Real Scenes: Berlin | Resident Advisor

For the third edition of Real Scenes, RA goes to one of the most special places for electronic music in the world: Berlin. When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, techno became the underground soundtrack to the reunion between East and West. In recent years, it's become an international destination for ravers-a cheap place to party with clubs that are renowned throughout the world.
Techno has become a business in the meantime. Yet Berlin still maintains a credibility that other cities lack. To understand why, RA went to the German capital eager to find out about its unique history and the reasons behind its continued relevance.
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Music in order of appearance:
Heatsick- Dream Tennis (Diegors Remix) [CockTail d'Amore Music] 2011
Dettmann & Klock- Dawning [Ostgut Ton] 2006
Reagenz- The Labyrinth [Ostgut Ton] 2011
Pelon- No Stunts [Running Back] 2010
Desolate- In Secret [Fauxpas Musik] 2011
Vril- UV [Ostgut Ton] 2011
Henrik Schwarz / Âme / Dixon- Chicago (Live Version) [Innervisions] 2010
Christopher Rau- Ping To You [Smallville Records] 2010
Desolate- Cathartic [Fauxpas Musik] 2011
Tokyo Black Star- Blade Dancer (Beatless Version) [Innervisions] 2005
Credits:
Producer and Director: Patrick Nation
Associate Producer: Will Lynch
Executive Producer: Ed Williams, Paul Clement, Nick Sabine
Editor: Daniel Higginson
Director of Photography: John Fisher
Camera: John Fisher, Daniel Higginson, Patrick Nation, Paul Clement, Christian Olofsson
Film Production: Clockwise Media
Berlin Photographs: Ben de Biel

[@Rekoner45]

I love the fact there is no mention of Berghain

[@Desiringmachine]

There's a lingering shot on its facade around 5.00

[@jbwarkentin]

massive omission

[@scottend5239]

Why do you love that fact?

[@leonawroth2516]

@@scottend5239 because it's an old meme and overused. Berghain is awesome, but there are many other clubs in Berlin on a similar level. No need to stand in line for over an hour and may not even get in.

[@scottend5239]

@@leonawroth2516 I still think it's an odd fact to love. Whatever your opinion on whether the club is worth waiting to get into or not, it's pretty important in the entire Berlin dance scene.

[@juStb4u]

‘The dirt the grey buildings...definitely inspiring’ ☺️ oh man I finally got to visit tresor this past December when on my 3rd euro tour...and what a fucking gem that place is. The grit, the darkness, the concrete...all the little nuances and alcoves...the jail bars. So German so amazing 👌🏻

[@Semiosphere]

Wonderful document that captures a lot of the feelings about techno. I wish you did another one!

[@alelooooooya]

'We have to make sure that not too many 'stupid' people come in' haha, I know exactly what he means

[@Smz030]

SOOO TRUE

[@jonatkinson108]

I visited Berlin last year and was denied entry to Sisyphos. :(

[@SIl_Ae]

@@jonatkinson108 welp, i guess that means you're stupid then I kid, I kid. sorry to hear :(

[@user-oz3fh3gg9c]

@@jonatkinson108 when i went, first night at tresor they denied me, second night tried again, they let me. So yeah

[@lelaki88]

i've never been more alive after I moved to Berlin

[@indacornejo]

it´s never to late buddy

[@sepijortikka]

This Berlin elitism is so stupid and funny.

[@Herhohu]

"Wow thats so Berlin!" On some days I don´t even hear a single german word on the streets, just french, english and spanish...

[@TastyTherapy]

But isint that a good thing? those people escaped their countries because they fell in love with the culture in Berlin, so what makes you think that they want to change it? foreigners in Berlin embrace Berlin to its fullest.

[@Herhohu]

The thing is, Berin used to be different like 12-16 years ago and because of how it was back then, more and more people came to Berlin (if I would live some where different I wolud also want to live in Berlin). But because everyone came here and wanted to live in the cool city, Berlin changed a lot. All the cool districs are supper expensive and the people living there for 40 years had to move, because of gentrification and now there are living rich hipsters that think they enbody the Berlin spririt. Its not a bad thing people are visiting the city. It is nice to talk with them and they bring money but their behavior is often anoying, they feel like because they are in a cool and hip city they can do everything they want.

[@ResidentAdvisor]

a full tracklist is found in the credits at the end.

[@prax0123]

@MaxOlic 1: Heatstick - Dream Tennis 2: Dettmann/Klock - Dawning (Oton) 3. reagenz - the labyrinth (Oton) 4. Pelon - No stunts 5. Desolate - In secret 6. Vril - UV 7. Henrik Schwarz - Chicago 8. Christopher Rau - Ping to You 9. Desolate - Cathartic 10. Tokyo Black star - Blade dancer

[@ziggypop5545]

5 years living there change completely my life..Berlin is not only techno....Ich vermisse dich meine Liebe stadt

[@jonkennedyfederation]

Ze Party go for Sirty Zicks Aaarrrz. ....

[@maxnelson07]

I have been to the Berlin club scene. Even today it reminds me of NY in the 90's, so amazing.

[@gee_emm]

What a great series! I hope they remake and update it for the post Covid era.

[@JeffMankini]

This is still one of the best documentary shorts ever made.

[@lukemilton1964]

I'm in Berlin right now! I love Berlin! Plan on living in Berlin! Awesome video!

[@RockstahRolln]

Where you from?

[@peterreid]

RockstahRolln berlin

[@Herhohu]

Please don´t...

[@d33p]

Unvergleichbare Zeit gewesen 💚 kann man niemandem beschreiben 💙 dankbar das ich es erleben durfte 💜

[@knowinthatrowan]

clubbing in berlin is like nothing else

[@Aluminiumplatte]

Rowan Wagner clubbing in berlin is dead - since 15 years minimum

[@kessel4499]

@@Aluminiumplatte ur going to shitty clubs then lol

[@GwaiZai]

@@Aluminiumplatte I think this guy goes to Club Matrix

[@MatthewNash92]

watching this makes me want to quit my job, move from my small dead-end home town with its crappy music scene and go and live my life :/

[@Connaisseurs]

+Matthew Nash well, what are you waiting for?

[@lelaki88]

+Matthew Nash tfw im doing that right now

[@jackpina13]

im fdoing that

[@petar1008]

Do it

[@sandraeljura9184]

get born I

[@SupernoOova]

Berlin is just Awesome , hope back here as soon as possible ...

[@GwaiZai]

We used to climb the roof of the abandoned ice factory in the last shot on the left to watch the sunrise after berghain on Monday morning. It is now a coworking space rented by a large fintech company.

[@lylegunther9599]

This was a really interesting, well-produced and directed documentary. Thanks for creating this! Really outstanding storytelling here, you captured the "why" which can be elusive. I especially liked the opening soundbites and all the excellent music.

[@MrLiam1410]

I’m in Berlin now first time and I love it dearly

[@vanardnb]

Watching this in my Berlin hotel room after an amazing experience at Tresor... I want to stay here in Berlin...

[@Fantasticbeasts992]

Berlin got me and changed my life after the first time I was there it’s such an magical city what an amazing vibes in the clubs and your gonna meet amazing new people with great energy, I try to go at least three times a year. I’m from the Netherlands and now I’m very selective of where I go clubbing that’s all because of Berlin.

[@eldr1ntravvv]

I would love to go to Berlin. This short documentary paints such a pretty picture.

[@CHIRGOSSS]

Soy de México, al principio de mi viaje por Europa (Irlanda) dudaba entre visitar Ibiza o Berlín, después de ver este vídeo mi duda quedó desvanecida a medida que escuchaba las entrevistas y el beat de fondo. "Techno wasn´t designed to be a dance music. It was designed to be futurist statment" -Jeff Mills.

[@RyanBfromNYC]

amazing video. the public needs more videos like this to educate them about underground culture

[@rhythmdroid]

First view of 2014. I will be there this year. Rockin' the dancefloor.

[@maxours14]

Such an amazing experience there each time I come, never had unfortunate moment with local and to get in clubs, but still not the case for everyone apparently...

[@bmem21]

Funny! I was in Renate 2 weeks ago! Amazing place! And so was PBar . Had a fantastic weekend with the coolest people on Earth.

[@IdoSchacham]

If RA did this video again, I wonder what all these people would say about the Berlin of today

[@audiojck1]

Really catches the atmosphere. I'd love to step out of my door and dance now...

[@mrsmucicamala]

I miss Berlin. Immer zusammen !!!!!

[@fordeboi]

I fully understand what Berliners are saying as a Londoner some of our clubs are just rammed full of idiots that are not there for the Music, and if they are feel that they can elbow and even punch they way to the front. Mainly southern Europeans they can be a nightmare. Would love to visit some of the Techno clubs in Berlin especially Tresor because of it's impact but really have this fear of being labelled a loud mouthed Brit because of some idiots that have given me a bad name.

[@fordeboi]

very docile person that loves his techno and it's history!!

[@gabriele223]

Better stay home then, so you don't meet any annoying southern european.

[@TheFlush1980]

Yeah I'm Dutch and I go clubbing almost every week. Mostly in the south of the netherlands and belgium. A couple of weeks ago we went clubbing in amsterdam and we hopped into Escape just for a laugh. OMG, what a tourist trap! The music was horrible, it had champagne VIP sections and it was full of tourists who didn't have a clue about a more gritty club scene and alternative club music. It made me appreciate my regular clubs more. I usually like the lesser known, smaller clubs because they have a more cosy feel and cater towards a niche audience.

[@michaelbennett4931]

@@TheFlush1980 yeah same. Me and my friend had the unfortunate thing of going to Melkweg in Amsterdam. such a tourist trap!!! Theres so much more to be discovered here in Adam though

[@sameast3512]

I’m from England and have been to Tresor and other clubs in Berlin, it’s not about where you are from just as long as your respectful and cool! If you get turned away just try again you will get in eventually! I loved it that much I am moving there, so much better than London which is as you say, is full of idiots lol

[@9aliraf]

just got back from Berlin..... no place like it

[@Fantasticbeasts992]

It is the best place

[@ruwiki]

Interesting documentary though there was no word left about the Loveparade and its meaning to the club culture etc.

[@rocaroko]

I always remember the melodys after and trying to find the tracks later

[@skyy22jimmy]

im an absolute die hard fan of the techno and tech-house seen but this scares me in a good way.

[@Style07sk]

Berlin is definitely the place to be if you're somehow connected to electronic music. I would kill to play just for one night @ Panorama Bar. Great video.

[@setiroculus]

Can't wait for the follow ups on all these

[@NubOzoneMA]

thx for letting me in the club :( for all the love i give , they left me out

[@Monzyboy]

lol they didn't mention the drugs

[@DeBrockGallery]

what difference does it make?

[@maussau9067]

He said we have all done illegal things and we're trying to make illegal legal. so I think he made his 'drug point ' quite clearly.

[@volgin]

@@maussau9067 I think the 'illegality' that he is talking about is more about the parties being set up in an abandoned place and had to be moved every time. Illegal parties turned into those clubs being legal and registered.

[@carinah2212]

Patrick De Brock Gallery The difference is, that all the partys would‘t run 36 hours or longer without people who take drugs. The partys wouldn‘t make that much fun and wouldn‘t give people such a special feeling of freedom etc. Taking drugs makes a big difference in this story. But it‘s ok not to talk about, because there are a lot of people who would‘t understand...

[@imhellag]

The guy is like the Julian Assange of Berlin techno LOL

[@GwaiZai]

he is one of the OGs of Berlin techno. I would love to meet him.

[@pepedomingocastanas]

Berlin is waiting for me and my relatives this summer. Expect us!!! We're exactly the same as the other thousands of tourists!!!!

[@gerlagerweij]

Been there for 3 days, did not even get the chance to go to any partys. Still I felt like moving there right away :)

[@123whoisjerry]

Amazing video! Partying is what really happened in the great pyramids Dreaming &vibrating all together

[@sl1oo]

Ich liebe Berlin

[@edihnowbertto5276]

I Love Berlin , best Techno «3

[@Matthew1981]

Remake/revisit this in 2019

[@bboyanem1]

Berlin, I will see you soon.

[@Jacksirrom]

Ich wuenschte nach Berlin umziehen, weil ich die elektronische Musik lieben. Ich habe ein bisschen Deutsch lernen, damit ich nach Berlin leben. Vielleicht.... ich kann in den Clubs betreten....

[@mimoincc]

I see all this issues as a pop scene, where is the real underground scene on all this? Real underground music.

[@avibenso]

Berlin is Love.

[@chancesofrain6480]

so interesting and problematic that it is just men talking. 11 years ago RA didn't find it problematic.

[@HouseJunk1e]

Leaving tomorrow for my first time out of the country as an adult :) going to berlin to party with ZE GERMAAAANS!!! untc untc untc untc

[@EleKtrONeRo]

I can't stop watching this video...Heaven does exist. Ich steh auf Berlin's techno freaks..

[@frankdrebiin]

They dont wanna be on their own as germans, they wanna be on their own as clubbers. To somehow keep it underground, even if its known internationally.

[@loontil]

i just picture a zillion american etc groovy little cheeselords there for the scene, which they are dismantling by their presence

[@waslx1a42]

ComboverSoul tig no, thank you. But tbh its not the worst those firestarters achieve to annihilate.

[@softsoundriver]

It's the Fly Bermuda Warm Up in Rummelsburg.

[@asylumDAYS]

Nice you have the support of the goverment because this permit you to make events etc. Berlin, the best city of the world for me and thé people who understand our feeling 🙂

[@tifacoba]

Gänsehaut

[@maf8259]

@ Simon nomis Trackname: IV26 Schwarz/Ame/Dixon - Chicago (Live Version) - A Critical Mass Live EP

[@elisavieira737]

Really nice video thanks

[@shenkaed]

Maybe Berlin and the Berliners need to take themselves just a little bit less seriously. You could say that about the whole of Germany though couldn't you.

[@TheJuanshouse]

shenkaed have you been in Berlin? have you experienced nightlife in Berlin more than once? i have been there maybe 50 times and only 6 times this year. Berghain is the best club i have ever been to

[@shenkaed]

Yes, my comment stands...

[@TheJuanshouse]

my question was : have you been to Berlin? where you allowed into berghain?

[@shenkaed]

Yes, and yes - both multiple times. I will be going back again in September

[@valecito.33]

lol thats actually true, coming from a berliner

[@dancing_all_night_long]

I had a good time and also a bad time in Berlin. I know they hate foreigners especially turkish and asians like me. Sometimes they made me cry and mad at them. But still my german friends were kind to me, so I did have a great time there. Thank all my german friends in Germany. Btw it's a nice video (^_-)-☆

[@jasonevans6590]

Q

[@jazzman5115]

Berlin hates Turks? There's districts where foreigners and their descendants are more than half of the population and a lot of them are Turks. If you didn't get in a club it's most likely because you're a tourist, not because you're a Turk.

[@xSTUEY2011]

Thank you very much

[@mattmax4067]

found it all a bit clickey......the best clubs are the welcoming ones where people smile, talk and dance together :-)

[@princethegodx6773]

Matt Max i think the same thing.. im very corious about berghain.. but u should be sad to get in?! wtf hell nah

[@TheTrancemaster90]

Such an idiotic scene...

[@IamAvni]

great vid, a good explanation of what you get in the big city!

[@alexbluegotoschoolbybus]

god i love berlin

[@DrCaligar1]

Who would have thought that German people would be elitist, or claim that their home city is better than anywhere else.

[@VegaTalents]

berlin in the 90´s?sure, times are changing...by the way i adopted this city for my personaly hometown by heart...by hook or by crook- berlin goes forwards >.o

[@DerSchwarz37]

Hardcore techno. ♥ Berlin ♥

[@tushermyth]

Perfekt

[@zaub9rer]

4:57 Pelon - No Stunts (Part 1)

[@AudioPervert1]

what was a real scene or vibe once ... now is an industry in place of creativity. Calling people " germs" is also quiet fascistic ...

[@Dunamis_010]

Great video!

[@fredradley5952]

3:10 is that Moritz Von Oswald?

[@sarahcaswell7655]

Yeah Mauricio m7 I think

[@sterfgeval1]

Club der visionaire !! :)

[@vvvagaina]

awesome

[@PeacyKat]

wow - real scenes: detroit: more than 3000 views - real scenes: Bristol: more than 3000 views - real scenes berlin: over 33000 views!!!!!!!

[@eoinfl]

why haven't the RA done any more of these?

[@franktamen2802]

back to berlin 1-3 feb! awwweesuuume

[@kleine1608]

Henrik Schwarz / Âme / Dixon - Chicago (live version) :D

[@paulofavaretto1]

I would like to know what the berliners have against tourists in eletronic parties? I am from Brasil and a few days ago I was in Berlin. I try to party in two clubs but none of them let me in. I had already readed about the door policy before trying to enter in the clubs and I couldnt understand whats the meaning of it...

[@lsamoa]

It's just snobbism.

[@chesterwig]

Totally. There is a lot of soft racism in Germany. Go to London and you won't experience this. It will fucking cost you though.

[@papafrita909]

Yeah i know, sucks. I went to Berlin in 2014, got without any problem into Watergate and Berghain. Went to Berlin again 2 weeks ago, Friday they were not letting me in Kater Blau, despite I was telling the bouncer every single dj playing that night, luckily I was on guestlist (which I wasn't sure) so got in (and yeah the place was amazing), but the door policy was fuckin annoying. Then tried Berghain 3 times and got rejected, really wanted to catch Tony Humphries (1 girl and guy behind me in the queue didn't have a clue who Tony is and got in without any problem as they were regulars). Went to Tresor which was really good tho, but Berghain is Berghain, and sucks travelling all the way to Berlin and getting rejected at door, as Berlin for me is a pretty shitty city and its only worth for its amazing clubbing scene.

[@Noak420]

They are trying to keep out people who don’t fit in to the club and would ruin the vibe / experience for other people, I think this is very hard to understand for people who are not used to this kinda door policy

[@Noak420]

paulo favaretto I would suggest going to a rave if you can’t get in to any clubs

[@bukayorke3726]

Klock & Dettmann - Phantom Studies

[@FlowPhille]

Amazing video, made me wanna go to Tresor :)

[@Eselar]

henrik schwarz, ame, dixon - chicago (live version)

[@robdayuk]

Does anyone know the venue at about 5:10 in? I remember being there last summer, but I have no idea where it is. A sign of a good night...but a little frustrating now.

[@JoobSensei]

Henrik Schwarz, Ame & Dixon - Chicago (Live Version)

[@nuetknirbnesork5172]

Make one about Amsterdam!

[@ComboPixels]

god whats the song at @ 0:55 someone please!!!

[@Skeemask]

Heatsick- Dream Tennis (Diegors Remix) [CockTail d'Amore Music]

[@garrygalloway5043]

"This you only find in Berlin." Not true and yes I've lived in Berlin and am friends with DJs and record label owners. Politically it's unique but that type of club culture escapism can also be experienced elsewhere. In London during the mid 80s there were huge parties being held in derelict abandoned factories. However the scene did not last that long because of the property boom. All in a sudden it became fashionable to live in a converted warehouses , so these illegal house parties no longer had a home until promotors started renting fields off farmers during the late 80s and then the rave culture started. I've been to illegal parties in Berlin and next month they return to the same venue. In London the police were much stricter enforcing the law. You could never return to the same venue and you kept your fingers crossed that you would not be closed down. Also due to Berlin's unique history a lot of these old buildings are protected. So it makes sense to rent or sell for club use.

[@GwaiZai]

it's also a case that the government actually exists to serve it's people in Berlin/Germany whereas in London/the UK big money has outsized power

[@garrygalloway5043]

@@GwaiZai The same will eventually happen in Berlin. It is not as cheap as it used to be and there are more foreign investors than ever before.

[@garrygalloway5043]

@@GwaiZai The government exists to stabilise the economy as if you can not see that you are blind. Anything else is just window dressing.

[@xSTUEY2011]

Track name for 8:25 doesn't seem to be in the credits!

[@robdayuk]

Yes, that's it! Thank you!

[@cmoonn]

8:45 trackname?

[@stijnschiphorst]

Henrik Schwarz Ame Dixon - Chicago (Live Version)

[@karanreddypasham90]

@@stijnschiphorst love to you my man

[@BlueSteel101]

have you seen the New York one yet??

[@JohnWilkBeats]

Berlin

[@anildeman]

Woow i knew that German had a sick underground scene, and i thought that the underground party's here in holland were quite good but know i've seen this Holland is jack-shit compared to Berlin. Now i know i need to visit Berlin very very very soon, so thank you for uploading this video!!!!!

[@emircproductions]

I have to say, I feel documentaries like this really don't reflect or represent the real diversity of what goes on in Berlin. They always focus musically on stereotypical "Minimal House" which I must say kind of annoys me somewhat. Where's Alec Empire? Where's Basic Channel? Where's the groundbreaking techno which Tresor released in the mid 90s? where is the punk scene in all this, what about the Breakcore? what about the anonymous small bars selling Sternberger for 90 cents?

[@mariner225]

big like

[@tankthepitbull520]

I’m scared to go to a techno night club I’ve got terrible anxiety.

[@Fernando4Mark]

You will never feel that going to the Berlin club scene. It's the most relaxed, open-minded and liberating atmosphere I've ever experienced(hence why I moved here) :)

[@mranton3315]

Drugs might help

[@untzpow]

Heatsick - dreamtennis

[@claytonicmalta1818]

'We have to make sure that not too many 'stupid' people come in' I went to Berlin last January and I was refused entry by the door girl at Tresor after partying and djing underground music for 13 years so for sure I know what partying is and what this culture is all about. I even organise events lol Still active and doing so.... I guess your doorgirl is the stupid one Mr haha :) please note I was sober too. Quite dissapointed ... going inside Tresor was going to be the main attraction for me...anyways went to Watergate and I still enjoyed my night ! :)

[@nigelgeiger6020]

I have friends who partied in the 80s and 90s in Detroit where techno is actually from that have been turned away. They turned away the people who pioneered what they do.

[@claytonicmalta1818]

@@nigelgeiger6020 that's a pity huh? :/

[@GwaiZai]

sorry to hear that. But guys it's partly random and it's not a perfect process. They can't ask people to fill out surveys.

[@claytonicmalta1818]

@@GwaiZai to ask me randomly if i have ever been to a party is quite stupid mate :) probably went to twice the parties she went to 😅

[@GwaiZai]

@@claytonicmalta1818 I agree, which is why she made a 5 second judgment call based on patterns her brain has made as a Berliner. Nothing to feel bad about. I live here, have been part of the scene for years and still have been rejected from Bergs from time to time