A Night at Hinterraum, Berlin

09/02/2024

Franz Bargmann + Immer Weiter + Laurén Maria + Gonzo M + Sniff This

Originally published in Tutti Frutti Magazine #2

It has happened once again that our mundane Berlin lives have been united in a strange Punk place for cheap beers and shared cigarettes, and most importantly, otherworldly live-music from the local scene that makes you feel things you have never felt before.

Finding Hinterraum can be a challenge for first-timers, the fear of getting stabbed in the courtyard is part of the experience. Once you’re inside, the venue feels homely, no dirty looks, you feel good, you chug a beer. Cool …

The line-up tonight is dense and intense, first on the bill is Franz Bargmann who shakes you awake with the loudest guitar thunderstorm possible, organised chaos that transforms into thrilling ambient music. One man and the unlimited options of his pedalboards. What do you want more from an opener?

Immer Weiter are a free jazz group, and with weighty drumming they wake you up from the psychedelic dream that Franz Bargmann has sent you into. Double bass makes your stomach shake. A trumpet is being used in unconventional ways. You can see the trust the 4 have in each other. You can feel their faith. You fucking love it.

Another beer of course, and Laurén Maria enters the stage; one person, one laptop, and it’s a sonic nightmare, but a very enjoyable one. People are in trance with their eyes closed, while ethereal pads are being disturbed by industrial saw sounds that cut through your brain. Harsh metallic noise vs. the beauty of nature. The experimental artist shows you how close beauty and brutality are located, 2 opposites that are not quite opposite, and Hinterraum is shivering.

Gonzo M enters the stage, the guy looks like a 70s heroin icon and brings a drummer and a bassist with him. People start dancing to one of their funkier tracks, until all electricity turns off for some reason and the whole of Hinterraum stands in the dark. Their drummer doesn’t really care; he is a one-of-a-kind madman and jams along to Gonzo M on the trumpet and another person who suddenly joins them on a saxophone, it’s fucking wild.

You’re quite drunk and you’re kind of floating through the venue. Light and sound are back, and Sniff This start their manic set. It’s 1:30 in the morning and the avant-garde band is only getting started; their lead singer Mada Dudi is a person of many sudden movements, he climbs the light framework just in front of you, curls around on the floor and hits different instruments with a hammer. Frightening screams eject from his mouth. Fuck yeah, this is peak subculture, you think to yourself. There are synthesizers and a theremin, eclectic drums and a dancer, sweat and love. What a night.

Original page design for Tutti Frutti Magazine #2.