Jahnke Gets Through

Although the first two editions of Hamburg’s Reeperbahn Festival were far from disasters, co-promoter Karsten Jahnke believes this year’s event proves music fans have latched on to his concept.

“They’re no longer staying in one venue all the time, even between acts, but moving around from club to club and catching six or seven bands during the evening,” the promoter said after this year’s event attracted more than 15,000 fans across three days.

A stronger bill was partially responsible for the increased attendance – nearly 3,000 up on last year – but Jahnke, whose company co-promotes Reeperbahn Festival with Inferno Events, was equally impressed with the crowd’s enthusiasm.
The festival is very much inspired by SXSW in Austin, Texas, where Reeperbahn will be presenting a special showcase in March, and Holland’s Eurosonic-Noorderslag.

The Reeperbahn area, one of the world’s most famous red-light districts, is the ideal place, with more than a dozen venues within walking distance of each other.

The Sept. 25-27 gathering, which featured more than 120 acts, had a lineup that included The Lemonheads, Blood Red Shoes, Foals, Disco Ensemble, Lykke Li, Philipp Poisel, The Rakes, I’m From Barcelona, The Subways, The Jessica Fletchers, The Courteeners, Madsen, Nephew and Gravenhurst.