Popakademie FSJ Project: FOKUS FLINTA* - Concert

The concert is organized by Stephanie Blümle, Luna Kraft, and Solveigh Tombrägel as part of their voluntary social year (FSJ) at the Popakademie. FOKUS FLINTA* aims to focus primarily on people who are often still underrepresented. The goal is to give FLINTA* artists visibility, to make our voices heard, and to encourage people to come forward. This is exactly what the three acts of the evening express through their music.

Naomi Westlake describes her own definition of electronic off-pop by combining modern beats with profound German pop lyrics. In doing so, she repeatedly addresses the escapism of her being as well as her personal definition of feminism. Her sound is inspired by international role models like Charli XCX, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, thanks to her English roots. She wants to break traditional gender roles and shows through her lyrics, her baggy style, and her passion for soccer that no one can dictate how she should behave as a woman. Thus, Naomi floats between worlds: between electro and pop, loud and soft, strength and vulnerability. Naomi is profound, extroverted, edgy, and androgynous. Her humorous videos about music and feminism, combined with her addiction to pasta with pesto, are already reaching millions of people online—and it’s only a matter of time before the same happens with her songs.

With shimmering indie synth-pop, Salemn transports listeners to a dreamy sonic universe where electronic textures, energetic guitar riffs, and catchy pop melodies blend into an introspective atmosphere. As a non-binary producer and the creative force behind the project, Salem Teal crafts songs that capture queer personal narratives and romantically apocalyptic everyday life. Uncomfortably honest and boldly direct. Each track is a self-contained sonic microcosm: at times eccentrically fragile, at others nervously explosive, interwoven with subtle sonic ideas and nuances. After spending months in the studio fine-tuning their second EP, set for release in May, these new tracks are practically begging to move audiences in intimate clubs.

Cheeky, direct, energetic — that’s MAIVA. MAIVA’s lyrics are unapologetically honest & sometimes a bit cheeky, served with a dash of agave syrup. She knows how to provoke without losing her sense of humor. Even when tackling heavy topics — whether heartbreak or excessive overthinking — MAIVA remains in a league of her own: sharp-tongued, ironic, and never without that little twist of lightheartedness. Ouch? Sure. But she turns it into a punchline and shrugs it off. With cheeky ease, MAIVA has been whirling across German stages like a ball of energy since 2023, never losing her edge in over 80 live shows — whether opening for Alphaville, Raum27, and Soffie or sharing the stage with Bruckner and Paula Hartmann. After two years of singing in English, she made the switch to German in 2025. With this change, she makes it clear: no more half-measures—only pure MAIVA from now on.

In addition to the concert, there will be information booths run by local queer-feminist initiatives. Those interested will have the opportunity to network, share experiences, and learn more. Financial support is provided by Bosch Car Service - COURTIN GmbH & Co. KG and Mannheim sagt Ja e.V. The Popakademie Baden-Württemberg also supports the project.

FOKUS FLINTA* - Concert
Youth Culture Center forum
Neckarpromenade 46, 68167 Mannheim
Doors open: 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets: €5, Tickets, at the door €8

Everyone is warmly invited to dance, sing, and celebrate — provided they do so respectfully (sexism, homophobia, racism, and any other form of discrimination have no place here).

The Landesvereinigung Kulturelle Jugendbildung (LKJ) Baden-Württemberg, as the sponsoring organization, offers volunteer services in the fields of culture and education. After finishing school or vocational training, young people can spend a year engaging in cultural and educational activities and use this educational and enriching time for personal development as well as career orientation.

In the Culture and Education Volunteer Service, participants carry out a project independently. The project serves as a model and helps develop project management skills. It offers opportunities to take on responsibility and actively shape the project, and allows participants to try something new.