It all comes from one machine used wrong: the Roland TB-303, a bassline box built for guitarists playing alone, whose filter cranked wide open gives that liquid squelch called acid. Phuture laid the cornerstone with "Acid Tracks" in Chicago in 1987. The sound then crossed the Atlantic and became the emblem of 1990s London raves and squat parties.

The TB-303 sold so badly that Roland dropped it within two years: Chicago producers picked them up second-hand and turned the knobs until it stopped sounding like a bassline. The result is instantly recognisable, and that is its strength: three notes and you know what you are listening to.

Acid then became the flag of late-1980s British raves and 1990s London squat parties, hence its lasting link to the smiley and rave culture. Today it mostly returns through techno: few nights are billed as acid from end to end, many keep an hour of the set for it.

40Upcoming dates
8Countries
37Cities
114Artists

40 upcoming Acid Techno events across Europe (France, Spain, UK, Poland, Belgium, Norway, Malta, Italy). Dates, line-ups, venues and official ticketing, updated continuously.

Next dates · Acid Techno

Where it plays

Acid Techno Isère 2Acid Techno Hérault 2Acid Techno Gironde 2Acid Techno Doubs 2Acid Techno Ain 1Acid Techno Manchester 1Acid Techno Oslo 1Acid Techno Glasgow 1Acid Techno Varsovie 1Acid Techno Leeds 1Acid Techno Birmingham 1Acid Techno Paris 1All cities →

The venues that book it

The artists carrying it · Acid Techno

114

Vortek's

From Cherbourg, FranceLabels Omny Lab, Acid PirateUpcoming dates 2

Vortek's is a French DJ and producer from Cherbourg who came up through the free party scene and its tribe, acidcore and hardtek strands. His trademark is heavy rhythm work, acid textures and immersive pads, heard on tracks such as "Darkness". He works regularly with Felckin, Venom, Teksa and D-Frek, and releases on labels including Omny Lab, Acid Pirate and Underground Tekno.

Next date 05 DEC 2026 · Poitiers

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999999999

From ItalieLabels NineTimesNineUpcoming dates 1

999999999 are an Italian hard techno duo formed in 2016 who perform exclusively as a hardware-only live act. They first put out records as a vinyl-only operation on their own NineTimesNine label before moving to digital in 2020. Their track "300000003", released on Planet Rhythm in 2018, went through repeated represses and brought their acid techno to a much wider audience. The pair also run their own 9x9 Invites parties across Europe.

Next date 06 NOV 2026 · Warsaw

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Freddy K

From Rome, ItalieLabels KEY Vinyl, K1971Upcoming dates 1

Freddy K, real name Alessio Armeni, is an Italian DJ and producer who has been based in Berlin since 2009. In Rome he launched the Virus radio show and movement in 1993 (radio, record shop, parties), released his first EP Control on ACV and the album Rage Of Age in 1995. He co-founded the Elettronica Romana label with Sandro Nasonte, started K1971 in 2005 and the KEY Vinyl label in 2011. He is known for his marathon vinyl-only sets.

Next date 04 DEC 2026 · Attard

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Flymeon

From FranceLabels Rave Alert RecordsUpcoming dates 1

Flymeon is a French DJ and producer whose sound crosses hard techno with the world of heavy metal, textures, instruments and visual identity included. On Rave Alert Records he released the "Paris Under Control" EP and its track "Paris Acid City" (2023), followed by the "Blood On The Dancefloor" and "Raving Mothafucka" EPs.

Next date 31 DEC 2026 · Bourg-en-Bresse

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Sköne2Acidpach2Amygdala2AKOU2Six Ou Sept2SaphireLeFleur2Protokseed1Vilain1Loko1So Juice1Mark XTC1Relajadita1BOTICKA1DJ Maissouille1Egyptian Lover1La Louve1Satirized1The Hacker1Acyd'holik1Boston 1681Contrefaçon1Cosy Nghtmre1Déviation Abyssale1DJ Swisherman1Dorian Evander1Emzer1Farfacid1Flo T.lesco.P1Gizmo1Jbrt1l'Art Cène1Ling Ling1Mighty Spiritz1ODAK1Perceval1Pombak1Radium1Raven1Seed1Seth Gueko1All artists →

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Frequently asked questions · Acid Techno

What is Acid Techno?

It all comes from one machine used wrong: the Roland TB-303, a bassline box built for guitarists playing alone, whose filter cranked wide open gives that liquid squelch called acid. Phuture laid the cornerstone with "Acid Tracks" in Chicago in 1987. The sound then crossed the Atlantic and became the emblem of 1990s London raves and squat parties.

Acid Techno: what tempo does it play at?

Most often between 130–150 BPM. That bassline gurgling and twisting without ever changing note. A tempo is common practice, not a rule: the same DJ may open slower and finish well above it.

Where can I see Acid Techno in Europe?

40 dates are announced across 8 countries, right now mostly in Isère, Hérault, Gironde, Doubs. Every entry on this page gives the venue, the running time, the price and the official ticket shop.

Which Acid Techno artists are playing right now?

The most booked on upcoming dates: Vortek's, Sköne, Acidpach, Amygdala, AKOU. Every artist page gives their full calendar, the venues they play and the other styles they carry.

Getting ready

3
Health · 3 min readEarplugs at festivals and gigs: why they matter and which to choosePractical · 4 min readFestival outfit: what to wear to a techno festival or a ravePractical · 3 min readFestival packing list: what to bring, and how to camp

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