Boris Brejcha is one of the biggest influences in the electronic music scene.
Yet trying to pin his music down to a single genre is like trying to bottle the energy of a rave—impossible. It shifts and evolves, blending influences from across the electronic spectrum: tech house, techno, minimal, melodic techno, and progressive techno.This mix feels both familiar and entirely unique. It seems Brejcha has crafted a genre specific to himself, one he describes as hi-tech-minimal; a true pioneer in the electronic music world. His music mastery is electrifying to experience.
His headline show at Carriageworks in Sydney (18 January) kicks off with sets from Nick Reverse, Moritz Hofbauer, and Ann Clue, each carefully building the energy and setting the stage for what is to come.
Image © Jacqueline Edmont
Their sets are met with undeniable enthusiasm as the crowd sways and loses itself in the rhythm. Though the buzz for the headliner is palpable (with some fans wearing LED Boris Brejcha masks from the merch tent), the support acts hold their own, captivating the crowd with their carefully curated selections and keeping the energy high.
The moment everyone has been waiting for arrives as Brejcha steps onto the stage, his signature Joker mask glinting in the light. That first beat – the one that has been building all night – drops like the first ripple of a massive wave, resonating through the venue with a power that seems to echo off every surface. It instantly pulls the crowd into its rhythm.
The deep bass pulses through the walls of Carriageworks, reverberating off the weathered stone of the historic railway workshop, while melodic waves lift the crowd into a euphoric, dreamlike state.
Image © Jacqueline Edmont
Carriageworks is the perfect venue to showcase electronic music like this. The venue has a history of activism and a legacy for challenging norms and embracing change, values that mirror the spirit of electronic music, which seeks to break convention and push boundaries.
There is a natural synergy between Boris and the venue, turning the show into a symbol of creativity and cultural evolution. The cool, raw energy of Carriageworks amplifies Boris' boundary-pushing sound, making the entire experience feel even more immersive and charged with a sense of cultural significance.
The visuals are equally captivating, with lasers cutting through the darkness and explosions from smoke machines. The entire space feels alive with light as the crowd moves in sync, fully absorbed in the hypnotic flow of sound and light.
What is beautiful to see is a large mix of ages, with many older people in the crowd dancing. It's a testament that his music transcends generational boundaries and has the ability to unite people from any background.
Image © Jacqueline Edmont
Brejcha's music is expertly crafted. While some might find the repetitive beats of techno monotonous, a deeper listen reveals the subtle nuances and shifts that elevate his tracks into a dynamic, playful symphony of electronic sound. Each detail keeps you locked in a trance, as your body instinctively finds new ways to move with every pulse and change in rhythm.
Boris Brejcha is a must-see for anyone looking to understand the evolution of electronic music. Boris has spent over a decade crafting his distinctive style, having made his first release in 2012. His sound is the perfect entry point if you want to continue diving deeper into the realm of techno, offering a unique blend of complexity and groove that invites listeners to explore the genre’s more intricate layers.
Each track builds and bends, expanding in waves that absorb through your body, until you feel like you're dissolving into the sound itself. Head to a Boris Brejcha show and let the beat carry you into outer space, where every beat becomes a new frontier to explore.
- written by Jacqueline Edmont
More photos from the concert.
