Hot, hotter Frequency

Not only party guests worked up a sweat

Around 50,000 people partied every day(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

The Frequency Festival 2023 took place this year. Around 500,000 party guests celebrated in St. Pölten. The event was characterized above all by the heat. But it wasn't just the bands who performed. The security staff also worked up a sweat.

The joy of the shower after the festival is particularly great this year. This year's festival was characterized above all by the heat. According to the Red Cross, festival operations ran "smoothly" in the heat and despite the increasing number of patients. The sunstroke mainly caused nausea. The majority of the medical service measures were necessary due to minor injuries. A total of 81 patients were transferred to St. Pölten University Hospital this time, compared to 82 in 2022.

Security on the run from the police 
The security and delivery staff at the festival site were checked by the financial police on Saturday. The festival had more than 600 security staff, several of whom were apparently not registered correctly. However, this was "impossible for the organizers to check", as they had a contract with the relevant security company. "As soon as the officials arrived, dozens of security staff and food suppliers made off. They were apparently warned of the checks by a text message," said a statement from the Ministry of Finance. A total of 214 people were scrutinized, including 81 nationals, 24 EU citizens and 109 third-country nationals. This resulted in 66 reports under the Social Security Act. Two companies are responsible for 48 of these. Further investigations are ongoing.

More than 200 driving license withdrawals 
Under the leadership of the Lower Austria Provincial Traffic Department, there was a focus on drugs during the festival. A total of 216 driving licenses were confiscated in connection with narcotics, the provincial police department announced on Sunday evening. Six drunk drivers were also taken off the road.

(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

Positive festival balance 
The police drew a positive balance for the festival itself. "The predominantly very young audience behaved in a very civilized and peaceful manner," it said in a press release. Around 90 criminal offenses have been recorded so far, mostly thefts and violations of the Narcotics Act. There were hardly any violent crimes. Of course, this is not a conclusive record of the criminal offenses. Experience shows that further reports are likely to be received in the coming days, as thefts, for example, are only noticed later. "Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the number of criminal offenses has fallen sharply compared to previous festivals," it was emphasized.

The ÖAMTC recorded around 100 incidents on and around the festival site this year, slightly fewer than in 2022, when 120 were reported. "It went well, everything went well. There were no major dramas," said spokeswoman Romana Schuster. The departure also went smoothly on Sunday.

 Bands such as Die Ärzte, Limp Bizkit and Imagine Dragons played from Thursday to Saturday. The next Frequency Festival will take place next year from August 15 to 17. Limited early-bird tickets are already available. Jenner will present the acts at a separate event.