Preview Reeperbahn Festival 2016

It’s a (mostly) new bands shindig on the infamous Hamburg strip.

21st September 2016

As if Germany’s sündigste Meile wasn’t nearly sündigste* enough, every September a giant heap of new, not-so-new and nowhere-near-new-really (yes, we see you, Gang of Four) acts descend on venues around the Reeperbahn in Hamburg for four debauched days of live music discovery.

Among the venues taking part are the city’s famed Molotow, and super cool club Uebel & Gefährlich, and acts range from August cover stars Wild Beasts, Mercury nominees The Invisible and returning Aussie baggy types Jagwar Ma, to hype-as-fuck newcomers Will Joseph Cook, Klangstof, and Sea Moya.

There are also a few DIY faves there too, with Deap Vally, Dilly Dally, Yak and Spring King on the bill.

A few seconds with… Oli Burslem, Yak

You’ve had a summer of festivals - which has been your favourite so far?
I loved driving throughout the Alps to get to Lake Geneva and having a swim in the sun to get the opportunity to play Montreux Jazz Festival. To be honest, every show has had its place. We all enjoy each others’ company so it’s been nice hanging, playing music together and giving each other shit.

Did all that mud come out of your Glastonbury outfit?
Luckily for me the suit was 100% polyester so only took a quick spin and the dirt was gone. BANG!

Reeperbahn’s about nding new favourite bands - who’s your current new band crush?
I’m looking forward to seeing The Lemon Twigs who we’re playing with as I’ve heard a lot of great things about them, also Goat Girl who will be coming out on tour with us in October.

Yak play Molotow on Thursday 22nd September at 10.25pm.

A few seconds with… Tarek Musa, Spring King

How has your summer been?
Great, we’ve been non stop on the road. We’ve just got back from Australia where we played three shows and we’re straight on to UK summer festivals now. The crowds have been really consistent both here and abroad, everyone is up for having a good time at our shows and that’s what its about… jumping around, singing and losing your shit.

Any festival-based stories you can share with us?
I nearly choked to death at Latitude, I was very lucky that my good friend realised and gave me the Heimlich. It was pretty scary.

Reeperbahn’s a city-based festival, what’s the best thing about that?
We’ve played Reeperbahn before, and for us, visiting Germany is always fun. We enjoy the laid back feel the festival has. The music was on point last time, a mix of both new and old, and I know it’ll be just as good this year.

Are there any acts on the bill you’re hoping to be playing near so you can see them?
One of my favourite bands Broncho are playing, I can’t wait to see them for the first time. Also bands like Gurr, Dilly Dally, Wild Beasts, Villagers and our good mate Douglas Dare.