It seems as if street musicians in Bonn are like buses. Nothing in sight – and then they all come at once. Saturday saw 30 local acts in five locations to enjoy between 2 pm and 8 pm under the heading ‘Sound der Altstadt’. It was clear that when Markus Schnurpfeil and Fanny Delaune put together this year’s event for the Altstadt Initiative Bonn there was no shortage of musical talent in the City.

Theoretically, you could have heard all 30 since the stages were all within short walking distance of Heerstrasse. 3songsbonn stopped by to see the early acts pitching their metaphorical tents after a damp start to the day. As it turned out though it brightened up (or maybe it never rains in the cherry blossom lanes down that way?).

Young singer Mentha and her guitar accompanist certainly pulled the biggest audience whilst I was there. The lady certainly had a winning combination of mostly familiar tunes, a pleasant voice and a welcoming charisma.

John Harrison gets the bravest musician award for regularly stepping out from the safety of the music tent and lithely sidestepping passing bikes, pedestrians and motorcycles. He and Christoph Thiebes gave Hofjebräu a twin harmonica attack that had listeners dancing up a storm (see video below). The coolest-looking dude early in the festival was singer/guitarist Paco Sall from Senegal in mirror lens sunglasses and with a cool laid-back band. Milange, listed on the flyers as ‘Französische Musette’ had an altogether gentler approach. Stephan Weidt und Ulrike Maria Hund aka Zwei von Zwei presented their reliable laid-back flute/guitar sound but still took me by surprise with quite a rocky rendition of ‘Ain’t no sunshine’, which would have been true just an hour before but now the duo were bathed in it and attracting a similarly sunbathing crowd of listeners.

If you weren’t there, then I hope the picture gallery below and video will give you an idea of the music and atmosphere at the beginning of which was, I’m sure, a great day bringing life to the streets of Bonn old town. In the City Centre itself, the only sounds to be heard were from the feet of shoppers at Primark and co. I know which Urban Soul I prefer.

Finally, let’s add some sound to the pictures with Hofjebräu, guest harpists, and surprise dance ensemble…