The FM4 Frequency Festival in St. Pölten continued its activities on Saturday despite weather-related disruptions on Friday evening. The festival, which had initially faced cancellations due to an unexpected storm, resumed operations under clear skies and favorable conditions. Police and the Red Cross reported several interventions throughout the day, though overall, the situation remained relatively calm. Musical performances on Saturday included acts such as the 21 Pilots, Ken Carson, and Ski Aggu, marking the festival’s final day. On Friday, heavy rain forced the cancellation of multiple planned concerts, including the shows by Tom Odell and Sub Focus, which were deemed unsafe to proceed. As a result, the festival could not continue with the scheduled lineup featuring Sido, SSIO, Paul Kalkbrenner, and EsDeeKid on the main stages. The affected performances will not be rescheduled. To accommodate the displaced audience, the festival shifted some of its activities to the camping area, according to St. Pöltner Stadtpolizeikommandant Franz Bäuchler. During this period, two incidents of sexual harassment and five cases of physical assault were recorded, along with several thefts from tents. Despite these occurrences, the police described the overall atmosphere as “quite calm” given the large number of attendees, estimated at around 40,000. The Red Cross reported 841 medical interventions from the beginning of the festival through Saturday afternoon. Most of these were minor injuries, nausea, insect bites, or tick bites. A total of 52 individuals required hospital care, although the majority needed only outpatient treatment. The organization noted that the majority of incidents were non-serious, reflecting the generally safe environment of the event. Meanwhile, the ÖAMTC was contacted primarily regarding lost car keys and drained batteries. The grassy parking areas, which had been slightly damp from Friday night's rain, were otherwise accessible without issues. The organizers took steps to ensure continuity by starting the Saturday program with performances by Ness on the Space Stage and Baran Kok on the Green Stage in the early afternoon. They also offered the first 5,000 drinks free of charge at the core site, enhancing the experience for attendees. Following the weather disruption, the festival’s organizers announced via their social media platforms that the remaining Friday schedule would be canceled. This decision was made after assessing the safety risks associated with setting up stage equipment in strong winds. The message emphasized that safety always came first, and all guests who had attended on Friday were invited to return on Saturday using their day ticket. A late evening announcement confirmed that the festival would resume on Saturday at 1 p.m., with the initial acts taking place at the core site. On Saturday morning, the festival proceeded smoothly, with performances continuing on the Traisen grounds. Among the acts scheduled were Ikkimel and Twenty One Pilots, drawing crowds to the main stages. The police maintained a presence throughout the day, ensuring order and responding to any incidents. While there were reports of minor disturbances, none escalated into major conflicts. The Red Cross continued providing assistance, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to guest well-being. As the festival approached its conclusion, the organizers focused on delivering high-quality performances while maintaining a secure and enjoyable environment for all participants. With the weekend winding down, the event concluded successfully, leaving behind a mix of positive experiences and minor challenges that were managed effectively.
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