Strasbourg Music Week Electronic Music: Scenes, Genres and Transitions (part 1)

Gesine Kühne is a Berlin-based journalist, author, and radio host who has been active for over 20 years in the fields of pop music and culture. 

Forover 25years,she has worked as a reporter and author for various ARD radioprograms— the republic broadcasting networkin Germany—as well as for Deutschlandfunk,always close to people and their stories.

Deeply rooted in club culture, she hosted the Electronic Beats podcast for five years and regularly contributes to discussions on clubpolicy as a moderator and speaker.

As part of her on going work with in the scene, she hosts a club music show on the community radio station Refuge Worldwide. Alongside her journalistic work, she is active as a DJ,event organizer, and booker, continuously shaping and supporting the club scene.

A DJ, producer, and event organizer for over thirty years, Tommy’s deep immersion in the electronic music ecosystem and its challenges naturally led him to the presidency of the Technopol association. He has held this position since 2010, playing a key role in shaping the evolution of the electronic music landscape in France. A committed and passionate figure, his multiple roles have contributed to a comprehensive vision serving an entire community.

Since taking the helm of Technopol, Tommy has notably overseen around a dozen editions of the Techno Parade, the annual electronic music event that gathers 400,000 participants in the streets of Paris. 
He is also the initiator of Paris Electronic Week, an event that has become essential for industry professionals.

More broadly, Tommy has been actively engaged in fostering constructive dialogue between the electronic music scene and cultural and public institutions. This long-term effort has significantly contributed to the recognition of electronic music as a fully-fledged artistic expression, notably leading to the inclusion of French Electronic Music in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2025.

Ralph Christoph is one of the founders of the c/o pop Festival and the Director of the c/o pop Convention. 

The former journalist and editor (including StadtRevue, SPEX –Das Magazin für Popkultur) founded the agency BÜRO WASSERDICHT in 1998 (including booking for artists on the KOMPAKT label) and opened the Cologne club STUDIO 672.

Every year since 2004, the c/o pop Festival has transformed Cologne into an urban pop culture mecca. With hundreds of program items - from concerts in unusual locations to surprising experience formats - the streets and stages in Cologne-Ehrenfeld are transformed into a pulsating festival center - and at the same time the c/o pop Convention offers a central meeting place for the music industry - with space for creative exchange at eye level. 

What makes c/o pop special? The tireless desire to discover new things and experience unforgettable highlights together. Artists such as Moderat, Giant Rooks, Ski Aggu, Bilderbuch and AnnenMayKantereit were on stage here long before they had their big breakthrough. Instead of big headliners, the festival deliberately focuses on diversity and brings current pop culture right into the heart of the city. Open spaces, DIY events, performances and a lively market in Ehrenfeld make c/o pop special. 

With a clear focus on Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI), it promotes FLINTA* and queer artists as well as other underrepresented groups. Everyone is welcome here! At the same time, the c/o pop Convention offers practical keynotes, inspiring talks and workshops that deal with the current challenges and future issues of the music industry. 

During the day, it is a place for valuable impulses and networking, before celebrating the diversity of pop culture together in the evening. 

The c/o pop Festival and the c/o pop Convention are supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the Initiative Musik, the City of Cologne and the Ministries of Culture and Science, Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

DJ and music producer since the 1990s, with several albums released on Wall Of Sound Recordings and Stereo De Luxe Records.

He has collaborated with artists such as Rob Galliano, Bounty Killer, and CrisCorner (Sneaker Pimps / IamX). In 2005, he launched a band project called Wrongkong.

That same year, he began writing for music magazines. In 2011, he co-founded the Nürnberg Pop Festival, which has since become his main project. Today, his work focuses on developing new artists in a landscape shaped by streaming and social media.

nbg pop (Nürnberg Pop Festival) is the largest club and showcase festival in southern Germany, organized since 2011. It stands out for its strong involvement with the local cultural scene, combining passion, collaboration, and a strong team spirit.

The festival takes place across a wide range of unique venues in Nuremberg (churches, museums, shops, rooftops, concert halls), creating an immersive experience at the heart of the city.

Each year, it brings together emerging and established artists in an eclectic lineup that fosters discovery and musical diversity. The event is rooted in a networking dynamic, encouraging exchanges between professionals and audiences.

Alongside the festival, the Pop Conference offers talks, meetings, and discussions on key issues in the music industry and culture, bringing together artists, professionals, media, and decision-makers.

nbg pop is also committed to diversity and inclusion, notably through its participation in the European Keychange initiative.

The festival has received several awards, including the Bavarian Pop Culture Prize in 2019 and the HELGA! Award in 2023, and has been nominated multiple times at the European Festival Awards.

It also took part in the European INES network (2020–2022), supporting the circulation of emerging artists across Europe.

Today, nbg pop stands as a key event in the European music landscape, combining artistic programming, innovation, and international cooperation.