Berlin’s underground scene is legendary—dark rooms, pounding bass, and a culture built on freedom. But is that freedom real? Or is techno being guarded by an invisible elite? We hit up future.666, the enigmatic techno artist pushing against the scene’s rigid borders, to talk gatekeeping, the politics of club doors, and why some spaces still feel off-limits.
Getting In: The Silent Rules of Techno
Techno has always been about rebellion—outsiders finding their own pulse in the dark. But somewhere along the way, a line got drawn. Door policies, dress codes, and an unspoken ‘if you know, you know’ mentality have turned techno into a paradox: a movement built on freedom, now fenced in by those who claim to protect it.
"There’s this idea that you have to ‘earn’ your place in the scene, but who decides that?" future.666 asks, throwing on a vintage bomber jacket at R+, Berlin’s rave shop. "It's like there's a password no one tells you, and if you don’t have it, you’re not getting in."
Gatekeeping in 2024: Who Decides What’s ‘Real’ Techno?
The issue isn’t just about getting past the bouncers at Berghain. It’s deeper. Old-school purists sneer at new-gen ravers. Underground heads claim the scene is being diluted. There’s even a war over what sounds ‘real.’
future.666 has seen it all. "Some people act like techno should be frozen in time, like a museum piece. But that’s not what this culture is about. It’s about evolution." He pauses, flipping through a crate of vinyls. "The best raves I’ve played weren’t the ones where everyone looked the same, dressed the same, or listened to the same shit."
Ravemore Berlin: Where Style and Sound Collide
We’re meeting at R+ (Ravemore Berlin), where the racks are stacked with deconstructed clubwear, dystopian accessories, and the kind of gear that blurs the line between fashion and worn out punk wear. "This shop is a reminder that techno isn’t just music—it’s identity," he says. "People here dress how they feel. And that’s what techno should be about."
R+ isn’t just a store—it’s a meeting point for artists, DJs, and outsiders who see rave culture as more than just a party. It’s a space that fights against the idea that techno is for a chosen few.
Breaking the Cycle: What’s Next for Techno?
future.666 isn’t just talking about change—he’s making it. His upcoming projects aim to strip techno of its exclusivity complex and bring back what made the scene matter in the first place. "We need more spaces where people don’t have to prove they belong. Where the music speaks louder than the dress code."
The next wave of ravers and artists aren’t waiting for permission. They’re making their own rules.