SESH

UFO im Velodrom was a legendary nightclub located in Berlin, Germany, that played a pivotal role in the city's vibrant electronic music scene during the early 1990s. Originally operating in the confines of the Velodrom, a multi-purpose arena in the Prenzlauer Berg district, the club emerged as a direct successor to the original UFO nightclub on Köpenicker Straße, which was Berlin's first acid house club when it was founded in 1988. UFO im Velodrom became a cradle for the nascent techno movement in reunified Berlin, providing a unique space for creative experimentation and cultural exchange amidst the cultural euphoria that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Its industrial location, underground aesthetic, and late-night parties helped establish Berlin as a global center for electronic dance music and rave culture. Cultural historians and music enthusiasts often cite UFO as a foundational institution that paved the way for the rise of legendary clubs like Tresor and Berghain. Throughout its existence, UFO underwent several iterations in terms of location and structure.

The original UFO on Köpenicker Straße quickly became too small for the growing crowds and legal challenges led to several relocations. The period "im Velodrom" refers to one of its later and most iconic homes, where the vast concrete space of the former cycling arena was transformed into a rave temple. The transient nature of UFO's operations, a result of police raids and shifting property developments, contributed to its mythos as a true underground haven—always elusive, always reinventing itself.

Over time, as Berlin's nightlife became more institutionalized and mainstream venues like Tresor and E-Werk solidified techno's status, UFO's original spirit faded, but its influence endures in the DNA of the city's club culture. Notable artists who performed at UFO im Velodrom include international figures such as Sven Väth, Laurent Garnier, and Carl Cox, as well as local pioneers like Dr. Motte, Tanith, WestBam, Paul van Dyk, DJ Rok, and Jonzon.

These performances not only solidified the venue's status as a birthplace of techno but also contributed to Berlin's global reputation as a capital of cutting-edge electronic music.