Simple and minimal but with deep and intricate roots because its essence is global, Detroit is its epicenter, but it was born from the world, from the fusion of influences that today have allowed the return of techno music created by black artists in a city that was collapsing under the weight of industrial decline. In the ’60s and ’70s, the “Motor City” was one of the most prosperous cities in the United States thanks to the automobile industry. But with the crisis of the sector, the economic collapse was inevitable: factories closed, unemployment skyrocketed and crime on the rise. In this context, artists such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson reacted by creating a futuristic sound, using Japanese drum machines and synthesizers to give voice to a city that was trying to survive.
120 bpm that started in Michigan and took root very well on the other side of the Atlantic, in a place, Berlin, that was evolving. After the fall of the Wall in 1989, the city, divided for decades, came together in a race towards freedom and techno was the perfect sound to accompany this rebirth. Young Berliners, hungry for new spaces and new expressions, occupied abandoned buildings and transformed them into clubs. Techno, with its underground and rebellious spirit, found a home in Berlin, from there, the German capital grew together with the music, until it became a cultural heritage in 2024, recognized by the German government as part of the city’s identity.
Return of Techno Music Trends and Anthropology
But why is the rediscovery of this musical genre so powerful and pervasive today? To understand the phenomenon, we can refer to the theories of Ted Tholemus, an anthropologist who studied the underground and its power to anticipate trends. Tholemus argues that the underground, with its nonconformist and experimental nature, has a crucial role in determining future cultural trends. In this context, techno is not only a musical genre , but a form of expression that challenges conventions and creates spaces of innovation where clubs or festivals become incubators of new ideas and styles, which then influence and shape the mainstream. Techno, with its rhythmic pulse and its futuristic sounds, has always offered an alternative to dominant musical narratives, a tendency to challenge and experiment that allows the genre to remain relevant and to re-emerge in new contexts.
In the late 2010s, it began to reconquer global dance floors. After a period in which the EDM scene was dominated by more commercial and repetitive sounds, audiences began to look for something more authentic and minimal. Techno, with its hypnotic structure and raw rhythms, offered exactly what many were looking for: an immersive and unconventional musical experience. Festivals such as Awakenings, Time Warp and Sonar contributed to this return, making it a mainstay of their lineups and allowing it to reach an increasingly wider audience.
But the rebirth of techno wasn’t just about festivals
Peggy Gou, Amelie Lens and Nina Kraviz have brought the genre back to the center of the global scene, transforming it into a symbol of modernity and inclusivity. Rooted in funk, soul and Italo-disco, techno has evolved while maintaining its rebellious and experimental spirit. Furthermore, the increasing accessibility of music production thanks to digital software has allowed a new generation of artists to explore and reinvent the genre, making it even more dynamic and relevant.
The explosion of the techno scene in Italy post-pandemic
In Italy, the techno scene exploded after the pandemic; the closure of clubs and the resulting isolation created a hunger for connection and collective experiences. When restrictions eased, events like Kappa FuturFestival and Movement Torino Music Festival came back stronger than before, attracting thousands of fans from all over the world. Not only large events, but also impromptu raves and new spaces allowed techno to regain a central role in Italian nightlife.
Today it represents an escape from the chaos of the modern world, a sound capable of uniting different generations in an experience that transcends geographical and social boundaries and it is thanks to its ability to adapt and reinvent itself that techno continues to grow and shape global musical culture . During Milan Fashion Week, fashion and electronic music meet with the DJ sets of Black Coffee and Afterlife, blending with Milanese glam thanks to the hypnotic beats of a music that is back more powerful than ever.
Techno is not simply a musical genre
but rather a cultural movement in constant evolution. It has spanned eras, cities and transformations, but its essence remains intact: a sonic refuge for those seeking freedom, connection and a bit of rebellion. Today it is not only the soundtrack of clubs and festivals, but a cultural phenomenon that unites generations and lifestyles. Its ability to adapt to the times, to embrace the past and project itself into the future makes it one of the most dynamic and influential genres in the global music scene. Whether on an Italian beach or an underground rave in Berlin, it continues to define what it means to lose yourself in sounds and find yourself in music.