Static Roots Festival 2026 — 10th Anniversary

Ten Years of Americana in Oberhausen

The Static Roots Festival is unique in the German festival scene: the only pure Americana festival in Germany. Founded in 2016, it celebrates a milestone anniversary in 2026 with its 10th edition — on July 10th and 11th, 2026 at Zentrum Altenberg in Oberhausen. As the organizers themselves put it, the festival sees itself as an "antidote to container culture" — driven by a love for music, community, and authenticity. Genres: Americana, Folk, Alt-Country, Singer-Songwriter, Roots, Country-Rock.

The 2026 Line-up — 12 International Artists

For its 10th anniversary, the organizers have curated a particularly well-chosen mix of established Americana stars and emerging voices:

• Ben de la Cour (USA) — Singer-songwriter, dark lyrics
• Irish Mythen (Canada/Ireland) — powerful folk voice
• Vandoliers (USA, Texas) — Latino-Texas Country Punk
• Emily Nenni (USA, Nashville) — Honky-tonk country
• Julianna Riolino (Canada) — Alt-country
• Jerry Joseph & The Dimpker Brothers (USA) — Roots-rock
• Kirsten Adamson (Scotland) — Folk
• Leeroy Stagger (Canada) — Alt-country-rock
• Jesper Lindell (Sweden) — Soul-folk
• Joana Serrat (Spain) — Indie-folk
• The Dreaming Spires (UK) — Cosmic Americana
• Silver Lining — International Americana act

Welcome Night in Essen-Werden

The Static Roots Festival is more than just the two main evenings. On Thursday, July 9th, 2026, the Welcome Night will take place in the historic district of Essen-Werden — with The Southern Fold as the headliner (advance tickets €15). An intimate prelude where bands and loyal fans can meet before the festival officially begins.

Zentrum Altenberg — Industrial Church as a Stage

The Zentrum Altenberg on Hansastraße in Oberhausen is a former industrial church complex, now serving as a cultural and event center. The high wooden ceiling of the former church offers acoustics rarely found for Americana music — warm, spacious, with organic resonance. The festival utilizes several rooms within the complex for concerts and workshop sessions.

Static Ruhr Tour and Static Roots Sessions

Before the festival, the Static Ruhr Tour (curated pre-festival program on Friday) takes place, and the Static Roots Sessions at TRESOHR Studios feature live recordings and acoustic performances. These side events are a hallmark of the festival, underscoring its non-commercial character.

Merch for Doctors Without Borders

A special feature that anchors the festival's identity: all merchandise revenue goes to Doctors Without Borders. To date, over €27,500 has been donated. Purchasing Static Roots Festival t-shirts supports the aid organization, not the promoter.

Why Oberhausen?

Oberhausen is located in the western Ruhr area — a city with a mining and steel past, now shaped by structural change and industrial culture. The Static Roots Festival feels at home here: authenticity, working-class DNA, the feeling that music is important because it comes from everyday life. Tickets regularly sell out within minutes (2025: sold out in 10 minutes); the audience travels from all over Europe.