Pop-Kultur

Was that it? Of course not!

by

What this alleged new normal is supposed to be, we still don’t know. But one thing’s for sure: under other circumstances, back then™, it was fairly easy to quantify the success of a festival edition once it ended: Tallying attendees, adding up ticket sales – that’s all it really takes, and then everyone knows where the whole thing stands. And how it was qualitatively, that’s something the press knows, besides everyone else who was there in person. That’s more or less what »normal« used to be.

But that’s not how it is in 2020, because the end of this year’s edition actually marks its beginning. The Show trifecta, which we presented over the course of the 26th to the 28th of August, was conceived primarily as a springboard, intended to offer just a taste of the various acts and their visions as well as to arouse curiosity about the talks taking place as part of Pop-Kultur 2020. From here on out, the three dozen audio-visual works are permanently available in our mediatheque, and we’re happy every time someone checks them out or leaves feedback on our YouTube channel. In the end, we’re not just interested in how Pop-Kultur 2020 will grow and flourish as a permanent online festival in terms of statistics, but also whether it’s been a convincing venture in light of the new abnormal. So, what did you think?

Just as we’re eagerly awaiting your answers to this question, we can settle a few others: Pop-Kultur will take place next year as well, from the 25th to the 27th of August. How exactly? Well, that depends on what the new normal will be then, but we can promise that we’re not losing any momentum in getting started with the 2021 edition. We’re already putting our heads together – with proper distance, of course.




 

Only two more days!

by

Our festival is taking place in just two days, and it’s going to feel a bit strange. Because, unlike the previous five years, that doesn’t mean fetching a cable over here and checking the stock of drinks over there, while catching a few minutes of our new favourite band’s set from the edge of the stage on the way, before the next task is already waiting for us, the next problem to be solved. And finally, someone has to sweep up the shards of glass in the glaring light – bye and see you next year!

No, instead we will head to www.pop-kultur.berlin on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:20 p.m. CEST and stream what we’ve been working on for months: 36 audio-visual works, which have been realised throughout the world by old heroes and new hopes, and which have been compiled into a supercut of perspectives. And after that, we will continue to peruse the website, which has been converted into a media library, and take a look at a full-length Commissioned Work here, or bookmark a talk, there that we want to check out next week. On the website and, of course on our YouTube channel, all individual contributions will remain available, at full length, free of charge and permanently.

As strange as this all may feel, and not only for us, we’ve learned one thing over the past few months: When the world is turned on its head, pop and culture do not bury theirs in the sand. After countless video conferences, thousands of emails, on-site recordings in our studio at the Kulturbrauerei in Berlin and after all the instructive coordination from the external contributions, we’ve become all the more aware that the resilience, the ingenuity, the stamina and the visions of the participating artists are more than just pure professionalism. In our sixth edition, we can safely say that they have succeeded in redefining how community and solidarity need to be shaped on global and regional levels.

We’d be happy for you to join us. All of you. We have carried over our efforts for an accessible festival experience into the virtual sphere, just as we want to enable communication among the spectators and each other via the live chats with the YouTube streams, for example. The same applies to the digital space and all the social media accounts we manage: discrimination of any kind or its relativisation will not be tolerated.

On the first day of Pop-Kultur, there are a few old acquaintances with brand new material to share. Noga Erez, Hendrik Otremba, the RambaZamba-Theater house band 21 Downbeat, the Hamburg experimental musician Preach and Yeşim Duman have already participated in previous editions of the festival. In Wednesday’s Show, they will meet The Notwist, who will present a song from their upcoming album, and Wanlov the Kubolor of the Ghanaian duo FOKN Bois, who are the focus of the documentary »Contradict. Ideas for a New World,« which can also be viewed in the Pop-Kultur programme. They will be joined by Yugen Blakrok, CATNAPP with her commissioned work, the duo MADANII & LLUCID and a talk about art, music and crisis in times of the Coronavirus.

On the second day of Pop-Kultur, Canadian artist Jessy Lanza will play us her favourite chord progressions, while Berlin-based Tellavision and Tel Aviv-based Echo will present the results of their digital, transcontinentalen residency. Of course, there is plenty more. Chikiss will breathe new musical life into avant-garde silent and horror films, hackedepicciotto will get remixed live by the Gebrüder Teichmann and Rafael-Evitan Grombelka will interpret the Erregung Öffentlicher Erregung song »Kein Bock auf Frühstück« (»Can’t Be Bothered for Breakfast«) in German Sign Language. In addition to these three Commissioned Works, Pamela Owusu-Brenyah will discuss the do-it-yourself principles of African festivals with the guests of her talk, while Theodora, Mavi Phoenix, Eden Derso, SADO OPERA, The Düsseldorf Düsterboys and 24/7 Diva Heaven will appear with primarily music-oriented contributions.

On third day of Pop-Kultur, präsentieren Isolation Berlin will present music from their upcoming album and King Khan his commissioned work »Rat-Tribution Now.«Like Khan, kCartel Madras hail from Canada and have produced one of the externally produced Digital Works, which have also been provided for today’s programme by multitalents Evija Vēbere and JOJO ABOT as well as the post-punk duo Super Besse, who are based in Minsk and Berlin. In addition to a special performance by the Berlin queer punk band Eat Lipstick, a videozine by the duo Mueran Humanos and an ambivalent tribute to the city of Berlin by actor Ace Mahbaz in German Sign Language, Mpho Sebina & S.Fidelity will share the results of their Goethe Residency, while Ted Gaier will talk with the author Claudia Basrawi about the topics of his essay collection »Argumentepanzer« for his commissioned work.

But you know what? What we’d like the most would be if we all met at 20:20 on the 26th, 27th and 28th of August at www.pop-kultur.berlin and allow ourselves to be surprised by what’s in store. Everyone somewhere else, yet together.




This year’s programme and a new website!

by

What we take for granted can get taken away so quickly. From the very beginning, festivals like Pop-Kultur have been based on people convening in the most crowded spaces to experience music together. But right now, doing this would endanger the community rather than strengthen it. The festival world is upside-down, and so are we.

But Pop-Kultur is still happening. Under new conditions and differently from before. Because we are fortunate enough to be able to do so, and because we see the crisis not as an opportunity but rather as a task: It’s up to all of us to create new forms of community. Like the hyphen in our name, Pop-Kultur is about connecting the perspectives of pop musicians with the culture of society. Now this year, as we start anew, Pop-Kultur will connect the whole wide world with our home city at www.pop-kultur.berlin.

From the 26th to the 28th of August, that’s where acts such as 21 Downbeat, CATNAPP, Isolation Berlin, Mavi Phoenix, Preach, Noga Erez, The Düsseldorf Düsterboys and The Notwist will present audio-visual contributions of all sorts, all combined into one long show each day. After each streaming premiere, the productions and performances can be found in full at the Mediathek on our website. Access is, of course, free of charge and strives to be barrier-free.

Preach, Catnapp, Noga Erez, Mavi Phoenix (by Karin Salathé, Duran Levinson, R604M, bebishoota)
Preach, Catnapp, Noga Erez, Mavi Phoenix (Fotos: Karin Salathé, Duran Levinson, R604M, bebishoota)

For 2020, Pop-Kultur is more international than ever. Cartel Madras, Jessy Lanza and King Khan all represent Canada in very different ways, Wanlov the Kubolor of the duo FOKN Bois takes us on a city walk through the Ghanaian capital of Accra, Yugen Blakrok from South Africa shows us her farm in Spain, and Jojo Abot goes on an ancestral search in Los Angeles. Belarusian duo Super Besse even splits into two, playing their songs together from Berlin and Minsk, while Mpho Sebina joins S.Fidelity and Echo joins Tellavision in international residency programmes connecting Botswana and Israel and Germany, respectively. Regional perspectives from Berlin also get represented globally: two editions of Pop-Kultur lokal will also be held online this year.

As you can see, there will be many new experiences at Pop-Kultur 2020 that go beyond the familiar, taking more chances than was ever necessary before. And it’s definitely not limited to music. In addition to our Fanfares and the interdisciplinary Commissioned Works, which Chikiss and hackedepicciotto will also contribute to this year, there will be contributions by Galouchë Galore and Jammerpunk on our social media channels and website, as well as an extensive series of interviews called »10 Questions With…,« which kicks off this week with SADO OPERA. Even before the festival itself begins, the discussion about pop and culture is already in full swing.

After all, whenever we deal with culture, we also ask questions about the nature of our society and its potential. Leyla Yenirce, Pamela Owusu-Brenyah and Yeşim Duman will be doing this literally in their talks. And we do need to talk, right now, more urgently than ever. The world is changing rapidly, but not on its own. We know a few people who can help.

We definitely want you to be there, too, from the 26th to the 28th of August at Pop-Kultur. This year not only in Berlin, but everywhere – at www.pop-kultur.berlin. See you there?

 

Pop-Kultur 2020 / 26.08.20 - 28.08.20

Pop-Kultur 2020
26.-28. August, happening online.

SESSIONS 24/7 Diva Heaven / Eat Lipstick / Isolation Berlin / MADANII & LLUCID / Mavi Phoenix / The Düsseldorf Düsterboys / The Notwist COMMISSIONED WORKS CATNAPP presents »DAMAGE Experience« / Chikiss presents »Silent Cinema in Modern Sound« / hackedepicciotto remixed / King Khan: »Rat-Tribution Now« / Preach: »Fathoeburger« COMMISSIONED WORKS DIGITAL Galouchë Galore / Jammerpunk / Pop-Kultur Fanfaren DIGITAL WORKS 21 Downbeat / Cartel Madras / Eden Derso / Evija Vēbere / Hendrik Otremba / Jessy Lanza / Jojo Abot / Mueran Humanos / Noga Erez / SADO OPERA / Super Besse / Theodora / Wanlov The Kubolor (FOKN Bois) / Yugen Blakrok TALK »DO IT YOURSELF: African Music Festivals«: Elena Schulz-Görner, Jumoke Adeyanju, Pamela Owusu-Brenyah, Wale Davies / »Ping Pong Hayat and the Art of Staying Alive«: Joana Tischkau, Reyhan Şahin, Ronya Othmann, Yeşim Duman / »Speaking of Sampling«: Azadê Peşmen, Enis Maci, Jesseline Sarkodie, Leyla Yenirce FILM »Contradict. Ideas for a New World« DIGITAL RESIDENCIES Goethe Residency: Mpho Sebina & S. Fidelity / Digital Residency Tel Aviv-Berlin: Echo & Tellavision

Our documentary: »Pop-Kultur – A Festival for Everyone«

by

What can a festival look like – how should it look – to be as accessible as possible for everyone? For our 2019 edition, we considered this topic more carefully then ever before. Together with the nonprofit Sozialhelden, we produced a short documentary video at Pop-Kultur 2019 to show in detail the steps we took to make the festival more inclusive.

More information about accessible event planning and funding for inclusive projects can be found at www.ramp-up.me and www.musicboard-berlin.de

Ready for take-off? It’s only two days away!

by

Nothing can go wrong now. The launchpad scaffolding is upright, the turbines are starting to run and we’ve packed three days’ worth of astronaut food. As long as no one gets »The Final Countdown« stuck in their head, we can get started without disruption: in two days, we’re taking you into unknown realms at the Kulturbrauerei!

And as the rocket launch is approaching, we’re surveying what awaits us from the 21st to the 23rd of August one last time, like Major Tom (and we promise to pick another career than he did). And we’re doing it at the speed of light:

Then get into your suit and helmet and out into space!

Information on accessibility, contact points and awareness at Pop-Kultur 2019

by

We’re hoping that many cultural identities will come together at next week’s Pop-Kultur and that nobody will be excluded from what we have on offer. Through our awareness teams and a mostly accessible infrastructure, we want to ensure that our guests experience the festival grounds in the Kulturbrauerei as a sensitive and safe environment from the 21st to the 23rd of August.

Discrimination of any kind of will not be tolerated. We believe that the definition of a border violation lies with the person whose border has been violated. With this in mind, Pop-Kultur is committed to representing the interests of all guests.

Our awareness team and the mobile service team for guests with disabilities can be reached at +49 1573 879 5555 (also via WhatsApp) and inklusion@pop-kultur.berlin.

We would like to provide some advance information about on-site accessibility, inclusive offers and programme elements as well as our social ticket.

On-site accessibility

All of our venues are well to very well accessible for wheelchair users

A barrier-free floor system facilitates mobility on the cobblestone terrain.

Assistance dogs are welcome.

Many of our programme elements are accompanied by sign-language interpreters. Information at the »Treffpunkt.«

Our mobile inclusion team is available to guests with disabilities via the service number +49 1573 879 5555.

Further information on accessible arrival, parking and regulations for accompanying persons as well as an overview of sign-language services can be found on our website.

If you have any questions, please contact us at inklusion@pop-kultur.berlin.

Concerts accompanied by sign-language interpreters

In cooperation with the inclusive cultural association Handiclapped e.V. , many programme elements will be accompanied by sign-language interpreters in German.

This includes the following concerts:

Wednesday, 21st of Aug.:
21 Downbeat feat. Jens Friebe: »Der Ring«. Eine Pop-Oper nach Richard Wagner (Kesselhaus)
Jungstötter (Palais)
Die Heiterkeit (Palais)

Thursday, 22nd of Aug.:
Die Kerzen (Frannz)
Lali Puna (Kesselhaus)
Planningtorock (Kesselhaus)
Masha Qrella: »Wie soll ich dir das beschreiben?« (Palais)
Station 17 (Palais)
ÄTNA (Palais)
Shabazz Palaces (Palais)

Friday, the 23rd of Aug.:
International Music & The Dorf (Kesselhaus)
Deerhoof (Kesselhaus)
CocoRosie (Kesselhaus)

Furthermore, numerous talks will also be interpreted in German sign language:

Wednesday, 21st of Aug.:
Pop-Hayat: »Pop-Hayat Talk« (Kino 5)
»Inklusive Kulturformate in der Popkultur« (Haus der Poesie)

Thursday, 22nd of Aug.:
Deutschlandfunk-Kultur-Talk: »Darf ich noch Michael Jackson hören? Und wenn ja, wie? Pop, Ethik und Identitätspolitik« (Kino 5)
»I’ve got 99 problems but being a feminist listening to rap ain’t one« (Kino 5)
»Postmigrantische Identität« (Kino 5)

Friday, the 23rd of Aug.:
»Die Notwendigkeit eines unabhängigen Musikjournalismus« (Haus der Poesie)
»Rap, Antisemitismus, Identitätspolitik: über Verantwortung im Pop« (Haus der Poesie)
»Let’s Talk About Gender, Baby« (Kino 5)

An overview of the programme elements with sign-language interpreters can also be found on our website at https://2021.pop-kultur.berlin/en/about/accessibility/.

Interpreter needs can also be requested at inklusion@pop-kultur.berlin.

Inclusive concerts and talks

In addition to performances by the inclusive band Station 17 and the RambaZamba house band 21 Downbeat, who have produced a commissioned work for Pop-Kultur with Jens Friebe, inclusion will also be a theme in the festival’s supporting programme.

On Wednesday (21st of Aug.), Christian Fleck and Sebastian Stuber from the band Station 17 will join Uwe Nicksch from the project Sozialhelden at the Haus für Poesie to discuss inclusive cultural formats in pop. What obstacles are getting in the way of inclusion efforts and how might they be removed?

The workshop »Kultur für alle – inklusive Angebote« by Dennis Knoll (Initiative Barrierfrei feiern) on the 21st of August from 11:00 to 13:30 in the »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs« programme deals with the topic of cultural participation and accessible offers. Non-participants may request to attend this workshop on short notice at nachwuchs@pop-kultur.berlin.

In the non-public talk »Inklusive Kulturarbeit – Wer ist eigentlich zuständig?,« guests from the field of cultural work and specialists from the department for inclusion will discuss how Berlin’s cultural offerings can be made accessible for everyone and what needs to happen to allow that. The talk will be moderated by diversity manager Elnaz Amiraslani (PARVENUE Kulturbüro).

Social ticket

The social ticket is also part of our claim of making attendance of the festival as low-threshold as possible. In addition to talk and film tickets (5 € plus fees), day tickets (25 € plus fees) and regular festival passes (60 € plus fees), a social ticket will be offered again this year. Pop-Kultur guests presenting their berlinpass receive a discount of 50% at the box office.

Free tickets for social institutions

Social institutions, integrative homes and charitable initiatives of integration work can request free tickets. The allotment is limited. Please inquire at inklusion@pop-kultur.berlin.

Second part of our programme, Commissioned Works and day tickets

by

Dear friends of Pop-Kultur,

The astronaut ice cream is packed, and the space suit fits like a glove. In anticipation of takeoff for the 21st through the 23rd of August 2019, we’re transmitting the next announcement. Next to Mykki Blanco, CocoRosie, Jenny Wilson, Die Goldenen Zitronen and Jungstötter will be Anna Calvi, Planningtorock, Perel, Karies, Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch, Dirk von Lowtzow, Okzharp & Manthe Ribane, One Mother, молчат дома and many others, blasting off into deep space from the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg. No fewer than 99+ concerts, DJ sets, talks and films are planned – an overview can be found at the end of this newsletter.

This is all bolstered by 15+ »Pop-Kultur Commissioned Works«, taking place across different venues and surveying previously unknown frontiers. ANDRRA, Ilgen-Nur, KlitClique, Lisa Morgenstern & Bulgarian Voices Berlin as well as Rosaceae will be followed by further confirmed names.

Inspired by Dante Alighieri, Magic Island will transform the Gewölbekeller together wie Anatomie Fleur into an immersive installation between hell, purgatory and paradise. Equally ambitious is the house band of the RambaZamba theatre, 21 Downbeat, teaming up with Jens Friebe for a new interpretation of Richard Wagner’s opera cycle »Der Ring des Nibelungen« (trimming it down to a one-hour pop-opera spectacle). In »Picture Me Different,« Janto Djassi Roessner deals with questions of identity, while Masha Qrella offers insight into her work inspired by the output of author Thomas Brasch and Nikko Weidemann becomes a human jukebox offering an autobiographical revue. Jauche, on the other hand, is a project allowing its members Max Rieger, Ralv Milberg und Thomas Zehnle, to improvise for six hours long.

If you can’t commit to a three-day trek through the Pop-Kultur universe, you can still go on a cosmic day-trip. Once again, we’re offering day tickets for 25€ plus fees. They’re valid for every event happening that day, for every venue till they reach capacity.

And of course we can’t forget about our »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs« programme. With about 45 workshops, it will connect 250 young talents from around the world with artists from the live programme with players from the business world, politics and the music industry. The application period is already in full swing and continues through the 24th of May. More information is available at nachwuchs.pop-kultur.berlin.

We’re also looking forward to the second event from our »Pop-Kultur lokal« series! Weeeirdos welcome you to Fitzroy on the 23rd of May for a concert and performance evening of a different kind. More info is coming shortly.

And since we’ve thrown a lot of info at you at warp speed, here are all of the confirmed commissioned works and the live programme at a glance:

Pop-Kultur 2019
August 21-23, Kulturbrauerei

15+ Pop-Kultur Commissioned Works von: 21 Downbeat & Jens Friebe / ANDRRA / Ilgen-Nur / International Music & The Dorf / Janto Djassi Roessner / Jauche / KlitClique / Lisa Morgenstern & Bulgarian Voices Berlin / Magic Island / Masha Qrella / Nikko Weidemann / Rosaceae / weitere Programmpunkte folgen

99+ Konzerte, DJ-Sets, Talks und Filme von: Adelle Nqeto / Ah! Kosmos / alyona alyona / Anna Aaron / Anna Calvi / ÄTNA / Blu Samu / BNNT / Camilla Sparksss / CocoRosie / Dacid Go8lin / Decibelles / Deerhoof / Die Goldenen Zitronen / Die Heiterkeit / Die Kerzen / Dirk von Lowtzow / Haszcara / IOTAPHI / Jenny Wilson / Jessica Einaudi / Juicy / Jungstötter / Karies / Lali Puna / Léonie Pernet / Little Annie / Maarja Nuut & Ruum / Malonda / Mauvais Œil / Michelle Blades / молчат дома / Mona Mur / Mykki Blanco / Núria Graham / Odd Beholder / Okzharp & Manthe Ribane / One Mother / Oum Shatt / Perel / Planningtorock / Prada Meinhoff / Repetitor / Rosemary Loves A Blackberry / Shabazz Palaces / Shari Vari / Shuma / Someone Who Isn’t Me / Station 17 / SYTË / Teresa Rotschopf / UMA / Voodoo Beach / Xen / weitere Programmpunkte folgen

Pop-Kultur 2019: the 25 first live acts and commissioned works; »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs«

by

Fotos: CocoRosie, Jenny Wilson, Mykki Blanco by Julia Burlingham, Die Heiterkeit, Jungstötter

The stars are aligned – today’s the day: we’re announcing the first 25 names for Pop-Kultur 2019! Over the past ten days in our Countdown 2019, we’ve already revealed the following musicians: CocoRosie, Shabazz Palaces, ÄTNA, Repetitor, Ilgen-Nur, Mykki Blanco, KlitClique, Station 17, Lisa Morgenstern & Bulgarian Voices Berlin and Die Goldenen Zitronen.

They’ll all be there when Pop-Kultur begins its fifth orbit around the Sun, blasting off from the 21st to 23rd of August, 2019, at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg, with 15 different stages spanning concerts, DJ sets, talk formats, world premieres of commissioned works and other uncharted frontiers. »Pop-Kultur is staying true to its mission of offering food for thought – not only with rousing musical works but with exciting panels and workshops as well,« says festival director Katja Lucker.

Apropos of our commissioned works, world premieres of works created especially for Pop-Kultur come courtesy of Hamburg musician Ilgen-Nur, Vienna’s KlitClique, Lisa Morgenstern together with the choir Bulgarian Voices Berlin, Rosaceae and ANDRRA. Following these five, we will be unveiling further exclusive debuts in the coming months.

For now, we are thrilled to announce concerts by alyona alyona, Blu Samu, Deerhoof, Die Heiterkeit, Haszcara, Jenny Wilson, Juicy, Jungstötter, Lali Puna, Michelle Blades, Rosemary Loves A Blackberry, Shari Vari and UMA!

When it comes to music and art, part of the Pop-Kultur philosophy is dealing with socially relevant topics and with interdisciplinary, diverse perspectives. »We want to shift the theme of identity against the populist trend into a constructive focus, for example,« emphasises co-curator Christian Morin. Not only onstage, of course, but behind the scenes as well.

With that in mind, we are continuing our commitment to supporting the next generation of musicians and creatives. In parallel with the festival, »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs« will gather 250 newcomers from all over the world for around 45 workshops, connecting them with artists from the lineup and with movers and shakers from business, politics and the music industry. The application phase begins on the 25th of April at the »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs« website. »Fresh talent is part of our lifeblood, and we have the unique opportunity to network up-and-coming artists with experienced professionals, giving them a boost of support and inspiration along the way. We’ve seen multiple Nachwuchs participants go on to take the stage within the following year,« says co-curator Martin Hossbach.

Low-income access remains a central concern of ours this year, as is the case with our core program. In addition to the regular 3-day festival pass for the price of 60€ (plus fees), we are once again offering a social ticket. Holders of a berlinpass may present theirs at the »Pop-Kultur« box office and receive a 50% discoun

We will publish the second half of the live program in early May, and in June will announce our lectures, discussions and film screenings.

Pop-Kultur 2019
August 21-23, Kulturbrauerei

Commissioned Works: ANDRRA / Ilgen-Nur / KlitClique / Lisa Morgenstern & Bulgarian Voices Berlin / Masha Qrella – mehr Namen in Kürze

Live: alyona alyona / ÄTNA / Blu Samu / CocoRosie / Deerhoof / Die Heiterkeit / Haszcara / Jenny Wilson / Juicy / Jungstötter / Lali Puna / Michelle Blades / Mykki Blanco / Rosemary Loves A Blackberry / Repetitor / Shari Vari / Shabazz Palaces / Station 17 / UMA – mehr Namen in Kürze

Pop-Kultur lokal: The Jury Decision

by

On the 3rd of April, we will reveal the first round of acts appearing at this year’s Pop-Kultur (the 21st through 23rd of August), but before that, we would like to present the four »Pop-Kultur lokal« events leading up to the festival. »Pop-Kultur lokal« is a collaborative series first introduced in 2018, developed with Dominique Schweizer and »Off-Kultur« and sponsored by us. Once again, four local promoters will each organise an event in a different location, monthly from April through July.

Without the ›lokal‹ Berlin players putting on shows every day, a festival like ours would not be possible, and cultural life in our city would be only half as exciting. This is why we think it’s important to support the regional scene, diverse live offerings, the widening scale of music, and performances that pull different arts and cultures together. And because we want these events to be as widely accessible to the general public as possible, entry will be free for all.

Out of 33 total applications, our jury – DENA (musician), Michael Aniser (Off-Kultur), Dominique Schweizer (Amiont), Anton Teichmann (Off-Kultur), Ella Zwietnig (musician, UMA) and Matthieu Jimenez (Pop-Kultur) – has decided on the following projects for »Pop-Kultur lokal«:

April: »Grüntaler«

May: »Weeeirdos«

June: »Suck My Lips!«

July: »Afro x Pop«

It starts in April with »Grüntaler« by Izumi Yamamoto. The event series began in November 2018, with each edition set in a different location, focusing on »the curation, production and promotion of experimental music, sound art and related practices« and aims to bring attention to the local scene and artists »with an emphasis on gender diversity and visibility within the male-dominated field of contemporary music.« Grüntaler presents musical and artistic perspectives that adapt to each given space. So, this event will be one of a kind, in more ways than one. Stay tuned for further details.

And by the way: the 2nd of April is the last day to purchase a three-day festival pass for the special price of 40€ (plus fees)! Our Countdown 2019 will also continue until then: every day, we will unveil a new element of the festival programme via Facebook, Instagram and our Website.

Pop-Kultur lokal: Call for Concepts

by

 

Deadline: 6 March 2019, 10 a.m. / The application form is available here and must be sent as a PDF to info@pop-kultur.berliheren.

Since 2018 »Pop-Kultur« has been operating a new program called »Pop-Kultur lokal«: a subsidized monthly music event series that runs from mid-April to mid-July. Each event takes place at a different location and is organized by one of four different local event organizers and venues.

We’d like to invite all interested Berlin-based event organizers to submit a PDF of their application form (see above/below) via email by 10 a.m. on 6 March 2019. The funding for each event is awarded as a one-time payment of €2,000 and is meant to cover the concept, featured artists, and realization. Admission to the events themselves must be free.

The main focus of this program is live performances by Berlin-based musicians, although it’s possible to combine these with DJ sets or talks (all participants should be based in Berlin). When planning the content of each event, please ensure that female artists make up 50% of the overall program. Applicants are required to ensure barrier-free access to the event and should try to include people with disabilities in their line-ups. Applications that exhibit a commitment to diversity will be given preference.

The jury that determines which events receive funding is composed of the following six people: DENA (musician), Michael Aniser (Off-Kultur), Dominique Schweizer (Amiont), Anton Teichmann (Off-Kultur), Ella Zwietnig (musician, UMA), as well as Matthieu Jimenez (Pop-Kultur). »Pop-Kultur lokal« will be connected to the official festival communications office and will receive financial and marketing support from the festival.

The events will take place once a month beginning in April 2019, always on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Preference will be given to event organizers who have not yet received funding from Musicboard.

The application form is available here and must be sent as a PDF to info@pop-kultur.berliheren.