The well-known festival, founded in 1971 and reshaped in 2005, now lacks the word ‘jazz’ in its name. In three decennia the name ‘Moers’ grew into a synonym for cutting edge music of a broader interest and acclaim so that its name could be reshaped into the neologism ‘moers festival‘ (with lower-case letters). It freed from the programming-compromises of customary classical ‘jazz’ festivals and constituted corresponding expectations of its visitors and audiences. Indicated positively moers festival presents every kind of challenging, cutting-edge and vital music crossing or leaving behind all kind of mental boundaries. Every year anew it obliges to operate along a consequent line setting the right new vigorous and pugnacious accents. It does not aim at allaying people but makes them focus on fractious, unruly, astounding, amazing, elevating, uplifting and deeper cathartic experiences. This can be accomplished by a variety of musical means and means of performance. Contrast and controversy is one of the main pillars of moers. Through contrast the audience gets chances to rebalance, calm down or lift up, identify, reconsider etc. moers festival triggers stark, heavy contrasts all through in a productive way. Also moers festival presents ‘only’ one stream of concerts. You simply have to decide when to join in and when to opt out—no escape to other acts or chasing after names.
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