The Experimental Festival Returns To Berlin This Sunday

For 15 years 8MM has supported and brought an uncompromising musical vision to Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district. 8MM’s crowning achievement, the Synästhesie Festival offers more than a concert, rather a blending of senses, converging an impeccably curated program of experimental krautrock, new wave and garage rock with visual imagery.

This year’s event is being held in conjunction with the 15th Anniversary of 8MM Bar at the Volksbühne in heart of 60s/70s East Berlin, a few hundred meters from where it all began. Synästhesie III offers a compact international lineup of bands that represent the 8MM Musik aesthetic, contemporary music inspired by German experimental music of the late 60s & early 70s. A living history of music that has gone against and continues contrary to mainstream trends.

This year’s lineup includes contemporary post-punk & new wave standouts The Horrors, legendary Tangerine Dream, critically acclaimed Mancunians PINS, Berlin’s own Krautrock-inspired legends Camera, Istanbul’s kraut-new wave pioneers Jakuzi, and the Berlin-based Reykjavik-Tel Aviv garage rock trio Balagan. On the decks throughout the event: the one and only Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre).

Get your tickets here.
The Facebook event is here.

Win Tickets

Berlin Loves You have got a pair of tickets to Synästhesie – email win@staging-berlinlovesyou.kinsta.cloud for a chance to win.

A Guide To The Bands

The Horrors

The Horrors are playing their first Berlin show since 2014. They’re presenting their new album ‘V’ which was released in September. The album’s first single ‘Machine’ sees the group at their majestic, imperial best. ‘V’ is an incredibly diverse body of work and features not only krautrock but dance, trance and ‘80s pop genres. ‘V’ shows the group at the peak of their powers, exhibiting a freedom and sense of exploration that feels truly liberating.

Tangerine Dream

Tangerine Dream are one of Germany’s most forward-thinking electronic music collectives and a must-see live act. As well as their albums and performances, the band is known to many for their excellent film scores (they also recently wrote the score for Grand Theft Auto V!). Incredibly influential – Tangerine Dream in the Volksbühne is going to be a treat.

Noisy Mancunians PINS

Mancunian band PINS are bringing a menacing feast of new songs to Berlin which are once again going to shake up guitar music. These guys have recently worked with none other than Iggy Pop, and if that guy approves then we should probably pay close attention.

Turkish Synth-Pop Band Jakuzi

Synth-pop band Jakuzi are one of the most popular acts in Istanbul, and have achieved this despite crushing political opposition to artistic expression by the government. Whilst PayPal has been banned in the country, bands have used the music platform Bandcamp to spread their musical messages around the globe. Jakuzi’s ‘Fantezi Müzik’ playfully mixes a wide variety of pop genres, recalling at times Future Islands or Yeasayer. Recently signed to Berlin’s City Slang label, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of these guys.

Local Berlin Krautrockers Camera and Balagan

Get down with the new sound of Berlin – local legends Camera and Berlin-via-Tel-Aviv-via-Iceland garage rockers Balagan are likely to stamp their mark all over Synästhesie. 8MM are always committed to supporting local talent and these guys represent the best of the local scene.

What are you waiting for? Get your tickets now – or win them – and we’ll see you on Sunday!

Get your tickets here.
The Facebook event is here.

Volksbühne