A disc jockey demonstrates a Denon DJ table at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
FRANKFURT, Germany — The Musikmesse, one of the largest international trade shows for music with 1,100 exhibitors from around the world, opened its doors at the Frankfurt fairgrounds Thursday.
Everything from musical instruments to disc jockey turntables to just about anything needed to produce digital music, is on display through Sunday.
Visitors can try out electronic keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars and basses, percussion instruments, violins, cellos, brass, woodwinds, grand pianos and an assortment of other instruments.
There are also various workshops offered.Check out the Drumcamp in hall 11.0, or if spinning records is more your thing, head to Club Forum in hall 9.1 and watch the DJs do their thing.
Besides the hands-on experience there is plenty to hear at the Musikmesse. On three stages — two outdoors, one indoors — all styles of music are being played. There are also musical demonstrations at some of the exhibitors’ stands.
Frankfurt is the music capital of Germany this weekend with concerts spread throughout the city, many of them free with a Musikmesse ticket. The highlight is the Sunday evening concert by jazz legend Al Jarreau. For a full schedule of concerts go to musikmesse-festival.net.
So if you want to be a rock and roll star or maybe the next Skrillex, the Musikmesse is the place to check out the equipment you need.
If you go: The Musikmesse at the Frankfurt fairgrounds is open through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Follow signs to “Messe” that will bring you to the Rebstock car park. Shuttle busses take you to the fairground.
Tickets for adults can be bought on the web at musik.messefrankfurt.com. Click for English then, click on “for Visitors,” then scroll down to the ticket link. Admission via the web is 25 euros on Friday, 20 euros on Saturday or Sunday or 25 euros for Saturday and Sunday. At the box office it is more expensive. Admission for children ages 6 to 14 is eight euros, and for Saturday or Sunday there is a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) for 30 euros or 50 euros for both days. All of these tickets can only be bought at the box office.
A disc jockey demonstrates a Denon DJ table at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A young visitor tries out a Roland electronic accordion at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A newcomer band entertains the visitors at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. Reflected in the building in the background are other buildings of the Frankfurt fairgrounds where the music fair is taking place. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor tries out a grand piano at the Grotrian-Steinweg stand at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. The music fair one of the world's largest, runs through April 10 at the Frankfurt fairgrounds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A closeup of a vintage upright acoustic bass at the E.M. Poellmann stand at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor to the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, tries her hand on a Roli Seaboard Grand, Thursday, April 7, 2016. According to the company, it is a radically new musical instrument that re-imagines the piano keyboard as a soft, continuous surface. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A variety of traditional accordions on display at the Weltmeister stand at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A closeup of an Adams custom series euphonium at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. For 7,365 euros it could be yours. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors to the Musikmesse in Frakfurt, Germany, try out various electronic keyboards and synthesizers at the Korg stand, Thursday, April 7, 2016. The music fair is one of the world's largest. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A guitarist strums a Milenko Katanic electric guitar at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. The company's guitars are compact with small bodies. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A forest of clarinets on display at the the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor to the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, plays a interestingly decorated cembalo at the J.C. Neupert stand, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A variety of Epiphany acoustic string instruments on display at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Acoustic string instruments on display at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor to the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, tries out a tuba at one of the stands, Thursday, April 7, 2016. Everything from musical instruments to disc jockey turntables to just about anything needed to produce digital music is on display at the music fair. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor to the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, plays a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
