Imagine Dragons dedicates Werchtershow to Ukraine, after Måneskin hysteria and injury to Goldband singer

After two headliners with solid guitar work – Pearl Jam and Metallica – it’s up to Imagine Dragons to send Werchterwei to third festival night. And that’s what the American group does with an astonishing number of radio hits, and all the visual bells and whistles you can think of. Custom screen images, smoke, cardboard and fireworks, the latter on a smaller scale than Metallica. But Imagine Dragons know how to entertain a large audience.

Add to that striker Dan Reynolds, who quickly replaced his curvy head with a bare-breasted top, and stayed on the stage almost the entirety of the concert to make as much contact as possible with festival-goers. The result: a very enthusiastic audience sings deep into the meadow. It seems that “tonight we celebrate life, and all that life has to offer.” “Because it’s been two long years since Corona.”

In the second half of the ceremony came a striking political statement: “Imagine the Dragon” dedicates its show Werchter to the victims of the war in Ukraine. Because we haven’t forgotten you,” said singer Dan Reynolds, who wraps a Ukrainian flag around his shoulders and waves it over his head during the film’s cover. Alphaville classic “Forever Young”†

The final chord is also for striker Dan Reynolds, who can use a sensitive version of “Radactive” behind the piano. The song later explodes, and singing becomes loud in almost all areas of the festival meadow. “Being able to play on such a big stage, for such an audience: this is beyond all our dreams and expectations,” it still seemed.

It bombs in the afternoon for the Eurovision Manskin phenomenon. They confirm their status in crowd puller without any problem. The result: a lot of screaming and a lot of young people theater divers† The decibels rise only when the three male members of the group drop their peaks almost immediately.

What heats up even more is the short message from the singer Damiano in Dutch. A simple but clear phrase “you can have me”. Apparently many festival-goers think the same thing. It is no coincidence that Damiano pronounces that sentence on the audience. This letter was taught by Eva de Roux, Stobro. As a bit of fun to please the Belgian public, it has more than succeeded.

Måneskin’s most ardent fans are invited on stage during the closing ceremony. Party crowd as live décor, including a group photo, wraps up the party. An unforgettable moment for the very young festival-goers who quickly try to hug or touch their idols.

The honor of opening the third festival day goes to the Dutch group Goldband. Three former plasterers who made the leap to a musical career. Their background in construction interprets scaffolding and ladders as “decorative.” Striking: Goldband will also play in Tomorrowland and Pukkelpop this summer.

Goldband brings Dutch dance music that balances the border between calm and kitsch. Shiny jogging tracks (which make T-shirts disappear remarkably quickly), neck rugs, tattoos, and boys’ band-like dance steps: you shouldn’t draw a graphic that, despite the early afternoon, makes a lot of people on their feet. Festival-goers who feel like a solid party, get it.

For singer Boaz, this party doesn’t end well. Uncontrolled jumping from the platform causes him to fracture the heel bone. “I thought I was going to jump really hard, but I landed on concrete slabs. So you shouldn’t. My feet feel really bad.”

As a result, Boaz sings the next song lying down, while the rescuers are called. Boaz will finish the show, mostly seated in a chair, although some dance moves can still be done on the go. After that, he is taken to the hospital. Verdict: 10 weeks of plaster cast.

Goldband replaces pure enthusiasm with emotional moments, such as “This is for you.” That song – despite its strong ’90s beats – became Milo’s ode to his mother “Who’s There”. He invites everyone present to think of someone who no longer exists. Milo then visits his father and aunt Karen and gives them a big hug. Cruel props with a golden heart, Goldband men. Their conclusion is “if only we could do it every day, and perform here”.