Baltic Soul Weekender

Last updated
Baltic Soul Weekender
Genre Soul, Funk, Soulful House, Disco
Location(s)
Years active2007–present
FoundersDaniel Dombrowe
Attendance
  • 2007: 1,200
  • 2008: 2,400
  • 2009: 3,500
  • 2010: 4,500 (sold out)
  • 2011: 4,500 (sold out)
  • 2012: 4,500 (sold out)
  • 2013: 4,500 (sold out)
  • 2014 (May): 4,700 (sold out)
  • 2014 (November): 2,000
  • 2016: 2,800
  • 2017: 2,500
  • 2018: 4,000
  • 2019: 4,200
  • 2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021 (April): Rescheduled due to COVID-19
  • 2021 (November): Canceled due to COVID-19
  • 2022: 2,400
  • 2023: 3,500
  • 2024: 3,900
Website www.baltic-soul.de

The Baltic Soul Weekender is an annual music festival with a maximum attendance of 4,700 visitors held for the first time in 2007. The Baltic Soul Weekender offers a musical journey through the past decades of music: soul, funk, soulful house and disco. In addition to live acts, the visitor can listen to well-known DJs. It is Germany's only weekender that includes accommodation at the festival location. The festival was founded by the disc jockey and event manager Daniel Dombrowe (Dan D.).

Contents

Location

From 2007 to 2013 the location was 120 km north of Hamburg, Germany, at the Holidayparc Weissenhäuser Strand at the Baltic Sea. From 2014 to 2016 the event took place at the Center Parc Bispinger Heide. In November 2014, a one-time DJ weekender was held. After the previously organizing Soul Weekender GmbH filed for bankruptcy in 2015, [1] the agency Four Artists from Berlin has organized the Baltic Soul Weekender since 2016. Dan Dombrowe remained as creative director. Since 2018 the event takes place again at the Holidayparc Weissenhäuser Strand. In 2020, Four Artists ceased operations independently of the Baltic Soul Weekender. [2] [3] KJ Projects GmbH has been the organizer of the event since 2022. [4]

Historical overview and line-up

Various artists and live acts have performed on stage at the Baltic Soul Weekender in the past. Meanwhile and after the end of the stage program, there was music from various disc jockeys on smaller so-called floors (dance areas). All day various DJs were playing music on the Baltic Soul TV, which is available in all rooms.

Live actsDJsBaltic Soul TV
BSW #1
March 23 to 25, 2007
Ann Sexton, Roy Ayers, Marva Whitney, Joy Denalane, Erobique, Omar, James Kakande, Carl Keaton Jr., Haruhiko Ikeda Boris Dlugosch, Brother M., The Buttbrothers, Constantin Groll, Cuebism, Derrick White, The Disco Boys, Crout, DJ Friction, Eddie Piller, Guido Weber, Hans Nieswandt, Heiko Jahnke, Henry Storch, Jay Lee, Jay Scarlett, John Buckby, Jörg Recordshack, Knee Deep, Larris, Marcel Vogel, Matt Moroder, Michael Fuchs, Mousse T., Nico Palermo, Nils Bouldhouse, Oliver Korthals, Pari, Ralph Tee, Rob Wigley, Sinan, Smudo, Soulciety, Stefano Oggiano, Steve Hobbs, Supergid, The Thoennessen, Turntablerocker, Tybreak, Vincenzo, WallaceKenny B.
BSW #2
April 25 to 27, 2008
The Temptations, Fatback Band, Alexander O’Neal, Ann Sexton, Carl Douglas, Gloria Scott, Jeff Hendrick, Pat Appleton, Tuomo, Astrid North, Brown Hill, Sharon Phillips, Lee Armstrong Express feat. Ghee, 2529Crout, Dan D., Chris Anderton, The Disco Boys, DJ Friction, Eddie Piller, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, Jan Delay, Jazzanova, Jörg Recordshack, Lloyd Atrill, Michael Reinboth, Michael Rütten, Mick Farrer, Mike Thompson, Mr. Groove, Miss Kelly Marie, Oghuzan Celik, Ralf Gum, Rob Wigley, Sinan Mercenk, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, The Stylistics DJ Team, Supergid, The Buttbrothers, Tom KaiserBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #3
April 24 to 26, 2009
Melba Moore, Incognito, George McCrae, Kurtis Blow, Joyce Sims, Garland Green, Ann Sexton, Gloria Scott, Brown Hill, Sharon Phillips, Daniel Dodd Ellis, Oceana Ady Croasdell, Crout, Dan D., DJ Friction, DJ Mad, Eddie Piller, Gabriel Bouffiere, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, Karsten John, Lloyd Attrill, Michael Reinboth, Mick Farrer, Mike Thompson, Miss Kelly Marie, Mo’ Horizons, Mr. Brown, Ralf Gum, Rob Wigley, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, Supergid, Tom Kaiser.Bernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #4
April 23 to 25, 2010
Soul II Soul, The Real Thing, Fettes Brot, Keni Burke, Collins & Collins, Ann Sexton, Gloria Scott, Cool Million, Bennson, Kaye-Ree, Sharon Phillips, Daniel Dodd Ellis, Keni Burke

Note: Instead of Soul II Soul, De La Soul were supposed to perform but were prevented for prior commitments.
Crout, Dan D., DJ E.A.S.E., DJ Friction, DJ Mad, DJ Tomekk, Eddie Piller, Ferry Ultra, Gabriel Bouffiere, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, Lloyd Attrill, Matt Fox, Mick Farrer, Mike Thompson, Miss Kelly Marie, Mousse T., Mr. Brown, Rainer Trüby, Ralph Tee, Rob Wigley, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, Supergid, Tom KaiserBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #5
April 15 to 17, 2011
Roy Ayers, The Trammps, Gwen McCrae, Cassandra Steen, Joe Bataan, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Ann Sexton, Gloria Scott, Marc Evans, Xantoné Blacq, Peppermint Jam Club Ensemble, Kaye-ReeCrout, Dan D., DJ E.A.S.E., DJ Friction, Dr. Bob Jones, Eddie Piller, Gabriel Bouffiere, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, Ian Dewhirst, Jazzie B., Jo Wallace, Lloyd Attrill, Matt Fox, Mick Farrer, Miss Kelly Marie, Mr. Brown, Perry Louis, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, Supergrid, Tom KaiserBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #6
April 27 to 29, 2012
Former Ladies of the Supremes, Leon Ware, Sugarhill Gang, Roachford, Max Mutzke, Omar, Osaka Monaurail, Tortured Soul, Gloria Scott, Ann Sexton, Sharon Phillips, Mic Donet, George McCrae Ash Selector, Crout, Dan D., DJ E.A.S.E., DJ Friction, Dr. Bob Jones, Eddie Piller, Ferry Ultra, G.I. Disco, Gabriel Bouffiere, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, Ian Dewhirst, John Morales, Lloyd Attrill, Mick Farrer, Miss Kelly Marie, Mousse T., Mr. Brown, Rob Wigley, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, SupergridBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #7
April 26 to 28, 2013
Rose Royce, Adeva, Brand New Heavies, Oliver Cheatham, The Reel People Sound System, Gloria Scott, Marc Evans, HopfSandKoke Norman Jay, Eddie Piller, Smudo, Miss Kelly Marie, Les Spaine, Ian Dewhirst, Hans Nieswandt, Onur Engin, Mick Farrer, Steve Hobbs, Michael Reinboth, Henry Storch, Rob Wigley, Lloyd Attrill, Gabriel Bouffiere, Crout, Mr. Brown, Dan D.Bernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #8
May 23 to 25, 2014
Lisa Stansfield, Bah Samba, Archie Bell, Candi Staton, D-Train Williams, Gloria Scott, Frank McComb, Wax da Jam, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators, Natasha Watts, The Teenagers, AhondaJohn Morales, Smudo, Mousse T., DJ Friction, DJ Ease/Nightmares On Wax, Hans Nieswandt, Miss Kelly Marie, Eddie Piller, Ian Dewhirst, Sarah Watts, Jürgen Drimal, Steve Hobbs, Mr. Brown, Henry Storch, Jonathan Fischer, Lloyd Attrill, Mick Farrer, Rob Wigley, Gabriel Bouffiere, Buzz-T, Javi Frias, Belli Bell, Crout, Supergrid, Kenny B., Bernd Niedergesäß, Dan D., und mehrBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #9
DJ-Weekender
November 21 to 23, 2014
Dr. Bob Jones, DJ Ferry, DJ Friction, Hans Nieswandt, Jazzy B., Joey Negro, John Morales, Norman Jay, Onur Engin, Perry Louis, Rebecca Vasment, Stereo MCs, Steve Hobbs, The Disco Boys, Victor Simonelli, und weitere
BSW #10
April 22 to 25, 2016
Lenny Williams, Ce Ce Peniston, Tavares, Jazzanova, Myles Sanko, James & Black, Gloria Scott, Byron Stingily, Sister Sledge, Tortured Soul, Rasmus Faber pres. RaFa OrchestraCrout, Dan D., Dimitri from Paris, Divan Pan, DJ Friction, Eddie Piller, Hans Nieswandt, Henry Storch, John Manship, John Morales, Keb Darge, Lloyd Attrill, Michael Reinboth, Mick Farrer, Mirko Machine, Miss Kelly Marie, Mousse T., Ozi Celik, Smudo, Steve Hobbs, Supergid, The ReflexBernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #11
City-Weekender
May 20, 2017
Sugarhill Gang, Sons Of Time, Natasha WattsMiss Kelly Marie, DJ Friction, Mr. Brown, Kenny B., Eddie Piller, Mick Farrer, Steve Hobbs, Henry Storch, Crout
BSW #12
April 20 to 21, 2018
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Joy Denalane, Imagination featuring Leee John, Artful Dodger, Laville, Seven, D’Influence, Margie Joseph, Flo Mega, Gloria Scott, Alana feat. P2C

Note: Instead of Laville, Leroy Hutson was originally intended, but had to cancel for family reasons.
Mousse T., John Morales, Smudo, The Reflex, DJ Friction, Assoto Sounds, Eddie Piller, Mirko Machine, Hans Nieswandt, Mr. Brown, Ferry Ultra, Miss Kelly Marie, Steve Hobbs, Mick Farrer, Lloyd Attrill, Rob Wigley, Divan Pan, Crout, Supergid, Bernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B., Dan D., Akim B.

Note: Henry Storch, who has been an integral part of the DJ program since the first edition of the Baltic Soul Weekender, died on 26 February 2018. Different DJs thought of him in memory several times with a ‘Tribute to Henry Storch’.
Bernd Niedergesäß, Kenny B.
BSW #13
May 10 to 12, 2019
Boney M., Cool Million, Eddie Holman, Fatcat, Gloria Scott, Pat Appleton, Kaiit, Odyssey, Ruby Andrews, The Everettes, The Supremes Assoto Sounds, DJ Friction, Smudo, Eddie Piller, Ferry Ultra, Hans Nieswandt, Mirko Machine, Miss Kelly Marie, Mousse T., Mr. Brown, The Reflex, Akim B., Bob Masters, Dan D., Kenny B., Levanna McLean, Lloyd Attrill, Mick Farrer, Noble & Heath, Sophie Lloyd, Steve Hobbs, SupergidKenny B., Akim B.
BSW #14
May 1 to 3, 2020
Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
BSW #15
April 23 to 25, 2021
Rescheduled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
BSW #15
November 26 to 28, 2021
Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
BSW #16
April 29 to May 1, 2022
Gloria Scott, Cunnie Williams, The Blackbyrds, Kraak & Smaak, Danny Clay's Luther Vandross Show, Moment of Truth, Jan Delay & Disko No. 1, The Everettes, Myles Sanko Mr. Brown, Sidney Duteil, Mirko Machine, Ferry Ultra, Mousse T., DJ Friction, Mick Farrer, Noble & Health, Dan D., Eddie Piller, Levanna McLean, Mike Vitti, Rainer Trüby, Akim B., Steve Hobbs, Assoto Sounds, Horse Meat Disco, Miss Kelly Marie, Lloyd Attrill, Bernd NiedergesäßBernd Niedergesäß, Akim B.
BSW #17
May 5 to 7, 2023
Heatwave, The Real Thing, Tortured Soul, Linda Clifford, Jimmy „Bo“ Horne, Aloe Blacc, Mamas Gun, The Everettes, Milton Wright Supergid, Ash Selector, Mousse T., Steve Hobbs, Bernd Niedergesäß, Mick Farrer, Akim B., Lloyd Attrill, Levanna McLean, Dan D., Eddie Piller, Rob Wrigley, Crout, Sidney Duteil, Mike Vitti, DJ Friction, Richard Marinus, Mr. Brown, DJ Mad, Ferry Ultra, Bobby & Steve, Miss Kelly Marie, Mirko MachineBernd Niedergesäß, Akim B.
BSW #18
May 3 to 5, 2024
Glenn Jones, Leela James, Mario Biondi, Joel Sarakula, The Terri Green Project, Kenny Thomas, Sister Sledge, Sera Kalo, The Everettes

Note: For safety reasons, the program in the tent had to be interrupted on Friday due to a severe weather warning and was delayed by about two hours, resulting in shortened performances by the scheduled artists. On Saturday, Byron Stingily appeared on stage as a surprise guest.
Supergid, Mr. Brown, Mousse T., Steve Hobbs, Bernd Niedergesäß, Mick Farrer, Akim B., Jens Lissat, Rainer Trüby, Lloyd Attrill, Eddie Piller, Dan Dombrowe, Levanna McLean, Sidney Duteil, Mike Vitti, DJ Friction, Miss Kelly Marie, Robbie Leslie, Ash Selector, Ferry Ultra, John Manship, Richard Marinus

Note: Nilz Bokelberg's performance was cancelled due to technical issues.
Bernd Niedergesäß, Akim B., and guests
BSW #19
May 23 to 25, 2025
Supergid, The Jones Girls, The Three Degrees, Incognito, Jean Carn, The Everettes, Oscar „Chucky“ Cordero, The Brooks, Byron Stingily, Stero MC’s, Tito Puente Jr.

Note: Double Exposure were originally scheduled instead of the Three Degrees. On Saturday, the Weather Girls performed as a surprise act.
Kruder & Dorfmeister, Steve Hobbs, Bernd Niedergesäß, Mick Farrer, Akim B., DJ Friction, The Shapeshifters, Frank Popp, Levanna McLean, Lloyd Attrill, Eddie Piller, Dan Dombrowe, Michela Cini, Sidney Duteil, Mike Vitti, Richard Marinus, Mr. Brown, Ferry Ultra, The Humble Dapper, Angelo Romeu, Captain Funk Nord, Michael Gray, Ash Selector, Nilz Bokelberg, Robbie Leslie, Miss Kelly MarieBernd Niedergesäß, Akim B., and guests
BSW #20
April 24 to 26, 2026 (planned)

Compilations

Five Baltic Soul Weekender compilation albums with rare songs have been released on vinyl (only volume 2 to 5) and CD. The following tables contain the track listings of the LPs, released with fewer tracks, and CDs.

#1 – Weekender Anthems

Track
(LP)
Track
(CD)
ArtistSongname
1 Joyce Sims Come Into My Life
2 Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Wake Up Everybody
3 Walter Jackson Touching In The Dark
4 Billy Paul Bring The Family Back
5 Leela James Good Time
6 Joey Negro pres. The Sunburst Band Everyday
7 Jon Lucien Would You Believe In Me
8 Lou Rawls See You When I Get There
9 McFadden & Whitehead Ain't No Stopping Us Now
10 Otis Clay The Only Way Is Up
11 Pockets Come Go With Me
12 Teddy Pendergrass The More I Get, The More I Want
13 Jackie Wilson (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher
14 Al Green Let's Stay Together
15 Maze Joy And Pain

#2 – Soulful & Funk 70's

Track
(LP)
Track
(CD)
ArtistSongname
A11 Flowers For Real
A22 Dennis Taylor Sometimes
A33 Dezzie Move
4 Terry Callier I Don't Want To See Myself (Without You)
A45 Marc Evans The Way You Love Me (Dim's T.S.O.P. Version Part 1)
B16 Bennson Whatever It Is
7 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Ben Human Mix)
8 The Rebirth Evil Vibrations
B29 Ray Munnings Funky Nassau
B310 Lou Pride It's A Man's World
B411 Lemuria Hunk Of Heaven
12 Eli Goulart Sunny
13 Flame ’n’ King & The Bold Ones Ho Happy Day
14 Love Tambourines Spend The Day Without You
15 Johnny King & The Fatback Band Peace, Love Not War (K-Dope Productions Remix)

#3 – Philly Sound & Charity Projects

Track
(LP)
Track
(CD)
ArtistSongname
1 Rae & Christian feat. Bobby Womack Get A Life
A12 Dee Edwards (I Can) Deal With That
A23 Archie Bell & the Drells Strategy
A34 Ce Ce Peniston Somebody Else's Guy (David Morales Classic Old School Mix)
A45 Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble Easy Money
A56 Wayne Brady Back In The Day
A67 Gloria Scott That's The Way Love Is
B18 Cool Million feat. CJ Anthony Give Me My Love
9 Rahsaan Patterson So Hot
B210 Jean Carn If You Wanna Go Back
11 Don Thomas Come On Train
B312 El Chicano I'm A Good Woman
B413 Ann Sexton Rising Up
B514 Patryce Banks I Wanna Get Close To You
B615 Mario Biondi and The High Five QuintetThis Is What You Are

#4 – Soulful & New Dan's Classics

Track
(LP)
Track
(CD)
ArtistSongname
A11 Curtis Mayfield You're So Good To Me
2 Avani feat. Rahsaan Patterson & Carl McIntosh Watching You
A23 Archie Bell & the Drells Don't Let The Love Get You Down
A34 Teddy Pendergrass Heaven Only Knows
A45 Lucy Pearl Don't Mess With My Man
A56 Gene Chandler All About The Paper
A67 McFadden & Whitehead I Heard It In A Love Song
8 Full Flava feat. Carleen Anderson Was That All It Was
B19 The Haggis Horns The Traveller, Part 2 (Edit)
B210 Billy Ocean I Remember
11 Omar feat. Angie Stone Stylin’
B312 Leroy Hutson Lucky Fellow
B413 Roachford Together
B514 George Jackson Aretha Sing One For Me
B615 The Jackson 5 Big Boy

#5 – Modern & Classic Steppers

Track
(LP)
Track
(CD)
ArtistSongname
A11 Paris I Choose You
2 Musiq Soulchild Millionaire
A23 Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes You Know How To make Me Feel So Good
A34 Raheem Devaughn Woman
A45 Noel Gourdin One Love
A56 The O'Jays Use ta Be My Girl
B17 Garland Green I’ve Quit Running The Streets
B28 Grey & Hanks Dancin’
B39 The Trammps Stop And Think (Alternate Mix)
B410 Gene Chandler Let Me Make Love To You
11 Robin Thicke Sidestep
12 Cee-Lo Green I Want You (Original Jack Splash Mix)
B513 Lou Rawls Lady Love
14 The Temptations Aiming At Your Heart
15 Gladys Knight & the Pips No One Could Love You More

Charity

Not only is the Baltic Soul Weekender a music festival, it also supports soul artists all over the world. Although it sometimes takes years to find these people, finding them is much easier than persuading them to have a comeback after not being on stage for 30 years or more. The Baltic Soul Weekender makes it its business to support these artists and take care of legal, social and financial aspects in their life. [5]

Other weekenders in Germany

References

  1. "Handelsregister-Auszug des Amtsgerichts Hamburg" (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  2. "Das Ende der Konzertagentur? – Stellt Four Artists den Betrieb Ende Juli ein?" (in German). Backstage PRO. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-22.
  3. "Four Artists gibt auf" (in German). laut.de. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-22.
  4. Schwenger, Dietmar (2022-06-22). "Die Karsten Jahnke Konzertdirektion ist "ein Familienbetrieb"" (in German). MusikWoche . Retrieved 2022-06-22.
  5. Paper booklet of BSW #6