The first round of this year’s JazzTube starts on 4 th September. Look at it as something to pass the time waiting for that late train, one wagon tram or missing ‘Ersatz Bus’ or just go to enjoy excellent and free music!

100 years of Bad Godesberg. This weekend sees a celebration of that event involving many of the great local musicians that we are lucky to have performing here a hundred years later. A highlight of the anniversary year is the grand celebration weekend organized by Kunst und Kultur Bad Godesberg e.V. (KuKuG) in collaboration with operators of the Draitschbrunnen, Bettina and Reinhard Kalz, as well as numerous associations and partners on September 4 and 5, 2026.

A musical highlight will be on Friday 4 September: At 19:30 at the Konzertmuschel near Stadthalle there will be a concert with musicians from Bad Godesberg who will offer a wide variety of musical styles and a journey through 100 years of music history. Jack-of-all-trades Marcus Schinkel was immediately enthusiastic, and everyone else agreed spontaneously as well— and so we will be hearing from top local musicians including Astatine, Uwe Arenz, Norfried Baum, and others. In short – an extraordinary ensemble for this evening—one that has never before existed in this particular lineup. A true Bad Godesberg community project—surprising, versatile, and an experience unique to this anniversary.

For the full calender of events click HERE

A bit of history to put you in the party mood…

In 1789, Ferdinand Wurzer, a chemist from Bonn, analyzed the water from the Draitsch Spring not far from the Godesburg Castle. It was declared to have healing properties and at a time when spa towns came very miuch into vogue amongst the aristocracy the area became a popular health destination. Finally the Springwater earned the area a promotion – In 1926 it became Bad Godesberg.

So Bad Godesberg owes its name to a long history as a spa and health resort, which has shaped the town for centuries. The mineral-rich healing springs—most notably the Draitsch Spring—made Godesberg a popular destination for those seeking rest and recuperation and spa guests from very early on. This development received a significant boost at the end of the 18th century under Elector Maximilian Franz of Austria, who purposefully drove the expansion of the town into a spa and bathing resort. During this period, iconic facilities such as the Redoute, parks, and other amenities for the guests of that time were established.

Even after the end of the great spa era, the healing springs retained their significance for the town. With the official conferral of the name suffix “Bad” by the Prussian Ministry of State on June 10, 1926, this special history finally received official recognition. Since then, the district has borne the name Bad Godesberg, thus preserving to this day the memory of its roots as a traditional spa and bathing resort.

So now you know what you’re celebrating!

Good news for Folk fans in the Bonn area. Legendary British musician Richard Thompson has been booked for the Harmonie in Bonn on 15 April 2027. Thompson’s appearance here in 2025 with wife Zara Phillips was one of 3songsbonn’s favourite shows of 2025 so already looking forward to next April where he will also have a new album to play from ‘Hippies, Thugs & Heroes’.

Please check out my INTERVIEW from before the 2025 show if you want to find out more about Richard

Tickets available HERE

Finally, here is an exclusive clip of Richard playing one of his most famous titles ‘Vincent Black Lightning’ at the show in 2025…

Great music at increasingly greater cost. Kunst!Rasen reflects on 2026, it’s 14th year that has just ended, down by the Rhine. Here is it’s review.

Florence, Nancy and Texas were the homes and influences of Stadtgarten 2026 on it’s last date in 2026. In Giulia Millanta and Blond Bélier we had two very different styles of music to enjoy – but that’s part of Stadtgarten’s magic after all. Bring a blanket for the grassy ground and a picnic basket, or dance energetically to the music close to the stage. It’s your choice. The main aim – relax and enjoy!

Formed in 1986, by the early 1990’s Fury in the Slaughterhouse were topping the mighty Scorpions as Germany’s premier hard rockers. So how come 40 years on there are only around 3000 people at Kunstrasen to see them? Last year saw 8000 fans celebrating the return of their musical heroes. It can’t be that 5000 of them went instead to see Nick Cave last night. Whatever the reason, those absent people missed an excellent set that showed FITS to be far from a spent musical force.

Intense. If you tied me to a one word review of Tuesday’s Kunstrasen concert by Nick Cave, that’s the word I would choose. For me, and I’m sure for many others too, this was the show not to miss in Bonn this year. Not surprisingly the show was sold out with 10,000 in attendance and there were occasions when it looked like Cave just might walk supported on the hands of each and everyone of those spectators all the way to the last row.

Hats off to Popcamp for their selection of artists appearing this year at Stadtgarten. Two completely different bands and styles, yet both CECI and Yetundey had the songs, stage presence and musical quality to appeal to the same audience.