Anja Common: The Surprise of Newcomers
For more than 10 years, Anja Common had made her mark on the st. katharina open air. Together with her team and with a lot of dedication, she brings an interesting – sometimes surprising – music program to life: Often with unknown acts which are ready for the big stage. At the st. katharina open air they have the opportunity to enchant an unbiased public.
The ruins of St. Catherine’s is a very special location for music events: How did this come to be, Anja?
"The ruins of St. Catherine’s Church hasn’t become a place for music and other cultural events just by chance. The abbey, which was founded in the 13th century and almost completely destroyed in World War II, was already a meeting place for the Nuremberg Meistersinger for centuries and later a location for the Academy of Fine Arts. After restauration work – more to just shore it up – and safety work at the ruins at the end of the 1970s, it was decided – in part because of the acoustics – to continue to use the ruins of St. Catherine’s as a place of culture and music performance. In total, the location has 550 standing-room places and 450 seats. The old walls give concerts a unique flair. So that the old masonry isn’t damaged, the static engineering of the ruins are regularly tested."
What kind of music can I expect at the st. katharina open air?
"From blues to rock, pop and folklore and even hip-hop – the line-up of the st. katharina open air is widely diverse and embraces all possible genres as well as national and international artists. Thanks to the strengthened cooperation since 2024 with Club Stereo, indie pop now appears more often on the stage in the ruins of St. Catherine’s. Every music fan is welcome. But those who like pop hits and heavy metal won’t be so happy here."
How do you plan the booking?
"A portion of the acts of the st. katharina open air is relatively unknown. Often they will be celebrated later on the big stage, but then will quickly become too big for our small venue. The budget for booking comes mainly from the potential ticket prices and is therefore always a mixed calculation: Known artists which guarantee a box office return and less-well-known acts for which the st. katharina open air is, above all, an opportunity. It is important for my team and I to develop a relationship of trust with the musicians. The audience should have the feeling that they can trust our musical mix and be completely open for unknown acts. The surprise effect is the best! There’s never a lack of interesting bands to choose from. Naturally, they all can’t be just to my taste. The most important factor to me is high-value, high-quality music, which fits to the summer and carries you away – whether known or unknown!"
What makes the performances at the st. katharina open air so special? Do you have any insider tips?
"On one hand, of course, the unbeatably beautiful atmosphere that the ruins of St. Catherine’s produces in the evening and the sounds that fit to it. Musical quality plays an important part here, but good entertainment and the interaction with the public at the concerts should not be underestimated. The nicest moments are created when the spark springs over and people dance and celebrate the summer and life. Even when the support of the artists before, during and after the performance can be very stressful – and that for the entire three weeks of the festival – for my team and the whole organization, it is an amazing feeling working together with the public and yourself to make unforgettable concert evenings possible. Even when half of us are sick afterwards. My tip for a perfect evening in the ruins: Grab a couple of friends and check in early enough, because the bar from the “Gelben Haus” is pretty small for 550 thirsty guests … and enjoy. Because we have to close at 10 pm because of the neighbors. Good that there’s the next day to celebrate!"
All About: Anja Common
She studied liberal arts in Erlangen and cultural management in Regensburg. Since 2005, Anja Common works as the public relations manager and music dramaturge in the Tafelhalle (KunstkulturQuartier) Nuremberg. In 2014, she also took over responsibility for the music program of the festival in the ruins of St. Catherine’s and made changes immediately, especially in content. Anja Common lives in Lauf, is married and has a son.
