Second part of our programme, Commissioned Works and day tickets

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«

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 Live: Further acts / start of application phase »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs«

Dear Friends of Pop-Kultur,

The second half of our live programme is complete! Among the recent additions are Die Türen and Karen Gwyer. The former will present new music for the first time in years with the project »Exoterik«; the latter will perform electronic music of an unheard kind (we’re staying vague here on purpose) in the vaulted cellar of the Kulturbrauerei, which has until now never been accessible to the public. Neneh Cherry‘s last performance in Berlin was in 2015 at the Halle am Berghain as part of Pop-Kultur. This summer, in the festival’s fourth year, she will grace us with a performance of her new album in the Kesselhaus of the Kulturbrauerei, and this makes us very happy.

Our programme includes 15+ in-house productions, called »Pop-Kultur Commissioned Works«. The musical works will be developed by 21 Downbeat / Automat / Die Türen / Ein Hit ist ein Hit / Henrik Schwarz & Alma Quartet / Hope & Moritz Majce / Karen Gwyer / Kat Frankie / Pan Daijing / Staatsakt / Sophia Kennedy.

Further works dealing more with spoken word, moving image, and fine art will be announced on June 19th.

40+ concerts will be given by the artists and bands Ace Tee & Kwam.e / Agar Agar / Anna von Hausswolff / Ava Bonam / Boy Harsher / Carmen Villain / Chelsea Wolfe / Dan Michaelson / Die Mausis / Die Nerven / Drangsal / Ebow / Flohio / Gaddafi Gals / Ghostpoet / Gwenno / Haiyti / International Music / Islamiq Grrrls & oOoOO / John Maus / Kedr Livanskiy / Laura Perrudin / Lisa Morgenstern / Malik Djoudi / Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force / MIAHUSH / Ms Banks / Munsha / Myrkur / Nadine Shah / Neneh Cherry / Nilüfer Yanya / Noga Erez / OY / Pranke / RÁN / Richard Dawson & Band / Shopping / Shortparis / Stockelborn / Swutscher / The White Screen / Valerie Renay / Vivien Goldman / Voyou / YGG.

Detailed information on all of our announced programme elements can be found on our website as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Any readers of our newsletter looking for an entry point into the music industry or interested in receiving useful tips about their music career from established colleagues should apply for our workshop programme »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs« before June 12th. How about a feminist rap workshop with Lady Bitch Ray? Or an intensive discussion with the producer Henrik Schwarz, whom we’ve commissioned to write an elaborate piece for the festival? Want to pick the brain of Tocotronic and Beatsteaks producer Moses Schneider? The workshops, talks, and lectures will provide inspiration, clarify urgent questions, and encourage participants to continue making their way in the music business. This year’s live programme includes three »Nachwuchs« alumni:  Ava Bonam, Hope and MIAHUSH.

Click here to buy our festival pass for the price of 60€ plus fees.

Warm regards,

Pop-Kultur

Photos: Richard Dawson, Neneh Cherry by Kim Hiorthoy, Ms Banks, Karen Gwyer by Jackie Dewe Mathews 


Pop-Kultur 2018: The first 27 artists and bands

Hello, dear friends of Pop-Kultur!

It’s time to announce the first 27 artists and bands! Anyone who’s been following our ›Countdown‹ on Instagram and Facebook over the last several weeks already knows that Sophia Kennedy, John Maus, Haiyti, Henrik Schwarz & Alma Quartet, Drangsal, Noga Erez, and Kat Frankie  will be performing at our festival between 15 and 17 August 2018 at the Kulturbrauerei. Both you and we liked the Kulturbrauerei so much last year that we’ve decided to stay — after one-off affairs with Berghain (2015) and Neukölln (2016), we’ll be in Prenzlauer Berg for the second time in a row.

Kennedy, Schwarz, and Frankie are currently all chipping away at their respective ›Commissioned Works‹ (CW) for the festival. More than 15 pieces will be available to hear and see for the first time ever. And the other musicians announced above will present their latest, au-courante programmes for the stage.

And now for the 20 artists, bands, and projects that have been kept secret:  Agar Agar, Anna von Hausswolff, Ava Bonam, Boy Harsher, Chastity Belt, Chelsea WolfeEbow, »Ein Hit ist ein Hit«, Flohio, Ghostpoet, Hope & Moritz Majce (CW), International Music, Islamiq Grrrls & oOoOO, Kedr Livanskiy, Lisa Morgenstern, Myrkur, Nadine Shah, Pan Daijing (CW), »Rausch Royal« mit 21 Downbeat (CW), and Vivien Goldman. You can find detailed information about each act on our website and — yes, exactly – on Facebook and Instagram.

On our Facebook and Instagram pages you’ll also find interviews and entertaining articles about the acts. In addition to that, 1. every Wednesday, we’ll post a specially-composed fanfare by one of our performing acts; 2. every Thursday, we’ll digitally continue last year’s exhibition »Keller« by the Berlin-based concert photographer Roland Owsnitzki; and 3. every Friday we’ll introduce comic strips by Rattelschneck and Hauck & Bauer, ›Commissioned Works Online‹!

And now we’ll pass the mic over to our boss, Katja Lucker, Managing Director of Musicboard Berlin and organiser of Pop-Kultur: »We’re especially looking forward to our collaboration with RambaZamba Theatre, which will make its majestic stage available for the commissioned works by Sophia Kennedy, Pan Daijing, and Hope. Our programme will also feature a special RambaZamba-Pop-Kultur co-production in the form of the piece ›Rausch Royal‹, which the theatre will develop together with its house band, 21 Downbeat!«

And what do our Pop-Kultur curators have to say? »From sombre folk to sparkly pop, we’re representing all of the styles that, for us, sum up the status of pop in the year 2018«, according to Christian Morin. »We’ve tried to assemble as diverse a programme as possible – we want to be inclusive rather than exclusive«, says Martin Hossbach.

We’ll announce the second half of our ›Live‹ programme on 2 May, and details about our talks, panels, and film screenings will follow on 19 June.

We’ve already introduced »Pop-Kultur lokal«, our festival’s newest building block, elsewhere, but we’ll remind you here of the first associated event, which will feature East-African music. »Feast From The East« by DJ Mixanthrope will take place on 26 April in the Kreuzberg club Monarch.

If any of our newsletter readers are looking for an entry into the music industry or would appreciate tips about their music careers from renowned colleagues, please pencil 25 April into your calendars! That’s the start of the application phase for our workshop programme »Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs 2018«. For some impressions from last year’s programme, click here.

So. That’s it for now. Except – ah yes, tickets! Passes! Our festival passes can be bought here for the price of €60 plus fees. Depending on availability, we’ll also offer day passes starting on 2 May.

Warmest Greetings!

Pop-Kultur

Photos:  John Maus by Shaun Brackbill, Ebow by Magdalena Fischer, Haiyti by Tim Brüning, Ghostpoet by Steve Gullick

 


Sorry dear May, Pop-Kultur 2016 is going to be better!

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You’ll probably have noticed it already. Maybe because you are allergic to grass pollen (Drinking helps!) or maybe because your calendar is bursting. It’s May. Holidays. Memorial Days. Release Days… It’s getting hard to stay in the loop. And now we are popping up and claim:

Forget May! The change of August into September is the true summer!

 

Ye-hes, we’re completely serious. 100%. Then again, we already know the full program of our festival’s second edition, running from August 30th to September 2nd in Berlin-NeuköllnPre-Sale is starting at this moment!

What shall we say? Where shall we begin? We booked more than 70 artists. Old heroes, the local scene and the German debuts of some of the most promising newcomers of the year. Once more, we are not “just” showing live music, but concerts, DJ-Sets, readings, film premieres, talks. And again, the special charm of Pop-Kultur is that almost everything you’re going to see is something new – from the premieres of new albums to a lot of newcomer’s first ever shows in Germany. If you do not show up, you’ll be missing out. Sometimes, it’s that simple.

Two weeks ago, we were able to present you with some extracts of our 2016 program. Today, we want to introduce another 50 (fif-ty) names. But that would flood your inbox – and this newsletter. That’s why we allow ourselves to most politely throw all the confirmed acts at you, in alphabetical order, while sweetening the deal with a nice GIF. Moreover, we kindly refer you to our website, where all the acts and their specific endeavors at our festival are presented extensively. The headliner is whoever you think is your personal highlight.

 

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Pop-Kultur 2016
Abra, Al English, Alex.do, Alex Murray-Leslie, Alice Cohen, Algiers, Ana Ana, A-Wa, Best Friends, Brandt Brauer Frick, Cat’s Eyes, Colin Newman, Deadbear, Diät, Eska, Exploded View, Ezra Furman, Fai Baba, Fatima Al Qadiri, Fishbach, Frankie Cosmos, Girls Names, Heimer, Hendrik Otremba, Imarhan, Immersion, Jens Balzer, John Roberts, Jon Savage, Karies, Keøma, Levin Goes Lightly, Liars, LUH, Malcom Middleton, Mark Farrow, Matthew Herbert, Miko, Missincat, MogwaiMule & Man, My Bubba, Naked, Nancy Pants, No Joy, Pins, Phil Collins, Phoebe Killdeer, Richard Hell, Roosevelt, Royal Comfort, rRoxymore, Ryan Vail, SassyBlack, Schwund, Scott King, Selda Bağcan & Boom Pam, Show Me the Body, Skinny Girl Diet, Sarah Miles, Stara Rzeka, Tellavision, The Hidden Cameras (solo), The KVB, The Numero Group, The Weather Station, Thurston Moore BandTrümmer, Tygapaw, U.S. Girls, Valerie Trebeljahr, Your Friend, Zebra Katz, Zola Jesus

Just as we did in 2015, we divided the festival into different modules. Thusly, each guest only has to pay for the parts of the program he or she really wants to see. The tickets cost between 5 € – e.g. for a talk-module in the Prachtwerk or the Passage-Kino – and 25 € for one of the three large concerts at Huxleys (e.g. Brandt Bauer Frick with Roosevelt or Selda Bağcan & Boom Pam plus Keøma); plus pre-sales fee. But the best part is that you can put together your individualized festival ticket, including the 10% Pop-Kultur Discount if you buy more than two tickets.

Furthermore, there are still tickets available for Mogwai and their live performance of the soundtrack for the film »Atomic« on the eve of the festival. More information on Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs, our workshop program for talents from all areas of the music business will soon be released.

And for all allergy sufferers: Stay strong, in the end of August, you’ll be fine.

Yours truly

Dr. Pop-Kultur