Live Nation commends its security measures at Rock am Ring

Live Nation is adamnent that security measures put in place for its 2017 summer festivals worked affectively at its first test – on the first night of its first festival this season, the three day Rock am Ring in Germany.

The festival is held at Airfield Mendig, near the town of Nuerburg.

In the weeks ahead, it had worked closely with government, police and security firms on how to respond to threats.

Marek Lieberberg, CEO of Live Nation Germany, said, “We talk regularly with the authorities and share intelligence throughout the festival season in order to protect our fans.”

Police presence was beefed up to 1200. Security closely monitored perimeter, arena, backstage and offsite areas.

Like other UK and European festivals, there were bans on “bags, backpacks and containers of all kinds … with small belt bags for personal items being the only exception.” An alert system, Katwarn, could be accessed by app.

Last Friday (June 2) police found an individual “of non-German origin” whom they believed had “potential ties to terrorism” backstage with two other persons.

The three men were questioned, and police found that their names did not match the names on their passes. They were arrested and their apartments searched. All three were released but police say they are still under investigation.

Police wanted the site cleared to investigate “concrete leads” of a terror threat. The festival’s evacuation plans were put to the test.

The festival site, with 82,500 patrons, according to the organisers, was cleared by 9:30 pm, half an hour after the festival made its evacuation announcement.

Some sang You’ll Never Walk Alone as they left the vicinity.There was no panic. Lieberberg, said, “The public reacted fantastically.”

In a later statement which confirmed the festival was going ahead the next day, he added, “The incredibly disciplined fans deserve all our respect and gratitude.”

Lieberberg made a significant comment at a media conference with police: “Suspicious persons might have worked at the festival site for a short time.”

It reiterated views expressed by Australian production crews to TMN in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing.

It wasn’t enough to search the fans. They said there should also be backstage checks before and during the event on road crews, caterers and cleaners, as well as on trucks and equipment that were brought on to the site with little checks.

“Setting up will take longer and cost more, but we have to do this properly and get it right,” one said.

The Rock am Ring evacuation was made just before Australia’s The Living End went on stage. They reassured fans via social media, “Everyone is safe and sound as investigations are being made.

“Apologies to all our German friends that didn’t get to see us play but we know you’ll understand that it’s better to be safe than sorry!”

Liam Gallagher conveyed a similar sentiment: “Stay safe all my German brothers and sisters, sorry we couldn’t play tonight. Safety first. See you soon LGx.”

Rammstein were to headline on Friday. Among those who were also scheduled were Rag ‘N’ Bone Man and Bastille.

Playing over the next two days were Australia’s Airbourne, as well as Die Toten Hosen, System of a Down, Five Finger Death Punch, Alter Bridge, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Simple Plan, Sum 41, Crystal Fighters, Machine Gun Kelly, Code Orange and Jake Bugg.

Live Nation, through its subsidiary Festival Republic, also runs the Rock am Park festival in Germany. Its UK events include Download, Community, Wireless, Latitude, V Festival, Reading/Leeds and Electric Picnic.

Most of the 160 UK and European summer festivals had already introduced strict procedures last year after bomb blasts through Germany. This included a July 24 suicide bomber outside an Ansbach festival.

Aside from the ban on backpacks and bags, there was increased police presence (and in some cases, the army as well) with dogs to sniff out explosives. Special gates similar to those in airports, will be introduced to detect metal objects.