TYNA from Hamburg wins the Panic Prize final at the Popakademie

A total of six bands took part. They each played three songs in a live audition, which were then evaluated by the jury. The decision was very difficult, as all the artists performed at the highest level. In the end, it was only small differences that decided the race. The final was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube from July 20.
All three bands will now play live at the Hermann Hesse Festival in Hirsau Monastery near Calw on July 27, 2024 from 7:30 pm. Top acts are Sarah Lesch and Deine Cousine, who have both already won the Panikpreis. Sarah Lesch 2016, Deine Cousine 2014. 5,000.00 euros will be awarded for the first three places in the Panic Prize. Fourth to sixth place each receive 2,500.00 euros. In total, over 300 bands and solo artists applied. "The standard was higher than ever this year. In this respect, it was difficult for the jury, as many of the application criteria were met. It was also striking this year how many women applied. We have never had this before and it is reflected in the result. We are delighted with this selection, as it represents the Panic Prize in all its facets. It will be a very special Hermann Hesse Festival this year with lots of female power, rock n roll and good messages," says Arno Köster, project coordinator of the Udo Lindenberg Foundation and jury member.

This year's special prize for "Best Hermann Hesse setting" goes to ROCKYTRIO. This inclusive band project has already won several awards. The members are between 13 and 15 years old. The jury's statement said: "The four very young musicians have set the poem "Im Nebel" by Hermann Hesse to music in an excellent, empathetic and emotional way and visualized it with a beautiful video. The singer Berenike Breitenstein touches the soul with her unpretentious, clear performance. Luna Spiegel on trombone, guitarist Paul Kowollik and Mika Rocky Mai on keyboard - he also composed and produced the piece - play wonderfully. They put on an amazingly professional performance and perform the best setting of Hesse's famous poem that has been heard in recent years. The band will reach people on stage and is representative of a very young readership that is intensively engaged with Hesse and thus expresses that his content is also relevant for future generations. That really is worth the award. And even though the poem "Im Nebel" is quoted very often, it addresses a topic that (again) affects people today, often even young people: loneliness. Conclusion: good music, good presentation, good singing, good charisma, a topical subject - something very special! The jury Regina Bucher, Herbert Schnierle-Lutz and Andreas Narr". ROCKYTRIO also play at the Hermann Hesse Festival.

PANIC PRIZE 2024 - Places 1 to 6

01. TYNA 5,000.00 euros and a performance at the Hermann Hesse Festival
02. GRELL 5,000.00 euros and a performance at the Hermann Hesse Festival
03. EALA 5.000,00 Euro and a performance at the Hermann Hesse Festival

04. KATHA ROSA 2.500,00 Euro
05. NIKRA 2.500,00 Euro
06. WILLMAN 2.500,00 Euro

Best Hermann Hesse setting - awarded by Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw

ROCKYTRIO 1,000.00 and a performance at the Hermann Hesse Festival

The jury: Udo Lindenberg, Beatrice Reszat (singer, songwriter and writer), Sarah Lesch (artist), Stefanie Hempel (artist), Rita Flügge Timm (Managing Director and owner of DolceRita Music & Publishing), Jennifer Belger (Senior Creative Manager and A&R Dolce Rita Music & Publishing), Stefanie Göthel (MAWI Concert/MAWI Artist Management), Henrik Menzel (Music Producer), Jem Seifert (Music Producer), Ben Streubel (SWR3), Noah Fischer (Saxophonist, Member of the Board of Trustees ULS), Derek von Krogh (Artistic Director and Managing Director of the Popakademie), Prof. Udo Dahmen (former artistic director and managing director of the Popakademie), Arno Köster (Udo Lindenberg Foundation).

PANIKPREISFINALE - the show. With all six bands and contributions about the work of the Udo Lindenberg Foundation. Hosted by Arno Köster and Udo Dahmen. From July 20 on YouTube and www.udo-lindenberg-stiftung.de

Hermann Hesse Festival. July 27, 2024, Hirsau Monastery near Calw. 7:30 pm.
TYNA, GRELL, EALA, ROCKY TRIO. Sarah Lesch and Deine Cousine.
Remaining tickets from 35 euros at Reservix.