One of the best almost free outdoor music festivals in Eindhoven, and far beyond. Powered by CHEOPS and Studium Generale: chill, bounce and dance to the likes of the headliners Gotu Jim on the SG Stage and Parker Fans on the main stage.
A couple of years ago, some music loving students from the Built Environment study association CHEOPS set out to create something extraordinary: a festival that would resonate with the vibrant spirit of Eindhoven's student community. Fast forward to today, and behold the magnificent result: Plugged Festival, a true gem among the city's music festivals. And the best part? It won't cost you a dime to experience its magic.
Picture this: a sun-soaked day, a pulsating atmosphere, and a lineup packed with young, talented artists ready to ignite the stage.
SG Stage Lineup
For the eight year in a row — well, with a small interruption by party-pooper Covid — Studium Generale will host the SG Stage, spotlighting a fresh mix of student acts:
With two band members being students in Eindhoven, Mistaken for Strangers is an alternative rock trio from Eindhoven that combines grunge-style riffs, psychedelic textures, and confrontational lyrics. The band is known for its intense, raw live performances and delivers unapologetic music that explores themes such as disillusionment, power, and political unease. The result is raw, loud, and made for catharsis.
Third Degree Burn is a student band from Groningen. One of the members is originally from Eindhoven, and all of them currently study in Groningen. The four-piece blends alternative indie and R&B into a distinctive fusion sound.
Formed by chance, the band creates music where individual tastes converge, evolving seamlessly to make room for each personality while showcasing both individuality and unity. From Erykah Badu-esque vocals to shoegaze-inspired noise, expect anything from high energy tracks to groovy sounds. They prioritize variety in their creative process and, above all, strive to make music they love.
National Liability, winner of the Band showdown organized by ESMG Modern, combines classic and modern rock with influences from pop, jazz, and metal, resulting in a dynamic and genre-bending sound. What began as a passion project has grown into a group of international musicians with a unique style and an energetic stage presence. They are currently working on new music, ranging from upbeat, feel-good tracks to slower, emotional songs.
SG Stage headliner: Gotu Jim
Gotu Jim went from student king to internet sensation to style icon, and he just keeps going. If he hadn’t stayed so down-to-earth, people would have called him a “superstar”. Earlier this year, he scored a viral TikTok hit with Misschien Kwijt, which grew into a full-fledged festival anthem. That track came from HIGH SOCIETY SWAGGERBOY, and now he’s releasing his second EP of the year, 2 HIGH 2 SOCIETY, completing the two-part series. The sound is still quintessentially Jim: dark and emotional, but never without a smile or sing-along hook. Studium Generale had already given him the chance to tear up the Corona Hall, and that was a blast.
Some random Plugged stats
In 2016, Plugged Festival topped the Festival Atlas 2016 in the innovation index— thanks to its bold rule: no artist performs twice.
Over the years, the festival has seen acts like Lookapony, Mozes and the Firstborn, Canshaker Pi, Tape Toy, The Cool Quest, Waltzburg, Caïro Liberation Front, Fokke Simons, Flaire, Compact Disk Dummies, Turfy Gang, Mood Bored and Dotan.
Tickets
Good news: Plugged is still basically free. Bad news: this year it’ll cost you a whole €1. We know… it’s a lot to take in. Grab your ticket online via the black order button, or just tap your bank card at the entrance, and consider it your official contribution to a day of music, sunshine, and excellent decisions.