German festival history

German festival history - UMSONST UND DRAUSSEN 1975-1979

'Umsonst und Draussen' can be literally translated to 'for free and outdoor'. It was the starting point for uncounted festivals taking place in Germany furthermore provided with a self-organized, non-commercial and open-minded approach. Stylistically the 1970s were dominated by prog and prog-related bands, mainly offering a blend of jazz, psych and folk, which had a special experimental attitude. They questioned all conventions - today often categorized as krautrock. This represented those restless and rebellious times drawing from the former student uprisings and protests against the Vietnam War.

Surely inspired by the famous WOODSTOCK festival the first ideas to offer music self-determined and free from any commercial goals came up around 1972 in the Herford/East Westphalia region and manifested in a one day event at Bünde. It is said that Norbert Hähnel (Der Wahre Heino) is responsible for the original label which is quite prominent nowadays.



Three years later (25th June) the first official 'Umsonst und Draussen' festival took place at a stone quarry in Vlotho-Winterberg and developed to a German wide trademark during the following years. Up to now lots of festivals have been organized all over in Germany under this moniker trying to hold up the spirit of the past - based on donations and sponsoring.

The SIREENA Records label now has re-issued the 1975-1978 festival recordings on compact disk - remastered based on the original tapes.



Aufbrüche' holds four discs provided with best possible sound quality (considering the circumstances) and a nice booklet containing informations and pictures. Although musically not a big revelation and challenge for me today, this is a very important historical music document by all means.

compilation on Sireena Records


Living in Herford nearby I was involved in the festivals 'til 1979 - first of all because I was a collaborator of the youth center FLA-FLA which supported the festivals of course. Not being a musician I was aquainted with some band members anyhow but didn't belong to the inner circle. With this blog I want to light up those years a little bit which are representing an important period of the german festival history.




Edited by Rivertree - August 11 2009 at 15:19

Very interesting, please go on

It's called 'Umsonst und Draussen' because it is umsonst! ... at least for the entrance ...
A (moderate) fee is charged for a parking place - camping is for free too!

The only weak point for me is that progressive rock bands are missing nowadays ...

a cool animation




Edited by Rivertree - August 13 2009 at 13:35

Interesting to learn this stuff!

As for that we have to come up with a Time Machine   - the first time for me to think about that with reason! That would be really funny ...

     Umsonst Und Draussen 1978

Upcoming protest in Vlotho forced the organizer group to change the venue. A new association called 'Umsonst & Draussen e.V.' was formed.
The next festival (25/26/27 August - 65.000 spectators - 39 artists) started in a gravel pit nearby Porta Westfalica.





Besides many others two top-class bands participated for the first time - OUT OF FOCUS and AERA
The term 'Porta Westvlothica' was used for the album title - just a pun mixing up both places.



'Umsonst und Draussen - Porta Westvlothica 78' - D 1978 - Maulschnauz MOL 0005/0006 (sold out)


official poster.





Edited by Rivertree - August 22 2009 at 15:28

   Umsonst Und Draussen revivals

The first 'Umsonst und Draussen' revival took place in 1990 then, featuring EMBRYO and GURU GURU. (3/4/5 August 1990, 15.000 spectators, 20 artists, 2 stages).

Anyhow - the musical contributions changed more and more to alternative, crossover, ska, hardcore music and hip hop during the next years including events in 1991-1993, 1997-2004 and 2007-2009 with differing venues here and there (remaining in that geographical region of course).




As mentioned above the musical legacy of this festivals from 1975 to 1978 was re-issued this year bý the German Sireena Records label - an important historical document ...


website links including more pictures in order to explore some spirit of 'Umsonst und Draussen' (in German):

Umsonst und Draussen
Festivalkult



Edited by Rivertree - February 16 2010 at 15:52

According with Julian Cope the Essener Sonteg Festival was the first major music festival in Germany  in fact the Kaiser organized this.

Amon Dull came as a whole and in the festival split in the now know two bands.

interesing both bands performed in that festival.

Tangerine D. also play in that festival


more info here:http://www.tangerinedream-music.com/discography_long.php


Edited by Alberto Muñoz - August 30 2009 at 00:42

Alberto Muñoz wrote: According with Julian Cope the Essener Sonteg Festival was the first major music festival in Germany  in fact the Kaiser organized this. Amon Dull came as a whole and in the festival split in the now know two bands. interesing both bands performed in that festival. Tangerine D. also play in that festival more info here:http://www.tangerinedream-music.com/discography_long.php

  Good suggestion, Alberto - I thought of Burg Herzberg to continue - but Essener Songtage is a good choice too ...