Düsseldorf: On the Golden River Rhine

Abstract

Düsseldorf is well known as a historical hub for ground-breaking electronic music through the global success and influence of artists such as Kraftwerk, Neu!, Deutsche Amerikanische Freundschaft (DAF), and Propaganda. A wealthy arts and fashion hub, the story of the city’s music scene is closely interwoven with that of the Kunstakadamie, thanks to the activities and cross-fertilization of significant artists such as Joseph Beuys, Sigmar Polke, and Imi Knöbel. Meanwhile, music clubs dotted Düsseldorf’s tightly packed Altstadt. Creamcheese would provide fertile experimental ground for the liberal baby boomers that would form Kraftwerk and Neu!, whilst the Ratinger Hof would serve as a focal point for punk, rebellion, and a second wave of electronic music that was equally as ground breaking. More recently, during the Kraftwerk’s 1990s’ hiatus, EDM and IDM forms would start to emerge, conscious of the city’s musical heritage.