HAPPENING 17–19 April 2025 | MOMO Festival is one of the best known and most intimate festivals in Rotterdam. The festival brings together multiple forms of art – from music to dance – at different locations in the heart of the city.
MOMO is a festival of contrasts, with the always raucous Rotterdam in the background. Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) takes over Rotterdam again with an art, performance, and music program at special locations in the city. MOMO always delivers a jam-packed program of art, performances, tours, talks, and surprises.
When does the next edition of MOMO Festival take place?
MOMO Festival, celebrating a milestone 25th anniversary, will bring a diverse lineup to Rotterdam from 17 to 19 April 2025. Known for its fusion of art, music, and performance, the festival is set to feature established names alongside emerging talents, with venues across the city hosting a variety of performances and installations. Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) has announced an initial list of artists, promising a broad artistic experience and unique interactions with the urban environment. Tickets are available on the MOMO website.
What is MOMO Festival Rotterdam?
As the original name (Motel Mozaique) implies, MOMO Festival is a mosaic of music, art, and culture. The first edition was held in 2001 and in the two decades since, it has only got bigger and better. The MOMO Festival is held at different locations in Rotterdam's city centre; in theatres, cafés, concert halls, clubs and (former) churches. From daring art performances to unique guided city tours; MOMO is a unique festival that not only brings music to the city, but in a way, also brings the city closer to itself. Past editions of the festival featured up-and-coming superstars such as Luke Sital-Singh and George Ezra.
MOMO Festival Rotterdam - dates, line-up, event information - Photo by Niek Hage
MOMO Festival's 2025 line-up
The first names announced for MOMO Festival 2025 include British post-punk band Squid, alternative pop artist Geordie Greep, and American-Sudanese rapper and producer Oddisee. Rotterdam will also host local artists, such as Joep Beving & Maarten Vos and Hélène Vrijdag, who will offer audiences a range of sounds and visual performances. The complete lineup will continue to be revealed in the coming months.
Notable acts at MOMO 2025
Squid – Known for their dynamic and genre-bending sound, British band Squid will bring an energetic live show. Their previous albums, Bright Green Field (2021) and O Monolith (2023), have received acclaim for their complexity and creativity, blending psychedelic and experimental tones.
Geordie Greep – Formerly the lead of avant-garde rock band black midi, Greep’s solo work introduces new layers to the alternative pop genre. His 2024 debut album, The New Sound, merges jazz-funk with soulful and unexpected melodies, offering an “accomplished confection,” according to music publication UNCUT.
Oddisee – This Washington D.C.-based artist fuses East Coast hip-hop with Sudanese rhythms, gospel, and funk, bringing a blend of jazz and lyrical insight that has placed him among the top of the underground scene. Known for thoughtful and introspective lyrics, Oddisee's music explores human experiences and social themes.
Joep Beving & Maarten Vos – The duo of pianist Joep Beving and cellist Maarten Vos will present their work Vision of Contentment (2024). Their compositions are a meditative experience, drawing on themes of loss and acceptance, set to an atmospheric soundscape of piano and haunting cello melodies.
my sweet nasty lunacy – This project by Hélène Vrijdag, performed as her alter ego Woman Folly, is inspired by Rotterdam’s cultural roots, referencing Erasmus’ Lof der Zotheid (The Praise of Folly). The solo act features hyperpop songs and a light installation, presented in collaboration with Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam.
MOMO Festival Rotterdam - dates, line-up, event information - Photo by Rosa QuistA look back at MOMO’s roots in Rotterdam
Founded in 2001, MOMO Festival emerged during Rotterdam’s year as the European Capital of Culture and has since remained a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar. Throughout its history, MOMO has transformed locations such as Nighttown, the old LantarenVenster on Gouvernestraat, and even a temporary church at Schouwburgplein into stages for international and local talent. Past lineups have included artists like LCD Soundsystem, Mumford & Sons, and Tamino, establishing MOMO as a diverse cultural platform.
MOMO Festival official Spotify playlist
Aftermovie: Motel Mozaique Festival
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