Liverpool Photographer <(Address removed)> said:

Quick report from the disco frontline. Just back from Berlin and while I
was planning to get some Wax Treatment (the Hard Wax record shop's
monthly night) I ended up at the Panorama Bar. Wasn't quite sure what to
expect on a Sunday evening - even if it was going to be open. So
arriving at 9pm in the pouring rain I wasn't too surprised to see the
doors closed and no one about.

However from the bowels of the building came some bass action, so i
banged on the door and after a little time, was greeted by some bouncers
who looked me up and down and eventually let me in. 5 euros lighter I
followed the sound, in a still empty venue, up the stairs and finally
through a door.

Needless to say i had found the party - 400 people going absolutely
bonkers to techno, the place dripping in sweat and litter from the
previous 24 hours everywhere. I didn't really recognise too many of the
tracks being played other than a few remixes of fairly well known stuff.
And the DJ was Margaret Dygas, who played for the full 6 hours that i
was there. The crowd were well up for it - even though many looked liked
they had been there since Saturday ! And it was a real mixture of people
- gay straight and i overheard loads of different languages being spoken
other than German - but no English people which surprised me.

Anyways, the soundsystem was blinding - clear, loud and no ear ringing
the next day. At some points, even holding a beer bottle, it seemed to
rattle to the basslines. Completely recommended to anyone even with a
passing interest in techno - it is still a brilliant club and venue and
a perfect reminder about how good dance music can actually be.

Another September, another Sunday night mission in Berlin. Again headed for the party that never stops at Pano Bar - resident Cassy was advertised and being at the more housey end of the people that play there, I was really looking forward to it.

Rocked up at 8pm, this time in bright sunshine to find a little queue, doors open and that it was now 10 euro in. Loads of people online, seem to talk about having problems getting in to Berghain / Panorama Bar - my advice probably relates to a lot of clubs - don't be too pissed, don't arrive in massive groups, and try to speak some German. My langauage skills are poor, but raised a smile from the doorstaff; a couple of rather large, mean looking tattooed blokes - and I had no difficulty getting passed them. Also be knowledgable about who is playing - they do ask !

Inside, it was as busy as last year, but seemed to be a mainly German crowd, rather than quite a Euro mixture the times I've been before. They've installed enormous spotlights on the ceiling and taken away some of the small raised areas / stages by the windows but it is the soundsystem most people come for.

Tama Sumo had been playing just before I arrived and some people were leaving with her, but myself and quite a few others arrived at the same time to fill up the dancefloor for the next DJ. Again, to be honest I didn't recognise that many tunes, and Cassy played a bit harder than some of her mixes that i've heard. Not as minimal at Margaret Dygas, but at times punishing the soundsystem with her EQing. She played something like / samples Positive Eduction a couple of times to a big response (definately not the remixes).

Some bloke came on after about 1am, but no idea now who he was ... more techno ;-) I left, went back to my hotel for more clothes and then headed to Jannowitzbr. Under the railway tracks by the station, there is a club called Golden Gate - it is a bit tricky to find, follow the sound ;-) The interior is a bit of a dive to be honest and obviously the soundsystem can't be compared to Pano Bar, but it's really friendly and made a nice change for me to discover somewhere new. Left very late and there were people still arriving !

Had plans to visit Tresor for some party on Monday night, but couldn't quite manage it :-(

Next year !