Activity's - To listen
Omnia (The Netherlands/Belgium)
Each band should have one real home, and to Omnia, it's Castlefest! As co-organisers and through strong family ties, the festival and this bizarre group of Neo-celtic Pagans are forever connected. From the very first Castlefest Omnia has been the house band and every time they bring new, original, natural and musical Paganfolk to bring the audience to ecstasy. As per usual Omnia will turn the Saturday night into 'Pagan Night' with a great heathen ritual of thanks, by burning a gigantic Wickerman filled with offerings during the concert. Never heard of Omnia? This is your chance to change that! They'll be at Castlefest all three days and will sometimes hop on the main stage to play with the other bands.
Faun (Germany)
Our dear friends from Faun will be visiting Castlefest for the third time already... only different! This band of nature-loving multi-talented musicians from the dark woods of Bavaria plays Gothic Paganfolk and medieval-inspired dance music on traditional instruments, supported by strong electronic beats. They've been enchanting the public for years with their magical atmosphere and their amazing stage presence. Faun recently acquired a new member (!) and will, as they say, grace the main stage on Friday with a whole new show.
The Transsylvanians (Hungary/Germany)
Hungarian speedfolk! If you like Polka, post-punk and dancing until it hurts, you've got to see this! The Transsylvanians have been part of the alternative Folkrock-scene with their energetic show of traditional Hungarian and original music. They have the devil himself playing the Hungarian fiddle (you decide if you believe us) accompanied by contrabass, drums and electrical guitar, all complimented by their typical shrill Eastern European singing. When we first heard this band play we have literally danced and jumped until we couldn't tell up from down for the energy they sparked. Make no mistake though, it's not all hard and heavy, some quieter pieces have also found the way into their repertoire, such as their own vision of music by Béla Bartók. They will take over the stage on Friday and Saturday at Castlefest.
Irfan (Bulgary)
If you're talking about Irfan you can't help but compare them to the amazing band "Dead Can Dance," especially because of the angelic voice of lead singer Vladislava Todorova, who is also a part of the legendary group "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares." Irfan takes you with them on a journey to the timeless musical tradition of the Bulgarian Balkan. This is a band of amazing traditional musicians whose performance on Castlefest will take you away to fairyland. Relax, and let yourself drift away on the soft tones of the Ud and the subtle rhythms of the darabuka, and enjoy the Eastern European sound of Irfan on the Friday and Saturday of Castlefest.
Lebocha (Belgium)
Ever heard of 'Balfolk'? No? After Castlefest 2008, you will have! It is an ancient tradition that becomes more and more popular in France, Belgium and Holland too. This band is one of the best of the new generation of Balfolk-bands from Belgium. When hearing Lebocha play you just canęt sit still, you want to learn those traditional dances for which this musicians' music is meant. This is the living musical tradition of the lowlands! When we first heard them play in Belgium we couldnęt do anything else but dance on the tunes of this lovely acoustic band. Dance with us! Lebocha will play for you at the mainstage on all three days of Castlefest.
Malbrook (Germany)
When we First encountered this band of born musicians, we immediately lost our hearts to their great musical talent, their simple and honest presence on the stage and the fascinating narrative style of lead singer Wolfgang Meyering. On Castlefest they will play Scandinavian and German (East Frisian) songs and melodies with such passion that you wonęt even recognise the familiar dialect of their lyrics at first. Try to stand still when Malbrook climbs on stage for you at the Saturday and Sunday of Castlefest.
Valravn (Denmark)
This Scandinavian band seemingly effortless fuses the ancient Nordic musical tradition with the unending possibilities of the electronic music, and for that have gained quite a following with our northern neighbours. Now they will enchant us at Castlefest for the first time... Valravn gains their strength from nature and use many traditional instruments which together lead to a colourful show, full of passion and fire a well as serenity and calm. Their style is 'fantasy' and they will play both serene tunes and those meant for dancing on Saturday and Sunday at the main stage.
Nada Naga
Sound is resonance, tremor, in everything there is the voice of the divine. You can travel through different spheres and experience that in ourselves we carry all tone colours and vibrations. We all have our own unique tremor, which resonates with the sound we play. If we play we are as one body, feel eachotheręs needs and can give our energy and music through our hands, voice and instruments to whomever wishes to receive them. We play guided by our intuition. Each concert is different, through there is a thread that builds through the music. We all have our instruments, respect eachother's unique qualities and know that we are all there to serve the whole.
Nada Naga will perform in the Storyteller's Cottage during the whole festival.
