Berlin


  • Gravity Optional: How Bowie Redefined Himself (Again) in 1979

    This striking image from David Bowieโ€™s 1979 Lodger photoshoot is more than a visual oddityโ€”itโ€™s a portal into a restless, brilliant period in Bowieโ€™s life. Captured by Brian Duffy, the man responsible for some of Bowieโ€™s most iconic imagery (think the lightning bolt on Aladdin Sane), this photograph encapsulates the strange tension between control and…

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  • Audio Space Optimizationโ€”an Adventure in DSP That Changed my Life

    Paul Bowes shares his story of getting invited to the UK, Europe, and North America to perform space optimization in the listening rooms of complete strangers who later became friends.

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  • The Wall at the Wall: Roger Waters’ Historic Berlin Concert

    Before the Berlin Wall fell, it wasnโ€™t just a physical barrier; it was a scar running through the heart of a divided city. For nearly three decades, it symbolized the ideological conflict between East and West, splitting families and friends, and casting a shadow over Berlin. Potsdamer Platz, the concertโ€™s location, held heavy symbolism from…

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  • Symphony of a Great City: 5 Hi-Fi Hangouts in Berlin

    Berlin, a city renowned for its vibrant music scene and cultural diversity, has embraced the audiophile movement with several venues dedicated to high-fidelity sound experiences. Here, we explore five of the cityโ€™s premier hi-fi havens: Anima, Bar Neiro, Rhinoรงรฉros, Unkompress, and Bankert Vinyl Cafรฉ. 1. Anima Location: Friedrichshain (East Side Gallery area)Features: Combines high-quality sound…

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  • When the King of Pop Defied the Stasi: Michael Jackson’s 1988 Berlin Performance

    Michael Jacksonโ€™s Berlin Wall Concert: When Pop Met Politics In the annals of pop culture, Michael Jacksonโ€™s legacy is studded with iconic performances and groundbreaking achievements. Yet, one performance stands out not just for its musical brilliance but also for its geopolitical significance. On June 19, 1988, the King of Pop performed in West Berlin,…

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  • Agnes Obel – Aventine

    Agnes Obel is now at the very top of my private list of performers, leaving the competition far behind.

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  • Norah Jonesโ€™s โ€œI Dream of Christmasโ€โ€”A new Christmas classic?

    At this time of year, I have always been fascinated by the question of what draws musicians from nearly every musical genre to Christmas music. Google โ€œChristmas musicโ€ and youโ€™ll see literally thousands of listings, everyone from Cheech & Chong and XTC to Charles Brown and The Flaming Lips. Even The Rolling Stones have a…

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  • T.H.E. Show 2022

    โ€œAudio Showโ€ is a funny term to me. โ€œAudioโ€ and โ€œShowโ€. They donโ€™t really fit together, do they? How can you show sound? Or is audio show shorthand for audio gear?

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