Campus Festival Konstanz 2025: A Celebration of Music, Youth, and Vibes

The Campus Festival Konstanz returned with full force on May 30 and 31, delivering two days of sunshine, sound, and unforgettable moments. Set in beautiful early summer weather right at the Bodensee, with temperatures reaching up to 28°C, the festival attracted a diverse crowd — primarily students and young adults, but also older music lovers. With the classic cowboy-boots-skirt-combo, sparkling accessories, and even a group of guys wearing crocodile hats, the audience brought as much flair as the performers.

Day 1: A Strong Start with Emotional Highs

Carla Ahad and Zsá Zsá opened the festival on the Main Stage and Atlantic Stage, that through the unique setup allowed a non-stop musical day. Zsá Zsá, stepped in for Paul Weltz, who couldn’t perform due to illness. Despite being the first acts, both women drew a large crowd. Zsá Zsá's heartfelt song Bestie, dedicated to her best friend, had many in the crowd singing along — prompting her to shout, “You know the lyrics by heart!” She also debuted some unreleased songs, and her performance of the viral TikTok song Bad Bunnies turned into a real highlight.

Chapo102 changed the vibe to fun-filled dancing to his German Hip-Hop. More Men pushed to the front of the crowd to jump around to his energetic hits. Even tho the vibe was good, some fans voiced disappointment over forgotten hits, they wished to have had on the setlist.

Berq followed with a dramatic entrance, emerging from smoke to perform Heimweg alongside his band. The area was packed, the Flinta* crowd once again taking over the first areas. Berq shared his journey with the audience, noting that his first-ever festival gig had been here two years ago — and now, he was back. The crowd’s response to 2 Minuten, where everyone sang along, underlined the connection between artist and audience.

Ennio, another returnee from the 2023 lineup, brought unmatched energy. Dancing across the stage, he had everyone moving. A special moment came when he premiered his new track Isar live. He expressed his excitement for the festival summer — something he admitted he rarely does. A surprise duet with Berq on Drachenfrucht added a personal touch to the already great atmosphere.

Raum 27, a band from Bremen, emphasized inclusivity and safety during their set on the smaller Klimbim & Firlefanz Stage. Despite the limited space, the area was overflowing. Their interaction with the crowd and gratitude for being part of the lineup contributed to the warm, communal vibe. Singer Tristan showed off his energy by showcasing high jumps and running up-and down the stage to their songs.

Edwin Rosen, who had been quiet for a while, came with fresh material. Taking the Main Stage this year (he previously played the Klimbim & Firlefanz Stage), he encouraged the crowd to be mindful of each other and to put their phones away — “Just feel the moment.” His call resonated as the crowd danced freely under the lights.

The Day ended with a full-energy performance by K.I.Z., encouraging multiple moshpits and the entirety of around 10 thousand people screaming to their songs.

Day 2: Energy Peaks and Surprises

Due to entry difficulties, the second day opened for us with Ellice on the Atlantis Stage, who performed for a rather young audience. At only 17, she already overtook many hearts with her music. Ellice gained recognition after performing on Germany's The Voice Kids in 2023. Her stage presence was supported by two dancers, a piano, and a cello, creating a unique start to the day.

Jassin and Ivo Martin played right after at the same time, forcing fans to decide between the two upcoming indie artists. Jassin took to the Klimbim & Firlefanz Stage with unreleased, deeply personal songs. He was visibly moved by the size of the crowd, which exceeded his expectations. Meanwhile, Ivo had the chance to play the Main Stage which attracted visibly more people, waving arms and singing with him.

Symba brought heavy bass and serious energy in the afternoon. The crowd went wild — so much so that people were pushing forward, prompting security to step in. Symba, who had his first ever show in Konstanz six years ago, was clearly one of the fan favorites.

By the time Culcha Candela hit the stage, the festival reached its peak. Security had to close the front stage entrances due to overcrowding. Once the situation was under control, the party kicked off again. The band’s hits had the majority dancing and singing - some, however, left since the band had been involved in a scandal only this January and therefore were the most discussed act of this year's festival.

Zimmer90 kept the momentum going with danceable beats and guest appearances by Kasi and Antonius, who performed their hit meinen die uns. This had the crowd reaching new energy peaks, since no one expected the four of them to perform together.

Soho Bani followed with a more male-heavy audience and high-energy mosh pits. He mixed in old favorites with new material and even opened with a piano track, showing his musical range. The energy in the front areas was high, however, some complained about lots of pushing and too many moshpits, especially in the back.

The final act of the night - and festival - was Paula Hartmann, performing for the first time with a full band. She called it the best festival gig she could have hoped for. Joined by Apsilon for one performance, she closed the night on an emotional and beautifully staged note. “Thank you, Konstanz. It was wonderful,” she told the crowd, just after blasting red confetti over the people.

Atmosphere & Organization

The festival grounds were charmingly decorated with fairy lights, colorful lanterns, DIY garlands, and glowing installations that gave the event a warm, handmade feel. As night fell, the lighting created a magical backdrop for the performances.

Security was visibly active, especially around the Main Stage. While the Klimbim & Firlefanz Stage was often overcrowded and there were moments where entry was paused for safety, they did their best to keep everyone safe. However, as a mostly cashless Festival, the organization sadly failed to ensure good customer service around the foods and drinks area. The card readers often took a long time resulting in huge crowds waiting and blocking ways for the rest.

As the Festival camping ground was located at the other side of Konstanz, transfer was organized through a mass of busses traveling non-stop after the festival ended. Sadly, the busses weren't enough and many people ended up walking around 30-40 minutes after the high-energy days which led to multiple fans voicing complaint via social media after the festival ended.

Final Thoughts

The Campus Festival Konstanz 2025 offered not just music, but connection — between artists and fans, among friends, and within a community that values joy, safety, and expression. With its friendly, open, and energetic atmosphere, this year's edition felt both heartfelt and wild — a true celebration of summer and sound. While the concepts of a cashless festival and the bus transfers are great, there is room for improvement when looking at next year's festival that I'm sure, many are already excited for.

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