2025
So, here we are again: another year almost over and a new one just around the corner. This last month has been crazy with birthdays, holidays, work and general chaos, so apologies for the delayed update. However in this month’s post there’s a look back at 2025, a night at KOKO London to see “The Machine” LIVE, some Essential Mix goodness, and a few of the new tunes that have been on repeat.
A night at KOKO with The Machine
So, myself and Matt headed up early to KOKO to experience this great venue again and the whole atmosphere of the night and also it being something so different to experience.
We also got to enjoy the amazing set by Kariina first
https://www.instagram.com/kariinagram/
(also, checkout this set from t7 warming up for Kölsch)
We started the night with an amazing set from Kariina, who absolutely set the tone and got to hear the standout new chemical brother’s remix, loving that at the moment as well, that sounded so good. I can’t wait to see more of Kariina’s sets in the future for sure.
The sound system in that place can be brutal as well, we experienced Kariina’s set from up high in the balconies with the crowd and overlooking the dance floor and experiencing the lights and disco ball and it was loud and sounding crisp.
Then we headed down to the dance floor for the machine. The noise this produced was crazy, the bassline you could feel before you heard it, it felt like your internal organs were being hit with sound and bass, I was surprised drinks stayed in cups. We were at the front to the side by the speakers and it was just brutal in noise and power. But still very suitable to dance to, which was so easy to do with some amazing tracks from the new album “KINEMA”
including the track called kinema and the massive favourite of mine, “All the words”. Plus, classic tracks and for me the classic track I haven’t heard for ages and not sure even I have LIVE was “HAL!” what a track and to hear that was amazing.
The sound and the live remixing using The Machine added a completely new dimension, both sonically and visually, and you could sense the level of focus and tension it must take to pull that off. It felt genuinely unique and left me hoping for more sets like this in the future.
A collection of the tracks taken to a new level
- Kölsch ft. Ludwig Kölsch – 1989
- Kölsch – 14 3
- Kölsch – Left Eye Left
- Kölsch – Nacht Und Träume
- Kölsch – Der Alte
- London Grammar – Hell To The Liars (Kölsch Remix)
- Kölsch – Goldfisch
- Kölsch – All The Words
- CamelPhat & Kölsch – Waste My Time
- Kölsch ft. Tomas Høffding – Bloodline
- Butch – Countach (Kölsch Remix)
- Kölsch – Kinema
- Kölsch & Tiga – HAL
- WhoMadeWho & Kölsch – Heartless (Private Edit)
- Kölsch – Smile
- Kölsch – Opa
- Kölsch – All Week (Kölsch VIP Mix) IPSO
- Kölsch ft. Gregor Schwellenbach – Cassiopeia
- Kölsch & Bonn – Sad Makes Me Happy IPSO
- Kölsch – Grey
- Kölsch & Neon Capital – Kids
- Kölsch – Home
- Kölsch – Loreley
- Kölsch ft. Troels Abrahamsen – All that Matters (Symphony of Unity – strings reimagined)
Here are some photos from this amazing night
Also, on Kölsch’s Instagram Sets and Edits Channel
Kölsch’s Instagram Sets and Edits Channel (via mobile device only) via https://www.instagram.com/kolschofficial/
If you want to geek out on how The Machine works, Kölsch’s Instagram Sets and Edits channel has some great clips showing the gear and software behind the LIVE setup, including tools like Beat Link Trigger and kit from TC Supply.
After the machine set was the follow up with some great music by andhim
https://www.instagram.com/andhim_music
afterwards, delivering more outstanding music to see us through to the morning with dancing, more dancing, drinks, saying hello to some people we have meet on our journey with Rune at different venues and enjoying ourselves to the max. Finally, it was ready for a drive home, with a stop for a bite to eat and also to listen to the Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1 on the drive home as it was Kölsch’s 3rd Essential mix which was an awesome surprise to end the night.
Kölsch Essential Mix 2025 BBC - Radio 1 Dance
Having another Kölsch Essential Mix this year was an absolute bonus. This one is packed with new or unreleased material and gives a real glimpse into what we can look forward to in 2026 and beyond.
The tracklist runs through a huge range of emotions and energies, with highlights including “Nacht und Träume”, “Set Me Free”, “Kinema”, “Smalltown Echos” and a beautiful twist at the end with “Can’t Be Here More Than I Am (Theme from ‘Synthetic’)”. “Set Me Free” is my personal standout new, unreleased track from the set – every tune feels like it belongs exactly where it is, and that final track is a perfect closing moment.
Because of that closing track, and being a sci‑fi fan, I went hunting for more info on the film “Synthetic” and came across an excellent interview and mix session with Kölsch over at Complex UK. The best part was reading that he is finishing the second half of his double album, which will be called KINEMA II – incredible news and something to be very excited about.
Complex Session and track highlights
The Complex session comes with a great tracklist, including favourites like “Nacht und Träume”, “Now Here, No Where”, “Remind You”, “Smile”, “Heartless”, “Waste My Time”, “KIDS”, “Set Me Free”, “Sad Makes Me Happy” and “All That Matters (Symphony Version)”. It flows like a journey through different phases of his sound, from melodic and emotional to club‑ready and driving.
“An Amazing” really lives up to its name – it jumps out of the mix and has become one of those tracks that sticks in your head long after listening.
Tracklisting
1. Kölsch – Nacht und träume
2. Kölsch – Now Here, No Where
3. Kölsch – Remind you
4. Kölsch – Smile
5. Kölsch & Who Made Who – Heartless
6. Kölsch & Camelphat – Waste My Time
7. Kölsch – All Week
8. Kölsch & Neon Capital – KIDS UNDERCATT (Remix)
9. Kölsch – An Amazing
10. Kölsch – Set Me Free
11. Kölsch feat / Boon – Sad Makes Me Happy
12. Kölsch – Der Alte/Hell To The Liars
13. Kölsch feat / Troels Abrahamsen – All That Matters
(Symphony Version)
14. Kölsch – Can’t Be Here More Than I Am
Also if you want to go deeper, make sure to revisit the older Essential Mixes from 2014 and 2018 too – they are still absolutely worth your time.
Music of 2025
2025 has been a strong year for Kölsch releases, collaborations and remixes.
Two big standouts:
“KIDS” with Neon Capital, released back in February. Hearing this at Index in Dublin was unreal – it’s a proper club banger that really needs a big system to be fully appreciated. What a perfect excuse to see Kölsch LIVE!
The Undercatt remix of “KIDS”, which arrived in April and absolutely does the original justice while putting its own spin on it.
Another huge moment was the collaboration with ANNA on “Evocation”, released in March. It is a hard‑hitting track, very much my kind of sound, and it has been on heavy rotation.
Other music worth a mention for 2025
2x Remix’s of Change This Pain for Ecstasy and a new track for Rex the Dog in 2025 with Not Going Home
Pancake by Krystal Klear
NINETY-TWO by Paul Kalkbrenner
Here is a link to one of my “Tracks of 2025” playlists including these track
Halina Rice – UNREALITY
Away from the Kölsch universe for a moment, a huge shout to Halina Rice,
https://www.instagram.com/halinarice_music/
whose new album UNREALITY dropped this year. Every track on the record is quality, but if you have to pick one to start with, go for “GLITCH”. I’ve already ordered the vinyl via Bandcamp as a Christmas treat.
The Kölsch Fan Site Christmas track
It’s time again for the official Kölsch Fan Site Christmas song: “Clear and Present” by Paperclip People. It might not be a traditional Christmas tune, but that doesn’t matter – it is perfect any time of year and even better when you’re wrapping presents.
Talking of Christmas presents don’t forget to check out https://www.kolschofficial.com/shopping/ treat yourself or a loved ones.
Wrapped, 5 years of the fan site, and 2026
End‑of‑year “wraps” are always fun, and this year has been full of special moments, music and shows. 2025 has flown by, but there is already so much to look forward to in 2026.
This year also marked the fifth birthday of the Kölsch fan site back in August, which feels like a big milestone. Here’s to another five years of posting, dancing, mixing and sharing updates and experiences from shows around the world.
There are already some exciting 2026 shows on the horizon.
https://www.kolschofficial.com/shows/
For now, that’s all to come next year. So Merry Christmas, have a happy New Year, and thank you to all the other Kölsch fans for visiting the site and for being part of this community, and to Rune and Julia for their generosity in bringing us along on this journey.
Keep safe and keep raving into 2026 and beyond!
John
