The legendary c/o pop festival will take place from April 15 to 19, 2026. The annual multi-day mega-event in Cologne will be celebrated with a fittingly slamming lineup to accompany the occasion. Included are, per usual, a selection of incredible Austrian acts, as well as an Austrian Heartbeats Networking Reception, hosted together with Swiss Music Export. For the 2026 edition of c/o pop, Austrian Music Export proudly presents 6 acts to see live and keep your eyes open for…
Curious? Scroll away.
Austrian Artists at c/O POP 2026
Anda Morts
Kitsch and euphemisms have no place in the music of Linz-based punk icon Anda Morts. His debut album “ANS” (Austrian for “one”) will be released later this year. It deals with fascists, incels, highways, and nicotine. The way Anda catapults old punk formulas into the here and now with a pounding heart and an angry attitude, the way he outlines reality with maximum urgency, is so furiously captivating that you immediately want more. Anda Morts is an excellent observer, dissecting subcultures and other scenes, relationships, the street, politics, and society with just a few lines. He has mastered the art of moving from the seemingly small to the big picture, and in doing so, he has a deeply felt, unadulterated tenderness and love for his characters.
Concert: April 17, 21:00 – 22:00 @ CBE
Ella Stern
Ella Stern began her musical career as a German pop singer-songwriter in her hometown of Vienna after several years of musical theater training in Hamburg. German-language cover versions of international hits on social media received a huge response and led her almost seamlessly to her own music.
Ella sings from the perspective of a quarter-life crisis about topics that ultimately affect us all. However, she always tells her stories from a slightly different angle than what we are used to. With a humorous twist and a different narrative perspective, her music makes you want to dance a little, even when she tackles more serious topics.
Concert: April 16, 21:00–21:45 @ YUCA
GATAFIERA
This act is part of the c/o pop nonstop program.
GATAFIERA is a Vienna-based Latinx duo composed of queer trans artists Hoesé and Luí Matias dos Santos. Their performances are more than concerts – they are immersive experiences that challenge the status quo and inspire audiences to celebrate diversity and individuality.
Combining their Peruvian and Brazilian roots, they have created a transformative musical project that blends reggaeton and baile funk with elements of drum and bass and rock, crafting a sound that energizes listeners, evokes deep emotional resonance, and amplifies their thought-provoking messages. More than just musicians, GATAFIERA is a bold statement of representation, liberation, and the power of embracing one’s identity. GATAFIERA aims to continue pushing the boundaries of urban Latin music while creating space for underrepresented voices in the industry.
In April 2024, GATAFIERA released their debut single, Perreo Deculonizado, which has been on regular rotation on FM4 ever since. One year later they unveiled their debut album SUDACA ATACA, marking a significant milestone in their burgeoning career. Since then they’ve been playing shows all over Europe, spreading their message and solidifying their place as a powerful new voice of the community.
Concert: April 17, GATAFIERA, 00:30 – 01:15 @ Bürgerzentrum Ehrenfeld
Jo The Man The Music
Jo The Man The Music bridges past and present, weaving elements from decades gone by into a modern, forward-thinking sound. The name itself reflects Jo’s self-perception as a streng authentic artist while playfully challenging traditional gender roles. lt’s a call to question stereotypes and redefine strength with a touch of humor. Distorted electric guitars meet a delicat singer-songwriter sound, creating a modern, yet nostalgic world that sits comfortably between indie and alternative pop.
Her debut EP, Soft Skin, was released in fall 2025 and comprises six songs that delve into the struggles and hopes of a generation. They explore themes of self-acceptance, inner chaos, societal expectations, and the beauty of vulnerability when strength and fragility collide.
Concert: April 16, Jo The Man The Music, 20:00 – 20:45 @ Artheater Basement
Laurenz Nikolaus
Growing up between the last bus in the suburbs and the first subway to the big city, Laurenz Nikolaus opens his diary and lets us share in his everyday worries, young love, and cultivated idleness in an old building. What seems melancholic at first glance carries itself with surprising lightness, somewhere between Austropop and indie, between Hirsch, Voodoo Jürgens, and a touch of Beirut. It’s about the everyday things that are also the big issues in life—falling in love, having your heart broken, losing yourself and finding yourself again. He wraps these themes in lyrics that are direct, sometimes lovingly twisted, often amusing, and always relatable.
Concert: April 17, 18:15 – 19:00 @ CBE
lovehead
At the age of 19, with their nonchalant confidence, lovehead from Burgenland, Austria, are finally reviving the lightheartedness of indie rock. Along the way, Anna, Leni, and Mara have proven to each other over the past few years that they can truly rely on their intuition. Three released songs were enough to win thousands of hearts with their combination of raw grunge sounds and mischievous songwriting. For the band itself, this is no reason to lose their heads. Because they know, of course, that this is just the beginning.
Concert: April 16, 21:45 – 22:30 @ CBE
Austrian Heartbeats Reception
Let’s CH-AT!
Austrian Heartbeats meets Swiss Business Mixer: At the joint reception, there will be networking opportunities with people from the music industry in Switzerland and Austria, a complimentary cold drink, and culinary surprises (if we can agree on the cheese). No RSVP required. Find out more here.
Time & Place: 17:30 – 19:30, April 16 @ Herbrand’s – Networking B
Hosted by: Austrian Music Export & Swiss Music Export
