20th Reeperbahn Festival Takes Shape In Germany

Reeperbahn Festival returns to Hamburg, Germany, Sept. 17-20, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The program is as packed as ever, here’s an overview.

The conference sessions, which run Sept. 18-19, will welcome some 300 national and international speakers, who will address “key issues facing an industry in transition,” according to a press release from organizers.

Some 100 sessions will tackle everything from sustainability and diversity to streaming, sync, and structural justice, thereby not only reflecting current challenges, but also give a platform for “new perspectives on responsibility, change, and collaboration.”

It’s in line with Reeperbahn Festival’s motto this year, which is “Imagine Togetherness!”

The motto represents a “call to develop new perspectives on community, responsibility, and cooperation — for a culture that stands in solidarity with the next generation of music makers, fans, the entire music ecosystem, and ultimately our democracy.”

Sessions include “Rewriting Success – From fast-performance to long-term careers,” where Eva Ries (strategist & former manager, Wu-Tang Clan), Leona Walter (senior artist & label manager, Bamboo Artists), and Inès Ouqass (artist, Latfro Entertainment) discuss what sustainable success means in the context of performance pressure, visibility and identity.

Another session will explore wither this business is doing enough in terms of sustainability; a ticketing session with Karsten Elbrecht (CCO, CTS Eventim) will highlight the opportunities and challenges of digitized distribution models for art, culture, and audiences.

In a session dubbed “The American Way of Live,” legendary UK promoter Harvey Goldsmith will question the increasing commercialization of the live business and its impact on creativity, fairness, and the fan experience — and warn against a system that makes access to culture increasingly difficult.

U.S. author Liz Pelly will critique the economic logic of streaming platforms, and show how they create creative dependencies for musicians. Finally, Rike van Kleef (author), and Mia Heresch (moderator) will provide a safe space for cis men to talk openly, anonymously, and without blame about gender issues.

The Anchor award returns in 2025. This year’s nominees are R’n’B/soul singer-songwriter Cara Rose from the UK; Carpetman from Ukraine, an alternative electronic act; American-German rapper Sorvina, as well as three acts that can be considered indie: Mei Semones from the USA, RIP Magic from the UK, and Soft Loft from Switzerland.

The Anchor Jury for 2025 consists of musician, performance artist, and director Laurie Anderson (USA), rock musician, singer, bassist and Hamburg resident Suzie Quattro (USA), producer, songwriter, musician, entrepreneur and activist Tayla Parx (USA), music producer Bazzazian (DEU), and songwriter and pop star Max Giesinger (DEU)

That’s all in addition to the heart and soul of Reeperbahn Festival: hundreds of up-and-coming new artists performing across Hamburg’s iconic clubs: some 400 acts from approximately 30 countries will perform around 450 concerts in total.

In terms of numbers, organizers expect around 45,000 visitors, including 5,000 conference delegates, who can choose from a total 800 program items in 65 venues. Around 300 speakers will take part in the main RBF conference.

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