The RheinBühne is a lively stage in the heart of Bonn City Centre, which has stood for cultural diversity and innovative entertainment since its foundation in 2016. In 2019, the ‘Kulturwohnzimmer RheinBühne‘ (to give it it’s full name) moved to Oxford Street just up the road from Bonn Stadthaus and has since offered a diverse programme – including stand-up comedy (also English comedy) and cabaret, to a stage for young local talent to find its musical feet featuring regular open mic and Poetry Slam nights.  Paul Leipertz and Katharina Niehus have certainly worked wonders in such a small venue (c. 100 seats) so check out the venues website HERE

I can certainly vouch for the high quality of music happening at RheinBühne, having caught Roxanne de Bastion playing at the venue last year (Roxanne has supported Katie Melua and Howard Jones). This evening should also be a quality one music-wise with another talented young lady making a return visit to the RheinBuhne – Sophie Chassee.

You might even have seen Sophie on your tv screens. She’s played bass in The Heavytones, a band formed for Stefan Raab’s ‘TV Total’ as well as being a part of the Eurovision Song Contest Houseband that backs musicians in the qualifying rounds in Germany. She has also played at Cologne’s Rhein-Energie Stadium as a bassist for German Pop-rock stars AnnenMayKantereit. In short – Sophie clearly has a high reputation as a musician for other musicians. But what about the music-buying public? and indeed the music business? The lady obviously felt somewhat under-valued when she penned the lyrics for her song ‘Not Enough’…

“Don’t wanna be your token girl – I want respect… put me on your flyer as your female face. ‘Cos I’m a woman on guitar and bass”

Plainly she is eager to prove that she has far more to offer with her own solo career. We’re about to find out what that more is, so join me for one of the last available seats shortly before 8 pm. The tiny stage is beautifully set up with the warm glow of three Tiffany lamps underneath each of which sits a guitar. Right to left: A metallic green Magneto electric, a Timberline 12 string harp guitar and a Lakewood M34 acoustic with a delicately designed Wren inlaid into the fretboard. When Chassee steps onto the stage though she has still another Lakewood guitar in her hand. Clearly the guitar sound is going to be a central part of the evening – and so it happily proves to be.

It’s not Sophie’s fault but I suspect I’m not in her audience catchment area. At my age, I’m not sure I could get into the mindset of a young man, let alone that of a young woman; and although the songs are almost solely in english they are always very personal, like emotions written into a diary. The concert is divided roughly between 2021’s release ‘Lesson Learned’ and 2024’s ‘Attachment Theory’ with a good portion of the new EP ‘Elyra’ included for good measure. The EP is actually a half of the full CD which will be out in May. So why buy a download of the songs now and then buy them again as half of the full release in a couple of month’s time? releasing music in this social media, Spotified and BandCamped world seems complicated. Or maybe it’s just me. The songs of loves lost and betrayal rather wash over me lyrically. ‘User not Found’ is typical of a new form of romantic tragedy – when relationships built via Socialmedia are abruptly ended. In my own teenage years letters went unanswered or no-one picked up the telephone. But here’s the thing that truly made the evening work – If you couldn’t always associate with the lyrics it was enough just to watch and listen to those hands and those guitar strings do their magic.

‘Fingerstyle’ guitar is very much an Artform in itself. Striking both strings and guitar body rather than picking them. It sounds loud and brutal to describe, but in the right hands it’s actually a beautiful sound to behold. By the second number ‘November’ I’m already sold on that delicately balanced melody and rhythm exchange. There were times in the first half though that were also lyrically captivating, in particular ‘Timekeeper’ and ‘Not On Me’ with it’s strident riff that has even made it onto R&B playlists.

I found the second half to be far more enjoyable. For one thing, we finally got to hear that exotic looking harp guitar that had been sitting unplucked throughout part one. For another – the songs themselves were just as personal, but often had an added emotional depth.

It’s not often that you see a harp guitar. In fact my last sighting was in May of 2015. On that occasion Canadian Don Alder was playing an instrument at Bonn Folk Club that was so large he was sitting down with it balanced on his knee. Fast forward to 2026 though and Sophie Chassee was able to actually stand up with her Timberline harp guitar strapped over her shoulder. Slightly smaller and lighter it might have been, but the sound was as delicate and beguiling as ever. It seems like a mix of thumb-plucking on the top ‘harp’ strings whilst fingerpicking melody with the lower guitar fretboard. When played well though, as it was tonight on ‘Healing’, the sound is unique. Check out Sophie’s video of the tune HERE

Highlights in part two were undoubtedly the compositions dedicated to one of Sophie’s greatest inspirations – her Grandmother. ‘Treehouse’ was inspired by a photo that Sophie’s Grandmother loved of her with her Grand-daughter on a home-made tree-house. It’s a moving story lyrically, but proof that music can speak louder than words was the instrumental ‘Last Journey of the Wren’ based on a love of the little bird that inspired Sophie’s Grandmother to say she would want to come back in a future life as just such a bird. Her Grandmother has since passed away – but if her spirit matches the tune, then it is a beautiful, gentle one that lives on in the tiny bird that is depicted on the fretboard of Sophie’s custom made guitar.

I came away from the evening glad to have heard someone singing so directly from their soul, but even more so from someone playing so directly. Sophie Chassee manages to combine excellent technical ability in her playing without losing the feeling that inspires it, which is a rare talent. I recommend keeping an eye on the music calender at Rheinbühne for further hidden gems!