When: 10 – 11 October 2025
Where: Berlin, Germany
For two days 8mm Fest was held across a handful of venues centred on 8mm bar, a venue with a fierce reputation for live music. The venues were all walking distance from 8mm bar, in a beautiful neighbourhood just north of Alexanderplatz in Berlin.
New York’s New Colossus Festival curated a stage on the first day, bringing an array of international artists. It was their first European stage and the 8mm Fest was headlined by A Place To Bury Strangers, managed by one of New Colossus organisers Steven Matrick. Wristband secured it was to the intimate venue Acud Macht Neu (capacity around 150) with its leafy beer garden that this reviewer’s festival began. One added advantage of holding such an event in early October was the stunning autumnal colours in Berlin.
Matching Outfits (Sweden)
Matching Outfits are a trio of adopted Berliners whose warped take on indie pop captures life’s major heartbreaks and minor inconveniences in gut-wrenching, occasionally hilarious detail. Their set drew you in, the understated delivery hiding the funniest of observations.
Prewn (US)
Izzy Hagerup’s new album, System, was never really designed for public consumption. She describes the album as a “private journal made public.” Creativity can be cathartic and when it is so personal and delivered with such emotion it is truly breathtaking.
Public Circuit (US)
And so to New York electronic band, Public Circuit, who have just released their second album Modern Church. The trio create pulsating dance music which is utterly thrilling. They filled the stage with all their kit and the room danced like no-one was watching
You Said Strange (France)
You Said Strange are from the north-western region of Normandy in France, and their psychedelia gets under your skin. Holding the room under their spell throughout, the now five-piece were mesmeric with music to hypnotise.
Ceremony East Coast (US)
John Fedowitz and Sandra Fedowitz are two thirds of A Place To Bury Strangers. To see them up close and personal was a thrill. The savage drums and wild and raw guitars were an assault on the senses, and it was completely enthralling.
Peer Pleasure (Ireland)
The final band of the night on this stage was Ireland’s Peer Pleasure. I’m not exactly sure how many are in the band as they filled out the stage. They began and all hell broke loose, and that was just the band! Garage punk rock was never so enjoyable! The crowd bounced along with the band – what a way to end the first night.
Music was also taking place at 8mm bar itself with Spitplay (Germany), Great Area (UK) and Hot Couture (Germany), as well as in the stunning church of Zionskirche with Tuce Alba (Germany), Mug (Australia) and Frankie (Belgium).
Day 2 was a straightforward affair. Two rooms in one building, the smaller Machinehaus and the cavernous Kesselhaus located within Kulturbrauerei, a renovated brewery.
Zahn (Germany)
Zahn opened the night with their instrumental technicolor transmissions of post–rock, krautrock, dark jazz, noise–rock, post–punk and electronic music.
RIP Swirl (Germany)
Berlin-based producer RIP Swirl (known amongst his peers as Luka) is said to concern himself with the more solitary ends of experimental dance music. Tonight we were treated to a three-piece who took shoegaze and provided their own twist, the songs ebbing and flowing throughout pulling the crowd with them.
Divide and Dissolve (US born, Australian raised)
A breath-taking set by Takiaya Reed, the Texas-born, Melbourne-raised, Black and Cherokee multi-instrumentalist behind instrumental doom/drone project Divide and Dissolve. Joined onstage by a drummer this was the most spine-tingling performance. Beginning with clarinet sections which were looped, they were then accompanied by electrifying guitar and thunderous drums. A performance to remember.
Sexverbot (Germany)
Sexverbot is a punk band from Berlin. The band delivers short, punchy and uncompromising songs that address topics such as fever dreams of capitalism, social coldness and self-destruction, as the only way out and even raising a middle finger to New Age followers. Their raw energy was captivating.
Snapped Ankles (UK)
Snapped Ankles are an English, London-based post-punk band, usually dressed as trees and always bringing the party. Their music is so accessible it’s an utter joy. The room could not help itself, moving to the rhythm produced by this most enigmatic of performers.
test plan (UK)
test plan, are a DIY trio who create a high-energy, scuzzy sound. Comprising Max, Mike, and Rory, test plan brings together a fusion of backgrounds from Bournemouth, Greece, and Dubai, converging to create a wall of sound. Drums, guitar, bass and a theremin are all in the mix, and what a mix it is. This is music that rattles your bones which ended most impressively with the lead singer crowd-surfing whilst singing.
A Place To Bury Strangers (UK)
A Place to Bury Strangers (APTBS) are an American rock band formed in 2002, in New York City. The trio is currently composed of Oliver Ackermann, John Fedowitz and Sandra Fedowitz and their blend of noise rock, shoegaze and space rock has garnered many fans. Tonight was no different. The excitement in the room was palpable and APTBS did not disappoint. Half the set saw guitarist and drummer in the middle of the crowd, allowing the audience to experience this thunderous music up close. Ending back on stage with the drum at the front was a fitting way to close out the most incredible day of music.
In addition to these sets there were other festival events, including a pre-event gig and late night DJs to keep music lovers entertained until the wee small hours. What a glorious small scale festival this was, with an eclectic array of artists participating. Early October 2026 in Berlin may have to go into the calendar
For more information on 8mm Fest please check their facebook and website.
