Berlin Atonal has long been the European epicenter for the world’s most daring sound artists, a space where new work is forged, and trailblazing collaborations emerge. Having transitioned into a bi-annual format, Atonal now zeroes in on ambitious projects like OPENLESS, where music, art, and performance collide. The iconic Kraftwerk will play host to a trio of grand operatic concert nights, while Tresor and Globus will pulse with genre-spanning club lineups, culminating in two oversized OHM aftershows, electrifying the entire Atonal orbit.

OHM: Afterparties Set the Scene

Friday kicks off with a seismic live set by the enigmatic Simo Cell, known for his genre-defying DJ sets but now twisting those elements into an unmissable live debut. Aircode opens, melding playful textures with experimental rhythms, followed by Yao Bobby (from Togo) and Simon Grab, whose shape-shifting beats and raw vocals channel the intensity of political resistance. Berlin’s own Assyouti rounds off the night, enveloping the crowd in his signature moody, world-building sounds.

On Saturday, Falyakon introduces the night with an immersive set, followed by a visceral live performance from Hull’s Quiet Husband, whose chaotic soundscapes are anything but restrained. 2K88, fusing Polish rap with shadowy beats, takes things deeper, while Doctor Jeep—known for weaving together polyrhythmic techno and drum & bass—closes out the night with an intense, global fusion of styles.

The Kraftwerk Operatic Series: 15 World Premieres

The concert series is headlined by some of the most anticipated world premieres. Among them, A Forbidden Distance—a powerful collaboration between Saint Abdullah, Eomac, and filmmaker Rebecca Salvadori—will interrogate identity and displacement through sound and visuals, while The Drum and The Bird by Forensis (Forensic Architecture) with Bill Kouligas dissect colonial histories through a multi-sensory performance.

Also taking the stage, multidisciplinary artists Kelman Duran and Franciska Aigner (FRANKIE) will debut their joint project, a continuation of their critical explorations of movement and sound. The night culminates with Family N’Diaye Rose, a tribute to the legacy of Senegal’s sabar drum icon Doudou N’Diaye Rose, with a lineup featuring Nkisi, Lamin Fofana, and Shackleton celebrating the rhythm and energy of Tannebier traditions.

Demdike Stare returns to Atonal with Baselines, an enigmatic live A/V performance embodying their signature dark, beat-driven experimentalism, set to draw festival-goers deep into the shadows of their uncompromising sonic landscape.

Berlin Atonal’s OPENLESS sets a new standard for the collision of music, art, and experimentation. These three days promise to transcend any preconception of what a festival experience can be, bringing the most cutting-edge performances to Berlin’s most iconic venues.