For a while now, Red Bull has meant more than just energy drinks. It has upped its game as far as workshops, lectures, and performances, engaging audiences with storied and fresh talent alike. As summer cools down, Red Bull Music Festival’s 2018 Berlin edition will celebrate 20 years with over 60 music creators, converging with the 20th anniversary installment of the Red Bull Music Academy. This year, Jeff “The Wizard” Mills, techno icon and member of collective Underground Resistance, returns with a symbolic reprisal of his appearance at the first Berlin Academy.
A smattering of the other many highlights: Electronic favorites Oneohtrix Point Never and Jlin will premiere new work. Robert Henke (a.k.a. Monolake and a.k.a. one of the guys that created Ableton) will be exhibiting something titillatingly referred to as a “electronic composition for light and sound.” Get your head filled with lectures from Pusha T and Janelle Monáe, and then unwind with an epic techno night featuring The Orb’s Thomas Fehlmann, producer and label head Steffi, and Gudrun Gut, to name a few on the massive lineup. Certainly not the least of these entries is a showcase from Diggin’ in the Carts, a Hyperdub creation focused on bringing more attention to Japanese video games – that alone may be worth the trip over.
But yo, my taurine buzz is wearing off… check out the full for yourself schedule below and head here to dig into the lineup.
Red Bull Music Festival Berlin 2018 lineup:
09.08: An Afro-Rhythmic Affair
Mr. Eazi, Titica, Moonchild Sanelly, Freak de l’Afrique (DJ Nomi, Mista Wallizz, Rina V, DJ Chadna, Young Gambinos, KidPre), Sichangi, Special Guest @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
A celebration of Afrobeats, Afro-pop and the musical pulse of the diaspora.
09.10: A/V//AMB
Anna vs June, Atariame, Camille Mandoki, Carga Aérea, FAKETHIAS, Maqueta, ramsha, robogeisha, Yakamoto Kotzuga @ ACUD MACHT NEU
An evening of ambient, experimental and audiovisual explorations featuring Academy participants.
09.12: Polyphonic Popcorn
Benjamin Sallum, dismaze, IARAHEI, Nistra, Svetla V @ Sameheads
An eclectic club night featuring an international roster of Academy participants.
09.13: From Within…
Marko Nikodijevic & Robert Henke with EIC @ Konzertsaal der UdK Berlin
The German premiere of Marko Nikodijevic and Robert Henke’s electronic composition for light and sound with Ensemble intercontemporain.
09.14: A Conversation with Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe @ Ehemaliges Stummfilmkino Delphi
A public lecture with the Wondaland label head and R&B futurist.
09.14: S3kt0r UFO - 30 Jahre Techno
Acid Maria, Cassegrain (LIVE), DJ Hell, DJ Rush, Electric Indigo, Gudrun Gut, Jennifer Cardini, Lakuti, Mathew Jonson (LIVE), Mijk van Dijk (LIVE), Milan W (LIVE), Miss Kittin, Mor Elian, Nene H (LIVE), Nina Kraviz, Radio Slave, Steffi, Tanith, Thomas Fehlmann (LIVE), UR presents Depth Charge (LIVE), Victor, Westbam & more @ Shedhalle, Funkhaus
Celebrating three decades of techno in Berlin with a roster of some of the genre’s biggest names.
09.16: Symphonic Sound System: Jlin
Jlin @ Saal 1, Funkhaus
A series of bespoke shows by electronic music iconoclasts on 4DSOUND’s giant spatial system.
09.19: For the Love of Kotti
Akiko Haruna, Bear (LIVE), BRUX (LIVE), Chino (LIVE), Cornelius SA, Jacob Stoy, Jeannel (LIVE), Katarzia (LIVE), lullahush (LIVE), Marco Passarani, Mulherin (LIVE), Nick Léon, Pearson Sound, Soul of Hex, vōx (LIVE) @ Monarch, Fahimi, Paloma Bar
One night traversing sounds from around the world at three iconic venues.
09.20: Symphonic Sound System: MYRIAD by Oneohtrix Point Never
Oneohtrix Point Never @ Saal 1, Funkhaus
A series of bespoke shows by electronic music iconoclasts on 4DSOUND’s giant spatial system.
09.21: No Room 4 Shade
Anz, Debonair, Derre Tida, Doc Sleep, Luz, Manara, No Shade Allstars, Peach, Regret (LIVE), Tayhana, Whodat, Yubaba Juicy Ninja & more @ Griessmühle
Local collectives Room 4 Resistance and No Shade take over Griessmühle.
09.26: Open Funkhaus
Tatsuya Takahashi, Maximilian Rest & Christoph Hohnerlein, Johann König & Haiyti, KitschKrieg, Marco Passarani, Steffi & Benjamin Damage, Matias Aguayo @ Funkhaus
Explore the inner workings of the Red Bull Music Academy at the historic Funkhaus.
09.26: Tony Allen and Jeff Mills
Tony Allen and Jeff Mills @ Saal 1, Funkhaus
The Afrobeat percussion master and Detroit techno legend join forces.
09.28: Sevdaliza’s The Great Hope Design
Sevdaliza @ Volksbühne
The premiere of an experimental new show crafted by avant-pop producer and singer Sevdaliza.
09.29: Bass Union
D Double E (LIVE), Gaika (LIVE), Impey, Ingrate, Mana, Nadia Rose (LIVE), Nídia, Oli XL, Perera Elsewhere, Sick Girls, Tash LC, Teki Latex, Tropical Interface, Uffalo Steez & more @ Anomalie
Innovators of bass music from all over Europe come together for an unforgettable night celebrating the sub-loving sound.
10.01: Spectral Science
Abudei, Astro Children, Kate NV, Mira Aasma, OG LULLABIES, Sneaks @ Monarch
An intimate live show with synth futurist and RBMA alumna Kate NV and Academy participants.
10.02: Dixon, Ylia, Artsaves, chawood, VTSS (LIVE) @ Ballhaus Rixdorf
Berlin house icon Dixon plays alongside an international roster of Academy participants.
10.04: Culture Clash @ Velodrom, UFO
4 Stages, 4 Sounds, 1 Winner.
10.05: Disco/Darker with Marie Davidson
Marie Davidson (LIVE), Perel (HYBRID), Solid Blake, Eva Geist, Front de Cadeaux @ Prince Charles
Exploring synth-led techno and pop arpeggiations in the heart of Kreuzberg.
10.06: Diggin’ in the Carts
Kode9 x Kōji Morimoto (LIVE), Dj Heroin (LIVE), metabora, similarobjects (LIVE), Visuals by Konx-Om-Pax @ Musikbrauerei
Live performances inspired by cult Japanese video game soundtracks and Red Bull Music Academy’s celebrated series.
10.08: Robot Koch x Mickael Le Goff – Sphere
Robot Koch x Mickael Le Goff @ Zeiss-Großplanetarium
The world premiere of an audiovisual show designed for planetariums.
10.09: Sturm & Klang: Drone Activity in Progress
BRÖTZMANN/LEIGH/SABU, Hugo Esquinca, Mess_Montage, MORPSIS, NPVR, Rabih Beaini & Sofia Jernberg & Balázs Pándi, Rachel Lyn, Sun Worship @ Tresor Club/Globus
Celebrating the most intense music in the world pulled from a variety of eras, genres and performance styles.
10.10: A Conversation with Pusha T
Pusha T @ KÖNIG GALERIE
The influential rapper and G.O.O.D music boss tells his story.
10.12: Corrupt Calisthenics
K. Ronaldo, Naru, Tomasa del Real, Toxe, Babylon Music, Ziúr b2b Air Max ’97, Oklou, Bauernfeind, DJ Bangkok, Disfig, Rui Ho, DJ Gigola, Aziesch, Wasted Fates @ SEZ
Join us for a mystical post-internet takeover of SEZ for our closing night, presented together with Live From Earth.
