Besser Als Nix! Festival
Exploring and supporting the local scene
As last year, I once again thought outside of the box. Thus, when my colleague Sarah gave me the Spotify-playlist of her Besser Als Nix-Festival, I decided to expand the scope another time and for two days, given that 90% of the Friday/Saturday bands can be counted to Rock and Metal genre. Enjoy the report about a festival with a mix of music, food, beverages, diversity, inclusion and just plain fun for all generations.
Here we are, focusing on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May of the Besser Als Nix Festival, or BAN! ‘Besser als nix’ translates as ‘better than nothing’, and I can tell you that this festival by Besser als nix e. V. Verein für junge Kultur im Rheingau, was much better than nothing. The festival continued until 10th May, Sunday evening with a more relaxed mainstream schedule.
Firstly, entry is free. The organisers kindly ask for donations, whatever you can afford instead. Remember that for some people, even five euros can be too high a cost. There is a nice selection of merchandise available to support the festival. As well as that, there are lots of food stalls and a wide variety of other stalls selling all kinds of things, as well as a mobile tattoo studio. There are also three stages. One is more techno-related, the middle one is a small circus tent for wizardry karaoke, and some other sweet little things. The largest one is the main stage for live bands. So now let’s take a look at Friday’s bands.
The Screwjetz
Pure Punk-Rock from Frankfurt am Main. The opener of the festival surprises with a clear statement at the beginning of The Screjetz set. Otherwise they convince with an even clearer musical statement of real sophisticated Punk. It reminds me that even mainstream Punk bands as Die Toten Hosen once were wild and hungry.
Spillflower
Modern Metalcore from Darmstad mixes Metal and Rap. Metalcore often splits the audience in two halfs, either you like it, or you hate it. Spillflower manage to pull it off, preventing this from happening with this crowd at BAN! Together, they give what is probably the festival’s heaviest band a massive reception.
Milk?
It becomes different with a combination of Grunge and Alternative Metal. You could call Milk? a Rheingau all-star band. This is the first joint performance by the band, made up of seasoned, well-known musicians from the local scene. The mayor of Geisenheim is keen to introduce Milk? himself!
Mary Red
Punk/Love-Punk from the other side of the Rhine. Mary Red will round off the live line-up with their brilliant blend of melodic punk rhythms and heartfelt rock sounds, whilst it’s still early enough. After their set, the party will continue well into the night. The venue is absolutely packed, although the crowd is gravitating more towards the E-Stage, where DJs will be spinning tunes all day long right up until the end.
Change of Mind Set
As well as watching bands, there is plenty of time to walk around, check out the stalls and observe the audience. Take a look at the pictures — it’s amazing how easy it is to change your mindset once you enter the festival area. It’s a completely different world of peace, freedom and harmony. Now it’s up to you to go and enjoy BAN! on Saturday or Sunday! Festival at Geisenheim/Rheingau, Rheinwiesen!
