Munich Volkstheater: the “Alien Disco” is coming

Created: 02/17/2022Updated: 02/17/2022 17:01

By: Michael Schleicher

The Munich Volkstheater is the new home of the “Alien Disko”.

© Peter Kneffel/dpa

By 2019, the "Alien Disko" at the Munich Kammerspiele was on the rise.

Then came the compulsory Corona break.

Now the music festival, curated by the band The Notwist, is set to celebrate its comeback: at the Munich Volkstheater.

Munich, more specifically: The Schlachthof district is facing an alien invasion in December, and that's really good news.

The "Alien Disko", this great music festival curated by the Acher brothers Markus and Micha from the band The Notwist from Weilheim, is celebrating its comeback - at a new venue.

On December 9th and 10th, the fifth edition will take place in the new Munich Volkstheater at Tumblingerstrasse 29 (read our report on the opening of the new Munich Volkstheater here).

Munich Volkstheater: "Alien Disko" runs on December 9th and 10th

The music spectacle is thus leaving the Munich Kammerspiele, where the Achers under artistic director Matthias Lilienthal once launched it.

For two days, a wild mix of different concerts was offered in the three venues of the municipal stage.

The most important criterion according to which The Notwist chose the musicians: a desire to experiment, whether in pop, rock, jazz, folk, punk, folk music, hip-hop or electronic beats.

The "Alien Disko" quickly gained a fan community that was as knowledgeable as it was party-happy, for the last time in 2019.

After the compulsory Corona break, there should be a comeback in the Volkstheater in December.

The change of venue “had come about that way”, says Micha Acher on request.

The fact is that he and his brother have been working together with Volkstheater director Christian Stückl for a long time.

For example, Micha Acher is the musical director of his “The Threepenny Opera”, which premiered in 2011.

And for "Edward II.", Stückl's production for the opening of the new house, the Achers created the compositions together with their Notwist colleague Cico Beck.

The Notwost curate the “Alien Disko” (from left) Cico Beck, Micha Acher and Markus Acher.

© Morr Musix

Now they are moving to the slaughterhouse district with their "Alien Disko".

The fact that the acoustics of the new building are ideal for live music has already been impressively demonstrated several times since the first premiere last October.

The Volkstheater is currently checking under which conditions how many people are allowed to attend the festival.

It is planned that all three stages and the "Schmock" restaurant will be used.

Initial inquiries to artists are ongoing.

Programming will not be easy, as the pandemic and the aftermath of the cultural lockdown are causing uncertainties in the calendars of many bands.

Although the program of "Alien Disko #5" is still a surprise: "Early Bird Tickets" (both days for 65 euros) are on sale.

"Alien Disko" at the Munich Volkstheater: Early bird ticket costs 65 euros

At the Kammerspiele, the end of the festival is taken in a sporty manner.

Difficulties in scheduling due to Corona are given as the reason.

At the beginning of her Munich directorship two years ago, Barbara Mundel announced that DJ Sebastian Reier would continue the successful festival together with the Notwist brothers.

She regrets the Achers' decision, Mundel now says on request – but she's happy that the "Alien Disko" has found a new home.

Of course, there will also be live music on Maximilianstraße in the future: next time, for example, at the Nick Cave evening "The Fe.Male Trail" on February 26th.

After all, he's extraterrestrially good too.