In June 2002, the first issue of Berlin’s English-language magazine hit the newsstands. Today, after 20 years, over 200 issues, two weekly newsletters, a brand new website and a fresh publishing roof over our heads, we’re still here, delivering our unique, international perspective on the city’s political and cultural scene to a devoted and ever-growing readership.
We’re celebrating with a super-sized June anniversary edition looking back over the past two decades in the capital and an equally huge party together with our older sister magazine tipBerlin, itself marking an epic 50 years in print. Big names from art, music and club culture will be joining us at the glorious riverside setting of Zenner on June 18.
Exberliner’s mascot, Rummelsnuff, says in our cinema trailer: “You’ve been living in Berlin for how long, and you still don’t speak English?!”
Whether you do or not, everyone’s invited to join the party.
Here’s what to expect at the event of the summer:
The Exberliner party at Zenner in Treptow
Zenner is one of Berlin’s most gorgeous waterside event venues. Since reopening in 2021, it has expanded into a sun-soaked beer and wine garden with an indoor event area – piece by piece an important cultural hub is taking shape. And one of summer’s biggest fixtures will be our birthday party on June 18, which takes place indoors and outdoors, from afternoon until dawn – with a killer cultural lineup.
20 years Exberliner, 50 years tip: We celebrate into the night
The programme kicks off at 2pm on the outdoor stage in the beer garden. Jim Avignon, Herr Jan presented by Milchsalon, and Hannes Richert will all be there. Particularly exciting: 30 years ago, Jim Avignon caused a stir with a public live painting. Before the paint had dried, the crowd began cutting away pieces of the canvas to take home. Now, for us, he is doing another live painting. We can’t wait – especially since EXB comrade Avignon has designed five covers for us over the last 20 years.
Live on stage: The musical acts we love
A strong musical lineup will take to Zenner’s indoor stage from 6pm: Lie Ning, Wallis Bird – and a surprise guest – will play inside from the early evening.
Lie Ning
25-year-old Berliner Lie Ning recently delighted the audience at South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Now we, his hometown crowd, get to lap it up too. Ning’s single Tonight has more than three million Spotify streams, and he’s currently working alongside producer Stephen Fitzmaurice (Sam Smith, Seal, Alicia Keys) on his debut album, which is due for release in 2022. Accompanying his smooth R’n’B ballads, Lie Ning expands his sound palette towards the dance floor with his single Can I Have This Dance.
Wallis Bird
Set for release on May 27, Hands is the fifth studio album by Irish-born Wallis Bird, who has lived in Berlin since 2012. The bluesy, energetic folk-rock of the openly queer Neuköllner-by-choice is reminiscent of Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple and Janis Joplin. As a left-hander, she’s been playing the guitar upside down since she was two years old. Since the release of her debut album Spoons (2007), which made it into the British Top 5 album download charts, she’s gained a large fan base through appearances on TV Noir, Inas Nacht and not least her twelve (!) hour-long concert in 2016 at the Auster Club in Kreuzberg.
All-night rave: These DJs bring the party to Zenner
Then things get wilder on the dance floor from 10pm. House star A.N.I.C.E. will be joined on the turntables by Pantha du Prince – and techno legend DJ Hell will also be spinning. Anyone who knows Berlin’s nightlife knows that these DJs don’t do things by halves. Expect barnstorming sets into the early hours.
DJ Hell
With residencies at Berlin’s E-Werk, WMF and Watergate, former Love Parade headliner DJ Hell is one of Berlin’s biggest DJs. When he moved to Berlin in 1994, he first worked at the cult techno record shop Hardwax. Then, as early as 1995, he was the only German DJ ever to be invited by British radio presenter John Peel to one of his legendary sessions. Since then, DJ Hell has worked with numerous international acts – including P. Diddy. Several of his record covers have been photographed by Berghain bouncer Sven Marquardt, and he has remixed the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and Peaches. 2022 saw the release of his latest solo album House Music Box (Past, Present, No Future).
Pantha du Prince
Inspired not only by Detroit techno, but also shoegaze bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Ride, the work of Pantha du Prince has achieved international renown, idolised on the pages of Pitchfork and The New York Times. With a background in harder house, Pantha du Prince, who lives not far from Berlin in Brandenburg, now uses field recordings from the mountains or forests, as heard on his acclaimed album Black Noise (2010). Pantha du Prince has collaborated with Noah Lennox of Animal Collective and Tyler Pope of LCD Soundsystem, with his most recent album Conference of Trees released in 2020.
EXB turns 20: Get your tickets and party until dawn
The afternoon programme in the beer garden is free – just drop by Zenner. For the concerts and the club night you’ll need a ticket. Order them here.
50 Jahre tipBerlin – 20 years Exberliner, Haus Zenner, June 18 2022, from 2pm
Zenner Berlin, Alt-Treptow 15-17, Alt-Treptow, access to the wine and beer garden is free, combo ticket concert + club: €45; club only: €19. Advance booking recommended.
