BAP - fifty years - the home stretch

FIFTY YEARS - THE FINAL STRAIGHT THE TOUR 2026

For this occasion, there will be an arena tour through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Such an anniversary deserves to be celebrated. When talking about BAP, one is discussing German rock history. With their Kölsch lyrics, they have achieved what only a few bands of this magnitude have: they have given local cultural heritage universal relevance, celebrating unprecedented successes far beyond the borders of their hometown Cologne and Germany. 2026 will be a very special year for BAP and their massive fan base, as the band, founded in 1976, celebrates its 50th anniversary, and band founder Wolfgang Niedecken celebrates his 75th birthday. This is reason enough to return to where Niedecken feels most at home: in his homeland, specifically in the local football stadium, close to his fans. Under the title "Fifty Years of BAP - The Final Straight," the Cologne rock legend will embark on a major anniversary tour in winter for 19 dates across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

With early hits like "Verdamp lang her," "Kristallnaach," "Müslimän," "Waschsalon," and "Do kanns Zaubere," BAP made music history back in the 80s, irrevocably winning the hearts of their fans and establishing themselves with passion, conviction, and a distinctive sound as an authentic rock institution in the German music scene. Thirteen number-one albums, precious metal awards, coveted music prizes, and above all, live performances have brought BAP immense success over five decades. After the sold-out TIME TRAVEL tour in 2024/25, rock legend Wolfgang Niedecken will once again take the stage with his band next year to embark on a musical journey through time with the audience, celebrating the enormous repertoire from 50 years, including the biggest hits.

Since their founding in the mid-70s, the band has profoundly influenced the German rock and pop landscape. Their hits have become anthems for an entire generation and remain highly relevant today. Even now, Niedecken does not shy away from addressing difficult topics or current political events in his profound, poetic, and touching songs. The stories told by the charismatic singer and frontman with his warm, smoky voice are authentic and relatable. The BAP sound is a brilliant mix of rock and folk elements. You can feel that Niedecken grew up with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and Bob Dylan.

As a true Kölsch boy, where others see dialect as a barrier, he has turned it into a key to the heart with his band. Despite initial criticism of the decision to sing in Kölsch, Niedecken remained true to his regional dialect - success has proven him right. As early as the 80s, the band went on their first tour of Germany and has done so with great resonance repeatedly throughout the following decades of their band history. Especially live, the phenomenon of BAP continues to unfold in its unique form even 50 years later.

So it is hardly surprising that the concert for the 50th band anniversary on July 10, 2026, at the Cologne RheinEnergieStadion sold out in no time. All fans who could not secure a ticket now have the opportunity to experience the band live starting November 27, 2026, as part of their major anniversary tour "Fifty Years of BAP - The Final Straight." There will be a total of 19 dates in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, including the Hamburg Barclays Arena, the Stuttgart Porsche Arena, the Munich Olympiahalle, the Berlin Uber Arena, and for the "Homecoming" in the Cologne Lanxess Arena.

When asked whether "The Final Straight" in the tour title is meant to announce the band's farewell from the stage, Wolfgang says: "For us, it is the greatest joy to play the songs live for our long-time loyal fans. Even at my advanced age, it is still incredibly fun. But one must remain realistic: planning such large tours is always a bet on the future. Let's first celebrate our anniversary together. Such a final straight can be longer than one thinks, and ours has just begun. Always take it step by step, otherwise, you might stumble."