Pop-Kultur 2026 Unveils Full Festival Line-Up

Berlin festival returns this August with a packed programme spanning electronic music, punk, pop, experimental sounds and more.

Pop-Kultur has unveiled the main programme for its 2026 edition, bringing together more than 50 artists and projects across Berlin from 24–30 August.

Following the previously announced talks programme and closing event, the festival’s live line-up fills out with a broad mix of established names and emerging artists. Among the acts heading to Berlin are Avalon Emerson & the Charm, Bar Italia, PVA, The Notwist, Sophia Kennedy, Sassy 009, Discovery Zone, Dis Fig, Lael Neale, Toxe and Automatic.

The programme also leans into Berlin’s experimental and club-facing side, with sets from DJ Wagner, DJ duo distraction4ever, Nalan, Potochkine, Sodomland, SATARII, VAVUNETTHA and Money Badoo, alongside performances from artists including Rosa Anschütz, Ray Lozano, Elias and Gîn Bali.

New additions include DIY activist punk group GRENZKONTROLLE, queer feminist punk band Deutsche Laichen, Swedish indie-pop outfit Boko Yout, Montreal club favourites deBasement and post-rock duo Dana Schechter & Paul Wallfisch.

Alongside the live programme, Pop-Kultur’s commissioned works will bring together music, performance, fashion and visual art. Highlights include RIA BOSS x WAX THE RICH’s live performance and fashion collaboration, SEYYARE – Anatolian Women’s Choir, and Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys’ Animal / Symbol.

The festival’s opening two days at silent green will continue to centre discussion around the relationship between music, politics and society, with more than 20 talks, readings and films. Topics range from gender inequality and the economics of streaming to independent media and the responsibilities of the cultural sector. The programme also includes a conversation between Sofia Kourtesis and Paul Hanford, and a reading from Einstürzende Neubauten’s Alexander Hacke.

Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs will run alongside the opening programme, bringing 150 emerging music-industry talents together with professionals for workshops, networking and talks.

The festival will close on 30 August at the Pierre Boulez Saal, where Icelandic experimental legends múm will present their new work Sonnenuhr, preceded by a collaborative performance from Anushka Chkheidze and Robert Lippok.

With further concerts, DJ sets, talks and films still to be announced, get your tickets to Pop-Kultur 2026 here: https://tickets.pop-kultur.ber...