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Avatar, Wizo & H-Blockx: The First Week of March Hits Hard Across the Ruhr
March kicks off as if someone cranked all the genre sliders to maximum simultaneously. Over 115 shows between Cologne and Münster, ranging from death metal to Krautrock – if you can't find something here, you're not looking hard enough.
The Heavy Hitters
Avatar and Alien Weaponry share the stage on Friday at E Werk Düsseldorf – Swedish melodic metal meets New Zealand Maori thrash. A combination you only get with this tour package. If you can still stand after the show, you weren't doing it right.
Punk fans are in for a treat this week: Wizo are rolling through NRW on their "Bringt das Licht!" tour – seven shows in one week! It kicks off Tue. at FZW Dortmund (sold out!) with local hero Butterwegge as support, continuing through Coesfeld (Fabrik, Wed.) and Cologne (Carlswerk Victoria, Thu.). From Friday, Rantanplan take over support duties: Cologne (Carlswerk Victoria, Fri. – sold out!) and the grand finale on Sat./Sun. at Turbinenhalle Oberhausen (Saturday also sold out!). If you want tickets, hurry up.
The crowning finale comes Sunday with H-Blockx at Zeche Bochum. The Münster crossover legends are practically playing a home game in the Ruhr – and if you've never belted out "How Do You Feel" live, you're missing out.
Underground Gems and Local Heroes
Sunday kicks off heavy at Kulttempel Oberhausen: Sanguisugabogg and Gates To Hell celebrate brutal death metal in its purest form. Ever wondered why Kulttempel is called that? Here's your answer.
On Saturday, the BO-MIT-ROCK Festival in Bochum hosts its 2026 edition – packed with local heroes like Sic Zone, ABSCORE, and Screenplay. This is exactly the kind of DIY festival that keeps the scene alive.
Also on Saturday, Ernte 77 play the AZ Mülheim – Ruhr area punk straight from the source.
From Industrial to Krautrock – Everything in Between
Prong bring their industrial metal sledgehammer to Gebäude 9 in Cologne on Friday. Tommy Victor has been an institution for over 35 years – and still an absolute force live.
One of the week's most unusual gigs: Ton Steine Scherben on Friday at Kulturkirche Köln. Political German rock in a church – Rio Reiser would have approved.
The dark scene gets its fix on Saturday at Kulttempel Oberhausen: The Beauty Of Gemina deliver Gothic elegance at its finest. And in Essen, Schockromantik take the stage at Julius Leber Haus – local gothic heroes you should have on your radar.
Saturday gets progressive at Ratinger Hof Düsseldorf: The Hirsch Effekt blend post-hardcore with math-rock and avant-garde – not for the faint-hearted, but everything for open ears.
And for those wanting to experience Krautrock history live: Grobschnitt play the Harmonie in Bonn on Friday. The Hagen prog legends are living proof that NRW has always been musical pioneer territory.
Don't Miss a Thing with KRACH!
Over 115 shows in one week – and these are just the highlights. Find all events, tickets, and details in the KRACH app. Download it and never miss another show in Germany's best music scene. 🤘
