25 February 2026
Live review – Sarah McQuaid eröffnet Folk on the Rhine mit eindrucksvollem Konzertabend (Folk on the Rhine opens with an impressive evening concert by Sarah McQuaid) (English translation follows German original). “Die intensive Atmosphäre und die Nähe zur Künstlerin sorgten für eine hohe Aufmerksamkeit während des gesamten Konzerts. Erst nach einer Zugabe und insgesamt rund zwei Stunden Spielzeit verabschiedete das Publikum Sarah McQuaid mit großem Applaus.” (The intense atmosphere built a personal rapport between audience and artist that maintained their rapt attention throughout the concert. After concluding the two-hour performance with an encore, Sarah McQuaid was finally released by the audience to enthusiastic applause.)
Thanks to Alison Moffat-McLynn for the translation below!
Folk on the Rhine opens with an impressive evening concert by Sarah McQuaid
The Folk on the Rhine concert series launched its 2026 season with a concert rich in atmosphere. Sarah McQuaid delighted the audience in Oberbieber with a set of highly personal songs in versatile instrumental arrangements. This opening event was the perfect taster for the forthcoming concerts in the series.
Oberbieber - Tuesday 24 February 2026 saw Folk on the Rhine’s 2026 programme open with a performance by Sarah McQuaid at Restaurant Zur Reithalle. The 80-plus attendees were mesmerised by the intimate connection between artist and audience.
Musical versatility, personal stories
Sarah McQuaid presented her songs in very personal arrangements, playing a variety of guitars complemented by keyboard, drums and on-the-spot loops. This combination created rich sonic landscapes that imbued the songs with a special depth. Between songs, she explained the backgrounds and inspirations of her songs in her charming German, highlighting the personal meaning of the music and enhancing the authentic feel of the evening.
Enthusiastic audience for the generously long concert
The audience was unanimously enthusiastic about the performance. The intense atmosphere built a personal rapport between audience and artist that maintained their rapt attention throughout the concert. After concluding the two-hour performance with an encore, Sarah McQuaid was finally released by the audience to enthusiastic applause. The successful season opener was a worthy tribute to the high standards of the concert series and the organizers’ ability to select artists.
Further concerts in the series announced
Folk on the Rhine will continue through the year. The next concert is scheduled for 8 March 2026 and feature a further international artist – English singer-songwriter Polly Paulusma, who will perform at food hotel.
Folk on the Rhine – concept and aim
The Folk on the Rhine concert series was established by Tim Ohnemüller with the aim of enhancing Neuwied’s cultural landscape with concerts featuring high-calibre musicians. The series focuses on artists that have established national and international reputations and appeal to a broad general public. Events concentrate on singer-songwriter and folk music, and showcase artists from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, many of them already well-known and popular with critics and audiences alike from their live performances and releases in the UK.