50 Years of Monokel.

Alongside Engerling and Kerth, Monokel ranks among the longest-running blues bands of the former GDR. In difficult, oppressive times, their concerts felt like a breath of fresh air to many—a beacon for nonconformists, a call to embrace life.

From 1976 to 1989, the band was practically on a 13-year-long tour: weekend after weekend, they drew thousands of fans to village halls, concert halls, and open-air stages. Here, a spirit of resistance and a zest for life were celebrated—loudly, directly, and unmistakably.

Band founder Jörg “Speiche” Schütze, who shaped Monokel for decades, passed away in 2020. His spirit, his attitude, and his music remain inextricably linked to the band’s history—and will be palpable this evening as well.

In 2026, Monokel will celebrate this extraordinary chapter in music history with a major anniversary concert at Berlin’s Kesselhaus. Musicians and companions from five decades of the Monokel universe will take the stage together—a unique, cross-generational lineup brimming with energy and the joy of making music.

Songs like “Der Kindertraum,” “Das Lumpenlied,” “Spannersau,” “Bye Bye Lübben City,” “Oma Krüger,” “Schwarze Marie,” “Und ich schrei, weil ich lebe,” “Nie wie Vater,” and “Rettungsboot” have long been evergreens—powerful, timeless, and more relevant than ever.

50 Years of Monokel. One Evening. Five Decades. A Universe.