One last rodeo for Maifeld Derby Festival
Mannheim’s Maifeld Derby has always marched to the beat of its own drum. For 13 years, it thrived with many accomplishments such as an award for "the best line up for a German festival" and was well-loved by many avid festival goers and all fans of indie music. Now, with its last rodeo, the festival took a final bow from May 30 to June 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that feels sad, but also proud of what it created for the community, as it is a regional festival for me.
A Lineup That Reflected the Soul
If you’ve ever been to Maifeld Derby Festival, you know it’s not about chasing headliners; it’s about curation with an alternative and indie pulse. This year’s lineup was no exception. For some, Franz Ferdinand on Saturday was surely a highlight as he delivered a nostalgic set. However, personally, I would say I highly enjoyed bands like Bilderbuch or Drangsal on Sunday as they brought the Maifeld spirit with them and delivered their music wild and fun with an energetic pulse to it. Bilderbuch brought old and new hits, which made the crowd dance and sing loudly for Maifeld for the last time.
On other days, artists like Warhaus, Nand, Zimmer90, Nilüfer Yanya, Olli Schulz, and various DJs such as DJ Koze provided the variety. As I did not know all bands in the line up it was a a beautful way to get to know new songs for an overdue change in my playlist. I especially enjoyed the performance of german band Grenzkontrolle. Grenzkontrolle tore through their set like it was the last chance they'd ever get: sharp, raw, and unfiltered realness. Overall, every act felt well curated, not just booked. Where Drangsal or Nand hyped; Warhaus or King Hannah haunted. Not one artist failed to deliver.
Saying goodbye with a big surprise act
Festival founder Timo Kumpf had announced the end of Maifeld Derby months earlier, citing financial pressure, a lack of structural support, and a limit to how much personal risk one can carry. The city of Mannheim had offered a lifeline, but it wasn’t enough.
That knowledge hung in the air all weekend, but it didn’t sour the mood. If anything, it intensified it as people wanted to participate in their beloved festival one last time. The sets felt personal, with many artists stating their devastation at the end and their great love for indie festivals such as Maifeld Derby.
The Maifeld Team had one big secret they left open until the very day of the opening: Kraftclub would headline Friday night. The fans (and we) were ecstatic about this major German band playing at the Maifeld Derby. Kraftklub entered the stage loud and excited, and within seconds, the people erupted into a collective mosh pit of surprise, euphoria, and nostalgia. Although they were they were unannounced, the crowd seemed to know every song, and even those who may not have known them appeared to have a great time. The secret artists felt like a gift to the crowd, and the band seemed to reciprocate this gratitude, which made the experience absolutely unforgettable and a highlight of the weekend.
The gemstone lies in its details
Beyond the music, Maifeld’s real magic was always in the details. The Parcours d’Amour, a stage tucked away in its own quiet pocket of the grounds, once again hosted readings and talks. It was thoughtful and showcased that, besides the music, the cultural exchange was at the very essence and heart of the festival itself. Kids could play on their own playground, people sat on lounges, and there was a variety of food and drinks for all to experience. The only downside, however, which could only be a personal one, was the payment method of the "Derby Dollar". On first glance, it is a great idea to put in the cashless system, yet, at least for the first two days, the line to the exchange bureau was often long and with the hot weather, hard to wait in. Moreover, as it was previously stated on their website, you had to have cash with you for the exchange; however, as we realized belatedly on Sunday, a payment by card also worked. I rather favor cashless payment systems at festivals, however, a pay-by-card method often does the job and is simpler. Yet, it is only another example of the love for cute details, as the "Derby Dollar" was a fun way to leave the real world behind the festival gates for the weekend (and of course help the caterers in their workflow).
A Beautiful Exit
After Bilderbuch played the closing show, Maifeld Derby 2025 didn’t go out with a speech or yet another bang - It didn’t need to. It left the way it lived, on its own terms, with grace and guts and a lot of great music. Festivals come and go, but few feel as authentic and full of spirit as Maifeld has for the past 14 years.
Thank you, Maifeld. You’ll be missed, and we hope we may see you in the future in some way or another.
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Written 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.
