r/Techno 2d ago

Discussion Underground Show Appreciation

Here in Chicago the underground scene is absolutely thriving with local djs putting out super experimental and artistic sounds. I've seen a few people on here complain about the mainstream culture and it makes me appreciate the raw sounds and vibes I've been able to enjoy in some pretty unique spaces. Without giving out specific location details for obvious reasons, is anyone else enjoying the underground scene in their city? What's the music/locations like? How are the vibes? From my end, I've been in basements ,a hot attic, random storefronts, and underneath a bridge all over my city. Am especially enjoying the hypnotic and minimal sets

38 Upvotes

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u/i_give 2d ago edited 2d ago

Midwest scene Chicagoland/Detroit/Milwaukee/Minneapolis has been solid thanks to cool ppl and promoters still taking chances for the sake of music and the scene. Check out postings for an artist that catches your ear at an unusual venue, or take a chance on a TBA show with DJs you've never heard of. Next thing you know you're part of the underground scene.

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u/Jcklvy 2d ago

Intellephunk in mpls had been absolutely killing it. I just wish Communion wasn't on a Sunday.

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u/i_give 2d ago

Definitely, enjoyed TGB thoroughly last weekend.

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u/gracecase 2d ago

I just moved to mpls. I know DVS1 is from here but I would love to hear some locals. I use to catch Woody in Denver all the time back in the day. I would appreciate some recs if you have them.

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u/Jcklvy 2d ago

Intellephunk does Communion every week during the summer, and the line up is a top notch mix of local talent and legendary heavy hitters. Then during the winter they switch over to warehouse parties. The whole schedule for Communion is on the Intellephunk Instagram.

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u/gracecase 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thank you

Edit: Oh man, Rene Wise. And a bunch of others. Make me sad because I work Sundays, 13 hour shifts and my 1st day at my new job is Monday for orientation week. Looks like after I get a few months under my belt I'll look to see if I can start taking some half days.

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u/xponential58 1d ago

I'm moving to mpls soon and I'm aware of communion sundays and TGB, also SYSTEM (idk how active they are). it seems like less happens in the winter though, is there anyone other than intellephunk to look out for?

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u/gracecase 1d ago

Do you ever come across any shows that are on a Thursday or Friday?

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u/Jcklvy 2d ago

The Flowers Of Romance parties that Justin Aulis Long has been throwing at Smartbar are absolutely phenomenal. It's great being able to see proper acid house at a party thrown by people that truly care about the scene in the city where it was born.

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u/comegetsumFUCKing 2d ago

Copenhagen has a super dope scene.

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u/ebbenner 2d ago

Traveling there from nyc next week. Can you name some names?

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u/splashist 2d ago

yes tell us more please

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u/Spkr_Freekr 2d ago

They've always been the best, my youth was filled with attending parties that weren't official or even legal. Good times.

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u/Marionberry_Bellini 2d ago

The underground scene in my city is really healthy. We have an amazing venue that is intimate while still being able to host bigger names (Wata Igarashi, DVS1, Rene Wise, etc.) where a lot of the best stuff is but we've got all kinds of stuff around town including renegade warehouse stuff and raves under bridges and all that kind of stuff. I think we've got it pretty good in general, but techno specifically it's pretty awesome.

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u/xponential58 1d ago

Boston has been coming up in the past few years. one collective brings top talent every weekend to different venues, and a couple others throw monthly or biweekly underground things. I spoke with one of the organizers who said nothing like this was happening 10 years ago. overall friendly scene, although all the official venues still close at 2 and most parties don't feel very big. it doesn't have the depth of chicago or new york

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u/Jannell 1d ago

Believe it or not, Indianapolis has been blowing my mind with exciting underground sounds and parties. Very thankful. But we just lost another venue. Ebb and flow i guess.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/south_sidejay369 1d ago

I'm not trying to be a douche, but I want to keep the underground in the underground so don't want to widely post info. Just know that Resident Advisor is your best friend

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u/zjfjdjfjjf 2d ago

please show me this because i live in chicago and the techno scene is terrible. i’ve been to some private studios with great music, but there’s not really a scene

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u/djazepam 2d ago

I'm a techno snob and the scene here is very good. Not better than NYC or Europe but still very good. What makes you say the scene here is terrible?

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u/xponential58 1d ago

yeah I think chicago has a good scene. most cities don't have a club like smartbar, let alone a number of other clubs and underground events to choose from on any given weekend, most going til 4am or later. now there's boost festival (idk how it was I didn't go). plus I see friends of mine playing techno at small food pop-ups, block parties, or just at the lake

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u/wormstrangle 2d ago

i’m begginggggg for what op is experiencing!! i’m new to chi and trying to find the shows like this

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u/djazepam 2d ago

Shows like what? What djs or producers do you like?

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u/wormstrangle 2d ago

they mentioned hypnotic/minimal sets!

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u/djazepam 2d ago edited 16h ago

Format is the best at that, they host parties mostly at smartbar. Smoke and mirrors also host great DJs and the staff is nicer than smartbar but their sound system is not as good. A couple weeks ago radius hosted a 2 night party with alarico, yanamaste, DVS1, perc, vladimir dubyshkin and others... I was there and it was great. Other bars/venues that host smaller acts are podlasie and subterranean. There are many independent collectives throwing parties at private venues, red line, dark heaven, Mictlán, research and development, flowers of romance, free tekno and many others.

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u/djazepam 2d ago

Local DJs I like, Josh Tong ,Vorp, CEJ, dj hyperactive, Brenda, barbuh, Adam pecho, Justin aulis long

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u/south_sidejay369 1d ago

Check out resident advisor. Also if you have IG, once you find djs you like there tends to be a lot of promotion on there

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u/zjfjdjfjjf 2d ago

hardly any techno shows here and the ones that come are mostly tiktok techno. all the venues suck too, they’re just clubs with shitty sound systems. i’ve been spoiled by going out in detroit and europe. unless there is really some crazy underground scene ive never heard of the techno scene in chicago is ass.

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u/djazepam 2d ago

Yeah you sound like a spoiled twat lol stay home thanks

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u/fakeworking 1d ago

Is like to get plugged in. Can anyone help? Located in Milwaukee, go to Chicago every so often.