BVG’s bold new initiative will bring Berlin’s electronic music culture into everyday public transit, starting with live DJ sets at the iconic Kottbusser Tor station.
Berlin, long hailed as the capital of electronic music, is taking its underground scene to a whole new level—literally. The city’s public transportation authority, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), has announced an exciting new cultural initiative that will see techno DJs performing live at U-Bahn stations across the city. This bold move aims to merge daily commuting with Berlin’s vibrant music heritage, making travel not just functional but also inspiring.
A New Pulse for Public Spaces
The initiative will first launch at Kottbusser Tor, one of Berlin’s most iconic and busiest stations, located in the heart of Kreuzberg. Known for its gritty charm and multicultural energy, Kotti (as locals call it) will host techno and electronic DJ sets on the U8 platform, while jazz musicians are expected to perform on the U1 and U3 lines. The idea, according to BVG, is to bring the “lively and vibrant spirit of Berlin into the station” and offer more than just a ride—it’s about the experience.
This fusion of urban life and music aims to not only entertain commuters, but also to revitalize the space itself. Over the years, Kottbusser Tor has earned a reputation for being a hotspot for crime, litter, and social challenges. BVG hopes that by filling the station with live music and creativity, they can enhance passenger well-being, improve the atmosphere, and make public spaces feel safer and more engaging.
From Test Phase to Live Performances
The concept is not without precedent. BVG spent over a year testing improvements at key stations, including enhanced cleaning efforts and increased security measures. From February 2024 to March 2025, this pilot phase proved successful enough to greenlight the next step—bringing in live performances. BVG CEO Henrik Falk noted in an interview with Tagesspiegel that the cultural shift could make the station a “place people enjoy, not just pass through.”
Not Just Music: Art and Light to Follow
This is more than just a musical experiment. In addition to live DJ sets and jazz acts, BVG also plans to introduce art exhibitions and light installations throughout the U8 line. These exhibitions will showcase the works of local Berlin-based artists, further rooting the project in community creativity and urban identity.
Although exact dates, artist line-ups, and schedules have not yet been confirmed, the transport authority emphasized that all performers would ideally be connected to Berlin’s rich musical or cultural landscape, particularly the neighborhoods they perform in.
A Cultural Renaissance in Motion
This move by BVG is being seen as part of a larger cultural renaissance in Berlin’s public spaces—where transport hubs are no longer just transition points but places where people can pause, connect, and experience the city in a new way. Berliners and tourists alike may soon find themselves dancing to the beat of a DJ set while waiting for the train, adding an unexpected and joyful twist to the mundane rhythm of daily life.
As Berlin continues to evolve as a global hub for techno and experimental culture, this initiative brings the underground music scene quite literally to the underground—reminding the world once again why Berlin is unmatched when it comes to creative urban innovation.