Slow Crush
Slow Crush is a band that thrives on evolution. After their acclaimed debut Aurora they toured relentlessly, building a global fanbase drawn to their immersive, swirling soundscapes. Their second album Hush continued their ascent, leading to sold-out shows and international acclaim. New music took a back seat for a while as the band focused on life on the road, but the four-year gap between Hush and their latest release brought fresh perspective and creative renewal. Their latest work, recorded with Lewis Johns at The Ranch, layers dreamy vocals with gritty guitars, glitchy textures, and even unexpected saxophone, reflecting themes of emotional burnout, reconnection, and the search for clarity.
Greg Freeman
Greg Freeman delivers a live set where past and present collide in a blaze of urgency. The Maryland-born, Vermont-based songwriter excavates the eccentric ugliness of American history, transforming it into character-driven songs filled with violence, loss, revelation, and hard-won clarity. On his explosive sophomore album Burnover Freeman fuses high-voltage indie rock with a restless twang. Inspired by the myth-soaked Northeast and writers like Emily Dickinson, these songs hum with danger and possibility around every corner.
Frans Kalf
Frans Kalf is a cynically joyful life artist, half Amsterdammer, half Ghentian. With catchy songs and sharp lyrics, he guides you through a bittersweet world under the approving gaze of Shaffy and Brel. A place for heartbreaks and belly laughs alike. His debut single, “Terwijl Je Voor Me Stond”, out January 21, fuses chanson with indie and folk, instantly defining his signature sound. Already a Sound Track laureate, Frans captivates stages across the Low Countries and tours with Dressed Like Boys, Kaat Van Stralen, and Johannes Is Zijn Naam.
Silver Lake
The Hague’s indie duo Silver Lake returns with nocturnal, melancholic art-pop. After a year of writing and recording, they offer a nuanced sound that blurs indie and ’60s-inspired folk-pop. Marleen Hoebe’s intimate vocals explore life’s tender moments while Jesse Koch’s lush arrangements expand their sonic world. With singles like Put Me Under, Beaches, and Don’t You Waste Our Time, Silver Lake has captured Dutch radio attention and supported artists including Rufus Wainwright and Son Mieux.
Blair Davie
This Scottish singer-songwriter is one of the UK’s most compelling, emerging talents. With his rare voice and songwriting that blends intimacy and emotional honesty, Blair Davie explores different themes. Drawing deeply from personal experiences and the stories of others who deserve to be heard, fans of Alex Warren, Dermot Kennedy and Tom Odell shouldn’t miss this one!
Future Husband
Nothing truly ends or begins inside Future Husband’s cinematic synthesis of synth-pop, neo-soul and indie rock. Their music acts almost like a portal between heaven and earth with some smooth-as-silk bass action to weld it all together. Built on friendship, they bring a raw and immersive energy to every performance.
MICHA
As one of the most promising upcoming talents of the Netherlands, MICHA managed to touch the hearts of many with his raw, powerful voice. After many sold out shows, festival gigs and receiving a ‘’Topsong’’ award on NPO Radio 2, he is ready to steal many hearts on our stage.
New Candys
Conjuring dark, deviant rock’n’roll with hypnotic melodic twists, Italy’s New Candys are a must-see live act. From the canals of Venezia to legendary stages worldwide, Fernando Nuti and his band fuse gritty aggression with dreamlike introspection. Signed to cult label Fuzz Club, they’ve mesmerized audiences at SXSW, Levitation France, and Sydney Psych Fest, sharing stages with icons like The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Black Angels. Praised by Iggy Pop as “kinky,” their unforgettable performances blur the line between chaos and beauty.
Dylan van Dael
Born in Bogotá and shaped by Berlin’s underground, Dylan van Dael is a boundary-pushing producer, artist, and musician. Since 2018, he has been crafting soundscapes that cross borders, producing for international artists and blending styles inspired by global encounters. His music serves as a meeting point of cultures, genres, and raw emotion. Whether in the studio or on stage as a guitarist, Dylan builds bridges between creative communities. Now, he brings that energy to Altstadt. Expect hypnotic textures, cinematic intensity, and a performance that speaks every language of feeling. At Hit The City, Dylan also unveils his first solo project as part of the music innovation program. A deeply personal release brought to life alongside Pokka, a 3D character reflecting the project’s immersive and imaginative world.
High Hi
Emerging from Belgium's fertile underground with the quiet assurance of those who know exactly what they're doing, this trio has methodically carved out a space where atmospheric experimentation and razor-sharp pop sensibilities coexist in perfect equilibrium. The Antwerp-based trio debuted with a dreamy, shoegaze-infused style that evolved across releases into a nuanced balance of introspection and accessible hooks.