Bluegrassmania 2019 in Gasteig, Munich

The bluegrass scene in Europe needs a new event concept!

By Rupert Paulik

New standards were set in Munich when, for the very first time, bluegrass musicians, performed in the Gasteig concert hall – a place that has normally resounded to the sounds of a philharmonic orchestra.

Sponsored by the “Munich Bluegrass Friends” and streamed live on ARTE, television, “Bluegrassmania” was a full-length show that combined elements of a TV documentary with live acts to present bluegrass music to a mainly young audience which had no real bluegrass background.

TV moderator Andrea Plötz linked bluegrass videos with eight excellent live bands from the Munich area, also mainly made up of young musicians to present bluegrass history, development, and the contrasting styles of traditional and modern bluegrass music. Much to their delight, Andrea also involved the audience with questions and discussions.

This professionally staged show of one hour and forty minutes was resounding success with all seats sold. It ended with a standing ovation and the audience exclaiming “Do this again!”

It was indeed demonstration of how to make bluegrass music better known to a wider and younger audience, and it a worthy celebration of the “Munich Bluegrass Friends” 10-year anniversary.

https://www.facebook.com/bluegrassmania/
https://munich-bluegrass-friends.de