The final day of Heavy Weekend 2025 at Nancy Open Air brought the festival to an explosive close, with a lineup that packed more power and emotion than anyone could have hoped for. Sunday, June 8th, was without a doubt the biggest day of the weekend. With a massive crowd of around 16,000 people gathered in the iconic open-air venue, the atmosphere was electric, a sea of metal fans ready for one last round of unforgettable performances.
Kicking off the night with unrelenting energy was the iconic french band, Rise of the Northstar, who immediately set the tone with their signature blend of heavy riffs and Japanese-inspired visuals. Their hardcore-meets-metal fusion lit up the stage, turning the crowd into a mosh pit within minutes. Their performance was raw, intense, and utterly magnetic, the perfect way to open the final night.
Next came one of France’s most beloved metal acts, Mass Hysteria. As always, they delivered a show that was equal parts musical power and political message, with a sound that resonates deeply with their home audience. Their energy was contagious, and their connection with the crowd was unmatched. With every chorus shouted in unison and every riff shaking the ground, Mass Hysteria reminded us why they remain such a vital force in the French metal scene.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for, the arrival of the one and only Slipknot. As night fell over Nancy, the masked legends took the stage and delivered a performance that was nothing short of chaos and catharsis. From the explosive start to the very last scream, Slipknot commanded the stage with unmatched intensity.
We all spared a thought for the famous percussionist and co-founder, Shawn Crahan, also known as Clown, who was sadly not present, as he was taking care of his family. Corey Taylor had the crowd in the palm of his hand, leading them through anthem after anthem, from ‘Wait and Bleed’ to ‘Duality’. The energy in the pit was wild, the sing-alongs deafening, and the visuals absolutely stunning. This concert was a journey through their iconic discography. There could not have been a better band to close the festival.
It was an explosive end to an amazing weekend full of incredible performances, passionate crowds, and unforgettable moments. This second edition of Heavy Weekend clearly made its mark, with strong production, a killer lineup, and an audience that brought it all to life. The festival is already shaping up to be unavoidable for metalheads across Europe. So go ahead and save the date: the next edition is set for June 5–7 2026, and if this year is any indication, you won’t want to miss it.
While this year was a real success, we have one hope for the third edition and all the future editions: more women on stage. Representation matters, and it would be great to see the lineup reflect the full diversity of the metal community. Until next year, Heavy Weekend, thank you for the memories, the music, and the mayhem.
