AMPHI Festival
July 25 @ 5:00 pm
Amphi 2026 (XX): Scheduled for July 25–26, 2026.
Since its debut in 2005, the Amphi Festival has evolved into a cornerstone of the European “Schwarze Szene.” Every summer, thousands of fans from the gothic, industrial, and EBM communities descend upon Cologne for a weekend that blends high-energy performances with a relaxed, scenic atmosphere.
The Venue: Tanzbrunnen Cologne
Unlike many industrial festivals held in remote airfields, Amphi takes place at the Tanzbrunnen, right in the heart of Cologne. The venue is famous for its:
- Star-shaped canopies: Providing iconic open-air stages.
- Orbit Stage: Located on the MS RheinEnergie ship, offering a floating concert experience.
- Beach Club: The KM 689 Beachclub allows fans to relax on real sand with a direct view of the Cologne Cathedral.
Pre-Events: The weekend typically kicks off with the “Call The Ship To Port” boat party and an official pre-party on Friday.
More Than Just Music
Amphi is widely regarded as a “family reunion” for the dark scene. Beyond the main stages, attendees can explore a massive Gothic Market, attend signing sessions with their favorite artists, or join the “Call the Ship to Port” opening event—a Friday night boat cruise that sets the tone for the weeke
The festival’s urban location makes it one of the most accessible in Europe. Most fans stay in hotels within the Deutz district or across the river in the old town, using Cologne’s extensive tram network or the Hohenzollern Bridge to reach the grounds.
Headliners & Major Ac
- VNV Nation: The long-time futurepop favorites return as a headline act.
- Eisbrecher: Bringing their signature “Neue Deutsche Härte” sound to the main stage.
- Mono Inc.: Confirmed as one of the festival’s top-tier acts for the anniversary year.
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Joachim Witt: The “Neue Deutsche Welle” icon is a featured highlight of the final band wave.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
The Saturday lineup features a mix of dark rock and electronic pioneers:
- Solar Fake, Das Ich, Pink Turns Blue, Selofan, Harpyie, Heldmaschine, Soulbound, Rue Oberkampf, The Exploding Boy, Twin Noir, Whispers in the Shadow, Calva Y Nada, Dina Summer, Echoberyl, Escape with Romeo, Florian Grey, Silent Runners, and Soror Dolorosa.
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Sunday closes the festival with heavy hitters and atmospheric wave acts:
- Diary of Dreams, Clan of Xymox, Welle:Erdball, Rotersand, Empathy Test, Solitary Experiments, Assemblage 23, Chrom, Joachim Witt, Schattenmann, Potochkine, Lebanon Hanover, Extize, Emmon, Kllsignl, Motel Transylvania, Paradox Obscur, SIIE, and The Sweet Kill.
Special Events
- Call The Ship To Port (July 24): The official opening event aboard the MS RheinMagiefeatures Hocico, Grendel, and Alienare. Note that tickets for this boat party are already sold out.
- Official Pre-Party (July 24): Held at the Theater am Tanzbrunnen starting at 10 PM, featuring a DJ lineup including
Sven Friedrich (Solar Fake) and Bruno Kramm (Das Ich).
