Overview

• Essen Original, a free outdoor music festival in Essen's city center, is underway from May 9 to May 11, featuring artists like Peter Schilling, Tom Gregory, and LOI.
• Headliner Peter Schilling opened the festival on May 9 with his hit 'Major Tom,' receiving both praise and criticism from attendees for his performance.
• Some festivalgoers have expressed disappointment over the absence of German schlager music, sparking discussions about the event's programming choices.
• The City of Essen has implemented a moderation policy on its Facebook page to address hate speech after over 1,100 xenophobic and defamatory comments were posted in April.
• Organizers emphasize the festival's longstanding safety record, reassuring attendees with a tested security concept in light of concerns over national event-related incidents.