Amphi Festival 2012

The Orkus Open Air VIII Amphi Festival 2012.

The festival circuit is coming around again but which one to go to? There seems so much choice. One festival that is definitely on the cards is the Amphi Festival. Now in its 8^th year, situated at the Tanzbrunnen in the beautiful city of Cologne, the Amphi festival has become one of the front runners on the Germany festival circuit.

Its popularity has increased immensely over the years, with hundreds and thousands of Goths coming from all over Europe, and further, to descend upon the banks of the Rhine. With the glorious sonne, the Dom of Cologne in the distance, the wonderful make shift beach and the kolsch flowing, things can be pretty good. With two stages showcasing the best and very latest acts in the Goth/Industrial/Darkwave/Folk and EBM genres you’d be hard pushed to find such a devise collection of bands in a warm and relaxing environment.

It’s not all about the bands though, from shopping, to a range of food stalls and a restaurant, lazying away the afternoon on a deckchair at the “beach”, to getting some merchandise or an autograph from your favourite band. There is something to suit every one, the festival also features a gothic family area, designed for the younger festival goer and their parents if offers a great selection of arts, crafts, activities and ear protection for the little baby bats. Amphi is a tight, well organised and friendly festival intended for the whole family and whose primary intentions are to provide a great atmosphere with of the best music to date. Of course like any other festival the night doesn’t stop when the headliners leave, the club nights run long into the night, so if you still have the energy to move then why not hit the dancefloor to stomp to some beats from some of the best DJ’s in Europe, not to mention guest DJ’s from some of the representative bands.

With every year that passes Amphi has grown in capacity, with upto 16,000 people per day through the gates this year looks to be even higher. With the likes of old school Goth legends The Sisters of Mercy being the main attraction on Saturday it promises to be a must for any Goth true to the roots. German industrial rockers Eisbrecher are back for more along with; And One, Blutengel and Project Pitchfork.

The latest acts to be added are Norwegian electronic pioneers Apoptygma Berzerk as well as the ever entertaining Californian darkwave act The Cruxshadows will be back at the Tanzbrunnen. Making their first appearance will be the awesome Aesthetic Perfection bringing their blistering tones of harsh industrial club hits and dark, unsettling synth based melodies.

Amphi could not be complete without the might of Combichrist, returning once more to beat you into submission with their unmistakeable beats, club hits and their live tomfoolery. Not to mention the Austrian Supreme Commander returns again Thomas Rainer of Nachtmahr, the Tanzdictator will be launching a new campaign, with his unique blend of industrial beats, driving bass lines, addictive melodies and let’s not forget those Mädchen in Uniform .

Other bands include: Solar Fake, Assemblage 23 and Haujobb, along with first timers Aesthetic Perfection. Daniel Graves will be hitting the stage with his dark fusion of hard driving electro EBM and his twisted sinister melodies. This event is certainly shaping up to be one of the best ones yet! So what are you waiting for? Amphi is calling.

Oz

For more information on the festival and bands featured please visit:

www.amphi-festival.de / www.facebook.com /amphifestival / www.gothic-family.net / www.orkus.de / www.facebook.com/amphifestival