The cunning folk from synth-punk band Mexican Radio are tackling Covid in their own way: with the power of punk
The year is 2020. Germany is entirely occupied by the (microbial) hordes of Covid-19. Well, not entirely… One small Berlin sub-district hidden away at the end of a tram line of indomitable punk types still holds out against the invaders….
Dyan Valdes and Hannes Neupert of Berlin’s favourite synth-punk band Mexican Radio have had it. They’re fed up with not having any live music going down and have taken matters into their own hands. They happen to rehearse in Heinersdorf, a district perhaps less well-known to Berlin’s young and hip at heart, but a place nonetheless that is throwing a gauntlet down against the windswept, tumbleweed-skidding-through atmosphere of no-live-music Berlin.
“We are so grateful to help bring live music back to music fans, and eager to show that we can do it in a safe and responsible way to protect our community.” – Dyan Valdes, co-organiser
They have taken it upon themselves to figure out how to put on a punk festival while paying obesiance to the rules of partying-during-covid: We’re talking about the more responsible and socially conscious side of the punk crowd here. Hygiene plans in full effect, social distancing in full flow, this Berlin Musicboard-approved festival is here to show us all that you can still party like a motherfucker while not turning into a full-blown covidiot at the same time.
When and where
Heinersdorfer Punk Fest:
Endstation II
Zukunftswerkstatt Heinersdorf e.V. Bürgerverein
Romain-Rolland-Straße 112
13089 Berlin, Germany
(opposite Heinersdorf tram stop)
Saturday, September 26, 2020
6pm – 10pm
Heinersdorfer Punk Fest: Endstation returns this September 26, with support from Zukunftswerkstatt Heinersdorf and funding
from Musicboard Berlin GmbH.
Berlin’s Das Das, Mexican Radio and Leipzig’s Lassie form the super-charged punk line-up, while self-confessed “rock and roll preacher” Psycho Jones will keep the party going with a DJ set.
Organizer and synth player of Mexican Radio, Dyan Valdés said: “We are so excited to bring the festival back to Heinersdorf for another year. After months without any live music at all, we are all desperate to experience it again. We are so grateful to help bring live music back to music fans, and eager to show that we can do it in a safe and responsible way to protect our community.”
Co-organizer and Mexican Radio drummer Hannes Neupert said: “Being a Heinersdorfer myself I want to show the city how exciting the district can be. The districts beyond Berlin’s city centre have so much to offer and Heinersdorf is a great example of that. “We had such a great time at last year’s festival that we knew we had to return! This year will be even more special after such a long break from live music.”
Capacity is limited to 150 attendees to ensure social distancing is possible and additional hygiene stations made available across the event space.
Entrance is free and on a first come, first served basis. No tickets are available prior to the event. Food and drink and toilet facilities will also be available on site.
Heinersdorfer Punk Festival is committed to equality. The festival is supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and step-free access is available.
Endstation Heinersdorf Punk Festival Facebook | Endstation Heinersdorf Punk Festival Website
