Kulturpark, Deutzen, Germany5th to 7th September 2025
Nocturnal Culture Night 19 Day 1 with A Split Second, Prayers, Pseudokrupp Project, The Beauty Of Gemina, Ground Control, Leichtmatrose, The Sound Veil Society, Tilly Electronics, William Bleak, Gaë Bolg And The Church Of Fand, Monolith, Zugzwang, Zwischenlichten, Auger, Blitz Union, Placebo Effect, Rotersand, and lectures by Torsten Low, Sascha Lange and Christian von Aster - Warm-up with The Juggernauts, Christian Schottstaedt, Noisuf-X and De/Vision Redux
It’s September, and while autumn is already in the air, summer isn’t ready to let go just yet. Even though there was supposed to be a day full of rain on Friday, we were lucky and it stayed dry in Deutzen. The weather God was with us. It was not too warm or too cold during the day, only at night the temperatures went down. But who are we to moan about…
A Place with History - Nestled in the southern Leipzig lowlands, about 7 km west of Borna and 16 km north of Altenburg, Deutzen carries a long history. First mentioned in 1238 as Herwicus de Dycin in a medieval land exchange, the town was for centuries shaped by agriculture, nourished by the floodplains of the Pleiße and White Elster rivers.
The discovery of lignite dramatically altered the landscape: what began as small-scale mining expanded in the 19th century into industrial exploitation, displacing communities and scarring the environment. By the late 1990s, lignite mining had largely collapsed, and the region embarked on a new path. Today, reclaimed lakes and nature reserves define the area - a striking transformation from industry back to nature.
The Festival’s Evolution - On Deutzen’s edge lies the Kulturpark, an eight-hectare oasis in the Neuseenland region, framed by the Borna “Adria” and the Pleiße. It was here, in 2005, that the very first Nocturnal Culture Night (NCN) unfolded - a modest summer gathering of about 300 visitors. Fast forward twenty years, and the once intimate event has evolved into a celebrated festival, drawing around 2,500 guests annually. In 2025, NCN marks its 20th anniversary (at least in years… - think of Corona…), a milestone that promises something truly special for long-time devotees and first-time visitors alike.
Tickets and Anticipation - If you haven’t experienced NCN yet, the first weekend of September 2025 is the perfect opportunity. Tickets for 2026 are already on sale at www.ncn-shop.de, with two categories available: weekend passes with or without camping. The first tier of 500 tickets per category is already in high demand, and once sold out, the second tier will be released. The first band announcements are expected in a few weeks, but seasoned festivalgoers know: at NCN, it’s always worth securing your ticket early.
What makes NCN unique - What sets NCN apart is, above all, its atmosphere. The festival grounds are surrounded by trees, with shady seating for 300 and even a swimmable lake just steps away. Four distinct stages create unique musical settings, complemented by a fifth stage dedicated to readings. The line-up is equally diverse: alongside bigger names to draw the crowds, NCN prides itself on booking rare and unconventional acts, offering the chance to broaden musical horizons or discover a long-awaited band live for the very first time.
Attention to Detail - Even beyond the music, NCN demonstrates an attention to detail often missing from larger festivals. The program booklet, for instance, doesn’t just list the running orders - it features band photos, descriptions, and even space for personal notes. The culinary offerings are equally thoughtful: forget greasy standard festival fare, here you’ll find a broad selection of high-quality, fairly priced food that caters to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
And then there are the small delights that become highlights in their own right. I was especially happy to see the Klatt family’s ice cream stall from Frankenau back again since it became a festival favourite last year. Alongside classics like vanilla and chocolate, adventurous flavours such as cucumber, pear-salvia, rhubarb or grapefruit tempted visitors. All varieties are gluten-free, the fruity ones are vegan - refreshing proof that indulgence and inclusivity can go hand in hand. Other favourites from last year were missing like the vegan burrito stall, the coffee stall with its vegan cakes or the soup stall. This year, I was especially happy about the new pizza place with lots of vegan options.
A not-so-new tradition is the NCN Warm-Up Party, which kicks off the festivities every year opening the gates Thursday at 7:00 p.m. This year, THE JUGGERNAUTS, CHRISTIAN SCHOTTSTAEDT, NOISUF X and DEVISION REDUX performed at the grill area where the Kulturbühne is set up. Afterwards, DJs Boris May (KLANGSTABIL) & DJ Schubi keep the already enthusiastic crowd dancing into the early hours of Friday. Unfortunately, I still had to work on Thursday, so my NCN journey doesn’t start until Friday morning when it is finally time for vacation and heading to the festival. I set up camp in Borna, where the rest of my small NCN travel group and photographer colleagues were also staying. Big thanks at this point to my “chauffeurs” Sandro and Helge for the safe and eco-friendly transport.
But now, let’s dig into the musical and surrounding programme. Of course, there were the beloved author readings and the after-show parties. New was the NCN photo corner, where a photographer was taking pro pics of you in front of NCN banners. When it comes to music, the program was varied. My personal highlights today were AUGER, just opening the Waldbühne, LEICHTMATROSE from my old home town Münster and ROTERSAND, who jumped in for REIN on short notice.
Waldbühne
The Waldbühne stage and also the festival opened for us with AUGER, a British duo who immediately drew the crowd into their darkly cinematic universe. Their blend of Gothic Rock, Industrial flourishes and soaring melodies felt tailor-made for the shady woodland backdrop. Kyle Blaqk’s commanding vocals, coupled with tight arrangements, created a set that was both brooding and strangely uplifting - a promising start to the weekend and as I already said, also one of my favourites. I am already looking forward to seeing the band supporting DIARY OF DREAMS during their upcoming tour.
Next came BLITZ UNION, a Czech powerhouse whose mix of EDM hooks, crunchy guitars and Industrial beats transformed the Waldbühne into a dancefloor. The band already impressed me with its energy at last year’s M’era Luna festival. Their futuristic visuals and unapologetic energy resonated strongly with the younger audience, underlining why they’ve earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting live acts.
Originally, Swedish artist REIN was scheduled for the early evening slot but had to cancel due to illness. I was really looking forward to REIN’s show. Stepping in on short notice were ROTERSAND, who turned the change into a triumph. With driving beats and an infectious stage presence, they delivered one of the most high-energy shows of the evening, proving once again why they are festival favourites. Singer Rascal took a short journey into the audience as so many times before. Fantastic!
Closing the Waldbühne, PLACEBO EFFECT reminded everyone why they are regarded as legends of Dark Electro. Their set was steeped in the analogue grit of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, echoing influences from SKINNY PUPPY to DEPECHE MODE. Fans relished the nostalgia, but there was also a sense of the band pushing forward. In a touching gesture, they ended by handing out parts of their stage décor - including mannequins and a teddy bear - to fans, turning the performance into a shared memory.
Parkbühne
The stage opened in the afternoon with WILLIAM BLEAK, setting a reflective tone before the tempo rose with LEICHTMATROSE. The German outfit, known for their sharp-witted lyrics and catchy Indie anthems, delivered a confident set that combined raw energy with a touch of dark humour, perfectly fitting the festival’s eclectic spirit.
Later, TILLY ELECTRONICS brought glitter, chaos and sheer fun. Their genre-defying “Glitter Wave” sound - part EBM, part Disco, part absurdist theatre - had the audience dancing with abandon. The duo’s playful alien personas only added to the sense that this was less a gig and more an intergalactic party.
By evening, the stage transformed into a celebration of DAVID BOWIE’s legacy, courtesy of GROUND CONTROL. With theatrical flair and emotional sincerity, they captured Bowie’s restless creativity, spanning classics from ‘Space Oddity’ to the haunting ‘Blackstar’ and of course ‘Heroes’. It was both homage and celebration, leaving the crowd visibly moved.
At midnight, the atmosphere shifted again with THE SOUND VEIL SOCIETY, who offered a late-night special set. Immersive, hypnotic, and a little mysterious, their performance ensured the Parkbühne on an otherworldly note. Since “we are too old for that shit” we decided to return to the hotel before and get at least some hours of decent sleep.
Amphibühne
The main stage of NCN kicked things off with Berlin’s PSEUDOKRUPP PROJECT who offered relentless beats and driving Industrial rhythms. Their signature “peppermint bar” on stage was a cheeky touch, but it was the pounding drums and raw energy that got the crowd moving. Of course, peppermint liquor was served to the audience as well.
The evening, however, was overshadowed by tragedy. During soundcheck for THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA, long-time friend of the festival community Jens collapsed in front of the stage. Despite immediate medical attention and the efforts of professionals present in the crowd and the festival crew, Jens sadly passed away later. The festival paused as the Amphibühne was cleared. The band will return next year to honour the moment and play their show. The incident cast a heavy shadow, reminding everyone of the fragility of life even in spaces filled with music and joy. R.i.P Jens, you will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
When the stage reopened, A SPLIT-SECOND channelled raw emotion into their set, delivering a journey through their pioneering Electro-Rock catalogue. Their classics resonated with both long-time fans and new listeners, creating a sense of catharsis after the difficult interruption.
Closing the Amphibühne, PRAYERS brought their unique “Cholo Goth” to Deutzen. Rafael Reyes commanded the stage with intensity, blending Hip-Hop influences, Gothic textures and deeply personal storytelling. The result was raw, spiritual and defiant - a set that blurred boundaries and left a lasting impression.
Kulturbühne
The Kulturbühne always offers a special program and opened with ZUGZWANG, whose Neofolk soundscapes were steeped in philosophy and literature. Their atmospheric performance felt almost like an intimate film score, setting a contemplative tone.
ZWISCHENLICHTEN followed with delicate songs rooted in folklore and regional traditions, weaving tales of myth and memory through acoustic instrumentation. It was a performance that felt deeply connected to place and heritage, offering a quiet counterpoint to the louder stages nearby.
As darkness fell, MONOLITH shifted the mood dramatically. Eric van Wonterghem’s Industrial project hit hard with pulsating rhythms and uncompromising noise. The set was pure machine-driven energy - stark, hypnotic, and uncompromising.
Closing the stage, GAË BOLG AND THE CHURCH OF FAND transformed the night into theatrical spectacle. Mixing medieval aesthetics with neo-classical drama, the performance was both ironic and intense, at times absurd, at times sublime. It was the kind of show that perfectly captured NCN’s love for the unconventional.
The night wound down with a gentle aftershow set from DJ Puppe, who provided the ideal soundtrack for those unwilling to let go of the day just yet.
Lesebühne
The Reading Stage provided its own distinct highlights. Torsten Low opened with wit, blending fantasy and humour in tales of technological mishaps. Later, Sascha Lange dived deep into the world of DEPECHE MODE with readings from his trilogy, resonating strongly with fans of the band. Closing the evening, Christian von Aster captivated listeners with ‘Liber Vampirotum’ - a gothic, literary journey that felt perfectly at home within the NCN atmosphere.
As NCN enters its 20th year, it continues to embody what a festival should be: intimate but international, relaxed yet full of energy, and always with a touch of discovery. Whether you come for the music, the setting, or simply the atmosphere, one thing is certain - already the first day of NCN 2025 is set to be unforgettable... in many ways… but overall, music unites, music helps and music lifts you up…
All Pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet)
