Thousands of Individuals Converging on Town for Blasmusik Event
In the heart of Bavaria, a boisterous celebration known as the "Brass Woodstock" belongs to the quaint town of Memmingen for one week every year. Marion, a resident trumpeter, unwinds at this riotous affair and encouraged her pals to tag along. But amidst the bustling crowd, Marion loses her friends.
For 360 days, the Antiesen river peacefully runs through the community of 1,369 people. Yet, come June, it transforms into a carnival paradise for music enthusiasts. The micro-rapids become a vortex, and sunbathers fill every corner, even strumming their homemade trumpets, tubas, or trombones, creating an unexpected symphony. A much-needed reprieve from the 30-degree heat, this festive atmosphere is generally civilized, despite occasional liquid refreshments.
During these four days, the destination transforms into a sprawling tent city. Many festival-goers bring their own tents, while others opt for more comfort and book a mid-range glamping tent. True luxury isn't the norm here; it's the luxury of not setting up the tent yourself. From the Ferris wheel, you can see the stages and endless sea of tents that blend into the green forest at the horizon.
Listening and participating
From Thursday to Sunday, seven stages ring and pluck from dawn till dusk. From the traditional Alpine brass bands to jazzers and Eastern European wedding bands, there's a little bit of everything. Even rockers can join the party as long as they have a brass substitute in their band.
Last year, the country rockers from Berlin, Boss Hoss, headlined the event. Although they had some brass players in their band, they were far from brass experts. Their charismatic frontman, Alec Voelkel, riled up the sweaty crowd of 25,000 spectators. Expected a humpta festival, he declared, now I'm before such a mad crowd, before diving into the audience with a bare chest.
Every performance keeps the energy high, and the atmosphere harmonious. There's no aggression; brass music seems to be a calming influence. Most of the audience is active in a brass band themselves, so the "ensemble play" on Saturday morning is the highlight. About 20,000 amateur musicians gather, organized by instrument, to create a mass musical performance on the main stage.
To help keep the musical harmony intact, several directed platforms dot the vast festival grounds where conductors and conductresses sway their batons in unison. On Sunday, the children take center stage during the "mini ensemble play". By performing, these youngsters secure free festival entry for their families.
Good Times by the Water
Marion continues to soak her feet in the Antiesen. Her friends are still AWOL, but her mom has taken a seat beside her in a dirndl. "The old folk sure love the brass band music," Marion chuckles in her Bavarian dialect. Her observation rings true, as the Brass Woodstock is a music festival for all ages. Marion spending time with her mom at the festival isn't uncommon at all.
- Note: www.woodstockderblasmusik.at
- Location: Ort is a small municipality in the Austrian federal state of Upper Austria, 30 kilometers south of Passau.
- Arrival by Train: Catch the ICE to Passau and then ride the regional express to Andorf. A shuttle bus operates from Andorf station to the festival grounds (€6/person). Taxi pick-up is also available (Tel. +43 7766/29320, +43 7766/293 229).
- Arrival by Bus: Unfortunately, specific information about bus services to the Brass Woodstock was unavailable. Check the festival's official website for updated travel information.
Marion, beside the Antiesen river, soaks her feet and shares a laugh with her mom, dressed in a traditional dirndl. Despite the festive atmosphere, Marion's friends still hadn't returned. Marion, amidst the Brass Woodstock's diverse crowd, finds that the home-and-garden spirit extends to the music, with people playing homemade instruments and creating an unexpected symphony. As the lifestyle event embraces people of all ages, Marion enjoys a unique bonding moment with her mom, immersed in the heart of the home-and-garden and music scene.
