Reeperbahn Festival Adds English Teacher, Keo, Gretel to 2026 Lineup

Hamburg’s Reeperbahn Festival has expanded its 2026 program with a fresh batch of names, confirming Mercury Prize–winning group English Teacher, Glasgow rock act Keo, and indie-grunge artist Gretel. The festival, which runs from 16 to 19 September in the city’s St. Pauli district, now lists over a dozen new additions alongside previously announced acts.

English Teacher arrive as one of the higher-profile bookings, their sharp, literate post-punk having earned them the Mercury in 2024. Keo, fronted by former Catholic Action member Chris McCrory, bring a more direct rock energy, while Gretel’s fuzz-laced songwriting adds a different texture. Also joining the bill are Lucia & The Best Boys, Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Henry, and London newcomers My First Time, among others.

These artists join a lineup that already included Bleech 9:3, Lowertown, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor in a solo capacity, and local Hamburg outfit Agatha Is Dead!. Reeperbahn has long positioned itself as Europe’s answer to SXSW, mixing heavily curated showcases with an industry conference. Its 21st edition maintains that scope: mixing international buzz names with emerging local talent across dozens of venues.

The festival’s staggered announcements mirror its broader role as a discovery platform rather than a blockbuster destination. No single headliner dominates the conversation. Instead, the draw lies in the density of choices and the chance to catch acts at a certain stage of momentum — English Teacher included.