Skillet frontman John Cooper recently shared his observations about the differences between European and American rock fans during an interview at Graspop Metal Meeting.
Cooper’s comments came in response to a question about what brings the band back to the Belgian festival for the fifth time.
“This festival is amazing,” Cooper said. “I remember the first time we played because I was looking at the roster. There’s a lot of heavy bands. Skillet is hard rock maybe a little bit metal but we’re not metal like a lot of the bands there. And I thought, ‘Oh I wonder if people going to hate us.’ And we came on stage and the love the generosity of the fans was unreal.”
The musician then expanded on his broader observations about fan culture across continents.
“And that was my first time doing festivals in Europe in general,” Cooper continued. “And I think that’s a little bit of the difference between European rock fans and American fans. American fans are a little bit more niche. They only like metal or they only like rock or they only like classic rock. Here in Europe, everybody is eclectic and inclusive.”
Cooper’s observations about European festival culture reflect the broader success and evolution of events like Graspop Metal Meeting. The festival has become a cornerstone of the continent’s rock and metal scene.
Wikipedia reported that Graspop Metal Meeting has grown from a niche event to a major festival attracting over 200,000 visitors in recent years. This makes it one of Europe’s largest heavy metal festivals. The festival’s success demonstrates the appetite European audiences have for diverse rock and metal programming.
The event’s history supports Cooper’s assessment of European inclusivity. Graspop’s official website documented that the festival has consistently featured eclectic lineups that span multiple subgenres, from traditional heavy metal to progressive rock. This creates an environment where different styles can coexist and thrive.
This inclusive approach has helped establish Graspop as a destination festival. Festival Finder noted that the Belgian event showcases a wide variety of metal and hard rock acts on multiple stages. This reinforces Europe’s reputation for diverse and inclusive rock audiences that Cooper praised in his interview.
The festival’s programming philosophy aligns with Cooper’s experience of European audiences being more open to different styles within the rock and metal spectrum. This cultural difference has made European festivals particularly attractive to bands like Skillet. They occupy a space between hard rock and metal, allowing them to find receptive audiences regardless of their exact genre classification.
