Charlemagne is back. Her third album Aufgehoben tells of the moment between holding on and letting go, between falling and getting up again: of briefly staying put, pausing and deciding. Songwriter Wencke Wollny is vulnerable, humorous and courageous - and packs all her colors into German-language pop songs with depth. Music between singer-songwriter, singer-songwriter tradition, modern sounds and fat beats. A strong, touching voice of our time that wants to be heard.
"When I fell, I shone the brightest - in all, all my colors."
Are the others afraid too? Can I show myself vulnerable? How much courage does it take? What remains when nothing seems certain? These questions run like a red thread through Aufgehoben. Between drive and excessive demands, between resistance and self-doubt, between the fear of jumping and the desire to spread one's wings. With Charlemagne's typical mixture of seriousness and irony, Wollny focuses on what she wants for the present without selling it as an answer. The musical spectrum is broader and more surprising than ever, true to the motto: "Don't rely on me, I'm a shaky scaffold!"
Live in a new trio line-up
After the acclaimed album Was wenn keiner lacht (2021) and a period of upheaval, Charlemagne returns to the stage in 2025 with a new, powerful trio line-up. Wencke Wollny sings with her unmistakable voice and accompanies herself on guitar and piano. Also on stage - her long-time companions Antonia Hausmann (trombone, vocals, bass) and Katha Lattke (drums, vocals). Together they create live moments between fragile intimacy and powerful sounds. Karl die Große is an integral part of the German-speaking indie scene - also on tour with Dota Kehr, Sarah Lesch, Moop Mama, Francesco Wilking and Moritz Krämer, celebrated by Deutschlandfunk, MDR Kultur and Radio Eins.
"Their music takes you by the hand and leads you into spaces inside yourself where you wouldn't dare to go on your own.
would not have dared to enter on your own - perhaps you wouldn't even have known about them." says Sarah Lesch

Support: Vanessa Melas
Born out of fractures: Vanessa Melas sings where others remain silent and gives hope to silence At first glance, Vanessa Melas seems almost shy. But as soon as she sings, she surprises with a confident, deep and warm voice. Her voice is honest, comforting and like an intimate conversation on a night when you can't sleep.
She is not an artist who hides behind smooth facades. On the contrary: Vanessa opens doors into her inner world and invites us to find strength, closeness and truth there. "Vulnerability is my strength," says Vanessa Melas and this is precisely what she makes her artistic foundation. Vanessa Melas combines German pop with country echoes in her music, creating far more than just her own sound. Her songs are places of refuge, characterized by depth, courage and approachability. She deals with topics that many remain silent about:
Depression, anxiety, broken friendships and the strength to keep getting back up.
Vanessa turns her own dark experiences into encouragement for others. She is not just a musician, but a voice for all those who feel "different" and proof that light can grow in darkness. Every song is like a consolation with the message: "You are not alone and there is always a way." The fact that she knows what she is singing about makes her authenticity palpable: Vanessa herself struggles with severe depression, anxiety and has experienced suicidal thoughts. She found her way back to life step by step through therapeutic treatment. Today, she works in a children's and youth hospice, where she accompanies children and young people in their final stages of life and offers them and their families comfort and closeness through music. Her songs are therefore more than just pop. They offer people in similar situations a brief escape from everyday life and give them courage.
Her musical journey began quietly, at first she hardly dared to sing in front of people. Today, Vanessa can already look back on impressive milestones: from her first performance at Sofar Sounds to stages at the Emergenza Festival and the Fête de la Musique, to a growing audience on social media with over 273,000 views. Her EP received over 42,000 views on TikTok alone and brought her a lot of encouraging feedback from listeners who are reflected in her lyrics. It shows: Vanessa has arrived and is ready to move on. The next chapter begins now: With her upcoming single release "Saloon", Vanessa Melas is making a clear statement. A song that once again shows what she stands for: uncompromising authenticity, moving stories and the strength to live vulnerability. For anyone looking for real music that comforts, shakes and connects, this release is just the beginning.
No masks. No pressure. Just authenticity, warmth and connection"

Photo: Manuel Ciccarelli