Our Award Winners
Artists, festivals, and music journalists shape the future of music culture in very different ways. They bring new sounds to the stage, create spaces for connection, and tell stories that change the way we see music. At Reeperbahn Festival 2026, we honoured these exceptional achievements with the Anchor Award, the International Music Journalism Awards, and the Helga! Festival Award, celebrating extraordinary talent, creative ideas, and remarkable dedication.
GANNA Wins the Anchor Award 2026
GANNA wins the Anchor Award 2026. With her elegant blend of traditional folk influences and contemporary sound, she impressed both the jury and the audience. Her performance was not only musically outstanding but also created a unique stage presence. GANNA transformed musical heritage into a modern context, creating something authentic, innovative, and unifying.
Congratulations to GANNA on winning the Anchor Award 2026!
Outstanding Stories at the International Music Journalism Awards
The International Music Journalism Awards 2026 once again recognised outstanding journalistic work across the fields of writing, audio, and multimedia. The spotlight was on established journalists and editorial teams, as well as emerging talents bringing fresh perspectives and new impulses to the industry.
Shaad D'Souza was named Music Journalist of the Year (English). The title of Music Journalists of the Year (German) went to the COSMO music editorial team of WDR.
Award-winning written works included Deftones Is for the Girls by Emma Wilkes for Drowned in Sound and Is Dubai the New Pop Metropolis? How Dubai Is Reinventing International Club Culture by Ralf Niemczyk for Rolling Stone Germany.
In the audio category, the winners were Fela Kuti: Fear No Man by Jad Abumrad for Audible Original and Higher Ground Audio, and Four Notes Against Stalin: The Shostakovich Case by Malte Hemmerich, Felix Kriewald, and Felicitas Ott for ARD Sounds.
The multimedia awards went to The Gen Alpha Melody by Carl E. Martin on YouTube and Xatar: One Life Is Not Enough by Stefan Kauertz, Alex Barbian, and Falk Schacht for NDR, SWR, WDR, and HR.
In the U30 / New Perspectives category, the winners were How Caregiving Sets the Rhythm: Jazz and Care Work by Sophie Emilie Beha for ARD Kultur, Geese: Stop the Train of Thought! by Lennart Brauwers for Kaput Mag, and Hotel Shanghai: I Had My Wildest Time in This Legendary Club. Now It’s Closing by Jonah Lemm for Der Spiegel.
Congratulations to all winners on their outstanding contributions and their important role in fostering diverse and future-oriented music journalism.
The Helga! Festival Award Returns
With an updated concept, the Helga! Festival Award returned to Reeperbahn Festival in 2026. The award recognises exceptional festivals and the people who shape Germany’s festival landscape with passion, creativity, and long-term commitment.
The 2026 winners were:
- Pferdefest (Small but Mighty)
- Nation of Gondwana (The Golden Mean)
- Fusion Festival (My Greatest Role Model)
- Orange Blossom Special (Fan Favourite)
A special award was also presented to SNNTG Festival and Highfield Festival, recognising their lasting contribution to festival culture and the communities that have grown around both events over many years.
Congratulations to all award recipients. You show just how diverse, innovative, and inspiring music culture can be.