Hammer & Nails Hardcore BMX in Cologne!

Jul 29, 2025

Written by Bart de Jong

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What a way to spend a Saturday. After a morning coffee at mom’s Paul’s pick-up reached the 100.000km mark on our way to Hammer & Nails Fest in Cologne-Kalk, Germany. For safety reasons we’d hit the BK before entering the premises where the WTP Best trick was already in full swing. Will Jackson, some 20 years later, pulled a trick that had people going but there was more being done, and basically nonstop. With the clock counting down from a 20-minute session, it turned out to be a 25-minute gig as that “one more time” and “we just put another 2 minutes on the clock” were a welcome fit for the event. The spirit was BMX and everyone felt it. And enjoyed it.

Hardcore music fans sure got their money’s worth and those needing a tattoo had a chance to

get one, on one of the many tables that were set up. A photo expo was set up as well and we checked it all out before the Cliché BMX jam took place with about 5 female BMX-ers who were cheered on by the crowd in Cologne that surrounded the playing field. Next up was the rail and ledge jam, some of it we missed because we caught up with friends having adult beverages.

When it got dark and the BMX-ing was over, Disintegrate got on stage. Secretly we came to see S&M employee James Murphy play and then found out the band only hosted BMX-ers with Broc Raiford being the lead singer! Things got out of hand quickly and the mosh pit erupted. Halfway through the gig, the medics needed to jump in to save one of the unfortunate stage divers and that was the end of it. At least for us as we waved our goodbyes to James and headed home, later than planned, but for good reason. BMX is awesome.

Shout out to Felix Prangenberg and crew for putting their heart and soul into the event. It brought riders together and provided some of the best riding out there. More of this please.