The situation for DJs and clubs is extremely tense due to the discontinuation of coronavirus funding and cuts to club funding. Clubs are fighting for their acceptance and against immense economic pressure. In many places across Germany, clubs are dying out, making performance opportunities for DJs an even scarcer commodity. At the same time, the state of Bremen is missing out on great potential – and not just in terms of music – when musicians and people who are enthusiastic about club culture seek their fortune in other major cities due to better conditions. A city that wants to retain and attract young people must invest in its cultural scene – and club culture is now an inseparable part of this scene.

In recent years, the growing popularity of electronic music has seen more and more DJs finding their way behind the decks in Bremen and Bremerhaven. They are joining an already existing and very active scene. The federal state therefore has a large number of artists who play regularly and have developed the desire to make a living from their art. However, in order to get ahead as a DJ and be visible, you need to have enough opportunities to perform in the city you live in, as DJs in particular have their own gigs as by far the most important source of income. With the PLAYTIME funding programme, the POP Office Bremen and Clubverstärker e.V. want to strengthen the symbiosis of clubs and DJs in the state of Bremen described above and thus activate the identified potential.

After the many great showcases for bands and solo artists that we have been able to realise in the last two years, we are looking forward to pushing our local DJ scene over the next few months. With the funding programme, POP Office Bremen wants to network, promote and educate the club and DJ scenes in Bremen and Bremerhaven in the long term – which means: there will be gigs and lots of workshops!