Portraits Of All Bands

Rod Fritz was one of the first artists to be on stage at "Thursday live" - in 2021 he gladly returns. He is a real entertainer, a one-man show. The 51 years old singer/songwriter from Tasmania came to Germany on search for his Swabian roots. And he decided to stay. Meanwhile he even writes songs with German lyrics. His inspirations are the ordinary da-to-day life and his personal experiences. His style is unique, something between rock, folk, country music, pop and indie. The only thing he needs to connect with the audience are a guitar and his voice.

Some feelings can only be expressed by music. The songs of Sleepwalker's Station are about longing, endless summer days and walks through foreign cities. Magic! Bavarian folk music? Bring it on! At least if it's played by Daniel and Jacopo from Sleepwalker's Station. The band from Bergen was founded in 1998 and plays handmade folk music with lyrics in English, German, Italian. Not only their lyrics but also their band members are international: Daniel comes from Germany, Jacopo from Italy. And yet: It all sounds so harmonious. We invite you to sing along and snap your fingers.

This is definitely the oldest band in our line-up. Founded in 1530 they're even the oldest brass band in all of Germany. Making good music for almost half a millennium, only interrupted by the Thirty Year's War and similar historic events - no one else can say that. The 30 active band members act with passion and play traditional songs as well as concert music with modern elements. The famous "Badenweiler Marsch" is part of their program. Germany's first boyband even published a CD.

They are our local heroes: On stage Sameday Records from Bad Säckingen have a cajon, two guitars and their unique voices – for the three boys that's enough. Peppy, thoughtful, romantic – Daniele Cuviello, Severin Ebner and Patrick Huber began their journey as a cover band. These days they play their own songs. Their performances are always full of energy and joy - you can see it at their live concerts, when they were the opening act for Fools Garden, Birdy and Andreas Bourani or during their performance at the show „The Voice of Germany“.

When OQmanSolo's German-Nigerian lead singer Oku enters the stage, even men are impressed by his aura. And when he begins to sing people fall in love with him. Oku is a traveller between worlds who has seen a lot of things. Therefore he is a storyteller, a poet who makes music. His experiences become poetic words with soul music accompanied by reggae. It's a journey to the core of things - without distractions and close to the audience. He's already shown it last year at "Thursday live".

Sometimes coincidence must help. Christmas, in a random bar, a couple of years ago: Someone is playing his guitar, another one starts drumming, and a third person joins in. That's how the "Lebensmusiker" were born. Three generations, different styles of music - the five "Lebensmusiker" from Saarland prove that this can be a good thing. Age? Doesn't matter! Only passion for music counts. Spreading love of life, hope and happiness is the band's goal. Already in 2019 they performed their handmade, joyful pop music at the Fini-Resort.

As a teenager he travelled Latin America with street musicians. That's how he got his stage name and his musical inspirations. The cosmopolitan from Mannheim mixes German lyrics with club beats. And he likes to join international artists such as the Brazilian duet Claxy (they're at "Rock Underneath the Redwood Tree" on Sunday). The reward for feel-good pop, fresh lyrics and danceable rhythms: a nomination for the award "Echo" and an appearance at Stefan Raab's "Bundesvision Song Contest". Despite all this fame and honor - standing barefoot on a stage while holding his guitar is still Cris' favorite thing to do.

There are bands that resonate immediately with their audiences: Fire of Soul is one of them. The beat is just perfect, you feel the bass in your stomach, and singer "Little Walter" sounds just like Mick Jagger's brother. The band with eight members was founded in 2013. Three of them are guitar player Alain Koutenay, bass player Chris Koutenay and drummer Tommy Beck - their home is the border triangle between France, Switzerland and Germany. You can tell that they have witnessed the climax of rock music, since they play soul, r'n'b and blues in a very authentic way. Fitting accessories: whiskey and cigarettes. Oh yeah!

These ministers act on behalf of good music: They interpret the greatest hits and songs that were supposed to become hits in their very own style. Sascha Happle (guitar), Andreas Scheerer (cajon, percussion) and Sascha Spitz (guitar) come from Eichstetten in Baden-Wuerttemberg and simply make good music. Listen to the great rock and pop classics of the last 40 years - performed with passion. Sing and dance along. Open your hearts and ears. It's simply awesome!

"Dicke Fische" are a symbol of happiness. The three band members produce it with their songs. They are pretty popular in Baden-Wuerttemberg and won the award "Artists of the Year". Well-deserved: They give both famous and self-made songs a special sound that makes you feel like dancing. Thanks to their talent "Dicke Fische" are one of the coolest bands in the region. They are entertainers with musical depth.

The Vosges are closer to Badenweiler than the Alps but here, next to Switzerland, you just have to have Alphorn players. Sometimes they even perform without their band mates - successfully so. The "Trachtenkapelle Badenweiler" is pure tradition here. They have existed long before Badenweiler became a destination for travellers, thanks to its healing thermal water. When in 1530 people in Badenweiler worked in the mining industry, the band was founded. To this day their concerts are a place to be. A history of almost 500 years: The alphorn players are used to take a long breath.

Can we offer you some music with your breakfast? The "Helmut Dold Dixielandband" offers groovy, rousing and fresh music, as if directly imported from New Orleans. The sextet comes with a trumpet, banjo, clarinet, double bass, trombone and drums. Accompanied by lots of enthusiasm and energy. Band leader Helmut Dold comes from Kuhbach/Lahr, a Black Forest original and a charming entertainer - here you get the whole package.

Singer Clara Valente and Drummer Gui Gautreaux are stars in Brazil thanks to their feel-good music. In 2014 their debut album "Mil Coisas" was declared "Best Album of the Year” in their home country. In the last years "Claxy" captured Germany with a brilliant mix between samba, afrobeat, pop and electro. They made the audience smile with joyful songs when they performed at "Thursday live" in 2019. People were dancing and sang along. South-American flair in South-Baden - we want more of it!