With a program that spans across three-days, the festival will delight visitors with a wide-spectrum of musical performances, DJ-sets, talks, films, and installations.
Showcasing a wide and diverse pool of talent from Berlin and elsewhere, Pop-Kultur is a place to discover new talents, enjoy the sounds of rising stars, and revel in the presence of pop-royalty. And with that, here are our top picks from this year’s festival.
Tucha
Electro and EMB producer TUCHA (ТУЧА) is part of large and established crew of artists representing Ukraine at this year’s Pop-Kultur festival. As well as being outspoken about the war in her country, the award-winning producer and inter-disciplinary artist has been entertaining festival crowds across Europe with her flair and dynamism, projecting her energy and soul into her fully-charged, electric sets.
- Alte Kantine, Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Aug 30, 23:40-00:20.
Anika: Lost Voices
The Berlin, cold-wave cult star with the unmistakable voice, has been commissioned to produce a one-off performance for this year’s event alongside Mexican feminist film-maker, Tabatta Salinas. By manipulating pieces originally prepared for this private space, played across headphones, for one-night only the artists will ask attendees to explore the theme of lost-voices through this charged and engaging, political multi-media showcase.
- Kesselhaus, Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Aug 30, 20:00-21:00.
Empress of
What more can be said about Empress Of, that hasn’t been said already? We don’t really need to tell you that this is one of the must-see shows of the festival, if not this year. Sultry, lush and rhythmic pop, innovatively produced and exquisitely delivered, Empress Of is the unparalleled, alt-pop Queen of our generation. Miss at your peril.
- Kesselhaus, Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Aug 30, 22:50-23:40.
Crack Cloud
Part of a new wave of er, new wave indie post-punk rock kids from Canada, Crack Cloud bring the theatrical to everything they do. Always striving to surprise, entertain, and just generally be weird — in a good way — Crack Cloud are rarely seen in the German capital. Now’s your time to emerge yourself in their fantasy world of saxophones, and operatic post-noise.
- Palais, Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Aug 31, 23:40-00:40.
The Düsseldorf Düsterboys
This Essen duo draw influence from folk-pop and Brazilian tropicalismo for a sound that’s warm and heartfelt. Their lyrics and melodies switch back and forth between them in a way that radiates their love for the music infectiously.
- Kesselhaus, Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Sep 1, 20:20-21:20.
Artistic Talks
Alongside the performances and films, artists will take to the podium to tackle some of the most important issues affecting today’s music scene head-on. Highlights from this year’s program include multiple panels about artists with disabilities, inclusivity, the gender pay gap, global scenes, and much more.
- Venues across Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, various times.
- For the full program click here.
