The Guitar Heroes Festival offered a weekend of pure blues: explosive energy from The Zac Schulze Gang, intimate moments with Bywater Call, a captivating Peter Green tribute, and an unforgettable set from blues legend Abi Wallenstein.
The Guitar Heroes Festival exudes musical passion and craftsmanship, this time for everyone.
The Guitar Heroes Festival has an annual edition in April and September. This time, organizer Gerd—a man with an undeniable passion for the blues—once again managed to put together an impressive lineup at the end.
Thursday: A banging kickoff with The Zac Schulze Gang
As usual, Gerd opens the festival with his characteristic words: “Joldelunder Bioland Back Spezialitäten proudly present…” He then introduces the bands. This time, however, he had to start with an excuse: the Gerry Jablonski Band had had to cancel at the last minute.
But Gerd wouldn’t be Gerd if he didn’t find a worthy replacement. He presented a special Peter Green tribute, performed by two of Germany’s finest guitarists: Gregor Hilden and Richie Arndt.
Before that happened, however, the festival kicked off with The Zac Schulze Gang, in a packed Juke Joint. With a new album under their belt, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the new songs live.
If you’ve never seen the band, you have to experience this trio live. Their energy, chemistry, and joy of playing are uncaptured in any AI or studio recording.
Zac Schulze Gang “Title?” Guitar Heroes Festival Joldelund
The first set featured mostly songs from the new album, supplemented with crowd favorites like “Ballyshannon,” “Walking the Dog,” and “Hole in My Pocket,” which received raucous sung-alongs.
The set concluded with a phenomenal version of Rory Gallagher’s “Bullfrog Blues,” in which Zac effortlessly intertwined Sweet Caroline and Johnny B. Goode.
The second set delved even deeper into blues history. Covers of songs like “Voodoo Child” (sung by bassist Ant Greenwell), “Whole Lotta Love,” and a brilliant rendition of “The Thrill Is Gone” filled the room.
A medley featuring elements of “Paranoid,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Freebird” left jaws agape; it was as if the imaginings had just flown out of his fingers. After a loud “We Want More,” the band closed with Gallagher’s classic “Shadow Play.”
Three years after I first saw them in Ballyshannon, it’s incredible to see their growth. If one thing is clear, it’s that they are becoming the new standard-bearers of the blues.
Zac Schulze Gang “THE THRILL IS GONE” Guitar Heroes Festival Joldelund
Friday began subdued but impressively with a duo performance by Dave Barnes, the core of Bywater Call.
After forty-five minutes, the rest of the band joined them. They played a beautiful tribute to Janis Joplin, two new songs from their upcoming album (expected April/May 2026), and a spectacular version of “Love the One You’re With,” complete with a dazzling sax-guitar duel. An ode to Aretha Franklin followed as an encore.
Next, it was Gregor Hilden and Richie Arndt’s turn with their Peter Green Tribute, based on Gregor’s album “Gregor Hilden Plays the Music of Peter Green.” Well-known classics—”Oh Well,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Albatross”—were interspersed with old material from the days when Fleetwood Mac was still a blues band. The combination of Richie’s Stratocaster and Gregor’s Les Paul produced solos that were completely in the spirit of the festival. A performance of absolute class.
PETER GREEN PROJEKT G.Hilden & R. Arndt Band ” I LOVED ANOTHER WOMAN ” Guitar Heroes Festival 2025
Saturday: The godfather of German blues and a banging finale
Saturday opened with Abi Wallenstein, unknown to me, but a living legend to my German friends. The 77-year-old godfather of German blues took the stage solo with his 50-year-old Guild guitar.
After just three songs, he had both the audience and me completely captivated. His quote remains: “The blues in the twenties was then what TikTok is today.”
With a setlist of over fifty songs—which he said he used primarily as a reminder—he played classics like Dust My Broom, Boogie Chillen, and Mojo Boogie.
He also delivered impressive renditions of protest songs like Fortunate Son and Alabama. A memorable performance by a grandmaster.
Bywater Call closed out the festival. Where they left off on Friday, they continued on Saturday, only with even more intensity.
The brass section – saxophonist Julian Nalli on Friday, trumpeter Stephen Dyte on Saturday – delivered spectacular duels with guitarist Dave Barnes.
The rhythm section played as if driven by a single soul, and Meghan shone once again with songs like “Clutter” and “The Weight.”
Another highlight was “Holler,” in which connoisseurs will recognize echoes of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” All six musicians got their moment in the spotlight.
After “Sweet Maria” as an encore, the audience asked for more, but sometimes it’s time to simply savor what’s been.
Bywater Call “LOVE THE ONE YOU ARE WITH” Guitar Heroes Festival
Conclusion: The Guitar Heroes Festival lived up to its name. With top musicians like Zac Schulze, Dave Barnes, Gregor Hilden, Richie Arndt and Abi Wallenstein, the Juke Joint in Joldelund once again remained a magical place where the blues is not just played, but truly lived.
