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Experimenting Music Together: Even when it's raining and everything is flowing in the mud – like last year – at the Burg-Herzberg-Festival is celebrated across the generations. Photo: Wilhelm Ditzel
Breitenbach / H. 50 years ago, the Petards group organized the first festival in Burg Herzberg – after a long break, it continued in 1991.
Create a festival of pop music and before -German goalkeeper was the goal of the Petards in 1968, a pop group to hit the region. Groups such as GuruGuru, Embryo or Can performed and the festival soon became quite important.
At first, the scene was on the castle wall, reports Gunther Lorz in an interview with Popkultur Bayern, which would not be approved today. As the festival progressed, the musicians of Petard could no longer connect to their own musical career, and the castle festival ended in 1972.
Burg Herzberg Festival 1968: Les hippies were at the time not yet there, but a lot of music fans from the area. The first festivals took place on the castle grounds. Also in the 90s, the hippies met at the castle.
© Axel Traxel (Alfred Trachsel)
In 1991, a group of music enthusiasts around the Fulda Kalle Becker revived the festival. Once again, he grew up very fast. In the early years, musicians and fans found themselves in front of the castle park, especially to hear the old people. Guru Guru, Angela Browne, Kevin Coyne and Supercharge, Embryo, City and Louisiana Red, Birth Control, Wolf Mahn or the Groundhogs are just a few of the names of groups that were involved at the time.
With 300 visitors in 1991, 1996 It was 3000 and the castle site was packed. That's why the festival has moved into the valley. In the meantime, approximately 11,000 tickets are sold each year.
The peculiarity of the Burg Herzberg Festival is that blind bands are no problem at the "Freak City" campground. And if that happens well, they will be lucky to be there next time.
Georg Dusenberg attended the first Burg Herzberg Festival in 1968
Burg Herzberg Festival: Impressions of the weekend part 1 [19659013] Interview with the Director General Gunther Lorz
General Manager Gunther Lorz [19659006] © Lorz / nh
The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. But behind the Burg Herzberg Festival, which will turn 50 this year and for which nearly 11,000 tickets have been sold, there is a professional organization. The manager is Gunther Lorz, CEO
Mr. Lorz, how can you imagine the idea of organizing such a festival?
Gunther Lorz: When I arrived here, I had a wine stall, but was so taken by the festival, that I finally became an employee. And now I am general manager.
What is so special about the Burg Herzberg Festival?
Lorz: It's amazing that so many people meet here year after year to spend a week together peacefully and happily. Normally festivals are a shame like drinking bouts and it's so surprising at the Burg Burgberg Festival that it's just a peaceful meeting.
How did this develop?
Lorz: There are enough people who simply need this peaceful gathering. And they are found here again and again.
Is this festival an attitude or personal work for you personally?
Lorz: He starts working, especially at this time of year (laughs). You can not take it lightly. I'm trying to keep it personal, but of course we are also interface with the authorities. There is not much to start with an attitude to life
How many assistants are there to ensure the smooth running of the festival ? Are they professionals or volunteers?
Lorz: From a purely legal point of view, we are a GmbH (a limited liability company, ed.). We have to pay everyone and everything. No one is allowed to work for umme. But we have a lot outsourced. Kinderland, for example, has more than 40 employees who are primarily concerned with who works there. Also, security, which also counts at least 40 people who are recruited. We are a total of 250 employees from various fields. They are all professionals or people who have been working with us for many years.
How do you choose groups?
Lorz: We have two bookers for that. They are worried about that. It's a science in itself and I'm glad it's not me (laughs). They must also live with criticism if people do not like it. But this year, people still love it.
Do any other groups come every year or are there any that come back year after year?
Lorz: Götz Widmann or Orange are groups that appear almost every year and are in high demand. And if Klaus wants to play the violin, then he appears.
Is the focus on international or German artists?
Lorz: It's already international. Originally, the festival was founded in 1968 by the Firecrackers to promote German pop music. In the middle of 1990, we were a pure oldie festival. Now we are pushing back the German pop music. Many German groups occur: Blessed, Sarah Lesch, Orange, Captain Peng. We are on the right track to take care of German pop music. But do not stop what you hear everywhere on the radio. There are so many good bands, we do not have enough space for that.
Has the festival reached its limits in terms of size?
Lorz: Yes. We still have a box office this year, but that's because the weather is dry. Each year we have about the same number of visitors and sell about 11,000 tickets. And there are kids who do not have a ticket and free entry. Children are ubiquitous at the festival. There is no space on the premises where you can not see a child. This has, I think, a very positive influence on adults. You can also be sober – that's what we learn from children.
What is the response of the local population?
Lorz: The fact that we were inundated last year and that people also parked in Breitenbach, many personal contacts resulted. You can not organize such a festival if the community and the mayor are not behind. Most people like that, and then they like to come.
But most visitors come from far away, is not it?
Lorz: Yes, from everywhere in Germany and Europe. There are many Scandinavians and many Swiss. They are used to other prices, for which we are a bargain.
Which music do you prefer to listen to personally?
Lorz: I play myself in a band – Hell-O-Matic – and we played at Wacken last year. I am no longer the metal fan. The metallers are also friendly people (laughs).
What do you do when the festival is over?
Lorz: Prepares the next festival. Holidays do not happen before and after the festival. You must do everything first and in October begin the presale for the next festival. It happens in one.
The Burg Herzberg Festival takes place on the paddocks of the breeder Walter Robert
More information about the staff
Gunther Lorz (50 years old) is director of Herzberg Festival GmbH and is member since 1994. He first had a wine stand, then he was employed at the box office, since 2004 he is general manager
Burg Herzberg Festival: Impressions of the weekend part 2
The Herzberg Castle Festival 2018: The Program
Love and Peace again from July 26 to 29 at the Herzberg-Festival Castle which takes place under the Gehau Castle.
Already on Monday, the first visitors of the festival arrive, who can camp on a site called "New Home". From Tuesday Freak City, the festival area will be open.
On the occasion of his 50th birthday, there will be a special concert in the Evangelical Church of Breitenbach on Wednesday, July 25th. Peter Hammill will sing and play from 20h. Hammill, 69, is at home in many musical styles and known for his sophisticated lyrics.
The program begins Thursday at 1:30 pm on the Mainstage with Yossi Fine and Ben Aylon – Blue Desert. To be heard up to 2.30 clock, including Kettcar, Simo and My SleepingKarma.
Friday we continue with Mokoomba, Captain Peng & The Tentacles of Delphi and Motorpsycho. Selig, The Waterboys and Orange will play on Saturday. On Sunday, Götz Widmann will be heard and finally the Herzberg Blues Allstars.
In addition there is the Freakstage on the mental days and the reading tent. The pre-sale is over. There are still some ticks for 155 euros, otherwise daily tickets
The complete program can be found here
. (zac)
Klaus Wack – as a once efficient worker found his true happiness
Burg Herzberg Festival 2017: hippies continue to celebrate in the rain
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