Summer festivals
Time to check up on that tent and sleeping bag in the cellar. Time to think about polishing off your Doc Martins and to start planning your summer of music – because Germany is once again packed full of festivals and is set to draw some of the biggest names in the music business.
Inside the Melt! Festival before the doors open by flickr user FastPhive/Jan Voigtmann
Rock am Ring and Rock im Park And it doesn’t get much bigger than the Smashing Pumpkins. Over six years after their break-up, the band recently announced their comeback and they will be promoting their new album “Zeitgeist” at Germany’s two premier rock festivals: Rock am Ring (June 2) and Rock im Park (June 3).
Also making news in the “comeback category” are German punk rock band Die Ärtze. The legendary band, who have clocked up record sales of over 20 million throughout their career, had taken some time out to pursue solo projects; but they too shall be appearing at Rock am Ring at the Nürburgring in the Eifel and Rock im Park, just outside Nürnberg.
And as if to signal the upturn in the fortunes of German bands, the Beatsteaks, Wir Sind Helden and Jan Delay & Disco no.1 will be delivering their tunes on the festival stages. The twin festival reads like a who’s who of international bands which include: Linkin Park, the White Stripes, Muse, Bill Talent, the Hives, Arctic Monkeys, Mando Diao and the Kasier Chiefs, to name but a few. Three day tickets (including camping and parking) are available for around 125 euros from ticket agencies in advance.
http://www.rock-am-ring.com (June 1-3)
http://www.rock-im-park.de (June 1-3)
Hurricane and Southside festivals:
Your right to party . 
Yes the Beastie Boys are back on stage and ready to get your bodies moving at the “Hurricane” festival in Scheessel (between Hamburg and Bremen) and the “Southside” festival in Neuhausen (between Stuttgart and the Bodensee). But that’s not all – another band who have not been seen on many concert stages for some years is scheduled for the two festivals: Pearl Jam – still alive and holding up the torch for once omnipresent Seattle sound.
Again, a few big name German acts are on board, including none other than Die Fantastischen Vier, who will be playing songs of their new album “Fornika”. Also flying the German flag are Virginia Jetzt and Ohrbooten. And with your three day 110-euro ticket, you get to see shock rocker Marilyn Manson, as well as Queens of the Stone Age.
Of particular interest to music fans will be the performance of Good The Bad & The Queen, Damon Albarn’s (Blur, Gorillaz) new band.
http://www.hurricane.de/ (June 22-24)
http://www.southside.de/ (June 22-24)
Bochum Total
Bochum may not be a place that tops the list of your places to visit in Germany, but at the end of June each year it is transformed into a music-mad melody-mosh-pit. Last year over a million people visited the Bochum Total festival and as this year with 70 bands set to play during the four day festival (June 21-24) it looks to be no different. This is a festival that showcases a lot of up and coming bands and gives many local bands the chances to apply to take part in the festival. And best of all – it’s all FREE!
http://bochumtotal.de (June 21-24)
Summer Jam in Cologne Fans of fun should pull out their calendars along with a big fat highlighter pen, because the Summerjam in Cologne is not an event to be missed. The Reggae festival draws some big names (Beenieman, Gentleman, IAM) and takes place at the Fühlinger lake in Cologne.
When the festival heats up, preventing the audience from taking a dip in the surrounding lake, is virtually impossible. But the festival is by no means just a sea of Jamaican flags and rastas – there’s also a significant hip hop, ragga and jazz element at the festival too. A three day ticket including camping and parking will set you back 79 euros.
http://www.summerjam.de (July 6-8)
Melt Festival near Dessau
Probably the most impressive festival venue you have ever seen, Ferropolis, "the city of steel" is essentially a huge open air museum with massive old industrial machines scattered throughout. But crucially, it has a large open “arena” area in the middle, which is used for festivals.
Located in Gräfenhainichen, a city near Dessau, Germany the location is surrounded by water on three sides giving you the feeling you are partying on an island. For fans of electronic music this is a must. On board again this year are German electro-hip-hop masters Deichkind, who had the crowd storm the stage last year when they performed their hit song “Remmidemmi” as the sun came up.
Other top acts include Jan Delay and Disko No.1, Dizzee Rascal, Motorpsycho, Mouse On Mars, Lady Sovereign. And, as ever, visual artists have been invited to turn the night into day. Tickets for the duration, including camping and parking, cost 60 euros
http://www.meltfestival.de
For more information about festivals in Germany (in German) see:
www.festivalguide.de
