08 May NEWS | Clubbing Heritage Berlin: Manuela Budimilic and Steve Rachmad Join “Spaces of Freedom” Panel at ELSE
Spaces of Freedom: From Past Future to Present Resistance
Today marks a milestone for us as we take part in the debut of Clubbing Heritage at Berlin’s iconic ELSE club: a 16-hour celebration where conversation and music converged to honour nightlife as a space of resistance, healing, and future-building.
A Gathering of Visionaries
The day opens with the panel “Spaces of Freedom: From Past Future to Present Resistance,” bringing together key figures whose work has shaped and continues to defend the evolving landscapes of electronic music and club culture. Moderated by Domenico Pallotta, the panel is joined by:
Dimitri Hegemann (Founder of Tresor Berlin)
Robert Henke aka Monolake (Artist, Producer, Co-Creator of Ableton Live)
Steve Rachmad (DJ/Producer, Sterac/Sterac Electronics)
Manuela Budimilic (Founder & Booking Agent, AD Sound)
Michael Matuschek (Triangle Agency)
Maria Jose Mejia (Source Artists)
Together, they will explore pressing issues facing club culture today: from gentrification and cultural displacement to digital fragmentation and the precariousness of independent venues.
Honouring the Past, Protecting the Future
As electronic music scenes evolve and physical spaces come under increasing pressure, discussions like these serve as vital reminders of why safeguarding our cultural heritage is so important. Nightlife has always been more than just a place to dance. It’s a space for freedom, resistance, and collective imagination.
Music as Resistance
After the panel, the event will transition into 14+ hours of music with an impressive lineup of selectors. We are especially proud to see our artist Steve Rachmad take the stage under his Sterac Electronics alias for a DJ set, continuing the conversation through sound.
Looking Ahead
We’re honoured to be invited to take part in this powerful day of dialogue and music. Events like Clubbing Heritage show us the value of coming together to reflect on our shared history while actively shaping the future we want to build.
Stay tuned for more events and conversations that continue pushing the culture forward.