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The Year In Music: 2025

At the beginning of each year, our musical reviews take stock of the most exciting developments in German music over the past year. What trends shaped electronic music and pop, what happened in jazz, and what were the highlights in classical, new, and early music? We look at what was important—and what stood out in particular.

DJ Koze | Photo (detail): © Pampa Records DJ Koze | Photo (detail): © Pampa Records

  • Pop and Electronic Music 2025

    Rebels and Babyfaces

    Gender, the Middle East and the club crisis – 2025 was a political year for German pop, with Gen Z artists boldly expressing their aesthetic vision, while still finding time for duets with Ski Aggu.

    DJ Koze DJ Koze | Photo (detail): © Pampa Records DJ Koze | Photo (detail): © Pampa Records

  • Jazz 2025

    The Year of The Voice(s)

    Alongside international collaborations and a strong emerging generation of artists, debates about participation, working conditions and visibility shaped the scenes in all federal states. Musically and socially, 2025 was a year of diverse voices for jazz.

    Cologne Jazzweek Cologne Jazzweek | Photo (detail): © Niclas Weber Cologne Jazzweek | Photo (detail): © Niclas Weber

  • Classical, contemporary and early music 2025

    The music plays on

    Germany’s musical year is sending positive messages: audience numbers are rising, more people are making music themselves, classical music is finding wider reach on social networks, and the industry is opening up. Although the pressure remains high in terms of cultural funding. What does that mean for the future?

    Ketan Bhatti's "Die Odyssee" Ketan Bhatti's "Die Odyssee" | Photo (detail): © Matthias Jung Ketan Bhatti's "Die Odyssee" | Photo (detail): © Matthias Jung