Das Fest 2025 - Sun, Rain, Call Me Maybe
On Saturday and Sunday, we had the chance to visit Das Fest in Karlsruhe, which took place from Thursday, July 24th until Sunday, July 27th, with a broad and mixed lineup featuring artists like 01099, Amy Macdonald, Clueso, Großstadtgeflüster, Max Giesinger & Friends, and many more.
There was a lot to see that weekend. With the festival happening at the Günther-Klotz-Anlage and almost 70 percent of the location being accessible without a ticket, it wasn't just a music festival; it was more of a city-wide summer event. Families everywhere, people walking through with dogs or beer crates or strollers, and music playing in the background, no matter where you were standing. Only the main stage area required a ticket, but there were two or three other stages that were completely open, making the whole event super accessible for anyone in Karlsruhe who just wanted to be part of it.
Saturday
On Saturday evening, we got to see Großstadtgeflüster first. Their performance was energetic, a bit chaotic in the way it always is with them, and the crowd seemed really into it. It was one of those sets where you could just stand in the middle of it all and let the noise carry you.
Still, the main act of the evening was definitely 01099. And I’d say it ended up being the highlight, too.
They played all their well-known songs like Durstlöscher, Glücklich, and Frisch, but also threw in a few older tracks like VHS, Unsinn, and Jacke Zu, which hit a bit differently if you’ve been listening for a while. The set felt long, but in a good way. Full.
Somehow, even though it had been raining for most of the day, the weather cleared up right before they came on. We were honestly expecting to be soaked, but instead, the sun came out just in time, and for the first part of their set, the stage was lit by these soft, golden rays that made everything feel kind of unreal. Towards the end, it started raining again, but slowly, almost like it was meant to happen that way.
At one point, they played karaoke on stage, for which they brought out a guy from backstage to hit a buzzer, and it landed on Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, which they then sang with the entire crowd. It was fun in the best way. Everyone was singing and laughing, and for a few minutes, it just felt like nothing mattered except that moment.
And then there was this unexpected thing: In between songs, the crowd started chanting “Ganz Karlsruhe hasst die AfD.” (="Everyone in Karlsruhe hates the AfD", AfD is a secured right-wing party in Germany) It came from the audience, loud and clear, with no incitement from the band. 01099 is known for speaking out against right-wing extremism and especially the AfD, so you could tell they were really touched by the crowd's initiative. It wasn’t planned, but it was perfect.
The atmosphere by the end was kind of glowy and soft and loud at the same time. After their set, Ok.Danke.Tschüss closed out the night. Their energy was different, with less jumping and more swaying, but it worked. People stayed and let the night wind down in a slower way. It felt like the right kind of ending after such a packed evening. Afterwards, we stopped by the techno floor for a bit. It was full, music was going hard, and people were dancing like it was midnight in Berlin.
Sunday
The weather on Sunday was worse than on Saturday. It was actually pouring when we got there, and to be honest, I was already annoyed about the rain. But Sunday’s lineup included Amy Macdonald and Clueso, so skipping it wasn’t really an option.
We made it to the festival grounds and pushed through the wet crowd, and just as we reached the front, Amy’s show started. It was still raining, but no one cared. People were dancing in the rain, some with hoods on, some with wet hair stuck to their faces, all singing along. She played all of her best songs, including Slow It Down and This Is the Life, and something about hearing those songs in the middle of a muddy, soaked crowd just felt different. She joked about having brought the Scottish weather with her, which made everyone laugh. It was a great set.
The evening ended with Clueso, who brought the calm. His show felt steady, a little dreamy, and really comforting. It was still raining, but no one moved. Everyone just sang along and let it happen.
Final thoughts
All in all, Das Fest feels like a mix between a cultural summer event and a proper music festival. Because most of it is free and open, people come and go throughout the day, some just for a drink and a walk, some to see their favourite acts, some with no plan at all.
It doesn’t feel exclusive or overly curated. It feels like a city just opened itself up for a weekend and let everyone be part of it. And that’s probably what makes it worth coming back to.
WRITTEN BY
Ilayda
For as long as I can remember, the question of belonging has lingered in the back of my mind. As a diaspora child, I carry the weight of leaving and the longing to find home in every place I go. So, I like to write about things that move me - music that lingers, films that haunt, words that stay long after the page is turned. I love to chase the moments that make me feel something.
PHOTOS BY
Maxine
I love to capture little moments in busy streets, but for our magazine, I mostly take editorial, portraits and concerts shots. You can sometime find me reviewing concerts or talking about all and everything during a hot chocolate in interviews with our guests.
