Just now, putting this post together, I read that Stonebirds are back in the studio working on their next album for a presumed 2022 release through Ripple Music. That they’ll be at the upcoming Ripplefest Cologne 2021 alongside Plainride — who as I recall have a hand in organizing the festival — Savanah, Fire Down Below, (that) Vug (under the rug), Aptera and Astral Kompakt is all the more appropriate, then, as they’ll have new material to showcase. Somehow I doubt they’ll be the only ones. As the pandemic-era dust begins to settle across the European touring circuit, governments ease lockdowns with a seemingly permanent “for now” attitude, it’s worth emphasizing how special something like this really is for the bands playing it and the people fortunate enough to be there.

That is, there’s a part of me for which an event like this — little more than a poster and a list of cool bands as far as I’m concerned; it’s not how I’m spending my Thanksgiving weekend — feels mundane. Then there’s the part of me that’s lived through the last 20 months or however long kicking myself in the brain with the reminder that, no, this is something to be treasured.

So take a breath, I guess is where I’m at. If it doesn’t hurt to do so, be glad.

From the PR wire:

German stoner and doom festival RIPPLEFEST COLOGNE reveals final names for 2021 edition, to take place on November 27th at Club Volta!

Ripple Music announce the final batch of names for the 2021 edition of RippleFest Cologne, taking place at Club Volta on November 27th. Tickets are on sale now!

RIPPLEFEST returns! After almost two years of pandemic break and three postponements, the Ripple Music-curated event finally returns to the city of Cologne. On November 27th, Club Volta will get suddenly filled with the finest retro rock, heavy rock, psych metal, and doom riffage, provided live by European up-and-coming acts Savanah, Aptera, Fire Down Below, Astral Kompakt, Stonebirds, and Vug.

During the day, festival-goers will be able to enjoy the fine delicacies of the Ripplefest food truck, some great art with local and international poster artists showcases, and the expertise of Diana Matthess and her Guitar Tech Truck — a special workshop offering guitar setups and repairs to musicians. Tickets are on sale now, so don’t wait any longer to treat yourselves to this one-off rock event in the beautiful city of Cologne!

RIPPLEFEST COLOGNE 2021
November 27th, 2021 at Club Volta (Cologne, Germany)
Info & Tickets (14,90€/19,90€) at ripplefest.de

❱ PLAINRIDE
Beer-fueled heavy rock (Germany – Ripple Music)
❱ ASTRAL KOMPAKT
Light-bending instrumental doom (Germany)
❱ FIRE DOWN BELOW
Interstellar psych metal (Belgium – Ripple Music)
❱ STONEBIRDS
Soul-crushing existential doom (France – Ripple Music)
❱ APTERA
Titan-slaying doom metal (Germany)
❱ VUG
Time-traveling 70’s hard rock (Germany)
❱ SAVANAH
Planet-devouring Psychedelic Stoner Doom (Austria)

Join the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/234338981846289/

https://www.facebook.com/events/234338981846289/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/
https://twitter.com/RippleMusic
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/