BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND FOR 2023! THE ALEX MEIXNER BAND
DAS Fest USA Headliner
Have you ever heard Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train played on an accordion? This band, led by the one-and-only Alex Meixner, brings a contagious, high-energy, cross-pollination of exuberant Central European party music, letting die-hard polka fans enjoy and embrace evolution, and hipsters discover all there is to love in the underappreciated, innately fun genre.
As a leader in the polka music cultural renaissance, Alex Meixner performs fluidly in styles hailing from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Poland, and America/Cleveland. Nationally acclaimed, recently inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame, Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Alex can play over 12 instruments, and sing in 11 languages.
Oh! And Alex recorded with comedy phenomenon, Jack Black, for the major motion picture, The Polka King.
Don't miss DAS FINALE in the Oktoberfest Tent Sunday at 6:00 PM!
the red hot chilli pipers
DAS Fest USA MUST SEE!
The most famous bagpipe band on the planet.
Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning!
It’s Bagpipes. It’s Rock. It’s Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland.
It’s The Red Hot Chilli PIPERS – (NOT the Peppers!), a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers who have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. The band has four music degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and all the pipers and drummers have played at the top level in bagpiping.
This is their first time appearing at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, and the only place you can catch them in the Milwaukee/Chicago area this summer!
ALPENSTERNE
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
Biergarten Stage
FRI. 3:30-7:30 PM
SAT. 6:00-9:00 PM
These upbeat Minnesota musicians play all the polka greats. You'll dance along, you'll drink along, you'll sing along, you'll maybe even yodel along. Fun side note: band leader Jim Strehlke mastered the art of European jodeling (yodeling) from one of Germany’s greatest, Sepp Diepolder. Jim was hired by Walt Disney to jodel "The Silly Song" from Snow White featured on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY!
Opening DAS Fest USA daily by the PROST sign in front of the Oktoberfest Tent and strolling DAS grounds all weekend, catch this entertaining group of alphorn players and listen to the beautiful sounds of their instruments.
THE BIERMEN
ALPHORNGRUPPE ALPINE ECHOES
THE BIERMEN
Biergarten Stage
SUN. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Grab your table in the Biergarten as soon as DAS Fest opens! The 4 Biermen set the ambience for the day with several genres of music: from German to old rock n’ roll, to country. And, did we mention, they yodel? The 4 Biermen have performed in many groups such as The Austrian Express, The Talisman, The Spiders, and The Falcons.
Come early for the nondenominational "United We Worship" Service in the Oktoberfest Tent
SUN. 10 AM
COPPER BOX
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
THE BIERMEN
Oktoberfest Stage
SAT. 3:30-6:30 PM
Familiar songs with a Copper Box twist in a multi-genre accord (polka-rock-blues), as well as their own originals. Go on a fun, one-of-a-kind musical journey with Wisconsin's very own Copper Box Band!
DIRNDOLLS
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
Biergarten Stage
SAT. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Grab your table under the shady canopy of the Biergarten and start the day with Chicago's newest and hottest Alpine Folk Band, the Dirndolls!
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
ED WAGNER'S BRASS BAND
Biergarten Stage
SUN. 1:00-2:30 PM
An authentic Chicago area German Brass Band started by "Bro" Wagner in 1945. Now, over 75 years since it all began, the band is still playing throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest at numerous German, Austrian, and Czech cultural events as well as countless Oktoberfeste. The band is comprised of second and third generation musicians, most of which are descendants of the original members.
THE FREISTADT ALTE KAMERADEN BAND
THE FREISTADT ALTE KAMERADEN BAND
THE FREISTADT ALTE KAMERADEN BAND
Oktoberfest Stage
SAT. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
SUN. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Also playing for the
nondenominational "United We Worship" Service in the Oktoberfest Tent
SUN. 10 AM
Whether you listen to their rendition of the Armed Forces Medley on Sunday or stuff a dollar bill in their Loferl (sock) while they play Gloria from atop the tables (all of the money goes to charity), you are sure to revel in their authentic, lively entertainment.
GEBEL GIRLS
THE FREISTADT ALTE KAMERADEN BAND
THE FREISTADT ALTE KAMERADEN BAND
The Backyard Stage
SUN. 1:30-3:30 PM
Did you catch the last season of The Voice? Recognize Rachel Gebel, Blake's last save?
Hear Rachel's amazing tone alongside her equally talented sister Micah. This duo from Burlington, Wisconsin sing pop, country, rock, alternative, and several other genres of music, with famous covers from artists such as, Heart, Amy Winehouse, Paramore, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Miranda Lambert, and more.
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
Biergarten Stage
SAT. 1:30-5:30 PM
SUN. 3:30-6:30 PM
GRAND FINALE Sun. 6:00 PM
Follow The Happy Players to the Oktoberfest Stage at 6:00 PM as they join Alex Meixner for DAS Finale!
They're back! From Nebraska, these young, energetic musicians have won the hearts of many DAS Festers with their love of polka and charming smiles. It started with a 2013 Christmas gift and the Beer Barrel Polka on a cell phone. And now, "Der Glücklichen Spielers" is one of the hottest young polka bands in the Midwest.
JENNY HUNDT
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
The Backyard Stage
SUN. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
With an amazing voice and joyful personality, Jenny is a brilliant songwriter and one of our most hidden local talents.
Come early for the nondenominational "United We Worship" Service in the Oktoberfest Tent
SUN. 10 AM
JFK THE BAND
THE HAPPY PLAYERS
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
The Backyard Stage
SAT. 1:30-4:00 PM
John Hart, Frank Whiting and Ken Toeller are tied together by a shared love of live music and a passion for bringing smiles to peoples' faces. If you "love that song," they want to play it for you, from Eagles to Kenny Chesney to Doobie Brothers and Cheap Trick. Grab a local craft brew and get ready to dance in The Backyard!
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
Opening Celebration
Oktoberfest Stage
FRI. 3:15 PM
The Madison Maennerchor was founded in 1852 by German immigrants. It is the oldest continuously operating German singing organization in Wisconsin and it is the second oldest in the United States!
They'll be kicking off our Opening Celebration & Keg Tapping this year.
PETTY UNION
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
PETTY UNION
The Backyard Stage
SAT. 4:30-7:30 PM
The members of Petty Union have played on the world's stage with the likes of Eric Clapton, Deep Purple, Credence Clearwater Revisited, Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers, Ten Years After, Jimy Rogers and the Mauds, Dinosaur Exhibit, Bo Didley, 38 Special, Off Broadway, The Dead and the list goes on. Petty Union is a live experience to remember, playing the music of the late great Tom Petty.
PIEPTONE!
MADISON MAENNERCHOR
PETTY UNION
The Backyard Stage
SUN. 4:00-6:00 PM
Don't miss the Backyard finale!
From Chicago, Illinois, Pieptone! plays German Schlager and European chart hits, rarities and oddities of the 50s, 60s and beyond.
SONS OF LEROY
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
The Backyard Stage
SAT. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Locals Scott and Adam Wesner, father and son, started out recording their masterpiece virtual album while collaborating with people across the world from California to England. They added famed drummer Erik Sturgeon and Doug Rehard on bass and took their music out on the road. Sons of Leroy covers anything from CCR, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard to the Grateful Dead and The Doors, while tossing in some originals.
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
Near The Backyard, on the east end.
FRIDAY 5:00, 7:00 PM
SATURDAY 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 PM
SUNDAY 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 PM
In the same style as the Rathaus Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz (central town square in Munich), the Original Live Glockenspiel portrays a comedic snapshot of a day in the life of a Holzhacker, or Lumberjack. Watch as they chop wood, saw logs, schuhplattler, and stay hydrated with a stein or two.
THE SWING CREW
THE ORIGINAL LIVE GLOCKENSPIEL
THE SWING CREW
The Backyard Stage
FRI. 4:30-7:30 PM
It's Toasting Time!
FUN is the bottom line with this interactive, acoustic band. The show features a wide variety of music, audience participation, jokes, stunts, cornball humor and toasts. They play classic rock, country, pop, swing, "island beat", and about any other genre you could possibly come up with.
If you want to hear something in particular just ask them, they most likely know it.