Harmonica FEN Festival 2026 @ PANDA platforma. Day 1
Harmonica FEN Festival 2026
From 29 to 31 May 2026, Kulturbrauerei hosts the Harmonica FEN Festival for the third time. Musicians from around the world will gather on the stages of the Kesselhaus and Maschinenhaus at Kulturbrauerei to showcase the full range of the harmonica: jazz from the Netherlands, old-time music from the USA and Finnish folk, Brazilian music, country and Chicago blues, oriental jazz and Indian ragas. A highlight of the festival is the Free Reeds All Star Ensemble concert featuring internationally renowned sheng master Wu Wei, patron of the festival’s musical programme.
PANDA platforma and PANDAoben (the seminar room above PANDA) are happy to host the festival’s masterclasses and workshops.
Tickets are available via the festival website and on site, subject to availability.
SATURDAY, 30 MAY
10:00–11:30 | PANDAoben
“Ever played the jaw harp?” — workshop with Sören Birke
12 € (advance) / 15 € (on the door)
The jaw harp is the simplest instrument in the family of free-reed instruments — just one reed. Sören Birke, musical director of the festival, will guide you through playing this approximately 3,000-year-old instrument. You can bring your own or purchase one on site.
10:00–11:30 | PANDA platforma
Finnish traditional music on harmonicas — masterclass with Jouko Kyhälä (Sväng)
25 € (advance) / 30 € (on the door)
Jouko Kyhälä presents traditional styles of Finnish folk harmonica playing, including complex fiddle tunes with ornaments and archaic jouhikko-music. He holds an artistic doctoral degree and teaches at the Sibelius Academy.
11:45–13:15 | PANDA platforma
Improvisation on the chromatic harmonica: Practical guidance and Q&A — masterclass with Hermine Deurloo
25 € (advance) / 30 € (on the door)
Together with guitarist Anton Goudsmit, Hermine will play simple tunes for instant improvisation, drawing on her long experience as one of the first female jazz harmonica players. Bring your instrument and she’ll guide you!
14:00–15:30 | PANDA platforma
Country harmonica Bäckmann style — masterclass with Mikael Bäckmann
25 € (advance) / 30 € (on the door)
Mikael breaks his country style down into five essentials: accompaniment, country-tuned harmonicas, imitating vocal yodels, imitating the pedal steel guitar, and Western Swing-tuned harmonicas.
16:00–17:30 | PANDA platforma
Rhythmic and harmonic understanding for harmonica players — masterclass with Yotam Ben-Or
25 € (advance) / 30 € (on the door)
How piano, drumming and singing can transform your harmonica playing. A deep dive into African-American rhythms, groove and time feel — and how to incorporate them into improvisation and composition.
Kindern und Jugendlichen unter 18 Jahren ist der Zutritt zu Veranstaltungen in PANDA platforma nur in Begleitung einer erziehungsbeauftragten oder personensorgeberechtigten Person in Verbindung mit jeweils einer gültigen Eintrittskarte gestattet. Grundlage: §5 JuSchG