Wutzrock Festival Umsonst & Draußen

A Festival with a Stance Since 1979

Wutzrock originated in 1979 as a response from a left-wing neighborhood initiative to the lack of free cultural spaces in the then-neglected eastern part of Hamburg. Born from the spirit of extra-parliamentary opposition, it grew into one of the Federal Republic's oldest political festivals. To this day, the organizing association Galactic Entertainment e.V. runs the event voluntarily, without major sponsors and without admission fees. The name alludes to the anger of the early years – and to the pigs traditionally kept in Bergedorf, the heraldic animal of the Vier- und Marschlande region.

Eichbaumsee – A Lake as a Stage

The festival grounds are located between Eichbaumsee and Dove Elbe, directly on the Moorfleeter Deich. The lake, a former sand quarry, is part of the recreational area of the Vier- und Marschlande in the Bergedorf district. The main stage is situated on the green peninsula, with a flat meadow spreading out in front of it, surrounded by birch and willow trees. Those who want to swim can use the lake – a unique selling point that distinguishes Wutzrock from almost all other festivals in the country.

Political Stage and Info Booths

Between concerts, anti-fascist groups, neighborhood initiatives, environmental associations, and cultural-political organizations provide information at booths. Speeches against the far-right have been part of the program for decades. The festival openly positions itself against racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia – an awareness team and clear house rules are embedded in its ethos.

Music: From Punk to Reggae to Hip-Hop

The musical spectrum is deliberately broad. Over the years, bands such as Slime, ZSK, Goldene Zitronen, Liedfett, Egotronic, Berge, Kettcar, and countless newcomers from the Hamburg and North German scene have performed. Punk and reggae form the core, complemented by hip-hop, indie, ska, and experimental electronic music. In addition, a children's festival program with face painting, a bouncy castle, and creative workshops plays an important role for the youngest guests.

An Original in the State of Hamburg

Wutzrock is not a mass event or a branded occasion. It's a neighborhood festival that has grown larger without selling out. This is precisely what makes it unique in Hamburg's festival calendar – and one of the few places where summer atmosphere, a lake, free entry, and uncompromising political conviction naturally come together.