A techno lover's odyssey in Milan

where to party from dusk to dawn (and back to dusk again).

Step into the hectic landscape of Milan’s techno realm as a new year unfolds, echoing with promises of fresh beginnings. Here is our curated guide (in alphabetical order) to the city’s vibrant life: embark on a musical journey that transcends the ordinary, a harmonious dance of self-discovery and euphoria, pulsating beats and neon lights. No more excuses, so many things to do during the weekend, so many places to go party. Take notes and make them your true resolutions. See you on the dancefloor!

Approximately a little over a year since its opening, Artefact has gained recognition as one of the trendiest pre-party & nightlife spots. Beyond its strategic location (just a few steps from the Colonne of San Lorenzo), the venue stands out for its long DJ sets accompanying patrons’ drink-sipping from aperitivo until closing. There are regular events like Enhaut on Wednesdays, Unboxed on Thursdays, and others that change over the weekend. Additionally, weekly changing photography exhibitions complement the music played by the DJs. Owner Francesco, who has contributed significantly to organising underground parties in the city’s historic clubs such as Dude, Discosizer, or Superlove for years, has attracted DJs like Matrixxman, Cardinal & Nun, Dj Nobu, and Stenny to perform at Artefact. The atmosphere at Artefact is entirely familiar – a meeting point for old friendships and a starting point for new ones. Its standout feature is having one of the most Instagrammable bathrooms in the entire city. Seeing is believing!

ARTEFACT

Closer and Acquario are two music collectives, both born in Milan in 2015. Initially, they hosted most of their events at Masada, until its respective offspring, Amelia, was inaugurated, allowing them to utilize both spaces. The bond between the collectives and their hosting venues is inseparable, each complementing the other. Currently, their format resembles a marathon: one or two Saturdays per month from 3 PM to 1 AM at Masada and from 11 PM to 7-10 AM at Amelia. Legendary figures in the global techno scene, including Ben Sims, Oscar Mulero, Ancient Methods, DVS1, Regis, Eric Cloutier, Mark Broom, Peter Van Hoesen, and Wata Igarashi, are just a few of the many, perhaps endless, names that have set the dancefloor on fire at events by both Closer and Acquario. Research, experimentation, intimacy, freedom, empathy, sharing, and dedication form the foundation of the values embraced by these collectives.

CLOSER / ACQUARIO

A music label and techno format founded in 2017 at Dude Club by Franz Bush that now hosts its events usually at Silicone Club. You can always rely on them to delivering proper heart-pounding techno until 6am two Fridays a month. Strong references to the distinctly underground Berlin character, 90’s music culture and a safe space to undress; the closest thing there is Milan to Berghain freedom and vibe is how we could describe their parties (from what happens behind the DJ booth to the scenes unfolding on the dancefloor). Leather, chains, studs and lingerie characterise the dress code, all in maximum freedom of expression. Among the talented main local residents (Franz Bush, Luca Armando, Gledis, Bruna) Die Sekte has had the pleasure of hosting also Kwartz, Lea Occhi, Inox Traxx, Amoral, Tauceti, Radical Softness, Blanka, Quelza, and Shaleen and in addition to the music pumping through the system, they occasionally feature exhibitions and collaborations with artists in the realms of photography and fashion.

DIE SEKTE

Ph: Lars Larkin

There are clubs that have experienced both beginnings and endings, but instead of surrendering, they ensured that the circle did not close but continued on a different path. This is the case with Discosizer. Born as an underground club in Via Toffetti in 2018, it had to close its doors after some time, only to recently resume operations away from the urban hustle. The designated location now is Cascina Cappuccina in Melegnano, where nature reigns. In this transition from stars to stables (literally), fortunately, a coveted gem was not lost: the Funktion-One sound system. The parties they now organise approximately once a month or every two months are unique: imagine dancing to electro beats in a vineyard or a barn with otherwordly visuals and lasers. Admirable is the fact that lineups often consist exclusively of resident DJs or local talent, emphasising the strength of Italian electronic music and proving that sometimes it’s not the foreign main guest that makes the difference.

DISCOSIZER

One of the most prolific new entries in Milan’s nightlife scene has undoubtedly been Moab, an events organization that emerged just last year thanks to the two very young individuals who run it. Despite the wide array of parties around, they quickly made a name for themselves and were appreciated from the very beginning. It all started at Vogue Bar, and later, they explored various uncharted and distinctive locations the city had to offer. From dancing in a pastry shop to a terrace or even by a lake – surprise is the keyword. These places provided the backdrop for the music of artists like Kaiser, Z.I.P.P.O., Ivreatronic, Christian Ab, Intheismah, just to name a few. A Moab party is always around the corner; when you least expect it, there it is, recognizable by the pastel colors of their graphics that have now become their trademark.

MOAB

Born in 2015 as a community of over 50,000 people focusing on content marketing and narrative branding, Clubber Agency’s strength lies in “Clubber Confession,” one of the leading Italian magazines on club culture with contributors from Berlin, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Rome, and Milan. Today, it presents formats like Club Inferno and Loft. The former originated at Super Club, while the latter is a secret party held in lofts across the city. Clubber Agency continues to collaborate with various record labels and European organisations, remaining a reference point in Milan’s clubbing scene.

CLUB INFERNO / LOFT

Born in 2021 from the meeting of diverse ideas and experiences united by the Milanese underground scene, Rebus proves to be one of the most alternative collectives in the city. Although it started with the organization of parties associated with others, over time it has managed to carve out its own space. So much so that it offers an afternoon of music, drinks, and friends once a month, specifically on Sundays, at Malaga Sin City. It’s a perfect opportunity for those who want to continue celebrating despite the looming Monday or for those who, having done nothing the days before, simply want to enjoy Sunday. Lately, the collective also organizes after-parties at Masada, which have already had the pleasure of hosting artists like Fabrizio Lapiana and the Smooth Operators. If you spot a rebus around, solve it because there’s a party waiting for you!

REBUS

More than just a party, more than a collective, Pervert is a musical institution in Milan since the distant year of 1993. For many years, from Punta dell’Est to Hollywood, from De Sade to Rolling Stone, and now at District 272, their parties have gone down in history for excess in every imaginable form. To put it simply, if asked to describe it in a few words, I would dare to say: fetish, lust, latex, BDSM. You can wear whatever you want, be with whomever/whoever you want; the only rule is respect for each other. Attending one of their parties can be seen by many as an escape from the sometimes repressed and bigoted society we live in, a break from judgments or conventions that prevent us from living freely. This momentary well-being offered by Sodoma by Pervert has been experienced for three decades, and the DJs who have contributed to this have transmitted it perfectly. We’re talking about giants of hard techno like Metaraph, Samantha Togni, Angel Karel, Vendex, Cera Khin.

SODOMA BY PERVERT

First in a true clubber’s alphabet is Company Club that hosts one of the most eclectic and lively afterparties in the Milanese music scene, known as Synthetica. Once you enter, don’t be fooled by the pub-like ambiance because, just like being transported into a video game, there’s at least one room where you can easily loose track of time. Electronic music reigns supreme here. Various local and non-local DJs take the stage from the early hours of the morning (5:30 am) until the sun is high in the sky (10:30 am). Plus whatever happens in the darkrooms stays in the darkrooms, a distinctive trait that we are all so keen about. The after-party draws a diverse and vibrant crowd of fellow morning owls, united by the shared love for techno music and a friendly vibe.

SYNTHETICA

The perfect blend of music, fashion, and design; that’s Volt Club. Why venture to the limits of the ring road, if not beyond, to go dancing when you can comfortably do it just steps away from the Colonne of San Lorenzo? In an underground club inspired by classic New York venues, with colorful LEDs, minimal design, delightful cocktails and especially stylish people. Inaugurated in 2016, Volt has always leaned towards melodic techno, deep house, or electro. Hence, their DJ booth has been graced by experienced hands like Agents of Time, Honey Dijon, Miss Kittin, Tale of Us, Ame, Artbat, Levon Vincent, Adriatique, Peggy Gou, Massimiliano Pagliara, Dixon, and other stars shining in the electronic music firmament. Their parties are both on Friday and Saturday nights. However, for those who want to start the weekend earlier, there’s Uptown Nights on Thursday evenings, an event focused more on genres like Hip Hop, RnB, or Reggaeton. Since style is a fundamental requirement for access, its presence becomes emblematic during Milan Fashion Weeks.

VOLT

A techno lover’s odyssey in Milan

Credits:
Venues:
Artefact / @artefact_milan
Closer / @closer_milano & @acquario_immersioni
Die Sekte / @diesekte.rec
Discosizer / @discosizer
Moab / @moab.rgb
Club Inferno / @clubinferno.official & Loft / @loftmilan
Rebus /  @rebus_cllctv
Sodoma / Pervert / @pervertmilan
Synthetica / @synthetica.milano
Volt / @voltclub.milano

Editor: Anca Macavei / @ancamacavei
Words: Gianmaria Garofalo / @gianmaria.garofalo

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