50 years of BAP - Anniversary tour 2026

A chart-topper with lyrics in the Cologne dialect

Since its founding in 1976, the band BAP has had a lasting impact on the German rock and pop scene. With songs like “Verdamp lang her,” “Kristallnaach,” “Müslimän,” “Waschsalon,” and “Do kanns Zaubere,” they have won the hearts of many fans and established their distinctive dialect-based sound in the German music scene. They helped elevate local cultural heritage to universal relevance, achieving unexpected success far beyond the borders of their hometown of Cologne and Germany.

The band led by rock legend Wolfgang Niedecken has had thirteen albums reach number one on the German charts, surpassing even the Beatles. Their hits remain highly relevant and timely to this day. Niedecken does not shy away from addressing difficult topics or current political events in his profound, poetic, and moving songs. 

Anthems of an Entire Generation

2026 will be a very special year for BAP and their huge fan base, as the Kölsch rock band will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 and band founder Wolfgang Niedecken will turn 75. That’s reason enough to take the audience on a musical journey through time and celebrate 50 years of BAP—including their greatest hits.

“For us, there’s nothing better than playing these songs live in front of our long-time, loyal fans. Even at my age, I still have an incredible amount of fun doing it,” reveals Wolfgang Niedecken. 

Under the title “Fifty Years of BAP – The Home Stretch,” the iconic Cologne band will embark on a major anniversary tour in 2026, with 19 dates, and will perform their Cologne anthems on December 16, 2026, at the Swiss Life Hall in Hannover.