“Bierzelt Legende” by the band Troglauer is the winning song of this year's Oktoberfest music competition
“Bierzelt Legende” by the band Troglauer is the winning song of this year’s Oktoberfest music competition “A Liad für d’Wiesn.” The band from the Upper Palatinate garnered around 22,000 votes in the online poll, beating out six competitors. A total of 72,000 votes were cast between June 1 and 28. The musicians made their first performance of the winning song on August 1 on the main stage at Brass Wiesn in Eching.
The song conveys the Bavarian zest for life and "Gfui"
Oktoberfestboss Dr. Christan Scharpf: “Congratulations on your victory. The title ‘Bierzelt Legende’ captures the Bavarian zest for life and Gfui. I’m sure the song will create a really great atmosphere at Oktoberfest.”
The Troglauer were originally formed in 2004 in Troglau near Kastl in the Tirschenreuth district as a cover band. Their original compositions are characterized by a blend of pop and rock music played on traditional folk instruments. The band itself calls this combination “Heavy Volxmusic” and seems to have struck exactly the right chord with Oktoberfest guests.
A total of 122 songs were submitted to the music competition. In a preliminary selection process involving Wolfgang Köbele, bandleader of Münchner Zwietracht, and Matthias Weber, music director at Antenne Bayern, the songs were reviewed for compliance with the rules of participation. These included criteria such as playability, release date, and suitability for the festival tents.
Here's how the winning song was chosen
A panel of Oktoberfest professionals and music experts then selected the seven songs for the audience vote. Among those on the panel were the competition’s sponsors—Andreas Maisberger, managing director of the Munich Brewers’ Association (Verein Münchner Brauereien e.V.), and Katharina Inselkammer, representing the Munich Oktoberfest innkeepers—as well as Benni Kostal (head of entertainment and deputy program director at Antenne Bayern). Also present were Wolfgang Köbele (bandleader of Münchner Zwietracht/Fischer Vroni), Manfred Leopold (director of the Platzl Oktoberfest Band/Armbrustschützenzelt), and Michi Fenzl (ambassador and last year’s winner).
About the Oktoberfest Music Competition
The music competition organized by the Department of Labor and Economic Affairs was held in collaboration with Antenne Bayern, Brass Wiesn, the Association of Munich Breweries, Festring München, and the Association of Munich Oktoberfest Wiesnwirte.