New Festival
Tønder Festival celebrated its 40th birthday in 2014, in the middle of a sea change that started in 2012. The changes numbered a new ticketing system, so festivalgoers bought a wristband for the whole festival instead of tickets for the individual concerts. The festival site became Tønder Festival's focal point with new stages and new zones such as NOLA, dedicated to New Orleans and Louisiana culture, the Fanø tent and Little Dublin. New indie rock names like The Avett Brothers, Deer Tick and The Low Anthem adorn the programme, and the media have reacted with renewed and increased interest in Tønder Festival.
Tønder Festival's finances were hard hit for some years. Since 2014, things have been steadily improving. Under new management, with Kirstine Uhrbrand as administrative director and Maria Theessink as artistic director, a new course was set, together with the board of the Tønder Festival Foundation and the Tønder Festival Association. At the same time, support from the local community grew and ticket sales increased year by year.
Musically, Tønder Festival has been attentive to two fronts: maintaining the festival's traditions, its spirit and identity, and finding and booking strong new talents on the international scene. Since 2014, Tønder Festival has been a prime mover in many notable musical careers: The Lone Bellow, Colter Wall, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Tami Neilson, Ruston Kelly and David Ramirez.
Tønder Festival today stands alone: a music festival with its own profile, a strong identity and a unique atmosphere, nurtured over five decades. Year by year, Tønder Festival is growing with its volunteers, guests, musicians and local people, who all share one quality: their love of something built up with professional care and precision. It is special. It is the real thing.