The Last Day of Nova Rock: A Chilled Yet Electrifying Close

As the curtain drew on the last day of the Nova Rock Festival 2024, fans were rewarded with a more laid-back atmosphere as the Red Stage closed down, changing the scene at the Blue Stage to a new lineup and an end to the festival that will go down in the books.

From the spirited brass music of Wendi’s Böhmische Blasmusik to the high-octane finale by Bring Me The Horizon, the last day was a perfect blend of energy and calm.

Opening Act: Wendi’s Böhmische Blasmusik

The day it opened with the upbeat sounds of Wendy’s Böhmische Blasmusik. Despite the early hour, a vast crowd gathered; indeed, it was almost as large as those at headliner shows. The fans were in high spirits, with many crowd surfers and circle pits being created in the crowd atmosphere. The traditional tunes of the brass band, combined with the excitement in the crowd, painted a very vibrant hue over the day.

Afternoon Thrills: Escape the Fate, Black Stone Cherry, Beast in Black

Now on stage, Escape the Fate sounded and performed as one would imagine: post-hardcore. Utilizing the vocal energy and mighty guitar riffs, everyone in the crowd seemed already pumped for more. As the Southern rock vibes of Black Stone Cherry fully came alive with every chilling song, its easygoing approach fit perfectly during a sun-drenched afternoon.

Beast in Black raised the energy even more with their electrifying power metal. Their theatricality and hooks showed an audience why they are an emerging force in the scene.

Evening Highs: Biohazard, Babymetal, and Dropkick Murphys

A spectacular performance started as the sun slowly set, with Biohazard coming to the stage. New York hardcore legends left nothing to doubt; frontman Billy Graziadei was rushing into the crowd for some songs, getting into fans’ faces. Powerful onstage, it was a clear highlight of their long and illustrious career.

Babymetal offered their unique fusion of J-pop and heavy metal with the band, elaborate costuming, and synchronized dance. The trio’s show had an audio-visual surprise for all and captured new and old fans alike.

Next was the Dropkick Murphys, who certainly set the mood for good old Celtic punk. The Boston band, all muscle and vitality, delivered one infectious stomper after the other—sing-along anthems like “The Boys Are Back” and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”—that never allowed the boisterous revelers a moment to stop dancing or cheering. This mix of traditional instruments with the energy of punk rock made it a great experience.

Grand Finale: Bring Me The Horizon

It ended with a bang as British metalcore giants Bring Me the Horizon stormed the stage. They performed their new hits alongside glamorous stage effects in a show full of greatness. Oli Sykes also brought one fan on stage while they were performing, creating this moment that the crowd was left bubbling about.

Theirs was a set of heavy riffs mixed with melodic hooks and electronic elements, cementing their status as one of the leaders of the genre currently.

Smooth Operations and Safety

The festival area was not in such bad condition after the last night’s rainfall. Despite some isolated waterholes, the Red Cross and Austrian Automobile Club (ÖAMTC) reported a relatively calm day with very few accident reports. There is certainly no doubt that the enormous effort of traffic and public order management significantly strengthens this good picture.

Conclusion

The final day of Nova Rock 2024 was an adequate finish for a superlative festival. The lineup on the final day addressed all possible tastes and directions: from the traditional one, represented by its brass music, to hardcore metal. What is astonishing is that the festival delivered quite a mix without even letting it be noticed. The closing down of the Red Stage set considerably more chilled vibes in the place, which made it possible for the fans to thoroughly relish the performance on the Blue Stage.

As revelers leave, what remains in their hearts will surely be an absolute record of a festival. That was one of the very best editions of Nova Rock 2024, and people are already getting excited about it all over again next year. Thanks to the perfect weather, spectacular shows, but most of all, for the whole chill vibe full of energy, the last day of Nova Rock 2024 was another gem in this festival summer.

 

Written text and pictures by Mariam Osman

Check out the other days:

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3