Sophia Kennedy / Support: Yaama

Sophia Kennedy has been a regular guest at the Summer Festival since 2015 – and has since secured herself a spot on the international pop map alongside PJ Harvey and St. Vincent. From repetitive piano chords, shimmering synthesizers, and her voice – ranging from velvety, laid-back alto to Kate Bush-like fairy-tale heights – the 36-year-old Hamburg-based artist with a US-background has created an impressive pop oeuvre. Kennedy deliberately plays with contrasts: hardness and beauty, wit and melancholy, gentle chords and driving drums all come together in her work to form a striking kind of catchy pop – also evident on her third album SQUEEZE ME (Cityslang). Since its premiere at Knust club in Hamburg last year, the songs have developed a stage maturity that audiences can now experience live at her homecoming show at the Kampnagel club. She will be joined on stage by her artistic partner Mense Reents (Die Goldenen Zitronen) and Kampnagel’s favorite drummer Manuel Chittka. Support comes from YAAMA, winner of the KRACH+GETÖSE Award 2025, who moves between art pop and electronica. Across two self-produced EPs so far, the Hamburg-based artist has released songs that span a colorful musical spectrum, from folk and jazz to synth-pop.