Throughout Germany, more than 100 music clubs and series of events have been awarded the federal culture prize “Applause” this year. For this, prize money of 2.5 million euros was awarded on Wednesday evening in Erfurt, as announced by the Music Initiative as the central funding institution of the federal government and the music industry. The main prizes this year went to Munich, Leipzig and Frankfurt/Main.
The nightclub “Rote Sonne” in Munich was awarded “Best Live Music Programme” with 50,000 euros. The club, with up to 350 seats, offers a program ranging from young DJs and producers to established acts that is deeply rooted in the subculture. A total of 22 awards, each with 50,000 euros, were awarded in this category.
This year’s main prize for “Best Live Music Venue” went to UT Connewitz. The oldest surviving cinema in Leipzig, which can hold up to 450 people for concerts, acts like a fortress against a purely commercial use of event real estate, it was said. In this category, 27 other clubs were honored with 30,000 euros each.
The Jazz Montez association in Frankfurt/Main received the main prize for the “Best Concert Series”. The team is said to host concerts for an average of 100 guests in unusual locations that are characterized by an intergenerational and inclusive approach. In this category, a total of 49 awards, each with 10,000 euros, were presented in Erfurt.
Special prizes this year also went to the Leipzig Club Institut fuer Zukunft, the Dresden venue objekt klein a and the Saarland venue Bahnhof Püttlingen and the Lower Saxony cultural association Platenlaase.
According to the statement, Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) recognized the music clubs in Germany as important cultural venues that stand for freedom in practice and dance. More and more clubs are also becoming “safer spaces” for marginalized and discriminated groups. “We want and need this development,” said the minister.
The annual federal music prize for independent music clubs and series of events was awarded for the ninth time.
Information about the winners after the award ceremony
