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The indie change: From festival hit to mainstream aura in Neustrelitz!
Neustrelitz celebrates 25 years of the Immergut Festival: a tribute to the indie music scene that connects artists and the audience.
The indie change: From festival hit to mainstream aura in Neustrelitz!
When you talk about the music scene in Northern Germany, there is hardly any way around the Immergut Festival. Since its first edition in 2000, music lovers from the region and beyond have been drawn to the picturesque town of Neustrelitz. This year the festival is celebrating its 25th edition with an exciting program.
Originally launched as a platform for “indie” music, the term was still far removed from its current meaning back then. At the beginning of the 2000s, the term “indie” primarily distinguished musicians and bands that worked independently of major record labels. Daniel “Kemper” Kempf, co-founder of the festival, describes how the view of “indie” has changed over the years and what this means for those involved in the scene. Many have sought their fortune in the mainstream, but the Immergut remains for the independent and creative soul. The Beatsteaks, one of the first acts, exemplify the typical “indie” sound, which was often unpolished and innovative, far from commercial success. [Freitag] reports on the origins and development of the term “indie” from within the subculture.
A festival of volunteers for the region
A very special aspect of the Immergut Festival is the organization. This year, the two festival organizers Charlotte Brehe and Charlotte “Lotzi” Litzinger represent the third generation of organizers. The association that runs the festival has around 130 members who are divided into various mini-groups, from infrastructure to communication to sustainability. Around 30 of these members are active all year round. This shows how important the festival is to the local community and how connected people are to their region, like the taz explained.
Production costs have skyrocketed due to skills shortages, inflation and increased energy and travel costs. Early ticket prices started at 115 euros, while later buyers will have to shell out 150 euros for entry. But the organizers are not discouraged and are also offering cheap tickets for students from the region.
The anniversary line-up
For the 25th anniversary, the festival organizers have put together a fantastic line-up. Artists who have been there for a long time, such as Erobique, Shout Out Louds and Drangsal, will take the stage. A special highlight will be the return of Nilüfer Yanya, who first appeared in Neustrelitz in 2019. This expresses the close connection between artists and audience, a characteristic of the Immergut Festival, which aims to create a family atmosphere.
Over the years, the Immergut Festival has also helped take the indie scene to a new level. Bands like Isolation Berlin, Bilderbuch and International Music were part of this year's program and remind us that despite the shift in the term "indie" towards commercialization and the influence of major labels, the roots of the independent music scene still remain. Heart Mukke impressively illustrates the development of indie music and its lasting popularity through festivals.
Overall, the Immergut Festival shows that despite all the challenges, the music scene remains lively and dynamic. For the creators, the artists and the loyal visitors, this festival will be more than just an event - it is a part of life, community and culture in this region.