will celebrate its 15th anniversary, Paschinger revealed that the lineup is nearing completion and is expected to be announced in mid-February. He acknowledged that was not as successful as hoped, with the festival failing to sell out for only the second time in its history, prompting him to consider whether to continue the event. However, he ultimately decided to proceed with the 15th-anniversary celebration.
Paschinger expressed his gratitude to fans for their years of support and reaffirmed his dedication to providing memorable live music experiences. He encouraged fans to purchase tickets in advance to help cover the upfront costs associated with organizing the festivals. “I would like to thank you for your years of support. Without fans, there would be no more concerts. I hope that remains so. Of course, I also have an expiration date, but as long as my health allows, I will continue to do what I enjoy most.”
Tickets for K:O:A are available at https://kaltenbach-openair.at/de/tickets/ and for RTE at https://www.ticketmaster.at/event/165403410?
