Somewhere In Time
Nova Rock Festival 2026 – Day Two (Friday)
Pannonia Fields II Nickelsdorf, Austria 20260612
2026 marks the 20th edition of Nova Rock Festival, the biggest in Austria in the east at the border to Hungary in Nickelsdorf, Burgenland. So it is time for a personal retrospective and some numbers:
Nova Rock happened for the first time in 2005, but first visited one was 20 years ago in 2006 with Motörhead, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Talent and many more. The next ones were 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. What makes this year the 12th visit of the Pannonia Fields II.
Luckily the temperatures are not that high this year, and during the day, little rain will fall. So equipped with long trousers, warm hoodie, rain poncho, little cash, sun cream and drinks, the Nova Rock train goes from Vienna Meidling to Nickelsdorf. From there, shuttle busses have to be paid in cash to get to the fields.
But for now I’ve got to Rock and Roll!
On Thursday, acts like Yunger, Mastodon, Sex Pistols and Volbeat kickstarted the festival. Friday starts with Six Feet Under, original Florida Death Metal, that can be seen on the path to the main entrance. A little bit later, Royal Republic bring the Swedish Rock’n’Roll party with hits like „Rata-tata“.
Like Slipknot in the early 2000s, the masked band President is a mystery. Apart from the Deftones cover „Change (In The House Of Flies“, they bring a lot of Metalcore and Sleep Token vibes. Then we go back to the late 90s with Breaking Benjamin and songs like „I Will Not Bow“ or the new „Something Wicked“.
The Red Bull Brandwagen stage has expanded with big container towers, where Melrose Avenue gather a large crowd. Social Distortion bring the late 70s Rock’n’Roll Punk, that inspired Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel to form The Offspring in 1984. They also take a stand for animal, social and immigrant rights and „Don’t Drag Me Down“.
Riffs and Hits
With A Perfect Circle comes something for the Prog heart. The spin-off of Tool is a highlight, that would perfectly fit Ankea Festival. Then The Offspring are something 2 dance 2, with their hits like „All I Want“, „Want You Bad“ or „Gotta Get Away“ and their tribute to Ozzy Osbourne „Crazy Train“.
Ozzy’s former guitarist Zakk Wylde meanwhile starts at Red Stage with Black Label Society. Also known for Pride & Glory, Zakk Sabbath and Pantera, his voice and riffs are outstanding, and in the end he takes a bow to Ozzy. The days final is The Cure, that makes feel „Just Like Heaven“.
Timetravel
As the live action fades, the party would continue at ‚Rock tent‘ and the Black Parade by XTTX events, taking on another time travel. But with day ticket, it would be possible to stay at the camping, but there is one final direct train going back to Meidling.
So one of the last busses to Nickelsdorf stops in the village and at the railway station. Even though there was little rain, everything is covered in a layer of dust and the nose is blocked. But the Nova Rock would continue two more days, with likes of Lagwagon, Madsen, Sepultura, Alter Bridge, Iron Maiden, Vinegar Hill, All Them Witches, P.O.D., Papa Roach, Bring Me The Horizon and more.