Market Square Stage
Opposite the Roland statue, Bremen's "living room" will be filled with dancing, singing, and celebration until Sunday – all to infectious beats. The HOEG City Summer Festival officially opens on Friday in the market square , followed by a diverse live program. Well-known bands will bring a lively mix of indie, rock, soul, pop, and urban sounds to the stage every day.
Band in Heaven
"Band in Heaven" – "The best always leave us too soon," a lesson the music world learns year after year. The "Band in Heaven" keeps growing! Bremen musician Matthias Monka wants to commemorate many of these departed greats with his program and celebrate their work. In his own unique style, he plays and sings live at the piano together with his collaborator Oliver Kronhardt. Let's experience such a special evening together and remember the power of music!
Not a whale
Not a Whale create the soundtrack for the mind's eye with their indie rock.
Guitar loops layer upon one another, samples flicker like fragments of memory. Rhythms span arcs that slowly, almost imperceptibly, open into vastness – a recurring element of the band: the songs are carefully constructed, tensions and dynamics precisely controlled. Overlaid is vocals that suggest more than they explain – charismatic, intimate, and powerful. Not a Whale combine driving guitars, multi-layered rhythms, and expressive vocals into a sound that defies easy categorization. Somewhere between early 90s indie, modern melancholy, and musical curiosity, a cinematic current of light and shadow emerges.
Paloma & The Matches
Paloma & The Matches are going on tour – a journey through shimmering nostalgia, powerful emotions, and cinematic moments. Their sound is like something straight out of a Tarantino film: retro, charming, a little dangerous – with funky basslines, soulful horns, and a touch of psychedelic surf. Between heart-pounding excitement and melancholy, the five musicians sing of longing, self-doubt, and the small glimmers of hope that brighten life. Velvety vocals, four-part harmonies, and 60s flair meet modern indie spirit – sometimes danceable, sometimes bittersweet. The "Silver Lining Tour" is the soundtrack for anyone who wants to let go – somewhere between daydream, dance floor, and movie screen.
Soulrender
Soulrender is a neo-soul band from the greater Bremen area. Having won the German Rock & Pop Award four times (Best Soul Band), they have also received, among other accolades, the Cultural Advancement Award.
Motivated by the widespread acclaim of their debut album, Soulrender blend soul, funk, jazz, Latin, hip-hop, and world music into a sophisticated and danceable mix on their new album, "Circles." With catchy songs, tastefully arranged and thoughtfully composed, the album explores everyday themes. The lyrics were written and sung by frontwoman Tina Kludig and Thulani Masinga. Sadly, the South African-born singer passed away unexpectedly and far too soon at the end of the album's production, at the young age of 33. Despite this tragic loss, the band decided to release the album, as it would have been in the singer's spirit. Furthermore, Thulani's songs serve as a wonderful musical legacy to his family and fans.
THE STEREONAUTS
THE STEREONAUTS - Alternative rock cover band, star children, musicians and a kind of dreamer
…3, 2, 1 LIFT OFF!
Mission Luxury Noise - The rocket rises into the air in a battle against gravity with a huge trail of fire and deafening thunder.
Then complete silence, weightless, free...
Drum figures and bass lines struggle against the relentless march of time like a pulsating star in the dark sky, always striving for perfect dynamics.
Without the sun there would be no life on this planet, and without the energetic guitar riffs and the bittersweet, authentic and deeply touching vocals there would be no THE STEREONAUTS either.
Maurice Fuchs
Singer, world champion, entertainer: Maurice Fuchs! He is a true multi-talent and brings a breath of fresh air to the German music scene:
Maurice Fuchs is coming to Bremen for a live performance. Fans can look forward to an energetic show that combines modern German pop/rap with an impressive stage presence.
From world champion to pop newcomer
Maurice Fuchs is no ordinary artist. Before he set his sights on the charts with songs like "Spürst Du" (Do You Feel It) and "Wunder" (Wonder), he had already celebrated international success in sports. As a multiple-time German champion and world champion in Shaolin Kung Fu, he brings a discipline and body control to the stage that is unparalleled in the music world.
JoschY
JoschY – New voices, new vibes, new German indie pop
JoschY is the new music project from Bremen that combines modern indie pop with influences from funk, reggaeton, and rock. With original songs about love, youth, and nightlife, the band captures the spirit of their generation – sometimes danceable, sometimes reflective, always authentic.
Since its founding in autumn 2024, JoschY has developed a multifaceted repertoire. Fans of
Artists like Provinz or Zartmann will recognize themselves in her sound.
The newcomers from the north are ready to bring their songs to the stages of the country – and
to shake up the German indie-pop scene with a fresh breeze.
Jahfro
JAHFRO's live performance is a musical journey of extravagance! The band exists precisely where club sound meets festival vibes, creating something unique. Blending Afrotech, dancehall, American piano, and reggae with techno influences, they forge a sound that defies categorization yet instantly captivates: engaging, danceable, direct, and brimming with atmosphere.
With their EP "Sekt Mate," they deliver five new tracks for 2026, perfect for long nights and everything that sparkles afterward. Songs that oscillate between ecstasy, intimacy, and reflection, carried by German lyrics that create vivid imagery without having to spell everything out.
JAHFRO bring their music to the stage exactly where it belongs: in the moment. Powerful beats, pure energy, and a new show that has already generated massive shockwaves at festivals, club shows, and secret raves, with tour stops from Hamburg to Mexico City.
Lilli
Lilli is a singer-songwriter from Hanover whose German indie-pop songs touch the heart. Sometimes melancholic and reflective, sometimes danceable and light – her music moves between powerful emotions and catchy melodies that linger in the memory.
It all started with busking and long nights in her shared apartment, where she wrote her first songs with a piano and guitar. These songs tell of heartbreak, longing, and the little moments that make life special – always honest, always emotional, and always with that special melody that just won't let you go. Her song "Pause" is a viral hit with well over 3 million views, thousands of comments, and hundreds of thousands of streams on social media and all the major streaming platforms.
LUNA
Since her breakthrough with "verlierer" five years ago – gold certification, hundreds of millions of streams, awards like the 1LIVE Krone, the German Music Authors' Prize, and the New Music Award – much has changed. What remains is LUNA's ability to put thoughts and feelings into words that resonate with an entire generation. Whether it's about love, mental health, or queer identity – songs like "blau," "normal," or most recently "Käptn Peng" have given people the courage to be themselves.
stand.
Together with her brilliant art director Jeanette, she develops visual worlds even before the songs are written. In the studio
After last year's debut album "25/8," she consciously returned to the "nursery nerd mode" of her early days: at the piano, with demos from her own home studio, real instruments instead of polished pop productions. "I want to break through the surface," she says, "to get into the flow of the song. For me, it's not an either-or situation whether you use acoustic instruments or switch to electronics. Both can be organic for me."
SwingTime
A premiere on the big stage: The Big Band SwingTime from Weyhe is participating in the Hoeg Festival on Bremen's market square for the first time this year. They bring everything that makes an open-air concert unforgettable in the summer: rousing jazz, energetic swing, soulful pop ballads, funky grooves and plenty of enthusiasm.
For years, SwingTime has been an integral part of the regional cultural scene, delighting audiences at numerous performances. Now, the band is bringing its distinctive sound to the heart of Bremen – to a stage perfectly suited to its powerful big band sound.
The program promises musical diversity and top-notch entertainment: from classics like "Caravan," "Birdland," and "Fly Me to the Moon" to modern arrangements of pop and funk such as "Skyfall" and "Streetlife," and atmospheric ballads that conjure a jazz club ambiance under the open sky. Film scores and Latin tunes are also traditionally part of the band's repertoire.
The sound is characterized by distinctive brass sections, driving rhythms, and a finely tuned interplay of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and the rhythm section of piano, bass, guitar, and drums. This creates a multi-layered sound that is both pleasing to the ear and makes you want to dance.
The band's vocalists add a special touch, giving selected pieces a unique character with their expressive voices.
Under the musical direction of Tilko Vitzthum, the Hoeg Festival invites all music lovers to experience SwingTime live on the Bremen market square.
