Interview with Tailcoat: “It reminds us what a special job it is to be a musician”

How was it to be at Tønder Festival in some different surroundings than normal? 

It was really nice to be at Tønder Festival this year even though it was of course a bit different than normal. The organizers had really gotten a lot of the vibe from the festival site into Schweizerhalle and on the place in front with lights in the trees. The audiences were also very responsive – just as we know from the festival. So all in all it was a great experience. 

Is it good to be back on stage?

It was really nice to be back on the stage. The audience up close at the stage, cheering and singing. It almost felt unreal. It reminds us what a special job it is to be a musician. 

What has been the best experience during Folk Spot?

The audience at Tønder Festival is very special. You could feel their curiosity and they were cheerful and seemed to have a good time. It was a joy to play for them. 

Have you kept in musical training during the Corona pandemic?

We have been lucky to play a few concerts last summer but otherwise it has been like most of the business – a very dry season. We have been working on new music and most of our time has gone with recording demos, transfering files back and forth to each other so we could create music even though we couldn’t be in the same room. 

Now that the world is open again, what is Tailcoat’s next move?

We have a lot of concerts come spring but besides that our next step is to record even more music together and hopefully make another record.

Foto: Nolightstudio, Bo Petersen

Interview with Stringflip: “Schweizerhalle was a lovely venue to play at”


Danish/swedish Stringflip plays contemporary folk music inspired by the Nordic and Celtic tradition. They released their self-titled debut album in april 2021 and has since then gotten great reviews from British The Living Tradition,  and Danish Rootszone. Read more about their concert and experience at Folk Spot 2021.

How was it to be at Tønder Festival in some different surroundings than normal? 

It was the first Tønder Festival for three out of four from the band so we haven’t got so much to compare to. But we were very happy to finally be a part of Folk Spot even though the circumstances were a bit unusual. 

Is it good to be back on stage?

We’re naturally really happy to be back at work again. 

What has been the best experience during Folk Spot?

Schweizerhalle was a lovely venue to play at so that’s always great. And we were also very pleased with the hotel. 

Have you kept in musical training during the Corona pandemic?

As many other bands we used the lockdown to record an album. In the small periods where the world was open again fx summer 2020, we got to play a few concerts. We play in many different projects so all of us have been active during the lockdown. 

Now that the world is open again, what is Stringflip’s next move?

We just got nominated for a DMA Roots as ‘New Name of the Year’, so we hope that it can generate some buzz. We’re also looking a bit towards Germany and Belgium and we’re also working on new material. 

Interview with JUMA: “Music is a community and it must be experienced in the company of others”

JUMA is a cross-cultural world/folk group that unites the Syrian with the Nordic. The Syrian musician Bakri Hemmami came to Denmark in 2015 after fleeing Aleppo. As many others Bakri has left everything behind but he has carried the music with him all the way and he now play it along with the rest of JUMA. Read more about their experience at Tønder Festival 2021.

How was it to be at Tønder Festival in some different surroundings than normal? 

Tønder Festival is and has always been amazing! This year was no exception but we sure missed some of the nerve and presence that happens on the festival site – we missed the dust and the sun that connects us all. Nonetheless it was a great alternative. 

Is it good to be back on stage?

It has been fantastic – you feel at home again and at the same time it’s incredibly privileged to finally be able to play concerts and experience the huge amount of love that exists between musicians and the audience. I think we first really understood how much we missed it when we were on stage again. 

What has been the best experience during Folk Spot?

It’s hard to pin-point a specific experience because the entire weekend was a cornucopia of love and joy. When we got there, we were welcomed by everyone from the audience and volunteers to technicians and the other bands. But to play for a filled venue at Schweizerhalle at Tønder Festival was definitely a highlight – both for our recently finished tour and in general for our band. 

Have you kept in musical training during the Corona pandemic?

We have played as much as possible. Last year we were able to play a few live-streamed concerts and even though it has been a great experience, nothing compares to the love you feel when you play in front of a real audience. 

Now that the world is open again, what is JUMA’s next move?

We would like to record more music and then we’re of course off to play loads of concerts. Music is a community and it must be experienced in the company of others – and even though we just got home from our tour we can’t wait to get on the road again. 

Besides that we have plans of collaborating with different municipalities in Denmark to build a bridge between the Danish minorities and the etchnic Danes. We want to play pop-up concerts in vulnerable neighbourhoods so the culture come get’s out to the places where it’s really needed.

Photo: Bo Petersen, NoLightStudio

Apply for Folk Spot Denmark 2022 now

In August we had six strong Folk Spot-performances in Schweizerhalle in Tønder as a part of this year’s reformed Tønder Festival 2021. Despite missing the dust from the festival site both musicians and audience had a great experience. 

Now is the time to open the application round for Folk Spot Denmark 2022. So if you play folk or roots and have a dream of playing at the Folk Spot Denmark-showcase at Tønder Festival 2022 on August 25th-28th then please send us your application. 

Eight bands or soloists will be chosen to play a showcase-concert for a group of specially invited international business people, journalists, bookers, managers, etc. – and of course the festive audience. 

The application round for Folk Spot Denmark 2022 is open until December 21th at 12.00 PM

We’re looking forward to listening to music and if you have any questions you’re welcome to

Folk Spot Denmark is arranged with support from KODA and The Danish Art Foundations Project Support Selection for Music Statens 

For further information about Folk Spot Denmark contact Rasmus Wehner from SPOT Festival at rasmus@2spotfestival.dkor +45 40 59 84 44.

Folk Spot Denmark is ready with the 2021-lineup

Each year during Tønder Festival – in the last weekend of August – Folk Spot Denmark presents a selection of Danish roots and folk bands for a group of folk enthusiasts and international delegates from the music business, media and festivals from all over the world. 

And even though festivals all over the world aren’t quite what we know, including Tønder Festival, we don’t want anyone to miss out on a musical experience in the south of Jutland.

Folk Spot Denmark presents six orchestras as a part of this year’s ‘Tønder Festival Circle 2021’. They will be playing at Schweizerhalle, the culture house in Tønder.

Read more about the selected orchestras here and buy your ticket here