Funhouse Festival in Kiel - High energy with a slight aftertaste

We're once again at the Funhouse Festival in Kiel as it enters its second year. After the somewhat bumpy—but still successful—start last year, it now seemed again problematic at the beginning. Similar to last year, there was a bottle-neck in the middle the entrance. To the left was the main stage and on the right the electro stage. Unfortunately, severe weather warnings and pelting rain showers turned the Nordmarksportfeld into a mud pit after only a few hours. Despite drainage and measures taken on the second day, conditions remained difficult. Nevertheless, the visitors and the crew were not deterred and day tickets and evening box offices brought in more festival guests.

Curtains up for the Funhouse Manege

Many booths and attractions provided guests with food, drink, fashion, and games, in addition to the live acts. From classic beer pong championships to wrestling rings with spectacular interludes, to walking acts in circus garb. A young and colorful festival, busy with hustle-and-bustle, all in accordance with its motto: Curtains up for the Funhouse Manege.

Noteworthy: Local booths, brands, and actors, as well as local artists were cleverly included and provided a colorful diversity amidst the Nordic Kiel charm.

Bausa, Donots, Jeremias, Southstar, Stella Bossi, Ski Aggu and many more.

Musically, the booking shows diversity also this year. From stomping electro beats, to soft pop & soul voices, to punk rock pogopits on wheel loaders. The huge headliner was missing, yet the crew managed to bring well-known acts like Bausa, Donots, Jeremias, Southstar, Left Boy, Stella Bossi, Ski Aggu and many more to Kiel. This was surely no easy task, and definitely turned out to be a highlight for the state capital.

Ascent with a slight aftertaste

The city of Kiel is happy about every culture boost and every opportunity for young people to participate in events like this. This year, the Funhouse Festival is also delighted with the large number of visitors. However, if you follow the festival's social media channels, you will notice that there are also critical voices. Despite a large team with many players, one of the two organizers seems to be increasingly in the spotlight. With no less than three appearances at the festival and a large headline slot on Saturday evening, managing director Jannek Schmitt is providing himself with maximum attention. Later ticket prices of up to 123 euros without tent site and shortened live music duration (12-22 o'clock), were increasingly met with criticism. When then one of the bigger acts (MAJAN) canceled at short notice due to illness and thereupon one of the acts of the host shifts to the main stage, the anticipation of the festival threatened to topple.

More festivals and more music for Kiel

Despite slight disagreements, there is little to be felt at the end. The Funhouse Festival appealed with a professional performance, a strong lineup, and a well-attended area. Hats off to the crew and all involved and also to the two organizers, who once again proved that they are capable of successfully placing such an event in Kiel. We're looking forward to more of it next year!

Discount early bird concert tickets for 2024 can be found here: https://funhouse-festival.de/festivalticket

• Together-Kiel with Leoniden – finally festival feeling again!