Krake Festival is back with another bold and boundary-pushing programme of techno and performance art – with a special focus on inclusivity and accessibility in the club scene. It kicks off with an opening party on Tuesday June 18 at Berghain, followed by a jam-packed weekender over at ://about blank on Saturday June 22 and Sunday 23. Interested? Here’s what to expect:
Opening event – Tues June 18
Hosted by a true legend of the Berlin drag scene (and The Berliner favourite) Pansy, Krake Festival 2024 gets going at Berghain. There, you can look forward to a performance from Drag Syndrome – the world’s “first and only collective of drag kings and queens with Down’s syndrome”.
Also on the lineup is the self-titled XXL disco diva Hard Ton, whose Sylvester-style falsetto solos and campy acid basslines will see you dancing the night away.
Rounding off the night, electronic producer and performer Sarah Sommers will be bringing her signature Barbie-core aesthetic and 90s rave sounds to the decks. Emerging from the inclusive music project Ick Mach Welle, Für Elise is the brainchild of soulful vocalist Elise Neumann and legendary producer Khan of Finland, and is sure to blow audiences away (take a listen to Für Elise’s new release Paradiso (IMW001) here).
Weekender – Sat June 22 & Sun 23
Anna Z b2b J Manuel
If you’re craving some 90s deep techno, don’t miss Anna Z and J Manuel back to back on the decks. With complex beats and modular synth sounds, the pair are guaranteed to deliver an exciting and dynamic set.
Anthony Rother
A real pioneer of electro music, Anthony Rother has been releasing game-changing tracks since he started his recording career in the late 80s. These days, his sci fi-inspired sound is still pushing the boundaries of electro, techno and pop, and his set at this year’s Krake Festival will be no exception.
AUGN (live)
AUGN have rapidly been making a name for themselves in Germany’s ironic post-punk scene. Performing with their faces covered by stockings, the pair are near-anonymous, but that hasn’t stopped them from making major waves in the industry with their brash performances and rage-filled sound.
Bloody Mary
Internationally-renowned producer, DJ and label owner Bloody Mary has been a staple of the Berlin house and techno scene for almost two decades now. During her set, you can expect dance floor bombs packed with tons of 80s and 90s flavour.
Roli Boli vs Playtronica (live)
Living with speech and movement difficulties doesn’t stop Roland Walter (aka Roli Boli) from performing live electronic music. In fact, he embraces the apparent limitations of his disability, letting his voice and uncontrolled movements dictate his music-making on stage, and using electronic music as a way to connect with those around him.
Umwelt b2b Nite Fleit
Australian-born DJ and founder of Atomic Alert Nite Fleit has been cultivating her distinct and uncompromising sound for a decade now. With a reputation for powerful and compelling performances, you can look forward to Nite Fleit’s signature sound – a dangerous blend of techno, electro, EBM and acid as she goes back to back with Umwelt.
Wellen.Brecher (live)
An inclusive rave/techno collective based right here in Berlin, Wellen.Brecher are known for their danceable, experimental sound and unpredictable stage presence. A constellation of artists with a variety of musical backgrounds and abilities, their live performance at Krake 2024 is not to be missed. Their newest EP Kaputt, with remixes by The Horrors and JP Toulouse, is out Friday June 14.
WaqWaq Kingdom (live)
Kiki Hitomi and Shigeru Ishihara deliver a genre-bending and psychedelic take on traditional Japanese Minyo folk music through their bass duo WaqWaq Kingdom. At this live performance, you can expect the duo to draw on influences ranging from Jamaican dancehall, footwork, dub, techno, tribal polyrhythms, to Super Nintendo soundtracks.
- Keen to find out more about the Krake Festival 2024 programme and get your tickets? Visit their website or check out their Instagram at @krakefestival.
