What are the components of the perfect festival? Naturally, the acts take pride of place, but other factors such as venue or venues, on-site facilities, cost, and the likely punters at the event are also factors. In a box-ticking exercise, Static Roots Festival staged at Oberhausen in Germany and correctly christened a 'boutique' festival, would rank highly in each category.
More than simply a music festival, Static Roots is now an annual meeting place for a growing number of music lovers and friends, many of who travel from Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe, Canada and the United States each year for the community, hooley and, of course, the music on offer. This year's travel plans from Ireland were thrown into chaos for many by the Aer Lingus pilot's strike, which resulted in cancelled flights and the prospect of lengthy airport delays. Alternative travel plans and extended stays in Oberhausen by many were a testament to the resolve and determination of the majority of punters who travelled from Ireland.
Unlike most festivals that are 'for-profit' ventures, Static Roots is also a fundraiser. To date, it has donated over €20,000 to Doctors Without Borders, which annually provides medical assistance for thousands of patients. The international flavour of the festival was also represented in this year's lineup, which included artists and bands from Germany, Canada, Austria, the United States, the UK, Norway, and the annual representation from Ireland.
How did Static Roots 2024 compare to other years? The general consensus was that it surpassed any other year, and that's a big statement given what has been on offer since festival director Dietmar Leibecke, his wife Marion and their dedicated background staff first opened the doors at the Zentrum, Altenberg venue in 2016.
It's not all about music, either. Staged over two days, Friday kicked off with the now annual tour of the local Static Ruhr region. This year's event was a guided tour of the 19th-century mansion and stately home, Villa Hugel in Essen, followed by lunch at the picturesque Wirtshaus zur Heimlichen Liebe restaurant. An added bonus during the meal was an unexpected appearance and some delightful songs by Suzie Ungerleider accompanied by BJ Baartmans on guitar.
Five acts graced the Zentrum stage on Friday evening. Previously known to us as Courtney Marie Andrews' Norwegian bass player, Ole Kirkeng set the scene as the opening act. There must be something in the water in Norway with the quality of musicians and vocalists from that country. Several of Kirkeng's fellow country people appeared in bands over the weekend, and he guested as a bass guitar player for another Norwegian artist, Louien, whose angelic vocals and delightful chamber pop set were electrifying. Resident in Germany for over two decades, Chris Cacavas' curriculum vitae can boast membership in groundbreaking bands like Green on Red and The Dream Syndicate alongside his solo career. Catchy riffs and emotion-drenched rock and roll followed as he dipped into his extensive treasure chest of songs.
The headline act on opening night, The Sadies, have been performing as a three-piece since Dallas Good's untimely death in 2022. The heavy lifting may now rest on his brother Travis Good's shoulders, but with longtime members Sean Dean on upright bass and Mike Belitsky on drums, their collective dynamic still rings through. The dramatic stage curtain backdrop featuring Dallas cemented that regardless of the numbers on stage, he continues to be a part of their performances.
Saturday's entertainment commenced in fine style at lunchtime in the Zentrum Altenberg cinema with an interview by Nick West, editor at Bucketful of Brains, with novelist, songwriter with The Delines and former bandleader with Richmond Fontaine, Willy Vlautin. The main thrust of the discussion centred around Willy's latest novel, The Horse, but drifted into anecdotal tales of a difficult upbringing, his devotion to The Sadies and a hilarious story of his encounter with Shane McGowan. Willy also read two passages from the book, and his bandmate in the now retired Richmond Fontaine and current bass player with The Delines, Freddy Trujillo, opened the event with several well-received songs.
The afternoon and evening's musical offerings followed, and Louis Brennan and his band performed the first set. Brennan's cracking band, assured stage presence, and caustic and often hilarious lyrics were as dazzling as his multi-coloured shirt. The calming presence of Suzie Ungerleider followed, dipping into her extensive back catalogue and charming the room with a beautifully delivered set. If Suzie was soothing, the Crazy Horse-styled face-melters courtesy of David Newbould were an instant full-on rock and roll injection. The highest praise I can heap on Newbould is that his twin guitar-driven songs instantly connected as if you'd heard everyone beforehand and were locked in your memory bank, awaiting someone to turn the key and re-release them. The only act to appear solo, David Keenan, was dealt the challenging hand to follow next. Unnerved and aided by followers who often acted as backing vocalists, his one-man show cemented his lofty reputation as a singer, poet, songwriter and actor. His flowery shirt nearly matched the kaleidoscopic pattern of his fellow countryman Louis Brennan, prompting a fellow punter to enquire if they employed the same Dublin tailor.
Static Roots provides its performing guests with a large stage, an impressive lighting system, a crystal-clear sound system and a pin-drop attentive audience. It's noticeable how the artists embrace every one of these aspects, and no one more so than Hannah White. Alongside a cracking band that included her hubby Keiron Marshall on guitar, she was walking on air and equally at home with upbeat rockers, a classic country song and a mid-tempo brutally confessional ballad. Being regular European visitors, The Delines needed little introduction to the German and visiting punters. What is unique to this band is their capacity to hold your attention regardless of the number of times you've previously enjoyed their shows. The magic of Amy Boone's soulful vocals articulating Willy Vlatin's heart-rendering tales is spellbinding, and tonight is no exception. The curtain closer Prinz Grizzley's career has progressed from busking to fronting indie bands to invitations to perform at SXSW, Austin and AmericanaFest in Nashville, and his well-earned headline slot is a testament to his talent and dedication. With his band The Beargaroos, he was the ideal act to close the formalities by dipping into his back catalogue of Austrian country-flavoured rock and roll.
That concluded the indoor entertainment, but as has been the case in previous years, the music and merriment continued outside until the early hours of Sunday morning. Small Change (Tony Cleere and Conan Doyle) kept the campfire burning in grand style with the annual sing-song.
The closing statement in a review of Static Roots invariably includes the 'even better than last year reference.' I'm afraid I will sign off with that again, but on this occasion, without a shadow of a doubt. The best 'little' festival in Europe came up trumps once more. See you all again in 2025.
Review and photography by Declan Culliton