It's nearing late August and that means one of the world's most iconic festivals returns. Berlin Atonal has proved over decades now that it's at the forefront of sound, image and atmosphere, consistently crafting unparalleled lineups and experiences while pushing the boundaries of experimental and club music. This year the fest debuts a new concept titled OPENLESS, comprising site-specific concert experiences, activating the Kraftwerk complex for three very highly curated and unique performance nights. Each night unfolds operatically around a thematic core, combining some of the world’s most exciting musical and visual artists, followed by after parties in Tresor, Globus and OHM.

We first covered the festival in 2016 and it's always been a favorite here at The Brvtalist. After a couple years absence, we are thrilled to be back this year covering the action. Ahead of the opening on Friday, we now bring you a little preview of what to expect and some can't miss acts to catch.

OPENLESS 1: The Less Deceived (23.08)

The first night of the festival, titled The Less Deceived, plays out theatrically in the spaces between music and sound design, research and journalism, art and site-specific performance. There are a few excellent world premieres to catch and we suggest Forensis (Forensic Architecture) with Bill Kouligas. The Drum and The Bird is a new historical and journalistic multi-sensory performance weaving together generative environmental audio, oral testimonies, and spatio-visual modelling, and compels an audience to contemplate the price of colonial amnesia by highlighting voices and sounds that have been silenced or altered as a result of this history.

Another world premiere to witness is Białowieża. Named for the forest stretching across Poland and Belarus, where migrants have faced significant hardships, the work is based on field recordings taken directly from the region which is now divided by a metal wall. Symbolising broader geopolitical tensions, this new piece is created by the legendary field recordist Chris Watson, who is working with Izabela Dluzyk, a blind Polish sound recordist celebrated for her profound connection to nature’s acoustics and recognized as one of the BBC's 100 Most Influential Women in 2023 for her expertise in bird sound recordings. Białowieża will be presented in total darkness.

OPENLESS 2: Transcriptions (24.08)

The second concert night focuses on the rhythmic tradition of the sabar drumming culture and in particular the immaterial musical legacy of the recently deceased Doudou N’diaye Rose. For this occasion, Nkisi, Lamin Fofana, Shackleton, Holy Tongue and LABOUR all create new musical pieces celebrating the artist. The family of N’Diaye Rose will be traveling and performing in Berlin for the first time. The entire night will be an operatic exploration of N’Diaye Rose’s legacy unfolding according to the logic of the Senegalese traditional Tannebier (the street-based celebration which has the sabar at its centre). Doudou N’diaye Rose is widely hailed as the modern master of the Sabar, with an active period spanning from pre-independent Senegal until his death in 2015. Doudou was designated a ‘Living World Treasure’ by UNESCO in 2006 and has been described as a ‘mathematician of rhythm.’

OPENLESS 3: The Clearing (25.08)

The final Sunday concert night hearkens back to renowned formats like The Long Now or previous Berlin Atonal nights that utilise the vast Kraftwerk interior for deeply engaging and transformative musical experiences. Each concert reconfigures the space into a dynamic canvas for sonic exploration and creativity. One of the main highlights here is no doubt Demdike Stare. The project returns to the circuit of international experimental music that they helped create and their new A/V show, Baselines, brings back their beat-driven, shape-shifting and punkish approach to live music. The newest of two heads realizing their ambition without compromise and in a typically enigmatic, shadowy way, they last played for Atonal in Berlin in 2017 with Michael England and at the Atonal curated Laterne night at Dark Mofo in Tasmania in 2018.

Another must see is the brand new high profile collaboration from multidisciplinary artists Kelman Duran and Franciska Aigner (FRANKIE). Aigner has previously worked with Anne Imhof, William Forsythe, Mette Ingvartsen, Alexandra Bachzetsis and others. Kelman Duran co-produced Beyonce’s Renaissance as well as scoring films and putting out his own highly acclaimed solo releases.

As always, after the performances in the main concert hall, Tresor, Globus and OHM will host some stellar afterparties featuring more talent from across the world. Friday 23.08 and Saturday 24.08 both hold club programmes in the connected Tresor and Globus complex. Tickets will be sold separately to two very special line-ups featuring live shows from Carrier and Datashader, sets from Special Request, Laurel Halo, LYDO, Ehua, Animistic Beliefs, Nawaz going b2b with Woody92, Richie Culver’s Quiet Husband project, Lee Gamble playing a DJ set, Al Wootton and Zohar.

Also just revealed are some great OHM events, highlighted by a very rare live set form Simo Cell. One of Europe's most sought after DJs who has released some outstanding works across multiple mediums, he will turn his razor sharp attunement to the groove into a can't miss experience. Also recently announced is Brazilian-American producer Doctor Jeep, who is known for his polyrhythmic techno to dancehall and techy minimal drum & bass. The space will also host Assyouti, the Berlin-based Egyptian producer known for his explosive DJ sets and Falyakon, a multi-instrumentalist and DJ known for their intricate compositions and atmospheric depth. Another one we're looking forward to is 2K88, who draws influence from 90s and 00s Polish rap and mixes it with shadowy club sonics.

There’s truly something for everyone each night and Atonal always demands that you open your mind and push your boundaries to experience something new and impactful. This year, OPENLESS promises to bring a fresh energy and format which we’re very much looking forward to. The full lineup is below and for more information and tickets visit: https://berlin-atonal.com/

-JRS