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A contribution by Lena Katharina Barozzi for the project "What's going on?!" From students at the H_DA
What is a festival that takes place in the middle of the city center-without a campsite, but with over 100 acts between pop, hip-hop and punk rock? From June 5th to 8th the Schloßgrabenfest turned the Darmstadt city center into a huge open-air stage. What started as a platform for local bands in 1999 is now the largest music festival in Hesse. In the middle of the organization, the organizer and co -founder Thiemo Gutfried, a Darmstadter is through and through. He knows the scene and knows what is important when an event wants to go over time without losing.
The Schloßgrabenfest has been taking place since 1999. Frank Grossmann and you launched it. How did the festival come about?
We actually celebrated the 27th edition this year, but because of Corona we had to pause for two years. So now it is the 25th - an anniversary! At the end of the 1990s, we wanted to offer regional bands from Darmstadt a large stage on which they can present their own music instead of cover songs. We had contact with the music scene in Darmstadt early. At that time, guitar music such as punk and rock was announced. The trend has changed a lot: Today indie pop, hip-hop, soul and even hits dominate. As a newcomer, the offspring played in small dark basements and hoped to get the decisive plate deal to get out of big.
And how has the festival changed over time?
It quickly became clear that there are not enough new bands from the region every year. That is why we opened ourselves for acts from all over Germany. This year, 62 bands, 16 DJs and 26 solo artists: inside. In the past, a mug was enough than admission, today there are fixed tickets. This is necessary to keep our quality standard. Bands and instrumentalists counted: Inside, now in the music industry, individual singers dominate: inside with a large social media range. Some of the songs are produced in the home studio. I sometimes miss the old band culture, but at the same time don't believe in the classic "Everything used to be better" - we live in the here and now!
What is the unique of the festival for you?
Our location! No festival in Germany takes place in the middle of the city center. In addition, the Schloßgrabenfest sounds different every year, it reflects the zeitgeist. We show a wide range of music genres: from hip-hop to hits, from indie to hard rock. Imagine that Mickie Krause sings on a stage at the Mallorca special and three minutes away the Mannheim rapper Greeen-extremes that work side by side. Culinary art is also a characteristic characteristic of our festival. Whether you just want to meet friends, drink something and eat or dance in the front row in front of the stage, everyone: R can use the festival as he or she finds it the most cool.
Who is your target group? Who is the program aimed at?
I find the topic of target group and age limit almost discriminatory. The festival is for everyone who loves music, whether over 80 or with the family. Music knows no age limit!
Really for all music fans? What measures do you take to ensure accessibility?
First of all, we would like to keep the admission price barrier low. There is a social ticket with a 50 percent discount and over 1,000 free tickets, for example for youth centers. People with disabilities and their accompanying persons do not pay admission. Unfortunately, the festival site, the city center of Darmstadt, is not fully barrier -free. But we characterize a barrier -free path on site and important information on the website.
The Schloßgrabenfest is the largest music festival in Hesse. How do you manage the planning?
With a lot of young people: ten permanent employees, but over 100 people during production. The exchange with the young generation is very important to us, because this way we know what and who is the order of the day in the music scene. Large topics in planning are permits, security, program design and finance. The city does not support us financially. We finance ourselves through private means and the renting of the stand to hundreds of restaurateurs: inside. Nevertheless, I would like to thank the city of Darmstadt, which has always been cosmopolitan and cooperative. We also learn special support from regional sponsors.
What has changed through sponsorship? Do your cooperation partners influence the festival concept or the selection of the artists: inside?
No, our sponsors have no influence. Of course, we ensure good visibility and a visual presence on the site, but the program remains our decision.
Is sustainability, climate neutrality or ecology an issue in the conception?
This always plays a role, and our sponsors also expect the fulfillment of certain requirements. In addition to a lower power consumption and reusable cup system, we also pay attention to the regional connection among our employees and technology suppliers.
How does the selection of the musicians take place: inside?
We have set up a portal for band applications on our website. The proximity of the bands at Darmstadt is crucial. We reject niche or fetish music, the text or performance of which are disturbing. We are in contact with all the major agencies that proactively suggest newcomers. There is a close relationship of trust with the agencies, but their interest is primarily in the sale of their product, the musician: in. It is being used, traded and a bit poker. Because whether a music act is successful later can ultimately only tell me my gut feeling-and yes, also the numbers on social media. Mark Forster, Wincent Weiss, Marteria or Sunrise Avenue we booked their career at an early stage and were correct.
Do you remember conflicts with artists: inside? If so, how do you deal with it?
I don't name any names. But it can happen that one or the other tour manager is together if the special acacia honey cannot be found. Or another person did not tolerate brown furniture in the hotel room. You have to set limits. At the same time I understand. Being a non -stop on tour and living from your suitcase all year round is hard.
What was a special and emotional festival moment for you?
March 18, 2020, the day of the Corona-related cancellation, has torn the ground under our feet. Because of this extreme situation, I learned to live more at the moment. A highlight was also the Bundesliga promotion of Darmstadt 98 during the festival. For me, however, less individual moments are important, but the community and friendships in the team. We put all our passion into the project so that it will be a success. I think it is important that we as a society slow down, not just act rationally, but come into the feeling. That is what I want to enable people when visiting the Schloßgrabenfest.
All pictures: pictures: Björn Friedrich on the Schloßgrabenfest-Wesbite
This article was made as part of the project "What's going on" - a teaching editorial team of students from the online journalism course at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (H_DA). Da.news supports the project and publishes selected articles on its platform. Further information and texts are available here and on: www.was-da-los.de
