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Popakademie
We arepeople who design
the future of music
Popakademie Baden-Württemberg - University for Music Business, Creative Industries and Popular Music
We arepeople who design
the future of music
Popakademie Baden-Württemberg - University for Music Business, Creative Industries and Popular Music

Good to see you!

The Popakademie Baden-Württemberg is an higher education institution and competence centre for the music and creative industries and their pop cultural scenes. By focusing its study programmes on popular music - in economic as well as artistic terms - it offers an academic education that is unique in Germany's public university landscape. Numerous successful careers of musicians and creatives have been founded here.

Parallel to its function as a teaching institution, the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, as a competence centre, realises numerous projects in a regional, national and international context.


Anika Nilles
08. October 2025

Popakademie lecturer Anika Nilles plays drums for Rush

Mannheim-based drummer and Popakademie lecturer Anika Nilles will be touring with legendary Canadian rock band Rush in 2026. The band made a surprise announcement on October 6 that they were _ _ _
14. October 2025

World Drum Festival: Registration begins

On Saturday, November 8th 2025, the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, in cooperation with the Cultural Office of the City of Mannheim and the European drum and percussion association “Percussion _ _ _
01. October 2025

Popakademie alumnus provides sound for the TECHNOarena

The TECHNOSEUM now offers a new, innovative format for science communication that takes visitors behind the scenes of research and development: the specially designed TECHNOarena regularly hosts _ _ _


14. October 2025

World Drum Festival: Registration begins

On Saturday, November 8th 2025, the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, in cooperation with the Cultural Office of the City of Mannheim and the European drum and percussion association “Percussion _ _ _
08. October 2025

Popakademie lecturer Anika Nilles plays drums for Rush

Mannheim-based drummer and Popakademie lecturer Anika Nilles will be touring with legendary Canadian rock band Rush in 2026. The band made a surprise announcement on October 6 that they were _ _ _
01. October 2025

Popakademie alumnus provides sound for the TECHNOarena

The TECHNOSEUM now offers a new, innovative format for science communication that takes visitors behind the scenes of research and development: the specially designed TECHNOarena regularly hosts _ _ _
21
Oct
Popakademie Talks
In the “Popakademie Talks” series, guests from the music and culture sector discuss various current topics. In the 2025/26 winter semester, three talks will be held on the topic of “Populism and Extremism.”

Gender roles? Nope! A flawless resume? Nope! A perfect morning routine? Nope! The Freiburg duo WILLMAN would much rather say “yes” to themselves, even at the risk of being uncool. Anyone who stands in the way of the duo's path to uncompromising self-acceptance is met with a snotty “You can kiss my ass.” With rap-infused empowerment pop anthems, Jo (vocals, synth) and Felix (drums) give the middle finger to outdated norms, external expectations, and constant self-optimization on their new EP “Ich bin Ich” (I am me). True to the motto: “How I was / how I am / is leading somewhere.” WILLMAN confidently package questions about the search for identity, setting personal boundaries, and mental health into danceable tracks and, armed with a healthy dose of courage, also sing about self-doubt and insecurities.

Participation in the talk is free of charge.
Start
19:00
Popakademie, Hafenstr.33, Raum 001
24 Oct

25 Oct
Live & Laut concerts @ Nachtwandel
This year the Nachtwandel invites you to art, music and culture in Mannheim's Jungbusch harbour district.

The Bandpool will also open its doors on October 24th and 25th and will present current Bandpool bands and a few specials. That means this weekend there will be good music on two evenings in the Popakademie!
Start
20:00
Popakademie, Hafenstr. 33, Raum 001
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