Open Air am Lindenhain

DIY Festival in the Shadow of the Giants

Fürth lies in the immediate vicinity of the festival metropolis of Nuremberg, and perhaps precisely because of this, a remarkable alternative music festival has established itself here: the Open Air am Lindenhain. On the grounds of the municipal Catch Up Children's and Youth Center on Kapellenstraße, generally known in Fürth as the 'Lindenhain', the alternative scene between punk, folk, and ska comes together every May.

Two Stages, Two Moods

The festival uses two stages with different characters:

• MainStage — the energetic stage with loud live shows: punk rock, alternative, ska, folk-punk, electronic beats. This is where you mosh, dance, and sing along.
• Stringbreak Acoustic Stage — the quiet stage for singer-songwriters with direct, honest, and unvarnished material.

'Free and Outdoors' — Free Admission

The festival is a prime example of the German 'Umsonst und draußen' (free and outdoors) tradition: no admission fee, no sponsor-filled tents, but an open area, beer benches, honest music, and a dedicated team of volunteers. The festival is financed almost exclusively by beverage sales at the bar — so those who enjoy the festival support it directly with their beer, soft drink, or juice purchases. Bringing your own drinks is therefore not permitted.

Line-up Between Regional and National

Around 20 acts typically perform on the two stages per festival. The mix is deliberately broad: newcomers from the Middle Franconia region, established German punk bands, international acts from the ska and folk-punk scene. Bands from previous editions give an impression: Los Fastidios (Italian ska-punk), The Cloverhearts (folk-punk), Vex, RAFIFI, Frank's White Canvas, Katastrophen-Kommando, Sour Bitch, The Snouters.

Catch Up — The Background

The Catch Up Children's and Youth Center is a facility of the city of Fürth, which, by organizing the festival, demonstrates how municipal youth work can also be effective in subcultures. Catch Up offers year-round leisure, educational, and creative activities for young people and young adults — the Open Air am Lindenhain is the annual highlight of the center's work.

Fürth — A City with Its Own Festival Character

While Nuremberg dominates the festival calendar with Rock im Park, Klassik Open Air, and many other major events, Fürth has carved out its own niche — smaller, more urban, more subcultural. The Open Air am Lindenhain embodies this Fürth identity: not loud for the sake of loudness, but committed, honest, alternative.