Do you also have a sweaty towel at home? A guitar pick or a broken drumstick? Maybe even a shot glass or even Frank Zander`s curry sausage fork? Or are you more into Sido’s or Bushido’s empty spray cans?

The Berlin Wall fell on November 11th, 1989. But that’s not all: In Schöneberg, an unknown band called Nirvana played their first Berlin show and Kurt Cobain’s lighter fell into the hands of the young Britt Scott King. The spark was lit. It had been a »semi spiritual experience« for him, says the nowadays world renowned graphics designer. But he didn’t leave it at a lighter…
Together with Paul Kelly, King shot a whole movie about his collector’s passion and the incredible story of this gem: »Kurt’s Lighter« can now be exclusively streamed on www.pop-kultur.berlin in full length.

Now, of course, we thought the whole thing through to the end: To give you a possibility to collect memorabilia, spiritual moments and memories, we are hosting the Pop-Kultur festival in Berlin-Neukölln from August 31st to September 2nd. And we have great news: ticket presale for the events at SchwuZ, Huxleys Neue Welt, Passage Kino, Keller and Prachtwerk starts on May 9th, 2016.

In case you’re thinking: Great, but I don’t really know you (or only have for a year). Why should I trust you?! Well, we thought of that, too. While the complete lineup will be released on May 9th, here are a couple of the program’s highlights. As always, you can expect numerous premieres and a mix of concerts, films, talks and readings.

For a lot of people, Selda Bağcan is not only one of the great voices of Anatolian psych Rock music, she is the greatest voice. It’s crystal clarity immediately engraves into your Soul. »Pop-Kultur« brings the opinion leader and favorite singer of Anohni (Antony Hegarty) and Elija Wood, amongst others, together with the band Boom Pam, back to Berlin. The young trio of sisters A-Wa, from Isreal, just as Boom Pam, are on the way to becoming a border-crossing global pop phenomenon, not only because of their hit »Habib Galbi«. The heirs of Ofra Haza will premiere new material at »Pop-Kultur«.

Further, a whole travel party from New York will make its appearance: Punk icon Richard Hell (»Blank Generation«) reads from his autobiography; the powerfully eloquent and furious poet and performer Zebra Katz vogues on stage; the never tired, incredible Frankie Cosmos gives a voice to the Generation Y.

With Your Friend’s experimental Loop-Pop,Algiers’ Soul-Gospel-Punk-explosion andZola Jesus’ mighty voice we move to the West Coast: The woman behind Seattle’s SassyBlack is Catherine »Cat« Harris-White; one-half of the enormously talented duo THEESatisfaction. She shares her roller coaster-like dating experience as a queer black woman in modern America with us and will also play a DJ-Set.

Fatima Al Qadiri is new to Berlin, the genius music producer, that moved to the capital via New York, just released a thrilling electronic concept album about the freedom to demonstrate and police brutality, She will dedicate her DJ-Set to the global bass-continuum. The Hamburg-based band Trümmer is no less engaged and inspiring. They will also bring new material to the festival.

We’re especially looking forward to the performance of the Algerian band Imarhan. The Tuareg gently open up the Assouf, basically the Tuareg Blues, to Pop music and West African rhythms. At »Pop-Kultur«, they will present their enticing album in a festival context for the first time.

Our visitors from Great Britain include Cat’s Eyes (Classical Music meets John Carpenter and Opera meets 60’s Proto-Pop) and the new Mute Records signing LUH – both premiere their new albums for the first time in Germany – as well as Immersion, the joint project of Wire’s Colin Newman and Malka Spigel. The couple recorded fresh heavenlyAmbient Drone music after a hiatus of nine years. Newman will further join a talk podium.

But, music will not only be played at »Pop-Kultur«, it will also be read: The great Matthew Herbert returns – after his multiple involvements in last year’s edition – and presents his new album »A NUDE (the perfect body)«. However, the album is not published on a recording medium, but as prose, which Herbert himself will recite. A stimulating experience! Just like the evening with the shock ‘n’ shake band Liars are going to premiere the soundtrack to the movie »1/1« live – and will further take part in a talk.

During the three festival days, Berlin itself will be represented by a multitude of local heroes and talents: The Analog-Electronica trio Brandt Brauer Frick premieres its new album; Keøma, Kat Frankie’s new band, performs; Diät presents snappy and melodic, washed out Punk sound. The renowned and experienced Roosevelt, who moved from Cologne to Berlin just to record his debut, introduces his newest great Pop scheme.

For a lot of the concerts, Pop-Kultur closely cooperated with Berlin-based companies, such as City Slang, Landstreicher, Melt! Booking or Powerline.

Now, that really is a lot, isn’t it? So, to give you a good overview, here are the names in alphabetical order:

Algiers, A-Wa, Brandt Brauer Frick, Cat’s Eyes, Diät, Fatima Al Qadiri, Frankie Cosmos, Imarhan, Immersion, Keøma, Liars, Luh, Matthew Herbert, Richard Hell, Roosevelt, SassyBlack, Selda Bağcan ft. Boom Pam, Trümmer, Your Friend, Zebra Katz, Zola Jesus

We are looking forward to meet you! We will provide enough fire, lighters and curry sausage spits (only on demand – please let us know in advance if you require one). And don’t forget: No other than the Scottish Instrumental-Band Mogwai premieres their new Album “Atomic” in a unique film concert on August 30th.

Pop-Kultur