Reeperbahn Festival just wrapped up its 21st edition and has grown into somewhat of an annual natural phenomenon in the city of Hamburg. For four days the festival creates its own micro climate, taking over the streets, bars and concert venues of the St. Pauli district, bringing either rich harvests, nourished soils and filled reservoirs or messing up the local habitat. It usually depends on the current iteration of the format and where you place yourself as it throws its weight around.
The festival excels at bringing together a uniquely diverse lineup: commercial heavy hitters, those aspiring to join them, and rising, musically more adventurous talents. The top performances in Team Poule’s book included Afghan singer songwriter Calid who played an intimate, personal and charming set at Imperial Theater in front of an eager crowd.
Then there were Canadian/Anatolian psych poppers Kazdoura, they played two shows and made a strong case for their broad repertoire. Check out their sweet single and then? from November 2025, singing about perceived social expectations and trying to make sense of it all, attached below.
London/Pakistani dream crooners Misbah played a great half hour set of Urdu dream pop, effortlessly adding quality and depth to the lineup – pictured below.
Then there was Gia Margaret from Chicago who just released her new album Singing. She sung and played a charming set inside St. Pauli church, alongside her all star tour band which included Will Miller of Resavoir fame – evidenced below.
And that is ultimately the beauty of Reeperbahn Festival: so many people coming to Hamburg to share their music with those who want to hear it, often in unusual places. This year drew more than 45,000 visitors and featured over 500 concerts by more than 400 acts. Some of the smaller venues predictably filled up fast, and you might spend more time running around and queuing than actually listening to live music. Still, the mood around the festival was open-minded and relaxed. No small feat these days.
Reeperbahn Festival, if you will have us, we will be back next year.
