General Questions
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.
Tickets
Tickets are available for purchase on our official website. We recommend buying tickets in advance as the festival has seen record-breaking ticket sales and may sell out (Updated: 21st Feb. 2024).
If the festival hasn't sold out four weeks before the event, we will open sales for single-day tickets. Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates!
However, here are your options:
- Purchase full festival tickets now: Securing a full festival ticket now guarantees your spot. Remember, the current sell-out pace suggests tickets might not last until four weeks before the event.
- Monitor the official website: If any day tickets become available due to cancellations or unforeseen circumstances, they will be released on the festival website closer to the event date. Check the website regularly for updates.
- Consider alternative festivals: If attending only one day is crucial, explore other Americana and roots music festivals (there are plenty in The Netherlands and in the UK) offering day ticket options.
We recommend making a decision as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Yes, tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the festival, subject to availability. We highly recommend buying tickets in advance to secure your spot, as there's a chance the festival could sell out. If tickets remain available, we will offer them for sale at the door. Please check our official website or social media channels for real-time updates on ticket availability as the festival date approaches to ensure you don't miss out.
Travel
Zentrum Altenberg is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Oberhausen Central Station, making it easily accessible by public transportation. Here's how to find it.
Please note: Due to ongoing construction on the site, there might be some temporary restrictions on direct access to the venue. Be sure to check the festival website or official channels for any latest updates and detours you might need to take.
Yes, Oberhausen offers a wide range of accommodation options from hotels to local B&Bs. We advise booking your stay early to secure a spot close to the festival site. Check out our recommendations here.
Yes, Oberhausen is well-connected by public transport. Zentrum Altenberg is located just a five minutes walk from Central Station Oberhausen. We recommend using local buses and trains for convenience to get to Oberhausen Central Station.
While there isn't direct parking at the festival site itself, there are several options nearby:
- Park & Ride: The most convenient option is the large Park & Ride car park located between Oberhausen Central Station and Zentrum Altenberg, accessed via Hansastraße. This is a good choice if you're coming from further away and want to avoid traffic congestion near the venue. (3 minutes walking distance to the venue)
- On-street parking: Street parking is available along Altenberger Straße, but be aware that spots may fill up quickly on festival days. Please pay attention to parking restrictions and designated no-parking zones.
- Alternative options: Consider carpooling with friends attending the festival, using ride-sharing services, or taking public transportation. Oberhausen has a well-developed public transport network, and the festival website provides detailed information on getting there without a car.
The closest airport is Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), located approximately 32 kilometers from Oberhausen. A train connection is about 30 minutes.
The airport Cologne-Bonn (CGN) is located about 80km from Oberhausen. Getting to Oberhausen from CGN by train takes about 90 minutes on average.
Another option might be the airport Amsterdam-Shiphol (AMS). It's about a 2:20 hrs train ride from AMS to Oberhausen.
Absolutely! Oberhausen Central Station (main train station) is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from the festival grounds at Zentrum Altenberg.
Oberhausen Central Station offers excellent connections to major European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Paris. You can easily plan your train journey using platforms like Deutsche Bahn.
Applications
We appreciate your interest in performing at the Static Roots Festival! While we receive many applications, we prioritize creating a curated lineup that reflects the unique spirit of the festival. To ensure a perfect fit, we very rarely book acts we haven't seen live before. However, we highly encourage applications with links to high-quality live performance videos.
While there may be a lull in applications after we announce the full lineup, we receive a high volume of interest throughout the year. On an average day, we receive many more applications than the 12 available slots, making the selection process quite competitive.
We proudly celebrate the diverse sounds within Americana and Roots music, encompassing genres like Folk, (Alternative-) Country, Blues, Rock, and Singer-Songwriter styles.
To ensure a cohesive festival experience, we primarily focus on artists who:
- Express the genuine spirit of these genres: We seek artists whose music reflects the raw emotions, storytelling, and deep musical heritage that define Americana and Roots.
- Bring their unique voice to the stage: We value originality and fresh perspectives within these established styles.
- Align with the festival's vibe: We aim to create a specific atmosphere at the festival, and we prioritize booking artists whose live performances resonate with that energy, music that makes us sing along, dance with abandon, get chills down our spines, and maybe even shed a tear or two. We want music that touches the soul and creates a shared experience that lingers long after the last note fades.
While we primarily focus on the genres mentioned above, we are always open to discovering new talent and unique expressions within the broader Americana and Roots scene.
Additionally, we do not typically book:
- Country Pop: Music with a strong emphasis on pop production and radio-friendly elements.
- Metal, Hip-Hop, Reggae, World Music: While we appreciate thesevibrant genres, they fall outside the scope of our festival's musical focus.
- Tribute Bands, Cover Bands: We prioritize original music and artists who showcase their own unique voice.
We encourage you to explore our past lineups and artist profiles to get a deeper understanding of the music we feature at the Static Roots Festival.
While we prioritize reviewing applications during the official window, we understand the eagerness of talented musicians. If you believe your band would be a strong fit for the Static Roots Festival, you can submit your application to booking(at)staticrootsfestival.com
Please ensure your application includes the following information (all optional):
- Past festival experience: Briefly highlight European Americana/Roots music festivals you've played at.
- German audience: Share your estimated number of listeners in Germany (e.g., platform followers, streaming service stats), if applicable.
- Relevant German venues: List your most significant performances in Germany within the Americana/Roots music scene, if applicable.
Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries, we cannot guarantee individual responses to applications submitted.
Thank you for your interest in the Static Roots Festival! We wish you all the best in your musical endeavors.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to each one individually. If we are interested in booking your band, we will contact you directly.
Unfortunately, we are unable to take phone calls due to capacity limits. Please contact us via email if you have any questions.