Hit The City completes the line-up with 43 new acts, including Mula and Snapped Ankles
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The programme for Eindhoven’s free city festival was already packed with names such as Typhoon, Jonna Fraser, S10, DEADLETTER and Lambrini Girls. With the announcement of the final additions, the line-up is now complete at 121 artists and bands. Alongside headliner Mula at Ketelhuisplein, Snapped Ankles, Gender Reveal Atomic Bomb, Olkan & La Vipère Rouge, Julia Sabaté, LEMONSUCKR, Parbleu and Arabella Memdouh join the city-wide programme.
Hit The City is a collaboration between Effenaar, Friendly Fire and ASML, taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August 2026, preceded by an opening show on Thursday 27 August. With a large outdoor stage at Ketelhuisplein and venues spread across the city centre, the festival once again leaves room for both established names and artists you’ll soon be claiming you saw before they broke through.
Mula guarantees a mosh pit at Ketelhuisplein
With his unique blend of classic rap and electropop, Mula — now performing without the “B” — has been leaving a significant mark on the Dutch hip-hop scene for years. During his performance at Best Kept Secret, he turned the TWO stage into a swirling breakbeat frenzy, delivering a set packed with tracks from the acclaimed album Narcopop (2023) alongside older material, never giving the audience a moment to catch their breath. The performance was ranked fifth in the festival’s Top 25 by 3voor12 and named the best show of Friday. Anyone who witnessed it already knows what to expect: Ketelhuisplein is guaranteed to become one giant mosh pit.
From club basement to open-air stages: the festival's many faces
Anyone wandering through the city on Friday and Saturday will naturally be swept up in a diverse mix of music and vibes that showcase the festival in all its forms.
At Snapped Ankles’ show in Effenaar, it may briefly feel as though you’ve stumbled into a forest rave. Dressed in ghillie suits, the band will have audiences dancing to their signature blend of punk and electronica. Friday’s programme at Effenaar kicks off with Girls To The Front, curated by the collective of the same name led by Bibi Bannink, where live performances and activism seamlessly intertwine. Gender Reveal Atomic Bomb explodes punk and riot grrrl into creative chaos, while Hondenfokker tears through a sound that lands somewhere between rave and riot. Meanwhile, the dance floor will be fuelled by sets from the Girls To The Front DJs, Bandgurl666 and KaasFM.
In Dynamo’s basement, the lights dim for LEMONSUCKR, blending alt-rave with dance-punk and rock, hardcore outfit Inherited pushing the BPMs ever higher, and WASTE, effortlessly transforming the room into a sweaty collision of noise and dark post-punk. Room 8 hosts Club Commit, born from the freerunning community and serving as a meeting place for street culture collectives, creative talent and anyone gravitating towards the night. The late-night programme will be curated by DJ !KUEL & friends.
Outdoors, at the new Vrijstaat location, Durum Records curates its own stage filled with summer sounds from around the globe. Alongside previously announced acts such as Yīn Yīn and Fauna, the line-up is now completed by the tropical grooves of Chica Chica, the Mediterranean techno of Olkan & La Vipère Rouge, and the eight-piece collective Parbleu, who fuse Caribbean dub, Latin rhythms and Afrobeat into a sun-soaked celebration. DJ Baba Ganouche will soundtrack Saturday with a groove-filled musical journey, while cosmic funk duo Kagami continue the evening at listening bar Otomoto with a DJ set following their Vrijstaat performance.
The night carries on at Otomoto with DJ sets ranging from the genre-defying French-inspired sounds of Arabella Memdouh to the pop gems of Kit Sebastian and the tropical dancefloor fillers of the Trackvogels DJ set. Discos Horizontes blends cumbia, disco-folk and reggae into a sound that feels as though it has travelled in from every corner of the world.
At Café Prins Hendrik, Kourosh mixes rap and electronics, while Katie Bitchcoin christens cryptopunk as a genre of its own, somewhere between techno, electroclash and punk.
On Stratumseind, K.Zia delivers a raw and story-driven performance filled with soul and alternative R&B at Stage Music Café. At Altstadt, fans of Sharon Van Etten and Sam Fender will find a kindred spirit in Ellur, whose heartfelt indie anthems capture the experience of growing up. Dublin collective Sell Everything combines grunge, jazz and R&B into an energetic and compelling live show.
In collaboration with the Rockacademie, POPEI presents three emerging acts: Säm Wilder, blending neo-soul, R&B and pop; Lucy Fabienne, crafting country-pop for wandering hearts; and Owen Bryce, whose dreamy indie folk is steeped in nostalgia and emotion. Also featured are the melodic pop of Spanish-Dutch singer Julia Sabaté, the poetic electronic pop of puntjudith and the alternative pop of Yrsa.
Music Innovation: the future of music experience
Just as it did last year, Hit The City explores the future of music experiences. At MU, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Jacco Gardner presents ALTERITY, an audiovisual performance installation that combines forgotten technology from the early digital revolution with modern AI. Through generative music, live visuals and spatial audio, Gardner breathes new life into intelligent instruments from the 1980s.
At POPEI, Ramses3000 presents a live performance in which music and visuals are directly connected through a newly developed instrument created in collaboration with Studio Wotto and Effenaar Lab. The work stems from Thalamus, a project in which he explored how music can support focus and calm through the lens of his own experiences with ADHD. This personal journey is translated into a sound that combines classical influences with synthesisers and electronic textures. During the performance, analogue liquid-light techniques from the 1970s merge with digital visuals, allowing image and sound to flow together in real time as one continuous live experience.
Where Eindhoven comes together
As summer slowly draws to a close, Hit The City offers one more reason to celebrate Eindhoven together: three days, more than 100 artists and seventeen venues spread throughout the city. With its accessible and wide-ranging programme, the festival contributes to the region’s cultural landscape and once again turns Eindhoven into a central meeting place for music lovers and curious explorers alike.
The 43 additions:
Mula – Snapped Ankles – ALTERITY by Jacco Gardner – Altstadt DJ team – Arabella
Memdouh (DJ set) – Bandgurl666 – Chica Chica – Club Alt with DJ Sharon and DJ Bob
Discos Horizontes – DJ !KUEL & friends – DJ Baba Ganouche – DJ Iris – DJ Quick Fade – DJ
Sjaak – Dynamo DJ team – Eefke Boelhouwers – Effenaar DJ team – Ellur – Gender Reveal
Atomic Bomb – Girls To The Front DJ set – Hit The City DJ team – Hondenfokker – Inherited
Julia Sabaté – KaasFM – Kagami – Kagami DJ set – Katie Bitchcoin – Kit Sebastian DJ set
Kourosh – K.ZIA – LEMONSUCKR – Lucy Fabienne – Olkan & La Vipère Rouge – Owen Bryce
– Parbleu – puntjudith – Radikal Rupert (Trackvogels DJ set) – Ramses 3000 – Sell Everything
– Säm Wilder – Waste – Yrsa
The whole line-up of Hit The City 2026:
DEADLETTER – High Vis – Jonna Fraser – Kevin – Lambrini Girls – Mula – S10 – Typhoon
Elmer – Jack Shore – jet van der steen – Josylvio – MICHA – Slow Crush – Snapped Ankles
TEN56. – Yīn Yīn – Alice Olsthoorn – ALTERITY by Jacco Gardner – Arabella Memdouh
Automatic – Badminton – badtime – Bandit – Blair Davie – BLOED – Brik Tu-Tok – Ceebo
Charlotte OC – Chica Chica – Club Brat – Coalmine Canary – Croíthe – CROUCH – Def
Devon Rexi – Discos Horizontes – DITTER – DJ Baba Ganouche – DJ !KUEL & friends – Eefke
Boelhouwers – Ellur – Fauna – FIEP – Fit – Fellatio – Frans Kalf – Frozemode – Future Husband
– Gala Dragot – Gallamesh – Gender Reveal Atomic Bomb – Girls To The Front DJ set
Glazyhaze – Greg Freeman – Harpy – Hex Girlfriend – Honey I’m Home – Hondenfokker
HOOFS – Inherited – JACOTÉNE – Janet Livv – Jesse Hoefnagels – jev. – Jools – Julia Sabaté
– Kagami – Kagami DJ set – Katie Bitchcoin – Kirara (live AV) – Kit Sebastian – Kit Sebastian DJ set
– Kourosh – K.Zia – L.A. Sagne – LeBlanc – LEMONSUCKR – Lintworm – Lucy Fabienne – MAYTE
Mek’Dr’Dr – Meryl Streek – Michael Ekow & May – Mouth Ulcers – New Candys – Nyarko
Olkan & La Vipère Rouge – Owen Bryce – Parbleu – PISS – Pixie McCann
– puntjudith – Pyo – Ramses3000 – Säm Wilder – Sell Everything – Serve – Silverlake
Snackbar – Space Age DJ Collective – Supermarkt – TJE – Trackvogels DJ set
UITZENDBUREAU – Vals Alarm – WASTE – Wijf – Wrong Man – Yazal – Yrsa
DJ support sets: Altstadt DJ team – Bandgurl666 – Club Alt with DJ Sharon and DJ Bob –
Dynamo DJ team – Effenaar DJ team – DJ Iris – DJ Quick Fade – DJ Sjaak – Hit The City DJ
team – KaasFM
This was Hit The City 2025!
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This was Hit The City 2025! 41,500 visitors, 85+ live acts, and outdoor and indoor stages with a program running from day to night. You danced, sang, moshed, cheered, and made it one for the books. Thank you for joining us, and let’s do it again 27–30 August 2026!
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀
Music: GLINTSAL, FAISAL, Glints – ACID
Video: Studio Lafo
Line-up
Broederliefde / Pommelien Thijs / Ronnie Flex & The Fam / Bente / BLANKS / Chloe Slater / Circa Waves / DITZ / Fresku / Gotu Jim / Hiigo / KiLLOWEN / Maan / Matilda Mann / Psychedelic Porn Crumpets / Sef / SUPERSTRINGS / The Chisel / Tramhaus / Aili / Allman Brown / Angry Blackmen / Babymorocco / Brunzyn / BUG / Buunshin / CaitC / Casey MQ / C’est Qui / Charlie Avalon / Cliffords / Combi Magnetron / Curling / Dear Omen / Death Sells / De Toegift / Dylan van Dael / EDLP / Emma Hessels / Eosine / GLINTSAL / Grote Geelstaart / High Hi / Ider / Jawnino / Jerub / Joya Mooi / Julia Adriana / Kaat van Stralen / Karnabahar / KEG / Lézard / Little Moon / Luca St / Lusaint / LYVIA / Niels Orens / Nienke Leone / NOAH / Nymfo / Octave Lissner /Oykie / Parker Fans / Philine / Pol / Sad Banana / Slew / Slow Fiction / SØWT / Teenage Dads / TEUN / Torn From Oblivion / Tukan / Unpeople / Vampire Boyfriend / Violent Magic Orchestra / Waterschade
Hit The City Music Innovation:
OK AI by DOMNIQ x WERC – Passage of Time by Anneke van Giersbergen – Lost Like Alice by CHARLOT – Insomnia by WITT – Resonance of the Self by Mirusi Mergina – Samen alleen in het Clubhuis by YRSA – Tussen eb en vloed by AURA – PUNTJUDITH – Effenaar Living History by Effenaar Lab x 4DR Studios
Did you visit Hit The City 2025? Share your experience with us!
Did you visit Hit The City 2025? Share your experience with us!
Did you attend Hit The City last weekend? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experience with us for a chance to win 2 tickets to a show of your choice at Effenaar.
Our visitor survey is open until Sunday, September 7. Your opinion really matters to us. Thank you for being part of it, and we hope to see you again next year!
Program update: Saturday August 30
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We have a few important program updates regarding tonight’s lineup: unfortunately LULU. had to cancel their performance at Hit The City. Instead, High Hi will now play at Dynamo Main, and we’re happy to announce that Nienke Leone is added to the program at Café Wilhelmina.
> Nienke Leone turns her fears into lyrics, mixing raw honesty with hooks that stick. With influences like Typhoon and Julia Michaels, she delivers energetic pop songs that are both personal and unapologetically catchy.
'Without Stroomhuis, there would be no Tramhaus'
'Without Stroomhuis, there would be no Tramhaus'
Author: Tijs Heesterbeek
The Friday in Effenaar at Hit The City revolves around Stroomhuis. The iconic squat left an indelible mark on Eindhoven’s underground scene – and far beyond – in just two decades. Not only through gritty gigs and dark dance nights, but also as a free haven for artists and musicians. The building was tragically destroyed by fire, but the drive to keep Eindhoven’s DIY culture alive still burns strong among its former residents.
The term ‘residents’ is meant in the broadest sense here. Rosalie Braamkolk actually lived in the building and had her studio there. A Design Academy graduate, she built a scale model of Stroomhuis that has been touring Eindhoven, already on display at Stadhuis and the Van Abbemuseum. Eva Raaijmakers, who graduated from the art academy in Den Bosch, may not have slept there, but spent much of her time working at Stroomhuis. Her concept Folk Punk Take Over was even born there. With a manifesto in hand, a new foundation in the works, and plenty of plans for the future, the building may be gone, but the DIY spirit is very much alive.
"We have to keep going"
It was striking. Just hours after Eindhoven woke up to the news that Stroomhuis had gone up in flames, its social media accounts posted a bold statement: “WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING,” referring to a band night that was swiftly moved to Burgers that same Saturday. These words suddenly became the slogan for all activities that sprang up around Stroomhuis – from selling screen-printed posters at shows to an art auction during Dutch Design Week. The people behind Stroomhuis didn’t stay in a victim role for long.
Rosalie recalls the sudden surge of energy after the fire: “We switched on immediately. The button flipped, and we just started running. Someone had to talk to the press, the fundraiser had to be set up, the money coming in needed to be distributed properly. So much was coming at us, and after a few months you suddenly look around and think: ‘Where even are we? What are we actually doing? Who are we? What does all of this mean?’”
Eva adds: “I remember at some point we looked at each other and thought: maybe we’re just running so hard so we don’t have to look back. But at the same time, I felt: this simply has to be done. Someone has to do it.”
Rosalie, laughing: “Maybe it was a bit of trauma processing, yeah. But with all the support and help, you simply can’t sit back and do nothing. You suddenly feel this responsibility. Clearly, people found Stroomhuis really important – you can’t just shrug and say: ‘well, that’s too bad… bye.’”
Support poured in from expected and unexpected corners. Across the country – and even in England – fundraisers were organized to help Stroomhuis. Rotterdam band Tramhaus, who also play Friday at Hit The City, was among those who stepped in. Guitarist Micha Zaat remembers Stroomhuis fondly:
“My first memory of Stroomhuis was with my old band Pig Frenzy, maybe seven years ago. To me, Stroomhuis always teetered between total chaos and an incredibly well-oiled machine, powered by people who poured their hearts into it. In the end, it really was the latter: the people who made it what it was. That will never be forgotten.”
The band acted quickly: “When we heard the news, we were on tour. Everyone was shaken and stunned. You want to give people space to grieve, but soon the idea came up to organize a benefit night in Rotterdam. That’s really the best thing you can do: direct action.”
Nieuw Eindhovens Peil
After the fire, help and shelter quickly arrived. Rosalie and Eva both got studios at TAC, rent-free for the first six months. Bands practiced at POPEI, De Oefenruimte, or Plan B, and the recording studio was relocated to people’s homes, including that of Koen Verhees from SØWT. Rosalie chuckles: “We were already very DIY at Stroomhuis, but now we had to get even more creative to make things work.”
That DIY drive has since taken shape as a foundation. With Nieuw Eindhovens Peil (NEP), the collective behind Stroomhuis is building a platform for non-mainstream events, aiming to let Eindhoven’s alternative culture thrive. The foundation has already organized several nights, such as Barnyard Boogie at Dynamo, Folk Punk Take Over at Muziekgebouw, and band nights at Burgers. But they want more, says Rosalie: “NEP itself has to radiate the DIY spirit. We’ve got knowledge and networks we can share. Not just for organizing events, but also providing spaces, setting up educational programs, helping with grant applications or budget management. If someone comes to us saying, ‘I want to organize this or that,’ we can help in every way possible.” NEP even has a manifesto, distributed as flyers at their events.
A new location?
For now, the foundation is still run from TAC studios and someone’s home address, but will they eventually want a space of their own again? Rosalie:
“There was an article recently saying we might move to Microstad. We’re still in talks and it’s an interesting spot, but not an easy one. They’ve got cool ideas, but do we really fit in there? With their rules and the rent? Are we even ready as a group? I don’t know yet.”
Eva also has doubts: “The skills we developed at Stroomhuis don’t all apply the same way when you don’t have a building. You have to relearn how to function as a group outside of that. We’ve managed that pretty well. But the structure inevitably changes once you have a building again, with new rules and a new organization.”
Still, the desire for a new place is clear. Rosalie even graduated with a project envisioning a modular space for DIY culture, with shipping containers as the key building blocks: “I researched how such a space could function. New construction automatically comes with high start-up costs, foundations, concrete, regulations – all barriers to accessibility. With containers, you avoid that. The budget is much lower, they’re flexible, and everyone can shape them themselves. Many cities already have container complexes – Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Berlin. A container village on the old Stroomhuis site would be perfect. It’s close to Knoop XL, and that area won’t be redeveloped for another 15 years. We could apply for a temporary building permit, which coincidentally maxes out at 15 years, so it all fits neatly. And once construction starts, we can just move the containers elsewhere – no foundations to worry about.”
That underground venues like Stroomhuis matter to bands like Tramhaus is clear, says Micha: “These kinds of places are indispensable. Without them, there’d be no Tramhaus. Our first steps were in spaces like that. And the DIY spirit of venues like Stroomhuis still runs through our music. You do it together, you’re part of a collective – that’s the simple credo.”
And about Eindhoven’s underground scene, he adds:
“We’ve always admired the scene there. Especially the Stroomhuis crew, who are still around, seem like a tight-knit group of friends. They support and challenge each other. SØWT, for example, is one of the best bands in the Netherlands if you ask me. And really lovely people too.”
Passing it on
Rosalie will present her research during Dutch Design Week’s Graduation Show. But there’s more. Along with the container village model, the foundation is launching a new zine. Rosalie: “It’s kind of a DIY tutorial with tips: how do you organize your own concert or rave? How do you set up your own festival, with Skinfest in Mierlo as an example? Someone from Rararadio gives advice on starting your own radio station. It should become a bundle we can hand to young people who want to organize cool things in the city. That’s also where NEP comes in – we want to create and document things to pass on to the next generation.”
Eva underlines the importance of passing on that knowledge: “In the end, you want to create a place for the next generation to develop as freely as we did at Stroomhuis. We learned a lot from the older 2B generation (2B was a squat behind today’s Effenaar with studios and rehearsal spaces), and you want to pass that on again – in a safe space where you can experiment. And sometimes fail.”
That things should stay a bit raw and unregulated is obvious to her: “It doesn’t all need to be safe. You need to fall in order to learn. Like in the skate scene – every fall teaches you something.” And then, laughing: “I can’t skate because I never dared to fall. But in other areas, I’ve learned how.”
An ode to Stroomhuis at Hit The City: the line-up
Effenaar (Main Hall): SØWT / The Chisel / Tramhaus
Effenaar (Small Hall): Lézard / Slow Fiction / KEG / DITZ / Stroomhuis DJ’s / Grote Geelstaart
Hit The City completes the line-up with 17 final names, including High Hi and GLINTSAL
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The program was already packed with names such as Pommelien Thijs, Broederliefde, Ronnie Flex & The Fam, Chloe Slater, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, but with the confirmation of the final acts, the full line-up of 86 artists is now complete. Among the latest additions to the city program are High Hi, GLINTSAL, Dylan van Dael, Casey MQ, Violent Magic Orchestra, and Grote Geelstaart.
Hit The City is a collaboration between Effenaar, Friendly Fire, and ASML and takes place from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31, 2025, preceded by an opening show on Thursday, August 28. With a large outdoor stage at Ketelhuisplein and various venues throughout the city center, there’s ample space for both established names and exciting newcomers. The entire program is free to attend.
Girls To The Front
Girls To The Front is a Utrecht-based platform that creates space for female and queer artists from the punk and art scenes. The compilation album of the same name celebrates the diversity of women and sounds within the broad Dutch punk landscape. The same spirit will be showcased on Saturday, August 30 at Café The Jack. In addition to previously announced acts Death Sells and Dear Omen, you’ll see the hardcore punk and riot grrrl energy of Waterschade, the political garage punk of C’est Qui, and Combi Magnetron’s mix of humor and grind/mincecore.
Diversity in the city program
The city program on Friday and Saturday once again emphasizes a broad and varied selection for all audiences—further underlined by the latest additions.
At Café Wilhelmina, Antwerp-based alternative pop band High Hi offers a sound where experimentation and sharp pop sensitivity go hand in hand. For those leaning toward heavier music, Café The Jack is the place to be. There, you’ll find yourself in the mosh pit with EDLP, who deliver a mix of midwest emo and punk. The band Karnabahar takes a different route with unexpected 90s/00s screamo inspired by Balkan, Anatolian, and other traditional folk songs. Rotterdam-based terror punk band Bombstrap dives deep into the strange depths of hardcore, while Torn From Oblivion brings a modern twist to deathcore and hardcore. Violent Magic Orchestra throws black and death metal, industrial, post-rock, and digital hardcore into a blender.
Another notable name: Sad Banana, who completes the line-up of the experimental hip-hop evening Nebulous Forms at Dynamo. With a bold mix of punk, rap, and Dadaism, Sad Banana offers a contemporary tribute to being an overripe banana in a post-capitalist world. At Altstadt, rapper Glints and producer Faisal join forces as GLINTSAL. They deliver a mix of chopped-up soul and 80s samples with powerful drums, heavenly synths, and humorous soundbites. The duo is currently enjoying great popularity in Belgium, climbing the charts and recently performing on the main stage at Rock Werchter.
Colombian-Dutch artist Dylan van Dael was already announced as part of the Music Innovation program, where the audiovisual project centered around digital 3D character Pokka will be featured. In addition, he will bring a special audiovisual show to Altstadt, blending raw samples, melodic vocals, striking visuals, and complex productions.
On the other end of the spectrum, composer and producer Casey MQ presents an immersive sound combining pop and classical piano. He previously collaborated on this year’s acclaimed debut album by Oklou and has also worked with artists like Empress Of, Shygirl, and Vagabon. Armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar, Julia Adriana delivers a warm mix of indie, pop, and folk.
The 17 new names:
Bombstrap / Casey MQ / C’est Qui / Combi Magnetron / Curling / Dylan van Dael / EDLP
Glintsal / Grote Geelstaart / High Hi / Julia Adriana / Karnabahar / Niels Orens / Sad Banana / Torn From Oblivion / Violent Magic Orchestra / Waterschade
The full line-up:
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 / Bombstrap / Brunzyn / BUG / Buunshin / CaitC / Casey MQ / C’est Qui / Charlie Avalon / Cliffords / Combi Magnetron / Curling / Dear Omen / Death Sells / De Toegift / Dylan van Dael / EDLP / Emma Hessels / Eosine / Glintsal / Grote Geelstaart / High Hi / Ider / Jawnino / Jerub / Joya Mooi / Julia Adriana / Kaat van Stralen / Karnabahar / KEG / Lézard / Little Moon / Luca St / LULU. / Lusaint / Lyvia / Niels Orens / NOAH / Nymfo / Octave Lissner / Oykie / Parker Fans / Philine / Pol / Sad Banana / Slew / Slow Fiction / SØWT / Teenage Dads / TEUN / Torn From Oblivion / Tukan / Unpeople / Vampire Boyfriend / Violent Magic Orchestra / Waterschade
Hit The City introduces Music Innovation Program featuring virtual concerts, immersive Installations, and high-tech experiences
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The free city festival Hit The City is launching a new program segment: Music Innovation. A large part of the music lineup had already been announced, featuring acts such as Pommelien Thijs, Ronnie Flex & The Fam, Broederliefde, Tramhaus, Circa Waves, Chloe Slater, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and many more. The Music Innovation program, taking place at POPEI, showcases virtual concerts, immersive installations, and cutting-edge musical experiences. You’ll find boundary-pushing projects like Effenaar Living History and OK AI, along with innovative concepts by artists such as Anneke van Giersbergen, CHARLOT, Dylan van Dael, WITT, Mirusi Mergina, YRSA, AURA, and puntjudith.
Hit The City is a collaboration between Effenaar, Friendly Fire, and ASML, and will take place from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31, 2025, preceded by an opening show on Thursday, August 28. With a large outdoor stage at Ketelhuisplein and various venues spread throughout the city center, the festival provides plenty of space for both established names and exciting new talents.
New this year is the Music Innovation program at POPEI, which on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, offers a glimpse into the future of live music. While the festival has always led the way in discovering new artists, this year it also embraces technological innovation for the first time. Visitors can immerse themselves in virtual concerts, immersive installations, and high-tech music experiences. Four pioneering projects – OK AI, HYMNE, Hybrid Music Vibes, and Effenaar Living History – demonstrate how music and technology merge into new forms of experience.
OK AI: DOMNIQ
OK AI is a groundbreaking, traveling installation where you can create unique tracks through the interplay of artificial intelligence (AI) and human creativity. Housed in a mobile concert stage, this immersive audiovisual experience offers both professionals and untrained music lovers the chance to collaborate with AI in making music and visuals like never before.
Developed by DOMNIQ (artist Dominique Vleeshouwers) and the WERC Collective, and supported by leading partners such as Adams, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Effenaar, and ESNS, OK AI is at the forefront of creative innovation.
HYMNE: Anneke van Giersbergen, CHARLOT, Dylan van Dael, and WITT
The HYMNE project presents virtual mini-concerts created in collaboration with four artists, where audio, visuals, and technology come together in AR, VR, or MR experiences. Anneke van Giersbergen offers a VR experience based on her new track Passage of Time, while visitors can step into the virtual worlds of singer-songwriter CHARLOT and Dylan van Dael’s chrome-colored 3D character Pokka. The dreamy world of the electronic music project WITT is also explored.
HYMNE is a collaboration between the CORTEX2 platform, 4DR Studios, and Effenaar Lab, supported by the European Union.
Hybrid Music Vibes: Mirusi Mergina, YRSA, AURA, and puntjudith
Hybrid Music Vibes gives artists the opportunity to explore and integrate new technologies into their work. Mirusi Mergina, YRSA, AURA, and puntjudith have recently developed innovative projects, some of which will be showcased at Hit The City. Mirusi’s Resonance of the Self is a sound installation that responds live to the artist’s body movements, uniting performer and music. YRSA’s Samen Alleen in het Clubhuis uses visitors’ phones to create light patterns that enhance the connection between artist and audience. AURA’s Tussen eb en vloed makes sound visible and tangible through lasers and smoke, synchronized with her music.
This initiative is a collaboration between Effenaar Lab, Rockacademie Tilburg, Thunderboom Records, Studio Wotto, and Bureau Difficult Things, supported by Cultuurloket DigitALL.
Effenaar Living History: Effenaar Lab x 4DR Studios
Experience the rich history of pop venue Effenaar through an interactive VR experience. Visitors can virtually walk through nostalgic spaces and discover hidden objects that take them back to the turbulent 1970s and ’80s, when legendary bands like Joy Division, Talking Heads, and Red Hot Chili Peppers performed at Effenaar.
The experience is developed by Effenaar Lab and 4DR Studios and is supported by the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision.
Music Innovation program:
OK AI by DOMNIQ – Passage of Time by Anneke van Giersbergen – Lost Like Alice by CHARLOT – Insomnia by WITT – Resonance of the Self by Mirusi Mergina – Samen alleen in het Clubhuis by YRSA – Tussen eb en vloed by AURA – PUNTJUDITH – Effenaar Living History by Effenaar Lab x 4DR Studios
Hit The City announces 30 new names, including Pommelien Thijs, Circa Waves and Fresku
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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.
Big pop names at Ketelhuisplein
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.
Hit The City embraces the hip-hop scene
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.
A city-wide program packed with new talent
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.
A cultural boost for the region
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
Broederliefde, Ronnie Flex & The Fam and Tramhaus among the first 31 names for Hit The City 2025
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The free Hit The City festival is kicking off a new edition! At the end of summer, Eindhoven and far beyond will come together for four days of live acts, indoor and outdoor stages, and a vibrant day-to-night program. From Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, August 31, new musical talent and established acts can be discovered at various locations throughout the city. The first 31 names are in, and this year you’ll see: Broederliefde, Ronnie Flex & The Fam, Tramhaus, Maan, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, DITZ, Chloe Slater, SUPERSTRINGS, Matilda Mann, The Indien, BLANKS, and many more.
Hit The City returned last year for the first time in late summer, in partnership with ASML and with support from Gemeente Eindhoven. The festival featured a new outdoor stage at Ketelhuisplein, big-name headliners, and remained completely free. No fewer than 31,000 music lovers made their way to the heart of Eindhoven for a weekend full of discoveries and exciting live acts. This year, the festival builds on that success with a line-up that caters to an even wider range of tastes.
Dutch headliners at Ketelhuisplein
Ketelhuisplein, which can host up to 7,000 visitors, is once again a central hub. In this first wave of announcements, the festival places a strong focus on Dutch talent. Genre-defying icon Ronnie Flex — the most streamed artist in the Netherlands last year — is working on a new album and recently announced he plans to make only two more before retiring. Hit The City will host an explosive performance by Ronnie Flex & The Fam. The second headliner is Broederliefde, a Rotterdam-based act whose blend of hip-hop and Caribbean dance music has captivated The Netherlands. After a sold-out Ahoy and a successful club tour, they return to Eindhoven. Adding to the line-up at Ketelhuisplein are the sunny pop sounds of Maan, BLANKS, and The Indien — a perfect match for the open-air stage.
Opening night in Effenaar
The festival kicks off on Thursday night at the Effenaar’s main hall with a headline set from the popular Australian psych-rock band Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Often mentioned in the same breath as fellow Australians King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Tame Impala, the band will release their seventh studio album, Carpe Diem, Moonman, this year. Belgian alt-rock/shoegaze band Eosine will open the night, kicking off the festival weekend as the first act on stage.
A vibrant city program
On Friday, Hit The City pays tribute to one of Eindhoven’s most iconic venues: Stroomhuis, which was tragically lost in a fire last October. Longtime Stroomhuis collaborators Tramhaus will curate the main hall program at Effenaar, joined by local band SØWT and the high-energy oi-punk band The Chisel. Stroomhuis will also take over the Small Hall, with confirmed acts including DITZ — who previously blew the roof off at Café The Jack — and the lively indie-rock outfit KEG.
On Friday and Saturday, the city program offers a wide variety of rising acts. Indie fans can look forward to feminist indie-rocker Chloe Slater, the raw energy of Cliffords — both crowd favorites at Eurosonic Noorderslag this year — and the nostalgic guitar pop of Teenage Dads. You can dance to the electro-pop duo Aili, the instrumental jazztronica of Tukan, and the explosive hyperpop of Babymorocco. From Kaat van Stralen — who scored a hit in Belgium with her raw anthem “Stop Met Wenen” and won De Nieuwe Lichting 2025 — to the atmospheric indie-folk of Matilda Mann, soft Dutch-language electropop by TEUN, the warm soul-pop of Jerub, and the gorgeous Afro-soul of LULU.
Hip-hop is strongly represented this year with a new generation of artists exploring the genre’s full spectrum. Among them: underground favorite Brunzyn and the experimental UK sounds of Jawnino, Slew, and KiLLOWEN.
The party continues well into the night. The Nijmegen-based collective Superstrings will pay tribute to the golden era of trance, while Buunshin and Cait C deliver heavy-hitting drum and bass sets.
A cultural boost for the region
While most are easing back into routine at summer’s end, Hit The City invites the residents of the Brainport region — and far beyond — to celebrate the city of Eindhoven together. With a recognizable, accessible, and open music festival, the event provides a valuable boost to the region’s cultural offerings.
Hit The City 2025 takes place from Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31 at various indoor and outdoor venues throughout Eindhoven. The entire festival is free to attend. Now in its twelfth year, Hit The City is proud of its growing impact on the music scene. With a keen eye for emerging talent, the festival has hosted major acts in their early days, including 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 its first larger headliners, 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
First 31 acts announced:
Broederliefde / Ronnie Flex & The Fam / BLANKS / Chloe Slater / DITZ / Maan / Matilda Mann / Psychedelic Porn Crumpets / SUPERSTRINGS / The Chisel / The Indien / Tramhaus / Aili / Babymorocco / Brunzyn / Buunshin / CaitC / Cliffords / Eosine / Jawnino / Jerub / Kaat van Stralen / KEG / KiLLOWEN / LULU. / Lusaint / Slew / SØWT / Teenage Dads / TEUN / Tukan + many more to be announced
This was Hit The City 2024!
This was Hit The City 2024!
This was Hit The City 2024! With a new date in late summer and a new look: 100+ live acts, outdoor stages and indoor venues and vibrant day and night programs. We couldn’t have done Hit The City without you – a huge thanks to everyone who joined and celebrated our renewed festival with us. See you again in 2025 from Thursday August 28 to Sunday August 31!
Aftermovie Hit The City 2024
Line-up 2024:
MEROL / SAMPA THE GREAT / THE HAUNTED YOUTH / BOKOESAM & THE FAM / GAIDAA / IDALY / MULA B / POLYPHONIC / QUIQUE / SPRINTS / SYLVIE KREUSCH / THE VICES / WIES / ADF ANTJE / ANOTHER TASTE / ÃO / BLUE BENDY / BLUAI / BOWL / BRINTEX COLLECTIVE / BUMBLE B. BOY / CAITC / CARSICK / CHARLIE BENNETT CHARLOT / CHERYM / COCO COCAINE / CRYSTAL CHANAY / CRYSTAL MURRAY / CURLING / DEBBY FRIDAY DURRY / EMMY D’ARC / FACESOUL / FIEP / FLAIRE / GEO GEOSY / GESPUYS / GUSTAF / H31R / HOUSEPAINTERS IRIS JEAN / ISKANDER MOON / JULIA SABATÉ / JET VAN DER STEEN / JOHN-ROBERT / KABEAUSHÉ / KANS KEENAN MUNDANE / KIRIN J CALLINAN / KNIVES / LAMSI LO POLOKO / MADSTER / MALICE K / MARIA ISKARIOT MARYN CHARLIE / MC DRIVAH / MELTHEADS / MEHRO MILOLAATHETLUKKEN MENSA / MIN TAKA / MT JONES NARCO POLO / PEUK / PLEASUREINC. / PORCELAIN ID PRESENTED BY / PROMIS3 / RIJNBAART / SKY FELIZ / SNÕÕPER / SOMEBODY’S CHILD / STAATSEINDE / SUBFICTION / SWIM SCHOOL / SVEN CILLIERS / TAKESHI’S CASHEW / TALK SHOW / TANTRON / THE PILL THE ROYSTON CLUB / THYS / VICEBYLARA / WALT DISCO WHIFF / YELLOWSTRAPS / YVES / ZIMMER90 / ZO LIEF