Return To Strength Festival

Hardcore in Querfurt – really

Querfurt – a small town in the Saalekreis district with a castle, medieval traditions, and about 11,000 inhabitants – is, at first glance, not the expected venue for an international Hardcore festival. Yet, the Return To Strength Festival (RTS) has been held here every year since 2013: two days of Hardcore, Metalcore, Beatdown, and everything in between, on a small festival site on Obhäuser Weg, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

DIY is the program

Unlike the big commercial festivals of the scene, the RTS is organized entirely by a volunteer crew team. No sponsor lineup, no corporate commercialism – instead, pure DIY: the organizers passionately book the bands that have a reputation in the scene, tickets remain affordable, camping is free, as is parking, and vegan options are considered for food. The concept aligns with the Hardcore ethic, where concerts and community are one.

A lineup of distinction

Over the years, the RTS has booked acts that are a brand in Europe: previous editions featured Madball, Terror, Sworn Enemy, Knocked Loose, Stick To Your Guns. In 2026, Shai Hulud, Harms Way, Risk It!, and Whispers are among the lineup, complemented by over 25 other bands from the international underground. In terms of genre, the festival covers the entire Hardcore spectrum – from melodic to Beatdown, from Hardcore Punk to Metallic Hardcore.

Two days of family atmosphere

What makes the RTS special is the atmosphere: small enough for bands and fans to get to know each other, large enough for an international lineup. Those who attend once, return – the festival has a loyal regular clientele that makes the pilgrimage to Querfurt annually from all over Europe. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the RTS is the undisputed Hardcore event and forms an interesting contrast to the more rock-oriented Rockharz Open Air and the electronic Splash! Festival.