Techno music: dance revolution in four-four time

What actually is techno? Many people ask this question, although it is not that easy to answer. Is techno just a musical direction or even a way of life ? In the scene, techno is seen as a lifestyle - a way of life that is constantly being reinvented.

Techno emerged in the late 1980s as a fusion of different electronic music styles and was initially referred to as techno house. The roots of techno lie in the clubs and discotheques of Detroit, from where the music with its booming basses spread all over the world. Before long, the entire globe was dancing in four-four time every weekend. Cities like Manchester, New York, Frankfurt or Berlin became places of pilgrimage for fans of the new music. Techno has undergone major changes, but it hasn't lost any of its popularity to this day. There are still ravers who stick to the old school beats or go happily hardcore at parties.

Techno basics

The structure of every techno track is based on four-four time. Depending on the subgenre, the speed is then increased or decreased. The sound, which is characteristic of the music style, results from the use of a specific synthesizer. Each crotchet is accented by a bass drum, while a hi-hat can be heard on the 8ths. In contrast to other music genres, the melody plays a subordinate role , especially since spherical sounds are often experimented with. Repetitions play a big role. In techno, one speaks of so-called "repetitive arrangements", in which short fragments are repeated over the entire track. However, the repetitions build on each other by being enriched with effects, modulations and percussion elements.

In the beginning was Moog

The invention that made everything possible: In 1964, Moog launched its first synthesizer . This made it possible to explore new worlds of sound. Where they had just played with guitar and drums, they soon took a new direction. Groups like the Düsseldorf duo "Kraftwerk" proved to be groundbreaking. At the same time, the synth sound was also used in the music styles New Wave and Disco, which were to play a key role in the development of techno.

Acid house is coming to Europe

Around 1985, Chicago was the center of the new wave of electronic music, which soon spilled over to Europe. "Acid House" - that's the name of the sound created in Chicago's discotheques, which was characterized above all by the sounds of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. Acid house gained a foothold in the UK, where the music is now performed in clubs like the legendary Hacienda in Manchester and the Ministry of Sound in London. Around the same time, techno also came to Berlin, where it hit like a bomb.

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Tresor and Omen: How techno music came to Germany

Germany has long been able to establish itself as a stronghold of techno music. Omen in Frankfurt was one of the first techno clubs to open their doors. The club, run by star DJ Sven Väth, has won several awards, but had to close its doors again in 1998. Sven Väth later opened the "Cocoon Club", which no longer exists either.

Something new in the east

It was precisely the turning point that made Berlin the new capital of techno music. Suddenly numerous factory halls in the former East Berlin were empty. Organizers and music fans didn't need to be asked twice and took advantage of the circumstances. Clubs such as Tresor, Bunker, E-Werk and Planet emerged. Today, Berlin is still the mecca of techno music, with the sound of the metropolis on the Spree moving between minimal house and minimal techno. Anyone who takes a detour to Berlin as a techno fan today usually has only one destination: Berghain. The cult club in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is known for its tough bouncers and its even harder beats.

Techno music and festivals

In the 1990s, Ibiza was considered a meeting place for techno fans from all over the world. Today you are spoiled for choice: both Croatia's beautiful beaches and London's extensive parks lure with great line-ups. Techno has always been a style of music suitable for large-scale festivals. The beats only really hit when you're surrounded by like-minded people. Techno festivals peaked with the Love Parade in Berlin and similar street festivals in other European cities. Today the party has shifted to smaller festivals that are more lasting and also more personal.

The most famous DJs of the techno scene

"God is a DJ" : The British band Faithless already knew that in 1998. The DJ is the center of every techno party, slaving away for hours at the desk or turntable for his loyal fans. In the early days of techno, most DJs were still largely unknown enthusiasts. From that time came greats like Sven Väth, DJ Hell and Paul van Dyk, who filled superclubs with thousands of ravers during their careers. The veteran of the techno scene is certainly Sven Väth, who made a name for himself in the early 1990s as the founder of the Eye Q Records and Harthouse labels. He also launched the Omen and the Cocoon Club at the time.

DJanes like Marusha and Ellen Allien have long since proven that techno isn't just for men. Marusha wrote techno history in 1994 with her hit "Somewhere over the rainbow". Ellen Allien from Berlin conquered the hearts of all Minimal fans in 2001 with her debut album "Stadtkind". As the founder of the labels BPitch Control and UFO Inc., Ellen Alien is also a producer.

As with other styles of music, the UK has blessed us with plenty of talent when it comes to techno. These include Carl Cox , Richie Hawtin, and Paul Oakenfold, among others. Carl Cox in particular was largely responsible for the spread of techno in Europe.

Boris Brejcha is definitely one of the latest talents on the international techno scene. The DJ from Ludwigshafen am Rhein has made a name for himself worldwide with his characteristic electro sound. And of course there is also the Belgian Charlotte de Witte, who has already performed at numerous festivals such as EXIT or Electric Daisy Carnival.

Sources:

https://www.planet-wissen.de/kultur/musik/musikindustrie/techno-intro-100.html

https://www.grin.com/document/282854

https://www.redbull.com/de-de/die-geschichte-des-techno