Popkademie acts play at the last Maifeld Derby
22. May 2025
At the 14th and final edition of the renowned Maifeld Derby Festival in Mannheim, three Popakademie acts will take to the stage: Alex Mayr, Akryl and Konstantin Gropper. The popular music and pop culture festival, founded by Popakademie graduate Timo Kumpf, impresses year after year with a lovingly compiled line-up - beyond the mainstream, with an exciting mix of international greats and up-and-coming talent.The festival takes place from May 30 to June 1, 2025 on the grounds of the riding club behind the Maimarkt grounds in Mannheim and promises unforgettable musical moments in its farewell edition.
On Friday, May 30, at 4:05 pm, Akryl will take the stage in the Palastzelt. The Swiss newcomer is currently studying Pop Music Design with a focus on songwriting and composition. Her debut single “Blumen aus Metall”, a combination of poetic lyrics with a multi-layered, delicately spun sound world, will be released soon.On Saturday, May 31, at 8:40 pm, Alex Mayr will be performing at Parcours D'Amour. The singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer completed her Bachelor of Arts in Pop Music Design in 2010. In addition to her solo career, she regularly collaborates with artists such as Konstantin Gropper (Get Well Soon), Casper and Dagobert and has worked on soundtracks for films and series. Since the winter semester 2024/25, Alex Mayr has been the artistic/technical advisor and project support for the vocal and songwriting focus in the Pop Music Design bachelor's degree program at the Popakademie.Following Alex Mayr's slot at 22:00, the stage at Parcours D'Amour belongs to Konstantin Gropper & Friends. The Pop Music Design graduate is known as “Get Well Soon”, has released four albums and numerous EPs and works successfully as a co-author and producer. As a permanent guest of 14 years of Maifeld Derby, on and in front of the stage, Konstantin Gropper will not be missing from the latest edition of the festival.The Maifeld Derby was founded in 2011 by Timo Kumpf, a graduate of the Music Business course. The festival has won several awards, including the HELGA Award for “Finest Booking” in 2017 and “Best Small Festival” at the European Festival Awards in 2023. The 14th and final edition of Maifeld Derby features a top-class line-up, including acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Bilderbuch, The Notwist and DJ Koze.