Cologne goes into the weekend of 16-18 October with one of its heaviest programmes of the autumn: a 20th-anniversary rave with more than 25 acts, a four-hour headline set from Lilly Palmer in Odonien, and a Sunday that begins at 6 a.m. and runs into the early evening. Here is what is actually on.
Friday, 16 October
20 Jahre Double Impact Part 2 - Summer Closing @ Odonien, 23:00 The night's biggest event and the one worth planning around. After a sold-out first instalment in June, Double Impact celebrates two decades with three areas and over 25 acts: Gary Beck leads the techno floor, PROLIX and ZERO T head the Drum & Bass side, and a dedicated Bass Bus brings further acts and MCs. Pre-sale from 19 EUR plus fees, box office open all night.
CHRIS STASSY pres. by BOOTSHAUS @ Bootshaus, 22:00 Already sold out - the Dutch DJ's first appearance on the Bootshaus Mainfloor, with Matisa, PERFECT TIMING, Fabrice and Arado in support. House with a lot of groove.
fi x The Hacker & Hoove @ fi (Ursprung fi), 23:00 The French electro-techno veteran The Hacker headlines, joined by Alfalfa, Julian Bomm, Krackk, Greta Perola, Leon Hagen and Thalo Santana.
Ascension w/ Limoncello, HOTBOI2300, OSKAMAXX, Patrick Schumm @ Helios37, 23:00 A trance-leaning club night on the Helios37 main floor.
JAKI presents: Delight @ JAKI, 23:30 House from da:sypoda, Slippy G. and karete bu.
Also on: Rave51 - Psychedelic Experience at Kunstwerk (22:00, psytrance) and the multi-venue Three Skies Festival, which continues through the weekend with 1LDK, Crystallmess, Deena Abdelwahed and KAVARI among its programme.
Saturday, 17 October
LILLY PALMER XXL Set pres. by ONLYRAVES @ Odonien, 23:00 The headline of the weekend. Lilly Palmer plays a four-hour set in Odonien, with support from SERA and Mylena. It is a No Phone Club night - cameras stay in your pocket - and the venue asks guests to look after each other. Pre-sale is limited, the box office stays open throughout, and cashless payment is available on site.
fi x Kollektiv Turmstrasse & Jonathan Kaspar & friendly Connections @ fi, 22:00 One of the strongest line-ups of the weekend: Kollektiv Turmstrasse and Jonathan Kaspar in the Ursprung fi, 18 EUR pre-sale.
krakelee club w/ Andy Garvey, a:tok, osko @ Gewoelbe, 23:00 Set times: osko 23:00-2:00, Andy Garvey 2:00-5:00, a:tok 5:00 until close. The Australian selector Andy Garvey is the draw here.
HiTMiLOEW - All Night Long, 6 Decks @ Artheater, 23:00 One artist, six decks, the whole night.
K.O.R.E. x ONY x art of urban life x Bloom:cast @ Helios37, 23:00 A four-way collaboration with Matthias Olck, I.D.A and RAFFA.
CLUBNACHT w/ Rad.Lez, ENNA, Krachim, PHI, Elias Paul @ Nachtigall, 23:00 Ten euros at the door, a local crew, straight techno.
Also on: Cosmic Gate and Yotto at Bootshaus (20:00), followed by OLIVER MAGENTA and FRIENDS (22:00); the daytime hardtechno session 7 Years Tagesraver with Fight Night 6 - Versus at Elektrokuche; Freigeist Urban at Schrotty from 15:00.
Sunday, 18 October
Tinnitus Afterhour @ Red Cat Lounge, 06:00-18:00 Twelve hours of uncompromising techno with Dani Vegas, Sebi Kraesch, Unfug and Antiqe. Ten euros at the door; the series runs every Sunday.
Research - Sweetest Sundays @ Gewoelbe, 14:00 Slow, melodic house with Bennet, dj sweet6teen and Lara Fein - the gentle counterpart to the weekend.
SUNRISE AFTERHOUR @ Club Zimmermanns, 06:30 SPEEDO, Leenberger and ADRENALINA, 15 EUR - for anyone still standing when the sun comes up.
Conclusion
If you go out only once this weekend, make it Saturday in Odonien: a four-hour Lilly Palmer set in a courtyard venue whose pre-sale sells out early. Friday belongs to Double Impact's 20th anniversary, which offers the widest spread of styles across three areas and the best value of the three nights. Sunday is for the afterhour crowd - Red Cat Lounge runs techno from 6 a.m., and Gewoelbe's Research at 14:00 is the calmer option if you want house instead of a second wind.
Practical notes: most clubs start between 22:00 and 23:30, peak between 2:00 and 6:00, and Cologne's box offices are usually open through the night. Check the individual event pages before travelling, as line-ups and times can change at short notice.
All events and details were compiled from morgengrau.net, Resident Advisor, rausgegangen.de, techno-essentials.de and ohschonhell.de.