From Friedrichshain Raves to a Brandenburg Festival: The Transformative Journey of Berlin’s fhainest Collective to Shifted
Berlin, Germany – The dynamic landscape of Berlin’s electronic music scene has long been a crucible for innovation, and few narratives exemplify this spirit of evolution better than that of fhainest, a collective born from the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging in late 2019, fhainest quickly carved out a niche for itself, blending an approachable community ethos with an unwavering commitment to professional event production. Its journey, marked by successful parties at iconic Berlin venues such as Mensch Meier, Alte Münze, and Lokschuppen, culminated in a grand finale event titled "One Last Dance," signifying not an end, but a pivotal transition to its ambitious successor: the Shifted Festival. Now in its third edition for 2026, Shifted represents the maturation of a grassroots movement into a significant force in the regional festival circuit.
GROOVE author Katharina Pittack recently sat down with key members of the collective – Jannik, Zoe, Clemens, and Sabine – at their office in Berlin-Friedrichshain, a space that itself tells the story of their journey. Adorned with posters from past fhainest parties and illuminated by a glowing Shifted logo, the office served as a backdrop for a conversation spanning the collective’s humble beginnings, cherished memories, and the strategic pivot towards a large-scale festival. The interview offered a rare glimpse into the dedication, adaptability, and sheer passion that has driven this collective from impromptu park raves to a meticulously planned multi-day event.
The Genesis of fhainest: A Pandemic-Era Phenomenon
The origins of fhainest are rooted in an serendipitous encounter in late 2019, just months before the global pandemic would reshape social interaction and the nightlife industry. Two neighboring shared apartments (WGs) on Rigaer Straße in Berlin-Friedrichshain discovered a shared passion for electronic music and a collective desire to create. The name "fhainest" was quickly chosen, a playful portmanteau referencing their Friedrichshain district origins and signifying a commitment to quality and versatility across various formats – from events and podcasts to livestreams.
Their inaugural project, the "Technobike," a mobile DJ setup ingeniously crafted from a bicycle, became an instant sensation. Its debut at the Critical Mass cycling event, a widely recognized form of collective urban protest and celebration, garnered unexpected viral attention. A video of the Technobike in action propelled their social media following from a modest 150 to an impressive 3,000 in a short span, laying an unexpected but solid foundation for what would become fhainest parties. This early success underscored the collective’s ability to capture public imagination through innovative and accessible concepts, a hallmark that would define their initial years.
As the pandemic intensified, imposing unprecedented restrictions on gatherings, fhainest adapted with remarkable agility. They moved from park raves and dance demonstrations to carefully organized livestreams and "Corona-safe raves," pioneering new ways to connect with their audience and keep the spirit of Berlin techno alive. These early, often guerilla-style events, though small in scale, were crucial in building their reputation for resilience and community engagement. The first official fhainest event, "Anura," took place in August 2021 at H13, followed shortly by their first club collaboration with the Sensus collective at the former Anomalie venue. These milestones marked their formal entry into Berlin’s established club scene, showcasing their evolution from spontaneous street performances to curated club nights.
Navigating Growth and Challenges: The fhainest Era
The post-lockdown period was a time of intense activity for fhainest. Jannik, who has been with the collective since its inception and now oversees personnel planning, recalls the collective’s peak. The team expanded to 16 members, reflecting the growing scope of their operations. Parties with headline acts like Dtect at venues such as Alte Münze drew crowds of around 1,700 attendees, solidifying fhainest’s reputation as a significant player in Berlin’s vibrant nightlife. However, the journey was not without its pitfalls. Jannik candidly recounts instances of parties in 800-900 capacity venues where only 50 people showed up. "Those were complete fails," he admits, "but I would say they really forged us together as a team." These early setbacks, rather than discouraging them, became critical learning experiences, strengthening their resolve and cohesion.
A defining characteristic of fhainest was its DIY ethos. Many team members lacked formal training or prior experience in event management, sound engineering, or production. Instead, they leveraged their innate interests and strengths, embracing a learn-by-doing approach. Sabine, now responsible for decoration, vividly remembers their ambitious project at the Bucht der Träumer festival in 2022, where they installed the lighting for the main stage without any technical or manual pre-existing knowledge. "We just drove there, rented a huge amount of lights, set it up, wired it, and in the end, it looked really professional, even though none of us had learned anything in that direction," she explains, encapsulating the collective’s adventurous spirit.
Clemens, who now leads stage management for Shifted Festival, describes the period immediately following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions as a "gold rush atmosphere." The pent-up demand for social interaction and nightlife meant that it was "almost impossible to host a poorly attended party," as people eagerly seized every opportunity to go out. "Clubs were packed for months on end, every weekend," Clemens recalls. However, this boom was short-lived. Jannik notes that the market quickly became saturated. This shift marked a critical turning point, pushing the collective away from hosting more casual parties at venues like Mensch Meier with friendly collectives and fewer external guests, towards organizing their own large-scale events with international headliners. This strategic decision signaled a move towards greater professionalization and a more competitive stance within Berlin’s crowded electronic music scene.
The Unconventional Path to Collective Building
Unlike many collectives that form organically from pre-existing friendship circles, fhainest’s growth was characterized by serendipitous encounters. The initial meeting of the two WGs was accidental, and subsequent members joined through equally unexpected avenues. Louis, for instance, stumbled upon a fhainest livestream during his first week in Berlin and initiated a conversation that led to his involvement. Hanna approached the crew after witnessing a rave at Tempelhofer Feld, drawn in by the energy and initiative. Marc joined after a chance encounter with Sabine on a Bassliner bus en route to the Wilde Möhre festival, their casual conversation blossoming into a lasting friendship and collaboration. These stories highlight the open, inclusive nature of Berlin’s subcultures, where passion and initiative often outweigh formal credentials.
To manage their increasingly complex operations, the 15-member team adheres to a disciplined schedule, meeting every Monday at their Warschauer Straße office. This consistency is particularly challenging given that most members juggle other commitments, including jobs, studies, or both. A fundamental principle of the collective is that all earnings are reinvested directly back into projects, with no personal profit distributed to members. This commitment underscores their dedication to the collective’s mission and their shared passion for creating impactful events, rather than personal gain. This model, common among grassroots cultural initiatives, fosters a strong sense of ownership and collective purpose.
The Sunset of fhainest and the Rise of Shifted
The decision to dissolve fhainest as a club night collective was not an abrupt one, but rather a "creeping process," according to Zoe, the team’s bar manager. She explains that fhainest had gradually evolved into a "no-brainer," with routines becoming automatic and processes well-established. However, the initial "tingle" and excitement that characterized their early parties began to fade. This diminishing spark coincided with external pressures, including rising artist fees and the increasing expectation to book high-profile headliners for every lineup to attract a large audience. The economic realities of the club scene, coupled with a desire for new creative challenges, prompted a reevaluation of their path.
The "One Last Dance" party, held last autumn, was thus not a somber farewell but a joyous celebration of five years of shared experiences and collective achievement. "The last party was not a sad farewell, but a celebration of the beautiful times we had together," Zoe reflects, adding, "Besides, now there’s the festival!" This positive outlook underscores the collective’s forward-thinking mindset. The transition from fhainest to Shifted was a deliberate and strategic evolution, driven by a collective yearning for a new, larger-scale project that could reignite their passion and provide fresh creative outlets.
From Club Night to Festival Grounds: The Shifted Vision
The idea of organizing a festival originated with Louis, another fhainest member, who expressed a desire for "something big." Within a few weeks, he presented a detailed proposal to the team, setting in motion an ambitious plan that would see the first edition of Shifted Festival materialize within nine months. "Of course, we had big concerns; we still have concerns," Zoe admits, highlighting the inherent risks and challenges associated with launching a new festival. "Nevertheless, we’re doing it because we’re excited about it and because we see that people are responding to it." This blend of apprehension and conviction perfectly captures the entrepreneurial spirit of the collective.
The leap from organizing club nights to a multi-day festival in Brandenburg brought with it an entirely new set of logistical and operational complexities. The team quickly realized that the extent of potential pitfalls only becomes apparent when one begins to organize such an event. From a shortage of hot glue guns for decoration purposes to a seemingly planned water point for shower installations turning out to be merely a garden hose, the team encountered numerous "catastrophes" during the planning and execution of the first Shifted Festival. These anecdotes, shared with a mix of humor and hard-earned wisdom, illustrate the steep learning curve involved in large-scale event production.
Professionalization and Preparedness: Lessons Learned
Crucially, the fhainest/Shifted team demonstrated a remarkable capacity for learning and adaptation. They transformed past challenges into actionable insights, significantly enhancing their preparedness for subsequent editions. Jannik asserts, "With everything we’ve already achieved, there can really be no problem that we, as a group, cannot overcome." This confidence is rooted in tangible improvements. For Shifted 2025, the crew engaged professional expertise, planning the entire power supply with an engineering firm. A specialized measurement office conducted on-site noise assessments to ensure compliance and minimize disturbance. Furthermore, a simultaneous test run of all installations was conducted to verify that the electronics could withstand the load, preventing potential overloads and ensuring operational stability. These meticulous preparations exemplify their commitment to delivering a high-quality, safe, and smoothly run festival experience, moving beyond the spontaneous, DIY approach of their early days towards a robust, professionally managed operation. This strategic embrace of expert collaboration is a testament to their growth and maturity as event organizers.
Community, Safety, and the Future of Shifted
For the upcoming third edition of Shifted Festival, the team anticipates attracting up to 3,000 attendees, a significant increase that underscores the festival’s growing appeal and reputation. "We are on the right track to deliver a high-quality festival where people have a good time and feel safe," Jannik confidently states. This focus on participant experience and safety is paramount.
Awareness plays a central role in Shifted’s philosophy, echoing the collective’s long-standing commitment to community well-being. Even during the fhainest era, the collective actively sought consultation with the Clubcommission Berlin, a leading organization supporting Berlin’s club culture, to ensure they were well-advised and prepared in the realm of awareness and harm reduction. Team members participated in training and further education, developing a comprehensive concept that translates into practical measures. These include distinctive T-shirts bearing the reassuring message "We are here for you," clearly identifying staff members dedicated to supporting festival-goers in need. This proactive approach to safety and inclusivity reflects a broader trend within the electronic music industry to prioritize welfare alongside entertainment, creating environments where everyone feels respected and secure.
This spirit of mutual support and community care has been a consistent thread throughout the collective’s history. Clemens fondly recalls the early days of fhainest, when the team would meet with club staff before parties to foster familiarity and open communication. While this specific ritual may have faded over time due to the increased scale of their operations, the underlying ethos of collaboration and genuine connection remains deeply embedded in the collective’s identity.
Conclusion: A Legacy Forged in Passion
With two successful festival weekends already under its belt, Shifted has quickly accumulated a wealth of cherished memories and validated the collective’s bold transition. Sabine, her eyes shining, recounts a moment during the festival when a visitor, taking in the lights and atmosphere, exclaimed, "I already love this festival!" These are the moments, she says, that affirm their dedication: "That’s when you realize: this is what we do it for!"
Jannik adds, "Or for the closings," a sentiment met with unanimous nods from the team. "That feeling when you know you’ve made it. When everyone is together on the floor, ideally no more radio calls come in over the walkie-talkies, and everything has gone smoothly – that’s it, isn’t it?" This shared sense of accomplishment, the quiet satisfaction after hours of intense work, is a powerful motivator.
Jannik vividly remembers the emotional gathering of the entire crew after the first Shifted Festival, "to just drop everything for a moment and embrace each other." Zoe concurs, "That’s when we all realized that we had made it." Clemens adds, with a touch of humor, "Even though 48 hours earlier, no one believed we could actually pull it off." Sabine, ever the optimist, concludes with a confident smile: "Next year will be even better!"
The journey of fhainest to Shifted Festival is more than just a story of event organization; it’s a testament to the power of collective passion, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to community. From improvised park raves during a global crisis to a meticulously planned multi-day festival, this Berlin collective has not only navigated the tumultuous waters of the electronic music industry but has also evolved, demonstrating that grassroots initiatives, fueled by genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, can achieve remarkable heights. As Shifted prepares for its third iteration, it stands as a vibrant symbol of Berlin’s enduring creative spirit and the transformative potential of collective dreams.
