zFuaß – Blue Route

Together with the two exceptional musicians Matthias Schriefl and Johannes Bär, we invite you to join us on two musical walks through Cologne. Instead of staying on a stage, the audience and musicians walk 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 hike begins at 1:00 p.m. at Cologne Cathedral, from where the hike proceeds downstream. Along the way, Matthias Schriefl and Johannes Bär 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 draw inspiration for their program: at times humorous, at times poetic, at times surprisingly loud, and then again right by the water’s edge. Through a series of small concerts, unusual sound installations, and fresh perspectives on the city, a musical river journey on foot takes shape—without a boat, but with at least as much adventure.

We recommend comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a spirit of discovery. No exceptional athletic ability is required: after all, we’re here to make and listen to music, not train for the next marathon! The walk will last approximately 2 hours.