The Exploited + Hot Action Waxing at Sommer am Kiez in Augsburg, Germany on 28 June 2024.
I hadn’t originally realised that this evening’s show in Augsburg, Germany is not a headline gig by The Exploited. In fact, the headliner is well-known German punk rock band Dritte Wahl from Rostock in the North, and the event is billed as Sommer am Kiez. En route to the gig, I discover that openers (and mates of mine) Hot Action Waxing will be taking the stage early at 17.45, with The Exploited playing at 18.30.
Thanks to road works on the German autobahn, I arrive in Augsburg 2 hours later than originally expected. By the time I check in to my hotel, get to the venue and jump the queue at the entrance (sorry everyone), HAW are already on stage. It’s a late afternoon outdoor show, the sun is shining and the stage is huge. Despite my late arrival, I catch maybe half the HAW set, and the guys are on top form. The crowd, even though it’s early, is sizeable enough and react enthusiastically to their set.
It is still broad daylight when The Exploited take the stage and it will not get dark until after they have finished. Even though they are not the official headliners, it appears that a large percentage of the crowd are there to see Wattie and the guys. They seem to be pleased to finally be back on stage following some cancelled shows due to Wattie’s health issues, which now appear to have been resolved. The band put their all into the show and, despite the early timing and daylight, give a brilliant and full length performance.
I had a great time seeing both bands and really enjoyed the show, although admittedly I skipped watching Dritte Wahl despite the fact that what I heard from them sounded pretty good. Next stop Frankfurt tomorrow and then Karlsruhe.
