New Bandpool generation confirmed

laela, Ein Rosenkavalier, LISÆ, Absteige, LISABETH, Tusker, and KARGO will receive advice and professional training in areas critical to their success during the 18-month funding period: from DIY release management, music law, strategic marketing, and live performance to dealing with hate speech. In addition to intensive and individually tailored advice and coaching, the acts will receive targeted visibility and direct access to an industry network.

Daniel Schmidt, Head of Music Licensing (BANDPOOL/Musikagentur Klinkt/RegioNET): “Bandpool Generation 28 has been decided! A huge thank you to the wonderful people on our fantastic jury, who represent what feels like the majority of the German music industry and supported us at the showcase in early February. Now we look forward to providing the acts of the new generation with advice and support.”

“Bandpool has been the Popakademie's successful top promotion program since 1998. Numerous successful bands such as Marlo Grosshardt, ClockClock, Revolverheld, Max Giesinger, Lotte, Provinz, and Betterov have emerged from it. We are very much looking forward to the new generation,” said Michael Herberger, Business Director and Managing Director of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg.

The 2026 jury consisted of Björn Müller (Universal Music / Electrola), Daniel Schmidt (KLINKT, BANDPOOL, Regionet), Erick Luft (BANDPOOL project group), Helena Stössel (SWR3), Isabelle Schaa (Budde Music Publishing), Johanna Herzer Santana (wasted talent), Johannes Günther (BANDPOOL project group), Jonathan König (KLINKT music agency, BANDPOOL), Jochen Naaf (Independent), Jules Kalmbacher (Good Kid Records), Jules Müller (Sony Music / Epic Records), Julius Weickert (BANDPOOL project group), Kevin Niedernhöfer (BTA Live), Lisa Ruetz (HABITAT Musikmanagement), Lukas Menke (Øjeblik Entertainment / Angst Booking), Luis Golueke (Sony Music / Columbia), Marcel Valin (BMG Rights Management), Martin Müller (Karlstorbahnhof Heidelberg), Nils Max (A.S.S. Concerts), Niklas Otten (Independent), Niklas Tholen (Embassy of Music), Solveigh Tombrägel (FSJ Musikagentur KLINKT, BANDPOOL), Sonja Urmann (Concord Music Publishing), and Sophie Mathes (Universal Music / Virgin Music).

Bandpool offers selected artists a comprehensive program of workshops, coaching, and mentoring. For more information about Bandpool, visit: https://bandpool.de/

About the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg: The Popakademie is a state-run higher education institution and center of excellence for the music and creative industries and their pop culture scenes. With its focus on popular music and the creative industries, it offers academic training that is unique in Germany's public higher education system.