,
————————————————————————————————————
Text by Ruth G. Núñez de Arenas // Photographs by: Baron Of Juxta Concept & Henrik Schneller
Berlin is known for being the heart of European electronic music, but it is also an indispensable enclave for dark sounds and a taste for everything that breaks with convention. And it is in this context that we find Lieber Tot, a two-day mini-festival that brought together the cream of Berlin’s sinister scene. The line-up was impressive, featuring not only EBM (blessed!) and synth wave, but also discoveries such as Tango Mangalore and their distinctly bizarre folk style, She Can’t Afford Mascara and Infant Sanchos, to name a few.
The venue chosen for such a gathering was the Aeden club, a place more suited to club meetings, but which in mid-September was decked out in black to host us. Although I must add that, in my opinion, it is not the best place for live performances, the courtyard and its two rooms added a touch of fun and mystery (you never know who you are going to meet at this type of event).
Lieber Tot far exceeded expectations, as both Friday and Saturday were filled with an audience eager to hear and see in action some artists who, today, are new references as emerging artists of the ‘dark scene’. Night in Athens, Eddie Dark and the unbeatable Madmoizel gave their all on stage, their attitude compensating for the poor sound quality that was noticeable at times in the venue. You can’t have everything, they say… I don’t agree, but when there’s no bread, cakes and great songs like ‘Lady Dandy’ and ‘Come’ will do.
What is also greatly appreciated at this type of event is the good vibes within the sinister community, the respect and politeness of this audience that other scenes would love to have. In addition to its commitment, since its inception, to queer artists, performances that leave no one indifferent and staging worthy of a brutal theatrical work. Lieber Tot has just been born and has established itself as an indispensable event in Berlin. Let’s embrace the darkness, the shadows, and toast to its long and successful life.