Outdoor pool party is over: Music festival in Oberstefeld canceled!

Outdoor pool party is over: Music festival in Oberstefeld canceled!

The music festival to mark the 50th anniversary of the outdoor pool in Oberstefeld, known as Hydron Open Air, was canceled at short notice for economic reasons. The decision to cancel the festival planned for the first weekend in July came as a surprise to those involved and fans alike. Prominent DJs like Moguai and Oli P. had already confirmed their participation, and the event was supposed to be a highlight of the year. The organizing event company informed the Mineralfreibad Oberes Bottwartal Association of the cancellation, which was carried out without prior notice. The association explained that it was not responsible for the cancellation and only made the site available, as reported by the Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

The event company, which had previously only organized smaller events and was little known in the industry, had been faced with concerns about advertising and planning since January. Despite a crisis meeting being called to address problems, the final cancellation came as a surprise and left the association perplexed. The special purpose association is currently examining the legal aspects of the contractual relationship with the event company.

Concert cancellations in a global context

In a global context, the cancellation of the Hydron Open Air is not an isolated case. According to Groove, over 40 music festivals worldwide have already been canceled for 2025, including due to financial problems, planning difficulties and structural problems in the events industry. The canceled festivals include the Hamburg Elbjazz and the Full Force metal festival, which was planned in Ferropolis. The reasons for this are varied and range from unpredictable ticket sales to high and increasing costs for logistics and personnel.

In the United States, visitors are increasingly seeking experiences beyond music, such as yoga sessions or workshops, which is also influencing festival attendance. The possible rejection of compromises in the musical direction, as in the case of the Elbjazz, can also lead to the cancellation of events that require more time and financial resources for a more sustainable design.

Alternatives for the anniversary

Despite the cancellation of the music festival, the 50th anniversary of the outdoor pool will still be celebrated on July 4th. A replacement program will be organized, supported by local clubs and regional bands. This offers a beach party and a colorful range of activities for families and children. In this way, the anniversary, which was originally supposed to be celebrated with a large festival, will still have a celebratory setting and strengthen the sense of community.