In early June, I received a phone call from my boss, Neil, who enthusiastically said, “Would you like to go to the Meinl Drum Festival in Germany next month?” I said yes before he’d even finished asking the question.
Over the last couple of years working for Drummers Review, I’ve been lucky enough to attend some incredible concerts, shows and events, meeting amazing people along the way. But the opportunity to visit the Meinl family at their 75th anniversary festival in Germany was something I really didn’t want to turn down.
Although I’m the main stage host for both The UK Drum Show and The Europe Drum Show, my connection with brands goes beyond the products they make. I love getting to know the people behind those brands, and with Meinl being such a huge part of the drumming world, I was genuinely excited to experience the company and the people behind it firsthand.
It was a whistle-stop trip. We left Heathrow Airport early on Friday 10th July and arrived at our hotel later that afternoon. After a quick shower and change, Neil, Pete and I headed over to the Meinl site, and it was immediately obvious that they’d gone above and beyond to make the weekend something special.
Friday evening was all about welcoming invited guests. There was a huge marquee, a stage, fantastic food and hundreds of artists, staff, friends and family celebrating Meinl’s 75-year history. Despite greeting what felt like hundreds of people at once, Alex Meinl still took the time to say hello, and I thanked him personally for the invitation.
We were fed and watered within an inch of our lives. The weather was boiling hot, the catering was exceptional, and I have to admit I was a big fan of the free beer!
One thing that really stood out wasn’t just the hospitality, but the chance to explore the different buildings dedicated to Meinl Drums, Cymbals and Percussion. Yes, the air conditioning was a welcome escape from the heat, but as a drummer there’s nothing better than walking into a room full of new gear. I spent ages trying out cymbals, chatting to people and even managed to blag myself a free Meinl cup.
Saturday was the busiest day. After watching a brilliant documentary on Friday evening about the history of the Meinl family and how the business has grown over the past 75 years, it was straight into work.
The highlight for me was finally sitting down with El Estepario Siberiano. We’d been trying to arrange an interview over text for months, but our schedules never lined up. As soon as I walked over, he recognised me immediately and said, “Let’s get this interview done now.” We grabbed a couple of chairs in front of a Meinl backdrop and had a fantastic 10-minute conversation, which is now available on YouTube, and you can watch HERE.
Afterwards, I headed straight to the main stage to watch Miguel Lamas perform. For me, he was the standout drummer of the weekend. His precision and effortless technique were simply incredible. That’s saying something too, because the lineup included artists such as El Estepario Siberiano, Matt Garstka, Helena de la Rosa and many more.
While I was interviewing El Estepario, Neil and Pete were given a tour of the Meinl factory. No photos or videos were allowed, but they both came back saying it was one of the highlights of the trip.
Although I was only in Germany for less than 46 hours, it’s an experience I’ll never forget. More than anything, the weekend reminded me just how special the drumming community is. We all love playing drums, but what makes it even more rewarding is being part of a community that shares that same passion.
What impressed me most about Meinl wasn’t just the scale of the event, but the people. Alex Meinl seemed to know everyone by name, and both he and his father delivered a heartfelt speech that reflected exactly what the company stands for. Even after 75 years, it still feels like a family business that genuinely cares about its artists, its products and the people who support them and I left Germany feeling incredibly grateful to have been a small part of the celebration.
A huge thank to Alex Meinl, Joe Whittmore, the staff at Meinl and everyone else for making us feel so welcome.
