Alte Bekannte

Formed in Cologne in 2016 by former members of the vocal group Wise Guys, Alte Bekannte developed a German‑language a cappella project that continues the Rhenish pop vocal tradition while asserting its own identity. The five‑male‑voice quintet creates tight arrangements in which melodic lines, harmonies and vocal percussion shape songs that sit between pop, singer‑songwriter material and musical humour. The lyrics, mostly written by Daniel “Dän” Dickopf, address everyday life, relationships and social topics in a narrative and often ironic tone, alternating upbeat numbers with quieter ballads. After a transitional phase of touring theatres and venues across Germany, the group released the albums Wir sind da! (2017), Das Leben ist schön (2019) and Bunte Socken (2021), which established Alte Bekannte in the German‑language a cappella landscape. Regularly appearing on club stages, vocal festivals and musical cabaret in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Alte Bekannte maintains an active touring schedule, structures its concerts around a mix of humorous and more introspective pieces, and continues to explore a repertoire in which the voice remains the sole instrument.