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As Berlin gears up for the Love Parade successor, Rave The Planet this weekend, we take a look at the beginnings of techno. Techno is the unofficial soundtrack of Berlin, intertwining with its vibrant and relentless party culture, but where did it all start? The real backstory of techno begins early 1980s in Detroit, a city struggling with industrial decline and social challenges. In this episode of Arts Unveiled, we take a look back at the birth of techno as a response to these hardships, as visionary artists like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson fuse funk, electro, and synth-pop with futuristic visions from science fiction. The influence of European electronic music, particularly the iconic Kraftwerk, on the Detroit pioneers, who crafted a unique sound would revolutionize the music scene. Black and queer communities played a pivotal role in the genesis of techno, with their contributions building the genre and culture as we know it. We will take you to Berlin, where techno found its second home after the fall of the Wall in 1989 and to the electrifying atmosphere of dark basement clubs and run-down buildings where the hard and fast beats of techno first captivated audiences. From the Love Parade, a legendary music festival that took techno to the streets, drawing millions of ravers from around the world, to the legendary clubs of Berlin, such as Tresor and Berghain, where techno thrives with no curfew. Join us as we unearth forgotten history and hear from techno legends, including interviews with DJs from Detroit and Berlin and learn how every genre of music has its roots in something different and embrace the story behind techno's rise to global dominance. Get ready to dive into the captivating origins of techno and its incredible journey to become a socially acceptable genre, even finding its place in esteemed concert halls like the Berlin Philharmonic. Don't miss this immersive exploration of the genre that changed the world. Subscribe now and hit the notification bell to never miss an episode of our Arts Explainer series. #techno #berlintechno #dwhistoryandculture For more visit: https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441 ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.culture ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Twitter: twitter.com/DW_Culture Please follow DW's netiquette: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G 00:00 Introduction 01:41 How Techno Came to Berlin 04:17 Detroit: Birthplace of Techno 08:23 From Underground to Mainstream 13:19 What Exactly is Techno? 17:06 From Clubs to Concert Halls

International media have dubbed Kraftwerk, 'the electronic Beatles' and begun to suggest that they might be more influential on art and modern sounds than The Beatles. We visit the birthplace of the band, Duesseldorf, to examine this controversial proposition. Kraftwerk's audacious quest to craft a new sound that defied conventions began in the western German city on the Rhine. We discover how the vibrant energy of Düsseldorf's art and design scene fueled Kraftwerk's imagination. Follow Kraftwerk's rise with hits like "Autobahn" and "The Model," and experience the sampled echoes of Kraftwerk's innovation that became a major influence on modern music from the 1980s onwards. The pulsating rhythms of their electronic symphonies revolutionized music. We celebrate the music of both Kraftwerk and The Beatles, dissect their impact, and let the sounds of two eras collide in an electrifying tale of musical innovation. #dwhistoryandculture For more visit: https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441 ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.culture ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Twitter: twitter.com/DW_Culture Please follow DW's netiquette: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G 00:00 Introduction 00:55 A New Sound 05:12 Pioneers of Technology 06:42 Perfect Pop 08:46 Total Work of Art 12:47 Sample Legacy 14:52 Conclusion

Inspired by new sounds, new technologies and the political events of the time, the early 90s sees the emergence of a scene that euphorically celebrates the dawning of a new era. In Berlin, Frankfurt and many other German cities, activists tinker on a new music and club culture oriented around the coordinates Techno and House. At Berlin's Love Parade in 1991, different local scenes congregate for the first time. The trend turns into a movement. A German Summer of Love, which changes whole lives overnight and kick-starts careers. The basic principle of Techno stands for experimenting, crossing borders and DIY. Fans become DJs or party promoters. Labels are founded and record stores open up. The scene grows. An independent microcosm is created. Networks are formed away from established structures. For a moment everything seems possible… WE CALL IT TECHNO! tells the story of a tempestuous phase in music history, the first time that pop culture was created significantly in Germany. With exclusive interviews and comprehensive, mostly unreleased film and photo archive material from the years 1988-1994! Incl. Statements from Ata, Cosmic Baby, Mijk van Dijk, Elsa for Toys, Hell, Mike Ink., Jürgen Laarmann, Mark Reeder, Tanith, Triple R, Upstart, Sven Väth, Wolle XDP and many more “This music had such power that we left everything behind... We felt like a new age was starting and we were the first to notice.” (Upstart, Munich) “It was like a dance on a vulcano. Like: technology brings us progress, but it’ll also destroy us. On the other hand: who gives a sh!t, first I’ll just dance.” (Wolle XDP, Berlin) “We did a lot of space studies at the time. It all tended towards psycho-active stimulation with the aim of going up and it all never coming to an end. Actually, we tried the weirdest stuff. (Elsa For Toys, Berlin) “1989, after the fall of the Wall, when the Techno movement in Berlin grew from one day to the next, we all felt like we could change the world.” (Cosmic Baby, Berlin) “The Moment of unity was short, it lasted maybe one summer.” (Ralf Niemczyk, Cologne) “It’s nice to see that many people in this context made it, that Techno and House isn’t just stupifying music connected to drugs.” (Frank Blümel, Berlin) Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/1BwzEZM http://www.electronicbeats.net

More documentaries about: https://blog.12edit.com/electronic-music-documentaries/ Playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YHs1Eq2XoOsEVc6Ru81zh?si=y_PWivzdR62ewGGJuhZKqA Gary Bredow, director: High Tech Soul is the first documentary to tackle the deep roots of techno music alongside the cultural history of Detroit, its birthplace. From the race riots of 1967 to the underground party scene of the late 1980s, Detroit's economic downturn didn't stop the invention of a new kind of music that brought international attention to its producers and their hometown. Featuring in-depth interviews with many of the world's best exponents of the artform, High Tech Soul focuses on the creators of the genre — Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson — and looks at the relationships and personal struggles behind the music. Artists like Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, Eddie Fowlkes and a host of others explain why techno, with its abrasive tones and resonating basslines, could not have come from anywhere but Detroit. #techno #musicdocumentary #documentary Upcoming ultimate guide to Detroit Techno ('81—91) with music examples and illustrations http://12edit.com/detroit-techno/

Techno is harder, faster and more diverse than ever. Between underground, culture and commerce - where is techno today? Before we look to the future, we take a look back to where the hype started. From Detroit to Berlin and Frankfurt - techno’s futuristic beats set dance floors on fire worldwide. The lines between subculture and mainstream have long been blurred. Since the 1990s the genre has evolved. Emerging from underground scenes techno has become a mainstream phenomenon with the message: “Be yourself – everything is allowed!” Fetish-wear is now the dress code of a young generation of TikTok ravers who discovered techno on social media. DJs do not only move dance floors but are simultaneously entrepreneurs who need to perform just as well online, as they do on stage. On this episode of Arts Unveiled, we explore how all of this is changing the way techno music is produced and consumed. And what about the much-heralded unifying power of techno? Is techno today really as colorful, open-minded and tolerant as it´s reputation? Or does the history of "peace, joy, freedom" need to be rewritten? Let’s dive into the past and future of techno. Which DJs are leaving their mark on techno now and how is the genre evolving? Photo: Paris Seawell + Detroit Law #dwhistoryandculture #technoberlin For more visit: https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441 ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.culture ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Twitter: twitter.com/DW_Culture Please follow DW's netiquette: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Starting the Hype 04:47 Taking Over Pop Music 07:57 Creating New Styles 12:08 Reclaiming the Narrative 17:53 The Spirit of Techno 22:33 Pushing the Boundaries