The Hit The City lineup

Hit The City is back, and once again it's going all out with artists like Jonna Fraser, S10 and Mula. For a lineup like this, you'd normally pay a lot. At Hit The City, you pay nothing – and no, there's no catch. With more than 70 artists, from hip-hop and metal to indie and pop, your only real problem is that you can't be in four places at once. Let us help you choose!

Practical information

First things first. From 27 to 29 August, half of Eindhoven turns into a festival stage, with performances everywhere from Effenaar and Dynamo to Vrijstaat and POPEI. Ketelhuisplein at Strijp-S is the festival's main stage and the place to catch the biggest names. And yes, we already mentioned it: the entire festival is free. Perfect for taking a chance on an artist you've never heard of before. Who knows, you might just discover your new favorite band. Check out the full lineup and timetable here.

Opening night: dark, loud and danceable | Thursday 27 August

Hit The City kicks off at Effenaar with three bands for anyone who likes their music with a raw edge. Dublin-based Croíthe brings dark indie post-punk, DEADLETTER serves up dark, danceable alt-rock, and High Vis closes the night with progressive hardcore.

Where: Grote Zaal (main hall), Effenaar

Dutch favorites & global sounds | Friday 28 August

Thursday is easy. Friday is where the schedule-induced stress begins. At Ketelhuisplein, Kevin, Jonna Fraser and Typhoon take over the main stage one after another. FOMO on what's happening elsewhere in the city is completely justified.

At Vrijstaat, Olkan & La Vipère Rouge spin Mediterranean-inspired techno, Parbleu brings Caribbean sounds, and YĪN YĪN serves up its signature Southeast Asian-inspired grooves. Meanwhile, Stage Music Café heads in a different direction with rap, afro and hip-hop from artists including Njarko, LEV. and Ceebo.

Where: Ketelhuisplein, Vrijstaat and Stage Music Café

Dutch glory & heavy noise | Saturday 29 August

By Saturday, you'll probably wish you could clone yourself. Ketelhuisplein once again hosts a packed lineup of big names in the Dutch music scene, including Elmer, Mula, S10 and Josylvio. More into niche genres like folk? Head to POPEI or Nieuwe Oude Rechtbank (the new old courthouse) for the poetic and nostalgic sounds of Owen Bryce, Puntjudith and Silver Lake.

Want to end Hit The City on a heavier note? The Jack has you covered. From early evening until late at night, expect a storm of rock and post-punk from Coalmine Canary, Hex Girlfriend and Mouth Ulcers. Or, in the words of HOOFS: ‘noise you can dance to. And dance you will.’

Where: Ketelhuisplein, POPEI, Nieuwe Oude Rechtbank, and The Jack