Anna Grubauer

As festivals navigate economic uncertainties and changing audience dynamics, we question the future of these cultural spaces and their potential for fostering inclusivity and artistic exploration. NBHAP author Anna Grubauer reflects on the changing landscape of festivals, based on her experience at MELT festival. To get more insight, she spoke to bookers and organizers behind three major festivals in Germany.

Will Artificial Intelligence replace humans in the creative process? Experimental sound artist Portrait XO collaborated with an AI in the recording process of her debut album "WIRE". Anna Grubauer met the artist to speak about AI in the music and art world and to discuss questions of how it might enrich or endanger artistic expression.

The alternative jazz singer muva of Earth graced the stage at Berlin's XJAZZ! festival with their voice and tranquility of their harp-playing. Based in London, the artist draws on their Yoruba roots and embraces serenity and spirituality in their music. With only a few releases so far, muva of Earth crystalises a distinct artistic voice incorporating afrofuturistic rhythms and horns.

The Berlin-based artist Lie Ning has long been a name in the local RnB and pop circles. Now they finally released their debut "Utopia". NBHAP author Anna Grubauer met the singer for a chat about concepts of utopia, mainstream pop and calling out the exclusivity of the white male-dominated German music landscape.

A Song For You is a Berlin-based choir project that unites more than fifty singers. Centering BIPoC voices, the choir provides a space for connecting and exploring the joys of communal singing. Anna Grubauer met Noah Slee, who is part of the founding team, and choreographer Stephanie Ilova for a chat in Berlin after their sold out debut show "The Matriarch".

In its familiar format CTM, the well-established festival for club culture returned this year. Some of Berlin's finest sound systems, including the ones at Berghain, RSO, and HAU2, have once again been selected to host electronic and experimental music acts from around the world. Anna Grubauer reflects on a week of inspiration, surprises, and lack of sleep.

For two days in late November, the music-discursive event Territory Disrupt gathered various artists and researchers at SOMA Art Space Berlin. The concerts and discussion rounds focussed on the topic of cultural imperialism and artistic work in times of war. Music and cultural production are ways of fighting oppression and inspire solidarity and resistance. Anna Grubauer entered this space for exchange and discourse and shares impressions from the artistic interventions and discussion rounds.