Opposite Editorial: Emeka Ogboh

The Beat Goes On…

Berlin’s contemporary music scene has long thrived on its ability to adapt, explore, and push boundaries. Despite recent budget cuts by the Berlin Senate, which have cast a shadow of uncertainty over many independent concert hosts and musicians, the city’s vibrant music culture remains undeterred. In January and Febraury 2025, this spirit of resilience, adventure, and unstoppable creativity is exemplified by a series of events reaffirming Berlin as a global hub for experimental soundscapes.

Among the month's highlights is the CTM Festival 2025, a beacon of avant-garde music and art celebrating its 26th edition. Known for transcending genres and exploring the intersection of sound, performance, and technology, the festival spans ten days of immersive experiences across multiple venues. With its diverse lineup of local and international artists and its commitment to challenging conventional notions of music, CTM continues to be a vital platform for sonic experimentation and artistic dialogue.

Equally significant is Ultraschall Berlin, a festival dedicated to contemporary music that presents innovative compositions through orchestral concerts and chamber music. As a collaborative effort between Deutschlandfunk Kultur and radio3 of the rbb, Ultraschall Berlin underscores the importance of institutional support in nurturing the city’s rich musical landscape. Its thoughtful programming reflects a commitment to both emerging talents and established names, ensuring a comprehensive representation of modern music.

For those seeking intimate yet impactful performances, the Ben LaMar Gay Concert at the Pierre Boulez Saal is recommended. LaMar Gay’s electro-acoustic collages seamlessly blend sound, space, and folklore, offering an improvisational journey that defies categorization.

The international flavour of Berlin’s music culture is further celebrated in Gordon Grdina’s RU’YA, a project inspired by Middle Eastern poetry. Featuring an ensemble of globally renowned musicians, the performance bridges cultural and musical traditions, creating a fusion of sound that embodies Berlin’s ethos of inclusivity and artistic curiosity.

Finally, the concert by Warm Winters Ltd. brings together Aleksandra Słyż, Marta Forsberg, and Luka Aron, three experimental musicians whose works challenge the boundaries between acoustic and electronic sound. This performance exemplifies the adventurous spirit that defines Berlin’s music scene, offering audiences a glimpse into the future of composition.

In these events, Berlin’s music community demonstrates its resilience in adversity. These artists and hosts are not just surviving but continue to innovate and inspire despite the challenges they face. Berlin’s contemporary music scene may be under pressure, but it remains unstoppable, proving that adversity only fuels its relentless drive to innovate and inspire.

– Emeka Ogboh

Emeka Ogboh is a multidisciplinary artist. His works are based on a multi-sensory approach that explores places through sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.