static roots festival - FAQ

The Static Roots Festival is an annual music festival celebrated in Oberhausen, Germany, featuring a rich lineup of Americana, Folk, and Roots artists from around the globe. It's known for its intimate atmosphere and strong community vibe. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has been filling a niche in the German music scene.

You could definitely say that! It all started in a whirlwind of anniversaries in 2016: my big 5-0, 25 years of marriage, a decade of promoting live music, a life-changing kidney transplant from my amazing wife (5 years running!), and even our daughter's 20th birthday.

Instead of the usual parties and gifts, we decided to throw a bash unlike any other – a festival filled with the music and people we cherish. And with all these milestones, we couldn't just celebrate ourselves. That's when we partnered with Doctors Without Borders/MSF/Ärzte ohne Grenzen, adding purpose and support for a cause we deeply care about.

So, yes, it might have been a touch "mental," but it was born from love, music, and a desire to give back. And we're glad we did!

The festival is held at Zentrum Altenberg in Oberhausen and takes place on the second weekend of July each year. For 2024, the specific dates are Friday, July 12th 2024 and Saturday, July 13th 2024. Please check our website for the most current information.

That's an interesting question. Some might think it refers to plant roots that are static, anchoring a plant to a specific, unchanging location. However, the story behind it is much more elaborate. In 2007, we initiated a series of house concerts in our living room and until the pandemic stopped this adventure, we did about 90 shows in our living room..

Given a neighbor's comment about the clear visibility of the ISS space station from our home atop a small hill called "Saarner Kuppe," we whimsically named our house "Raumfahrtzentrum Saarner Kuppe" or "Space Center at the Saarner Kuppe" as a playful joke.

When the idea of our own festival began to take shape in 2015, we sought a name that would reflect this space center theme, knowing we wanted it to be a "Roots Festival" (akin to Kilkenny Roots Festival, Take Root Festival, Ramblin' Roots Festival, etc.), so we needed a distinctive first word. Despite hiring writers from around the globe through Fiverr to brainstorm ideas, nothing resonated until a moment of serendipity occurred. While working as a Software Engineer, I stumbled upon an article by the European Space Agency (ESA) discussing data transmission from space to Earth and the techniques used to minimize static noise that causes data errors. The phrase "static" noise sparked an idea: "Static Roots Festival." And that's the origin of our festival's name.

Yes, the Static Roots Festival is a family-friendly event. Children under age 15 get free admission when accompanied by a paying adult.

We're thrilled to announce that in 2023, the "Stiftung Bildung und Kultur" foundation came on board as the first funder, ensuring we can operate without any private financial losses. Prior to that, for the first five years, the Static Roots Festival ran solely on ticket sales. As you can imagine, covering event organization, venue rental, artist fees, accommodation, and catering costs became increasingly challenging, especially with rising prices due to the pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine. The generous support from the "Stiftung Bildung und Kultur" allows us to continue bringing you an exceptional festival experience while maintaining financial stability.

The festival is committed to making a positive impact beyond the music scene. To this end, every euro spent on festival merchandise is directly donated to Doctors Without Borders. Since 2016, the festival has contributed over €20,500 to support their invaluable humanitarian efforts around the globe. We choose to support Doctors Without Borders because their mission aligns with our values of compassion and global solidarity, providing medical aid where it's needed most, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.

The Static Ruhr Tour is a special, curated journey that takes place in conjunction with the Static Roots Festival, designed to explore the rich cultural and historical fabric of the Ruhr Valley. This exclusive tour offers festival-goers an opportunity to delve into the area's industrial heritage, visit iconic landmarks such as the Villa Hügel in Essen, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Baldeneysee.

It's a unique blend of educational experiences and leisurely sightseeing, making the Static Roots Festival not just a musical event but a comprehensive cultural excursion. The tour emphasizes our festival's deep connection to the region and its history, providing an enriching context to the musical celebration. Additionally, the tour will be enhanced by the presence of a musician from our festival lineup, who will join us to play a short set, adding an intimate and memorable musical experience to the day.

The Static Roots Festival website is in English for several reasons. First, the festival attracts Americana and roots music fans from all over the world, and English is the most common language spoken by our international audience. Additionally, Americana music is still a niche genre in Germany, and having the website in English helps us reach a wider audience and introduce this exciting music to new fans.
However, of course we are welcoming German speakers! We are working on a language switch for the website but bear with us. It’s plenty of work and there is only so much time..

The festival offers food and drink stalls with a variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan choices. There are also merchandise stands, clean restrooms, and a beautiful beer garden.

While we have most of our volunteering positions filled, we're always open to new ideas and contributions that could enhance the festival experience. If you believe you have a unique way to support us and make the festival even better, please don't hesitate to get in touch through our contact form.