10 Years of Mutation: Drop Dead Festival returns to Berlin

“Drop Dead” isn’t just something you’d say to an enemy; it’s also an invitation for friends. For the second year in a row, the  underground DIY music and art festival Drop Dead returns to Berlin for five days of occult art and sexy musical weirdness. From October 31 until November 4, the Berlin Decay team, along with 40+ bands, DJs and vendors, will be holding court in Neukölln’s massive CUBE club: the perfect location to bring ten years to a close. Indeed, the word is that this will be the final edition of the festival, so fans: get your tickets!

This year’s festival kicks off with an October 31st Halloween party drenched in occult sigils and bass. Like every edition of the festival, multiple floors are used to create a labyrinthian, chaotic atmosphere and to cater to your darkest delight. Berlin noisemaking collective PURGE channel the spirit of evil with live performances from Deathface and Crim3s, as well as an all-night ‘Blood Rave‘ of pummeling bass and grimey nastiness. Other highlights of the evening include a drum installation from Einstürzende Neubauten‘s N.U. Uhnruh, esoteric art installations, an actual haunted house (something truly rare for Berlin!) created by the MindPirates collective, and a post-punk dancefloor.

This is, of course, only the beginning. All five days are arranged with a theme, with special lineups to reflect it. There’s plenty of fresh and exciting young blood appearing this year, and Pictureplane, Bestial Mouths, Young Hunting, Dandi Wind, Butterclock, Low Sea, reliq, and Animal Bodies are just a few of the shining stars in the diverse lineup. As with every Drop Dead, one of the special features is also a selection of exclusive performances and reunions of underground ’80s groups. This year includes, among others, new wave songstress Lene Lovich, French coldwavers Kas Product, and Factory Records legends Sad Lovers & Giants. This wide variety of sounds assures that, while wandering from room to room, you’ll always be hearing something new, from shoegaze to throbbing dance beats.

Check the full lineup and schedule here. After the marvelous mayhem of last year, we’re already salivating in anticipation. Get out your best blue lipstick, paint your nails black, and get ready for five days of Drop Dead delights.

Published October 16, 2012.