Spring Breakdown Festival Dillenburg

Description

International metal in the Orange City

Bands from Tokyo, Bern and the region come to the “Spring Breakdown Festival”.

Dillenburg. If Christian Zipp wants to hear pulsating, modern metal or hardcore punk from all over the world, he doesn't have to go much further than his own front door, just walk to the Dillenburger Hofgarten on June 1st. He and Yannick Gaubatz made sure of this over ten years ago.

The two people from Dillenburg have dedicated more than a third of their lives to the Spring Breakdown Festival in their hometown. They founded the one-day festival, which attracts hundreds of fans of rough, guitar-heavy music to the small town every year, in 2012. At that time, the long-time friends still went to the Wilhelm von Oranien School. A strong friendly network is the basis

Anyone who speaks to the two of them quickly understands that friendship is the glue that holds this festival together and has made it possible in almost every year. “It’s all ‘powered by extended circle of friends’. Vehicles that friends borrow from their employers for logistics, or friends of friends who organize a toilet truck, for example,” explains Christian Zipp.

But the friendly commitment in the region does not end at this point: sound technicians, cooks, admission controllers, stewards, the innkeepers in the beer mushrooms - many are friends, or will become friends at the festival. The origin of the festival was a concert at the Jugendwerk, which is located in the Hofgarten. There Gaubatz and Zipp played with two local bands.

“We wanted to make it a little bigger and make it a recurring event,” says Gaubatz. Together with his band and other friends, they founded the youth cultural association Di/R/Act, through which the event is still carried out today. The goal: to bring together international greats and local young artists. This succeeded in a remarkable way: International artists play with local up-and-coming bands Bands from all over the world, from the United States to England, Australia, France and Belgium have since visited the Orange City. For those familiar with the scene, artists like Evergreen Terrace, Deez Nuts, Nasty and Breakdown of Sanity are absolute top performers. The latter are coming to Central Hesse for the second time. In 2014 they played in the town hall when the festival was still an indoor event.

After the metalcore musicians from Bern recently reunited after a long creative break, the festival in Dillenburg is one of their few stops in Germany this year. With Crystal Lake from Tokyo, a band from Asia is also represented this year for the first time, possibly the largest of its kind in Japan.

Of course, such musical heavyweights cost a lot: the total expenses for the event have almost doubled since 2019, according to festival management Gaubatz and Zipp. The reasons are obvious - inflation and the resulting prices, especially when it comes to band fees, which have also fallen since the Corona crisis. pandemic have increased sharply.

Tickets are becoming more expensive, but remain relatively affordable This means that the ticket price increases to €25 in advance for the first time. However, a look on the Internet reveals that a ticket for an ordinary concert, even for one of the two bands, is more expensive on its own.

The organizers are still young - the average age of the team is under 30 years. Are you stressed about rising costs? “Advance sales could be a little better, but the team is well coordinated. That calms me down,” says Christian Zipp.

Main sponsors such as Edeka, Sparkasse, Aura Tools and the city of Dillenburg as a long-standing partner help to bring some relaxation. The Dillenburg administration welcomes the festival; both sides appreciate the close and uncomplicated cooperation.

A challenge: 70 helpers coordinated by one man

And once you're admitted and everything is ready, the stress goes away, Zipp continues. Where one person's stress level drops, it increases for another. Fabian Moos is once again responsible for coordinating all helpers. Like some others, he takes care of a specific area of responsibility for the event. “For me, this is the moment when it really starts. All shifts have to stick together, the team has to be looked after, the handovers have to work,” he says. Around 70 volunteers are needed: for catering, admission or looking after the bands before and after the concert, for example. For the first time, the work will be divided into three shifts because the workload should not be too stressful for the volunteers.

Festival stands united against discrimination

“It works on a high level of trust, for example the drinks are free for the whole team. We have been collecting experience for years. For example, you could be afraid that people will get drunk and lose control - but that doesn't happen," says Moos. There is a general sense of responsibility among everyone involved, adds Gaubatz.

The organizers never tire of pointing out their philosophy.

Discrimination of any kind is unwelcome at the festival. “There is no tolerance for fascists and racists, and we check that when we enter,” says Christian Zipp. Well-known right-wing radicals would not be allowed in, and corresponding symbolism, clothing and tattoos would not be tolerated. “We also make consistent use of our house rules.” The bands (in descending order)

Breakdown of Sanity: In 2011, the Swiss made a name for themselves in the metalcore scene worldwide with their album Mirrors. The name says it all: one “breakdown” follows the next – that is the catharsis of the music style, in which the audience dances wildly around and the crowd turns into a benevolent battlefield. With fast double foot passages on the drums and brutal guitar riffs, the formation lives up to its name.

Crystal Lake: From the largest city in the world, Tokyo, the Japanese metalcore group ends up in tranquil Dillenburg. They have been indulging in energetic music for over 20 years and have released five albums since then. They are one of the most famous metal bands in the country. In addition to a great live show, viewers can expect a handful of brand new singles and a new frontman.

Slope: You're no longer an insider tip. With roots in hardcore, the Duisburg band has developed into a cross-over combination of funk, hardcore, hip-hop and rock. The result sounds fresh, a full groove with a clear reference to the 1990s. Slope bring an energy to the stage that makes it impossible to keep your feet still.

Harm/Shelter: Not only the guys from Breakdown of Sanity, these Giessen musicians can also be seen on stage again after years of musical abstinence. They have their new EP “Banished by Life” with them. Viewers can look forward to grooving hardcore with beat-down elements.

Dying Breed: With us since 2016, both as artists and as organizers – the Dillenburg musicians from “Dying Breed”. They have been supplying the region with melodic, authentically crafted post hardcore for more than ten years.

Dark Days: And another band that travels from nearby Giessen. The quartet has existed since 2018 and has released two EPs so far. They describe the style as a range from modern metalcore to hardcore. Slab Strike: The day festival is completed by this Siegen hardcore combo. Raw vocals on hardcore, guitar walls and pounding grooves are promised. The music is accompanied by English and German lyrics as well as a clear political edge.

Key data:

Date and time: Sat., June 1, 2024, 3:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m

Admission: €25 in advance; €30 box office

Expected number of visitors: 800 to 1000

Location: Outdoor event in the Hofgarten in Dillenburg

Food: Beer from the local brewery Bosch + street food

Minimum age: 16 years - ID required! Under 16s are only allowed in with a parent or legal guardian - unfortunately we cannot accept "mother's slips". Admission is free for children under 12 - please remember to wear appropriate hearing protection.

Internet presence:

https://www.instagram.com/spring_breakdown_festival/

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBreakdownFestival/

Ticket shop:

https://www.eventbrite.de/e/spring-breakdown-festival-2024-tickets-648188949597