zFuaß – Die Blaue Route

Together with the two exceptional musicians Matthias Schriefl and Johannes Bär, we invite you to join us on musical walks through Cologne. Instead of staying on a stage, the audience and musicians move through the city together. Along the way, small concerts, spontaneous soundscapes, and surprising encounters between music, architecture, the landscape, and everyday life unfold.

On the second day of the festival, the“Blue Route”follows the Rhine. The walk begins at 1:00 p.m. at Cologne Cathedral, from where the group will head downstream. Along the way, Matthias Schriefl and Johannes Bär will pay musical tribute to the great river, its myths, stories, and unique characteristics.

For centuries, the Rhine has been a trade route, a border, a place of longing, and a source of inspiration. It is precisely from these elements that the two musicians develop their program: sometimes humorous, sometimes poetic, sometimes surprisingly loud, and then again right by the water’s edge. Between short concerts, unusual sound installations, and fresh perspectives on the city, a musical river journey on foot takes shape. No boat required, but with at least as much adventure.

We recommend sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing, and a spirit of discovery. No exceptional athletic prowess is required, however—after all, we’re here to make and listen to music, not to train for the next marathon. The walk takes about 2 hours.