The second day of Heavy Weekend at Nancy Open Air took the fans on a powerful musical journey, from the blazing echoes of the 80’s to the complexity of modern progressive metal. With a perfectly balanced lineup featuring Wings of Steel, Vanden Plas, the iconic band Europe, and the kings of progressive metal, Dream Theater, Saturday, June 7th was a true celebration of musicianship and stage charisma.
The day kicked off with Wings of Steel, and what a start it was. For their 40 minutes on stage, the Los Angeles-based band resurrected the spirit of the 1980s with a performance full of fire and attitude. Their sound was a thunderous homage to classic heavy metal, filled with sharp riffs, melodic choruses, and high-pitched vocals that had the crowd headbanging with enthusiasm. Despite playing early in the day, Wings of Steel brought power and energy that ignited the second round of the festival in style.
Next, progressive metal veterans Vanden Plas took over the stage. Formed in 1980, the German band showed why they’ve maintained a loyal following over the decades. Their set was a masterclass in precision and emotion, blending complex song structures with cinematic atmospheres. With soaring vocals, tight instrumental interplay, and epic melodies, they delivered a performance fans won’t soon forget. The crowd, fully locked in, was clearly moved by the band’s dynamic and richly layered soundscape.
As the sun began to set, the atmosphere shifted in anticipation of the next act: the mythic Swedish rock band, Europe. From the moment they stepped on stage, the charisma of frontman Joey Tempest lit up the venue. His stage presence is truly on another level, interacting with the audience, getting people singing and dancing, and creating an atmosphere of pure rock celebration. The set featured beloved classics, but the explosive finale was the real highlight. When the opening notes of ‘The Final Countdown’ rang out, the entire venue erupted into a giant karaoke moment. Thousands of voices joined in, hands in the air, creating a powerful communal energy that carried into the night.
And then came the headliners: the legendary Dream Theater. They opened their set with an enigmatic video introduction that led into the haunting, ten-minute epic ‘Night Terror’ from their latest album Parasomnia. From the first note, it was clear this would be a show unlike any other. With the most impressive drum set of the weekend, Mike Portnoy delivered a performance that was both powerful and impossibly precise. Paired with John Petrucci’s virtuosic guitar solos and James LaBrie’s emotive vocals, the entire set was a display of technical brilliance and artistic mastery. The sound was dense, immersive, and perfectly executed, a dream come true for every progressive metal fan in the crowd.
Day two of Heavy Weekend was more than just a series of concerts, it was an intense journey across styles and decades, a showcase of talent and legacy. With a lineup that honored the past and embraced the future, Saturday solidified Heavy Weekend as a landmark festival for true music lovers.
