Industry affairs in Berlin vs Dublin. We rise or we fall.

Hangar, Dublin. Recently knocked down to make way for the construction of a new hotel

Today, Berlin is one of the most important and influential cities for electronic music worldwide. It stands as a pillar for experimental, innovative, creative and cultural production. At the centre of Berlin's character is the music it has cultivated and fostered since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. The fall of the wall brought about huge changes in the city, giving rise to a spirit of freedom and unhinging the barriers of the East and West. It’s safe to say that Berlin has developed its own subculture through urban transformation and has valued the importance of the ‘creative class’ in the city. Many large cities develop a local music style yet only a few have international reputation, and fewer still develop into worldwide culture industry. The music such as techno, electro and new wave, originating in the urban ruins of cities like Detroit, has reshaped Berlin's economy and lures creative entrepreneurs and tourists to experience this subcultural flair. The underground movement of raves and parties began in vacancies of commercial and residential buildings, including old squats, and club culture ‘heroes came in the form of radical young entrepreneurs who had started up clubs and record labels, rather than poets and activists of yesterday’. (Thornton, 97).

The famous Tresor, founded by Dimitri Hegemann all the way back in 1988

These entrepreneurs are now hugely successful ie. Tresor Records and Tresor club, and their legacy will live on as long as economic security for this subculture exists. A problem that many clubs are now facing is the risk of closure due to noise pollution. The state has issued a plan to subsidise clubs with an investment of 1 million euro to combat this.

Along with the promise of 1 million towards soundproofing, the government plan to put outdoor noise barriers in place along with soundproofing of windows especially in residential areas. The Berlin club culture has contributed so much that the city must now return the favour in order to save many clubs at risk of noise pollution closure. This is in response to the huge number of closures since 2011 totting in at around 170 clubs. This new investment allows clubs owners to apply for state funding support to keep their doors open and make the scene and living in Berlin compatible. Clubs will now be able to avail of this subsidiary which is hugely beneficial to the future of the culture as this new program comes into play. 'Techno culture has given so much to Berlin, using some of the taxpayer money to support it is the least we can do' says local Greens party politician Georg Kossler.

With funding like this Berlin makes a huge statement in pushing the electronic music scene forward and sets itself aside from other cities as an example for others hopefully to follow suite. The Berlin scene has fully grasped the need for a space to dance until the early hours and fulfil the right to escapism in a world constricted by time boundaries and tiresome regimens. This scheme promises a future for the scene and gives hope to club owners struggling with noise complaints. We look to connect to people through music and in this way build relationships, build communities, societies and civilisations. Music is our universal language. It is what separates us from all other species our creativity - our art - is what makes us human, something that is hugely respected in the city of Berlin as a multi-faceted ever developing creative city where the boundaries are smudged and lines are blurred.

On the other hand, back home in Dublin the city is struggling with gentrification at every corner and an economy that does not favour or encourage the underground scene. Dublin is such a unique city but it is undergoing drastic changes by the day as it becomes more commercial, and loses the character that once reflected the people. As the city becomes increasingly adaptive to commercial business and influence, we are slowly battling to keep our Irish identity as this uproots our local music scene and replaces fundamental electronic music venues with hotels and apartments. The refurbishment of the city is having a huge knock on effect for the scene and it’s malignancy is extensive to the point where Irish club goers are only left with a handful of choice when it’s comes to nights out in Dublin for electronic music, and in particular, techno.

Furthermore, Irish clubs still face the ongoing issue of early closing hours, where it’s next to impossible for club owners to get a license to stay open after 3am. The Give Us The Night campaign, which has been an ongoing conversation since the mid-2000s, is still pushing for political policy to break and waver in order to salvage our nightlife industry.

GUTN are currently hosting meetings around the country to make a stand against the obstacles that Irish nightlife is facing

The one thing that still remains in this city is most importantly the spirit of the people that makes it so special. Dublin has some of the most interesting individuals you could ever meet and it’s such a pity that the clubbing scene here is a bittersweet experience at the moment. The future of the Irish scene lies in the hands of the young and very talented producers that are coming out of Ireland at the moment. There is passion and drive manifesting and their arrival onto the scene is hugely anticipated. Promoters in the city are also a testament to the scene as they are keeping things alive in such bleak circumstances.

In an upcoming feature we would like to introduce you to these upcoming producers who are making their mark within the industry, so be sure to follow their journey, as they will be the next generation of techno artists to put Ireland on the map. Look out for this particular feature on MOTZ this week.

#Berlin #Dublin #Nightlife #Culture