For half a decade, Zeitgeist has stood proudly at the crib of new, potentially groundbreaking and truly “zeitgeist” acts. Whether emerging from the underground or exploding straight through it, these are the artists that redefine, readjust and remix what it means to be “the next big thing”.
Across previous editions, we’ve witnessed unforgettable performances from Black Country, New Road, shame, DITZ, Geordie Greep, Maruja, DEADLETTER, Lambrini Girls and many more.
This year we’re excited to welcome My New Band Believe, Dove Ellis, M(h)aol, Kabeaushé, Downtown Boys and many more to be announced after the summer.
Let’s celebrate five years of today’s sound, community and that euphoric feeling of “I saw them before they blew up.”
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, July 1st, 11 AM CEST.
Line-up
Cringing over your own band name, now that’s the Zeitgeist.
When black midi called it quits in 2023, bassist and sometime frontman Cameron Picton didn’t feel like diving into new musical project right away. Loose plans were made but never materialized. This year we’re finally blessed with My New Band Believe’s debut album, which came to realization as a literal fever dream.
Picton was fighting a terrible illness on tour in a China and in his hotel room he was overcome by flashes of weird imagery and loose ribbons of scrambled text. Later salvaging and shaping some of those fragments into songs, but the one that lodged most clearly in his mind was the odd phrase, “My New Band Believe.”
Just like Geordie Greep’s solo work, it’s obvious in Cameron’s work that the black midi DNA caries over (like a flu perhaps?) in his own solo work. “In the Blink of an Eye” is the perfect example of that. Tracks like “Love Story” and “One Night” carry more of Cameron’s unique, brisk and sharp storytelling. And if they ever decided to write a musical around Luigi Mangione’s life, “Target Practice” would be the perfect opening track. The album listens like diary fragments of anxiety ridden contradictions, even the music videos are captured in a cinéma vérité aesthetic.
Not on the album, but worth the shout out is the first single that the band released, “Numerology”. Familiarly frantic and midi-esq, whilst also showing that Cameron’s solo work is ready to be believed in. We’ll be chanting “364 I need just one more” until the end of the year.
The young Irish singer-songwriter Tom, stage name Dove Ellis, delivers a cathartic punch in the gut with his fresh yet nostalgic take on indie rock with a folky undertone. Supporting Geese on the US leg of their Getting Killed tour, he has put himself on the radar as one of the next artists to keep an eye on.
His debut album, Blizzard, came out last year on December the 5th, so we’re not only excited to see him perform tracks of the album live, but also excited to celebrate the birthday of this beautiful album turning one. The balance between serene ballads, powerful anthems and the nod to his Irish roots on the track “Jaundice” create 10 incredibly strong tracks.
Unearthly vocals, otherworldly melodies combined with painfully human lyrics. Blizzard feels like an intimate, homely quilt blanket. Simply put: Dove Ellis will leave you saying “that was beautiful”.
“Something Soft”, M(h)aol’s album released in 2025, is anything but. It’s a noisy kick in the back of gender norms. It’s a loud scream into the void. It’s the soundtrack of persistence.
The Irish intersectional feminist firebrands of M(h)aol consisting of Constance Keane (drums/vocals, she/her), Jamie Hyland (bass/vocals, she/her), and Sean Nolan (guitar, he/him), are known for their engaging live performances, confronting the heaviness of this world and sitting with it. M(h)aol highlights catharsis through community with their tracks, telling us it’s okay to mosh whilst we figure it out together.
“‘Snare’ is about countless conversations I’ve had since my first drum lesson on my ninth birthday about how bizarre it is that I play that instrument, or how I should be doing it differently,” recalls lead vocalist and drummer Constance Keane. “The idea of society gendering an inanimate object like a drum kit, when it’s something that brings me so much joy and release, has always frustrated me hugely, and I thought it was time to sing about it.”
More things to know to convince you that M(h)aol does not do things in halves:
Jamie Hyland has produced a few releases in Gilla Band’s repertoire.
The band has recently supported Lambrini Girls on part of their EU tour and has also supported Black Country, New Road.
Titling your latest album “KABEAUSHÉ PRESENTS: IGGY SWAGGERING UNGRATEFUL INCESSANT LITTLE PEEEAAAAAAAA” is one thing, but introing said album with a train horn and classical piece for it to follow up with a sledgehammer to the skull charged with an electronic-hyper-hiphop-pop fusion will surely kickstart anyone’s curiosity.
Kabochi Gitau, born in Nairobi and now Berlin-based, created Kabeaushé to live out, explore, and portray his innovative art and its facets.
Kabeaushé’s world is big, joyous, fantastical and intense. On the album we follow the fictional story of Iggy, the corrupt leader of the The Doerf Kingdom. The people want to vote out this oppressor as he desperately clings to the power given to him. Kabeaushé tells the story of Iggy’s rise and fall not only through music, but also through a series of music videos inspired by black-and-white silent films. In the end, Kabeaushé tells a very real recurring story: glamour and grandeur, overconfidence and overload, decay and humility.
Their new album “Public Luxury” released last Friday and it’s certain that Downtown Boys from Rhode Island are here to bite down and take down the roots of capitalism. Downtown Boys creates punk in its purest form: politically loud and frighteningly female.
Singer Victoria Marie and guitarist/singer Joey La Neve DeFrancesco first met at union meetings while working together at a hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, writing many of the band’s early songs about labour organizing and exploitative workplaces. Topics of colonialism, racism and sexism are at the forefront of their tracks. Complemented by Victoria Marie’s vocals in both English and Spanish, a saxophone reminding of brass bands during political protest during strike actions and an ever urgent and powerful sound. Downtown Boys is here to take back the power.
Ticket info
Regular – €53,50
Early Birds – €49,- [sold out]
Next Gen – €45,-
Meedoenregeling – €45,-
The Zeitgeist community is important to us. Introducing people to the sounds of today is important. Culture, live music, festivals and anything fun keeps getting more expensive. It’s a challenge to keep the gap between giving underground music a podium and a fully-fledged professional festival closed, but it is something we will continue to strive to do. We see and have heard the struggle of the next generation.
Next-gen ticket
That’s why we’ll be introducing and experimenting with a limited “next-gen” ticket. This ticket offers Zeitgeist visitors <22 years of age the chance to attend our celebrations with a 15% discount (€45,-).
You can purchase this ticket through the normal ticket link mentioned above.
You’ll be asked to check a box that confirms that you’ll be <22 years of age when attending Zeitgeist on the 5th of December. This ticket is not limited to students, anyone under the age of 22 can purchase the ticket.
Meedoenregeling (low-income ticket)
FAQ
Every December (for 2026 it will be on Saturday the 5th) at the Doornroosje venue, Nijmegem, Stationsplein 11, The Netherlands.
Doornroosje opens at 14:15, first act at the red stage will start at 15:00.
Last act at the red stage finishes at 23:15, last act at the purple stage finishes at 00:00.
The timetable will be shared somewhere in November.
Tickets are available via this website. If tickets are not sold out, they will also be available to purchase directly at the box-office.
The limited next-gen ticket is a special ticket for Zeitgeist visitors <22 years of age that includes a 15% discount.
You can purchase this ticket through the normal ticket link mentioned above.
We will check your ID at the door.
This ticket is not limited to students.
Yes, Zeitgeist is being offered as part of the Nijmegen “meedoenregeling”.
How purchasing a ticket for Zeitgeist works through this scheme can be found here.
You should receive a purchase confirmation within 24 hours. Make sure to check your spam folder. If you did not receive anything or if you have any other ticketing-related issues with your order, get in touch by contacting the Paylogic customer service.
All purchases are final. You can sell your ticket through Doornroosje’s resale platform. The line-up is subject to changes.
The Doornroosje venue is within 1-2 minute walking distance of the Nijmegen Station.
The Keizer Karel Parking garage is nearby (in opposite of the train station). You can find all the details for parking here (in Dutch).
Make sure you get home safely, you can always share a ride or call a taxi.
Yes. You will receive a stamp which allows you to leave and re-enter the venue.
Next to our regular assortment of beverages there is a specialty drinks bar on the first floor of the Purple Foyer. There will also be hot meals and sandwiches available made by our Kitchen Crew and another local vendor.
The artist and festival merch booth can be found upstairs of the venue. Cash and card payments can be available depending on the artist.
Doornroosje has a free cloakroom where you can leave coats and bags. There are also a limited amount of lockers available.
Doornroosje only allows card or PIN payments at the bar and food stands. Cash and card payments can be available at the merch booths depending on the artist.
There is no minimum age for visiting Zeitgeist. If you’re under 14 years old, you must be accompanied by someone over 18.
Please note that music volume can be loud and we encourage everyone to carry suitable ear protection.
If you require specific medical needs during the festival, please email info@doornroosje.nl in advance with your needs and any questions you may have. During the festival our venue staff-members and security staff are always there to assist you.
Doornroosje is accessible for wheelchair users (except for the balcony at the Red Stage).
You cannot bring a “professional camera” if you’re a visitor. A professional camera is considered anything with a detachable lens. Other accessories including monopods, selfie sticks, tripods are also not allowed. If you plan on taking photos with a small digital camera we implore you to be respectful of the artists and the people around you when using your camera. Do not use flash. Professional filming and recording equipment is prohibited.
Please contact kirsten.heskamp@doornroosje.nl for press enquiries.
Please contact us via info@doornroosje.nl if you have any questions that are not covered by this FAQ.
Zeitgeist 2025 in photos by Michelle Zwinkels, Ruben Smit and Kirsten Heskamp
