Your guide to Fête de la Musique 2024

Summer solstice is around the corner, and with it, Fête de la Musique returns in full form. In case you’re new to Berlin (or have been living under a rock), Fête de la Musique is the 1-day, totally free music festival that takes place at countless theatres and bars, parks and squares, and on sidewalks across the city.

🎸 Midsummer magic: 7 reasons to love Fête de la Musique

Because all of Berlin is taking part, it’s not easy deciding where and how to spend the day. That’s why we’ve highlighted some of the most exciting local music acts to check out in Berlin’s central districts.

Just bear in mind – this list is far from exhaustive, so be sure to visit the full programme on Fête de la Musique’s website to see what else is in store!

Friedrichshain

Cassiopeia party

One of the larger venues on this list, the Cassiopeia Party is hosting 6 artists to celebrate 40 years of Fête de la Musique. Every hour a new band will take the stage, telling a story of punk, new wave, electronic, and indie rock.

Cassiopeia Sommergarten, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain (from 17:00), info.

JESUS WORE DOUBLE DENIM

With their unique form of alternative-pop, this German-New Zealand duo are bringing their multi-faceted sound to Badehaus. Combining electronic elements with catchy melodies, this performance is sure to be dance-worthy.

Badehaus, Revaler Str. 99, (at RAW-Gelände, entrance on Höhe Simon-Dach-Str.), Friedrichshain (17:00), info.

Sonic Interventions

Sonic Interventions was founded in Berlin’s transcultural jazz scene. Their artists hail from five continents, and each have a distinct cultural heritage, and a shared goal to inspire meditation and healing through music.

YAAM, An d. Schillingbrücke 3, Friedrichshain (20:30), info.

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

Chor St. Charles Lwanga

This Togolese choir (founded at the Parish for Martyred Saints of Uganda) is set to perform a selection of music from west Africa and the French diaspora. They will be performing in the Katholische Kirchengemeinde parish garden, where the natural acoustics will surely add to their ethereal sound.

Katholische Kirchengemeinde Herz Jesu (garden), Alt-Lietzow 23, Charlottenburg (17:15), info.

Urban Fringe

The members of this band may have grown up on the outskirts of Berlin, but they are prepared to take centre stage at Steinplatz. A real no-frills rock band formed by three high school friends, Urban Fringe will be bringing covers of crowd favourites and their own original songs to the stage of the Steinplatz.

Steinplatz, Charlottenburg (17:50), info.

Paul Freitag

25-year-old Paul Freitag uses drums like a backbone, drafting songs that build from low-key verse to melodic chorus. For distinguishing indie fans, he is bringing his atomospheric songs to Cafe Theater Schalotte for what is sure to be a powerful performance.

Cafe Theater Schalotte, Behaimstr. 22, Charlottenburg (20:00), info.

Kreuzberg

Cumbia Madness: Papo Yoplack

Papo Yoplack has been bringing the sounds of Latin America to Berlin for 20 years. Both a DJ and event organiser, he’s been playing his beloved Cumbia (in all its forms) at parties which are now considered staples of Berlin’s nightlife.

Jockel Biergarten, Ratiborstr. 14c, Kreuzberg (15:00), info.

Gretchen Blockparty

Gretchen is always pushing the envelope musically, and this year’s Fête schedule is no exception. With heavy bass sets from DJs like Jazzanova and FOOOL in the early evening, all the way through to Oldskool Jungle legend Upzet in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Prepare to dance the night away!

Gretchen, Obentrautstr. 19-21, Kreuzberg (from 16:00), info.

LOVNIS

This Brazilian punk-rock duo have been hard at work preparing for the release of their debut album later this year. Now, they’re giving you a taste of what to look forward to with a performance of their swinging sound and energetic stage presence at Forum Factory for Fête 2024.

Forum Factory, Besselstr. 13-14, Kreuzberg (21:00), info.

Mitte

Schokoladen party

A punk and rock stronghold in the heart of Mitte, Schokoladen has played host to some of Berlin’s best underground gigs. For Fête de la Musique 2024, you can look forward to outdoor performances from Güner Künier, Schramm, and Larasüß, and a stellar DJ lineup for after the sun goes down.

Schokoladen, Ackerstr. 169, Mitte (16:00), info.

Amber van Day

UK-born Amber van Day is bringing her pop sound to the Admiralspalast stage. Her newest single Bug Eyes is reminiscent of her whole discography: equal parts emotional and catchy. This energy is sure to be reflected in her performance this Fête, so prepare to sing (or scream) along.

Admiralspalast, Friedrichstr. 101, Mitte (16:00), info.

German-Spanish choir

Playing at one of Berlin’s grandest old churches, the German-Spanish Choir is bringing multicultural spritial music to Parochialkirche. Singing in both German and Spanish, their adaptations of religious works will surely be inspirational.

Parochialkirche, Klosterstr. 67, Mitte (17:30), info.

Wedding

Talamo

Kalasch has a lot to celebrate this year. In fact, 2024 marks the venue’s tenth birthday. To commemorate both events, they’ve invited Talamo, a four person post-rock band out of Spain. With their mesmerising blend of drums, bass and guitar, this won’t be a birthday (or Fête) to forget.

Kalasch & – Moab Barprojekt, Unionstr. 2, Wedding (16:00), info.

Paz Villahoz

If piano music hits the spot for you, don’t miss this performance from Argentine pianist, composer and vocalist Paz Villahoz, who is bringing her expertise to Zeitgeist Zentrum for Fête. The blend of instruments, held together by strong piano melodies, make her music refreshingly relaxing. By the time her voice enters the mix, you’ll already be hooked.

Zeitgeist Zentrum, Cornelius-Fredericks-Str. 7, Wedding (15:30), info.

Neukölln

Orangerie open air + afterparty

For this year’s Fête, the Orangerie (a French pavilion-style oasis in the heart of bustling Neukölln) is planning a day-long celebration of electronic music. From 16:00-22:00, vinyls by DJ and catering will start the party. At 20:00, the SHINE A LIGHT afterparty will start playing house music with local DJs. If you are looking to discover local talent, this is the place.

Orangerie Neukölln, Körnerpark, Schierker Str. 8, Neukölln (16:00), info.

Cafe Karanfil – Protest Music from Türkiye / Kurdistan

Karanfil takes its name from the Turkish word for ‘carnation’, a flower which often stands as a symbol of political resistance and solidarity against injustice. An event organised by The Left Berlin, Cafe Karanfl will be transforming Rathaus Neukölln into a space for powerful and inspirational protest music from Türkiye and Kurdistan.

Rathaus Neukölln, Karl-Marx-Str. 83, Neukölln (17:00), info.

Eat Lipstick

Eat Lipstick has something to say about queer rock-n-roll. One of the more well-known acts on this list, they’ve been in the Berlin alt-rock scene for a minute now. Come see their soulful punk anthems for yourself at Reuterstrassebühne.

Reuterstrassebühne, Weserstr. 9, Neukölln (19:50), info.

Tempelhof-Schöneberg

Berlin Summer Rave

If going to music festivals is your thing, Winterfeldplatz is transforming into the Berlin Summer Rave for this year’s Fête de la Musique. They have an impressive lineup of local and international artists and a selection of food trucks to go with it. If you’re looking for a proper party this Fête, we recommend Winterfeldplatz.

Winterfeldplatz, Winterfeldstr. 40, Schöneberg (15:00), info.

Las Brujas: Feminist Sounds from Spain and Latin America

Mariella Castelo and Vanessa Budai, the masterminds behind Las Brujas, have invited producer Isa Otoya to collaborate on their Tanzboden Tempelhofer Feld set. Combining their talents, this performance is sure to be an empowering one.

Tanzboden THF, Tempelhofer Feld, Tempelhof (16:50), info.

Theresa Zanon

Queer advocate Theresa Zanon uses her music to promote visibility within the LGBTQ+ community. When she takes the stage at AHA-Berlin e.V, prepare to hear beautifully written songs with a purpose: taking a stand against homophobia and transphobia.