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Happy 5th Birthday
Where it all started August 2020 – here is the About page as to why I created this website, in case you never knew why and how it all started.
https://kölschfan.site/index.php/about/ – check it out
Five years later, the updates are still a joy to make. The music still hits as hard as ever, and my mixing has only gotten a little better. Here’s a look back at the best moments so far and what’s next.
The Shows: Five Years of Live Memories
Starting off with, I have been super lucky and got to see Kölsch live at following events over the last 5 years
- Printworks (Amnesia presents)
- Creamfields (North & South)
- The Beams
- Drumsheds
- Fabric
- KOKO
- Index
- High Lights Presents IMMERSS
I have shared by best photos and memories over the last 5 years at each of the venues.
Printworks is the first time I got to see Kölsch Live and hearing Grey Live for the first time ever was just outstanding and filled a bucket list item. Printworks was an amazing venue, with outstanding sound and lights, such a shame that it is no longer there. I had gone to a few events there over the time it was open and was outstanding. Also, I never tire of listening to Grey Live, and the crowd and I always go crazy hearing it drop into a set of either the 12”, Album and Orchestra versions.
Creamfields (North) this was my first ever Creamfields festival and first time I got to meet Rune face to face, as before he went on stage, I was at the front and to the side of the stage and someone next to me called Rune over, and he come over to say hello to us all, and I said I run the fan site and he was aware of the site and said thank you, that made my day also and luck has had it I brought a copy of my 1977 CD album to see if he would sign it and get a selfie (if I was lucky enough to catch him) and of course being the friendliest DJ on the scene he signed it which I still have framed on my wall. “Thank you!” also what an outstanding set as well. Next level and the start of many amazing sets to come.
Creamfields (South) was the first time I also got to hear “Woohman” and “Clear” LIVE – bucket list ticked – also my 2nd CD signing this time it was 1989. Also, I can remember hearing “An Amazing” as a closing track to the last Creamfields South, OUTSTANDING! It would take a miracle to improve on those sets, and I wish Creamfields South would come back. I miss it so much as it was so close to home, I could go all 3 days without camping. Creamfields North is just too far…
The Beams – Was my first guestlist visit and got to speak to Rune, after the show and spoke about some of the amazing tracks played in the set, such as the now released track “Environ” and even wore my custom T-Shirt to the venue to stand out in the crowd. Great venue, shame it wasn’t used more. The space, sound and lighting was at such high quality there and amazing people, staff and ravers.
Drumsheds was the first time I took my Wife to an “techno” music event as was during the day (as she not too keen on the idea of the all night raving) also we got to meet with Rune, his friends and family and experience one amazing show from the platform (you can just see us in the background on the YouTube video) listening to outstanding tracks like – remember me and hide u. Also, Rune shared a rider present with us (which is too good to drink) and signed my copy of “Talk to Water” album again framed and on my wall. – Thank you, we had a terrific experience, and everyone was so nice and friendly to my wife and I. It was a blast of a show and catch up.
Fabric – Wow this was my biggest bucket list item, this time I went with my great mate and neighbour Matt aka Abbathehorse to Fabric, I have always wanted to visit this amazing club, I think this is still my most amazing experience yet, Rune give us a tour of the club and then was able to join him in the DJ booth to experience the most epic night of music and dancing something I will NEVER FORGET. Of course, I was cheeky as asked if he would sign my copy of his Fabric album, which of course Rune did, at the end of night (early morning) we got speaking to some of the amazing and friendly staff before then heading out to the sunrise, then for the car journey home and now with a signed copy of the Fabric album perfect to listen to on the drive home. What is even more special is that the set was recorded and is able to be listened back to on Apple music. It has some of the best tracks ever to be heard in a club #fact
KOKO – This time Matt and I joined Rune and his friends and family at one amazing venue (wow what a place, what a glitter ball), so many amazing and friendly people there, amazing music and vibes. Also, a great catch up after, as was nearly Christmas everyone was in high spirits, also I got the excellent Balance compilation album signed. Thank you as always. (gutted we couldn’t have made it Watergate after) However, I can’t wait to hopefully go back this November to see Kölsch and the machine LIVE. I think this might be the new highlight of the next 5 years if I can make it, I think this is going to be special to another level.
Index in Dublin – So this is our craziest adventure in which Matt and I, just booked a last-minute flight over to Dublin on a Friday afternoon, and went to see Rune at Index, in which we danced away with some great people and Rune dropped some amazing new tracks, can’t wait still to see if some of these get released also played the best track ever “Woohman” a fist pump of serious appreciation as well was needed. We had a great catch up and drinks after the show to also get my last of the 3 albums signed 1983 – set complete (finally it has been so hard to track down a mint condition copy of 1983), then straight off to the airport (via McDonalds at 4am for breakfast) for a flight home and back for a quick sleep and off the ninja warrior for an evening of climbing walls. Crazy but ultra fun.
The latest venue myself and Matt visited was High Lights Presents IMMERSS, this was a chance to experience a great set that had a really great section of tracks and felt like a great little mini festival that everyone was there having a great time. There were some other amazing acts there that were different and really creating a performance that was different and super enjoyable.
So, there was a brief recap of the last 5 years of events I hope to share with you many more over the next 5 years.
The Music: Five Years of Highlights
Now on to the music, the music from the last 5 years has been outstanding and has even given me personally a new best ever Kölsch track (that has been released that I can buy) as there have been unreleased tracks as well that would have been in my top 10, such as complicated by Kölsch & MK for BBC Radio 1 from Danny Howard’s lockdown linkups even in the worst of times amazing things can happen. I still hope one day it gets a release, I think it even made the Radio 1 daytime playlist that how good it was. There is a YouTube copy (not the greatest quality but there)
and it played as a remix in this amazing set – Live Stream from Cisternerne Museum – Underground Art Experience (was so good to hear this set again) at 57:00 mins and closing out an outstanding set
Here an example of some amazing Track ID’s what is the song at 16:30
Also, what about these as a Track ID for example
45:00 in
and here as well
30:30 in
55:00 in
7:40 in
1:30:00 – closing track
And I guess there will be many, many, many more to come over the next 5 years…. However here we go with my personal Top 10 of just the last 5 years releases only (August 2020 – August 2025) that all have a story for me.
- Woohman
- An Amazing
- Clear
- Only Get Better
- Shoulder of Giants
- Atreyu
- Environ
- Almost Everything
- Mind Dimension (Kölsch Remix)
- Heartless
Feel free to share your Top 10 tracks with me as well, I wonder how close they are?
New Set: Street Parade Zürich
Also here is a new set Kölsch @ Opera Stage, Street Parade Zürich, Switzerland 09-08-2025
What a flashback to my Trance days with this outstanding opening track very unexpected, this is a quality set, some classic and track ID’s (the perfect way) as always it would have been an epic street parade to have visited! I love the idea of street parades. I wish the UK would do this.
So, what for the next 5 years?
I am looking forward to keeping updating this blog as I really do enjoy it and sharing my memories and experiences, sharing my love for all music.
Of course there is a new album on the way for 2025 – ‘KINEMA’ & More LIVE SHOWS
I listened to a huge back catalogue of Rune RK tracks these past few nights while writing this update and listening to back to YouTube sets hunting down Track ID’s and what inspires me as a super fan to listen and enjoy the music and share with others.
I hope you will follow us on the journey and thank you for all the support, messages and follows. I hope to push more of the sharing as well and spread the love even further, don’t forget you can always share your experiences with me and share them here. Just drop us a message.
Here to another 5 years and beyond of the best in Kölsch music
Many thanks to everyone, with a special shout out to my wife and kids, Matt aka Abbathehorse on supporting my journey of doing this and having fun and especially thanks Rune for all the support. Finally, keep safe and keep raving to everyone! See you on the next update or at a show.
John
