There is no need for Munich to hide its techno scene in an international context. The Bavarian capital was one of the birth places for techno in Germany and is currently contributing with various new club concepts and protagonists. In this article you’ll find a selection for your clubbing weekend in Munich as well as a short historical intro.
The Munich techno scene and culture is going through it’s second adolescence. Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich were host to the birth of techno in the beginning of the 90ies. Tanzlokal Größenwahn, Babalu, Pulverturm, Kraftwerk (KW), Parkcafé, Ultraschall I+II, Natraj Temple, Rave City, Disko B, Optimal Records, DJ Upstart, Monika Kruse, DJ Hell – all those people, parties and places have their origin in the late 80ies, early 90ies in Munich. The techno and subculture in Munich is reviving with new venues and initiators since a few years now. The clubs that survived during the downtimes of techno in the early 2000 in Munich are Harry Klein, Rote Sonne and the afterhour club Palais. There are also new concepts and locations that are state of the art or even renowned globally.
Just to name a few, the city reveals great talents like: Innellea, Zenker Brothers, David Muallem, Sascha Sibler, Benjamin Fröhlich, Leo Küchler, Glaskin and many more. You’ll find the interviews with some of those artists and tunes&wings here: David Muallem, Innellea, Mirko Hecktor, Benjamin Fröhlich.
Munich Clubs
Bahnwärter Thiel
Photo credit: Fabian Christ
Daniel Hahn and his team collect containers, vintage stuff and furtuniture, old circus tents, subway equipment, a wagon or even a whole boat. The genius casts a spell on us with locations, clubs, markets and the Wannda festival. Capturing the culture of this city and combining it with top bookings like rampue, Turmspringer, Jan Oberlaender, Jan Blomqvist, Einmusik, Mira, Jonas Saalbach, Monolink and the local Wannda crew. All in all Bahnwärter Thiel can be described as a cultural site and magical garten for like-minded ones.
BLITZ
Photo credit: August CC I Location Brooker
Well what can I say? I am sure you already read at least one article about the site and its fantastic sound concept. In my personal words I would describe it as follows: Muallem, Brane, Laurin Schafhausen and the whole team created an aquarium inside the German Museum where the sound is the water and you are the fish, surrounded by fantastic waves that go through and through. The booking is worldclass without being commercial. Among others Dr. Rubinstein, Konstantin Sibold, the Giegling acts, Roman Flügel, Innervision artists and Jeff Mills had the pleasure to play there. It’s also home to locals like Sascha Sibler and Zenker Brothers. If you want to find out more about the club, listen to the interview with Muallem here.
Bob Beaman
Photo credit: Resident Advisor / Bob Beaman
A lot has changed at Bob Beaman in the past two years. After David Muallem has left the club as musical and creative director, it remained quiet around the musical perspective of the club that is also hosting hip hop events on Saturdays. Since half a year local promoters are trying to bring back the energy. It would be such a waste not using the top sound and light system.
Harry Klein
Photo credit: KIDKUTSMEDIA Photography
This club is run by David Süß and his team who was also a protagonist during the Ultraschall times back in the 90ies. The lighting concept is based strictly on live visuals and the room-in-room-concept (the whole club is carried by metal springs in the cellar), offer a great sound- and light experience. The guests are a mixture of ravers from the 90ies and younger ravers. With regular event series ‚Garry Klein’ & ‚Marry Klein’ the club also is a platform for gay parties and creates awareness for female techno artists. Next to residencies of locals and Karotte, the booking mainly focuses on German acts.
MMA – Mixed Munich Arts
Photo credit: MMA
The MMA is located in an former heat and power station with a raw and rough flair. A German magazine described the boiler hall of MMA as ‚impressive cathedral of energy’. The energy ten meters under the earth is indeed a very special one. Special are also the bookings there. Many Ostgut artists and DJs like Len Faki and Ben Klock are on the timetable, that’s why MMA is often described as the Berghain of South Germany.
Pacha Munich
Photo credit: Pacha Munich
Since 2010 the Ibiza subsidiary is located in the heart of Munich. The initiators Tom Hilner and René Vaitl also ran the Kraftwerk in the 90ies. The event series “World League” has it’s origin there and is still a famous name in the club world with acts like Sven Väth, Carl Cox and DJ Hell.
Palais
Photo credit: Palais
If you are looking for a party after the party, the afterhour at Palais is the place to be in Munich. With it’s ‚plushy red charm’ Palais offers a place for the ones that can’t get enough.
Rote Sonne
Photo credit: Rote Sonne
Run by Peter Wacha, Dorothea Zenker and their partners. Both played a huge role when the scene was born in the Bavarian capital. An almost traditional club in a cellar in the middle of Munich with a solid line-up.
This article is part of the Munich travel guide for techno lovers which will be released next week.