Travel in Germany is famous for its timely trains and impeccably clean cities. Within this at times hospital-worthy aesthetic, at the same time Germany’s music scene pushes limits and embraces innovative musicians. A product of its own historical rebellion and tumult, many of Germany’s music festivals are around 20-30 years old, which is a credit to the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1991. Many of these festivals have police checks and strict rules, but all stress the musical and artistic freedom of their festival-goers and performers. After the tragic event at the Berlin Love Parade Festival in 2010, where 21 people died and 500 were injured, Germany has upped their protective advances and ensure a safe and entertaining experience. Despite this other sad piece of history, Germany once again emerges with her head high and brimming with new ideas. With clear instructions and accessible directions to nearly every festival, Germany wants to help you with your next festival experience. Just like the only German composer we all know, Beethoven, once said, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” Although it would have been difficult for Beethoven to imagine the scale to which people gather to celebrate music with light shows and heavy metal, we like to think he would appreciate the way Germany continues to break barriers with music. Although Germany’s trains are always on time, the music is always ahead of its time.
FestPop’s German Music Festival Top Picks
At the end of June, a former Russian military airfield hosts the Fusion-Festival in Lärz, a massive festival that covers the fields of northern Germany. If you’re into experimental attitudes towards art, this festival was pretty much made for you. Through an impressive diversity of performance art, these four days include over 500 artists and multiple musical and visual expressions. Aware of the financial burden of festival life, they provide an opportunity for festival goers to volunteer for six hour shifts and get part of their ticket price back. Also a philanthropic event, every drink you buy at this festival gives back to various local social groups like youth programs and cultural initiatives. www.fusion-festival.de
OTHER NOTABLE MUSIC FESTIVALS IN GERMANY
- M’era Luna Festival–August A three day festival dedicated to goth and metal music.
- Nature One, Kastellaun–August One of Europe’s largest EDM festivals in a rural but easily accessible locale.
- Wave-Gotik-Treffen–May A crazy medieval meets goth extravaganza in Leipzig.
- Splash, Ferropolis, Grafenhainichen–This festival provides great music and lake swimming to cool off when the heat gets too much.
Something Fun to Do Before or After a Music Festival
Germany has so much in terms of music and history, it’s nearly impossible to just pick one activity to do on your non-festival days. If you’re a history buff and want a better sense of just what the Cold War meant to Europe and the rest of the world, definitely visit the Berlin Wall. Next to a free museum, this wall provides a piece of history you can actually get your hands on. Although the site provides a lot of resources for information about the history of the Berlin Wall, definitely do some research on the condition of Berlin during the Cold War to really appreciate the importance of this place before your visit. Also the Neushwanstein Castle almost demands to be visited, boasting the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland and one of Wagner’s operas. Located in southwest Bavaria, this castle begs to be photographed as it’s situated between mountains and picturesque towns. Most likely you’ve seen this place in a coffee table book or calendar, with its tall white towers emerges from the hills. And let’s just be real, this setting would make a beyond impressive Christmas card or profile picture.
