Over the last 10+ years, we at The Groove Cartel, have witnessed Berlin’s insatiable appetite for boundary-pushing raves and festivals first-hand. But even we were stunned when we learned about the colossal plans for the Home Again Club Festival this year – a delirious 100-hour non-stop music marathon.
Berlin’s Rave Pedigree
Berlin’s rave pedigree is unimpeachable. From the hallowed walls of Berghain/Panorama Bar to the industrial playgrounds of Renate and the river-side Watergate club, the city has served as a mecca for a particular breed of hedonistic dance music fanatics for decades. Spend a weekend here and you’ll encounter scores of wide-eyed ravers emerging from dark rooms on Monday morning, their journey of self-discovery and interpersonal connection through sound and movement only just coming to a close.
A Ritualistic Awakening
We will never forget our first real Berlin rave experience back in 2019 at the indomitable Griessmühle. A former squat that was equal parts punk rock and acid trance, the vibe was gritty, unpretentious, and utterly free of judgment. We danced from dusk till dawn and beyond, the underground techno thundering as the sun rose over the Spree. It was a revelation – this was dancing as a transcendental ritual, music as a liberating life force.
In that hazy, sweat-drenched aftermath, we vowed to make Berlin our home. Five years later, the city’s lawless dance spirit burns as bright as ever. The upcoming 100-hour Home Again Club Festival is set to push the cult of the Berlin rave to fluorescent new heights.
The 100-hour Marathon Event: Home Again Club Berlin
Organized by local label Home Again, the marathon event will run for over four delirious days and nights from May 8th to 13th. Taking over the iconic RSO Berlin venue and surrounding grounds, it will feature a staggering 50 cross-genre artists performing across four different stages, with extended sets that fully embody the “no sleep till…” ethos.
The Home Again Club Festival is our approach to showcasing the diverse nuances that exist in electronic music today. More than anything, it’s a lineup of artists we love. It’s pretty simple actually. The timetable has been curated in a way that one could potentially stay the whole 100 hours and not get bored, but of course, we suggest taking a break in-between, then coming straight back for round 2 or 3 or however many rounds you can fit in 100 hours – Nils Thabo Gelfort, founder of Home Again
The Underground Lineup
Don’t expect any bro-step headliner trash here though. Home Again has its roots firmly planted in the fertile underground soil, with the lineup favoring forward-thinking upstarts over commercial heavyweights. Cutting-edge live acts, improvised audio-visual performances, and niche DJ selectors are far more their speed.
Of course, no self-respecting Berlin rave would be complete without a full-fledged queer dance freakout. Local collectives Club Heart Broken and Heisss are on hosting duties, ensuring the festival maintains its grungy, LGBTQ+ subversive spirit.
Tickets and prices
With day tickets as low as €25, and unlimited 5-day passes for just €49, Home Again is refreshingly affordable too, in stark contrast to the overpriced, manicured mainstream fests. At less than €0.40 per hour, you could theoretically rave for the entire 100-hour duration for the price of a nice meal.
Frankly, the sheer audacity and scale of this event is staggering, even by excessive Berlin standards. 100 sleepless hours of defiant dance communion? Sign me up. If ever a festival captured the anarchic, life-affirming spirit of Berlin’s club scene, this is surely it. Just don’t forget to pack supplies – you’re gonna need stamina for this marathon.
