The free music festival in Eindhoven had already made an impression with names such as Broederliefde, Ronnie Flex & The Fam, Tramhaus, Maan, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Now, 30 more acts join the line-up — from crowd favorites Pommelien Thijs, Sef, Fresku, Circa Waves, Bente, and Gotu Jim to rising talent including BUG, Parker Fans, Angry Blackmen, De Toegift, Pol, and many more.

Hit The City is a collaboration between Effenaar, Friendly Fire, and ASML, taking place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2025, with an opening show on Thursday 28 August. With a large outdoor stage at Ketelhuisplein and various venues spread across the city center, there’s plenty of room for both established names and exciting newcomers.

On Sunday, Ketelhuisplein will be buzzing with major pop acts guaranteed to get the crowd moving. Flemish superstar Pommelien Thijs, known for her hit Atlas, finally brings her acclaimed live show to Eindhoven after a string of sold-out concerts in the Netherlands. With her fresh and distinctive sound, Bente has become a fixture in the Dutch pop scene — crowned 3FM Talent, signed to the renowned Top Notch label, and appearing in Beste Zangers this fall. From the UK comes Circa Waves, the indie rock band behind the classic T-Shirt Weather. With their new album Death & Love, Pt. 1, they return to their roots: sunny guitar pop with a raw edge.

The festival is also going big on hip-hop this year. Fresku, the voice of Eindhoven, returns to his hometown for a major open-air show at Ketelhuisplein, following a sold-out show earlier this year in Effenaar’s main hall. Also back in Eindhoven is Gotu Jim, whose sharp tongue and signature blend of humor and honesty always win over audiences. Sef has long been a mainstay in Dutch hip-hop and pop. He recently won an Edison Award for his album Ik Zou Voor Veel Kunnen Sterven Maar Niet Voor Een Vlag, and his new album Lieve Monsters is on the way, with several strong singles already released. Fresh off a performance on Lowlands’ Alpha stage, he brings his boundary-pushing sound to Ketelhuisplein.

At Dynamo, the spotlight will be on emerging Dutch hip-hop talent, with Saturday night shows from NOAH, Luca St, and Oykie. For fans of the experimental, Friday features Angry Blackmen, a raw, industrial rap duo, and BUG — an explosive blend of rave, punk, and rap that became a crowd favorite at ESNS earlier this year.

Hit The City’s city program once again celebrates a rich variety of sounds. On Saturday, Café The Jack hosts a girls-to-the-front night, featuring the dark gothic rock of Dear Omen and local heroes Death Sells, who fuse noise, grunge, and punk. The energy continues on Friday, with loud guitars taking center stage: unpeople deliver heavy riffs and infectious hooks, while NYC’s Slow Fiction brings a fresh twist to early 2000s indie rock.

For those ready to hit the dance floor, there’s the indie-boogie of Parker Fans, the disco-art punk flair of Lézard, the pulsing new wave of Pol, and a DJ set from indie sleaze duo Charlie Avalon. Meanwhile, the late-night program in Effenaar’s intimate hall packs a punch with drum & bass veteran Nymfo.

Things wind down at the Muziekgebouw, where a more intimate atmosphere takes over. Expect avant-folk from Little Moon, heartfelt songwriting by Allman Brown, and poetic indie pop from De Toegift. Over at De Rozenknop, let yourself be carried away by the enchanting indie soul of Emma Hessels.

True to tradition, Hit The City continues to spotlight emerging talent. Discover the British indie-electronic duo IDER, the dreamy alt-pop of Vampire Boyfriend, rising Dutch singer-songwriter Philine, soulful French artist Octave Lissner, and Joya Mooi’s genre-defying blend of R&B and indie.

As summer winds down and everyday life resumes, Hit The City invites residents of the Brainport region — and far beyond — to come together and celebrate the city of Eindhoven. As a recognizable, accessible, and free festival, it provides a significant boost to the region’s cultural offerings.

Hit The City 2025 takes place from Thursday 28 August through Sunday 31 August at various indoor and outdoor locations across Eindhoven. The entire festival is free to attend. Now in its twelfth year, Hit The City proudly continues to make its mark on the music scene. Over the years, it has showcased major acts early in their careers, such as Loyle Carner, Phoebe Bridgers, Viagra Boys, Fontaines D.C., Khruangbin, Joost, S10, Zwangere Guy, Alex G, Baauer, Wolf Alice, Glass Animals, Lander & Adriaan, Hak Baker, DITZ, Nusantara Beat, and more. In 2024, the festival welcomed larger headliners for the first time, including Sampa the Great, MEROL, and The Haunted Youth.

Hit The City is curated by Effenaar and Friendly Fire, and powered by ASML.

Info:
Hit The City 2025
Thursday, August 28 – Sunday, August 31
Eindhoven
Free admission

The 30 new names:
Pommelien Thijs / Bente / Circa Waves / Fresku / Gotu Jim / Sef / Allman Brown / Angry Blackmen / BUG / Charlie Avalon / De Toegift / Dear Omen / Death Sells / Emma Hessels / IDER / Joya Mooi Lézard / Little Moon / Luca St / Lyvia / NOAH / Nymfo / Octave Lissner / Oykie / Parker Fans / Philine / Pol / Slow Fiction / unpeople / Vampire Boyfriend + many more TBA

The line-up so far:
Broederliefde / Pommelien Thijs / Ronnie Flex & The Fam / Bente / BLANKS / Chloe Slater / Circa Waves / DITZ / Fresku / Gotu Jim / KiLLOWEN / Maan / Matilda Mann / Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Sef / Superstrings / The Chisel / The Indien / Tramhaus / Aili / Allman Brown / Angry Blackmen / Babymorocco / Brunzyn / BUG / Buunshin / CaitC / Charlie Avalon / Cliffords / Dear Omen / Death Sells / De Toegift / Emma Hessels / Eosine / IDER / Jawnino / Jerub / Joya Mooi / Kaat van Stralen / KEG / Lézard / Little Moon / Luca St / LULU. / Lusaint / LYVIA / NOAH / Nymfo / Octave Lissner Oykie / Parker Fans / Philine / Pol / Slew / Slow Fiction / SØWT / Teenage Dads / Teun / Tukan / unpeople / Vampire Boyfriend + many more TBA