Freddy K: techno activist. Since the ‘90s Alessio Armeni has been tireless campaigning from the dancefloor, defending vinyl, championing young talents and reinforcing the scene from the shadows. You will know him best for his marathon DJ sets and deviant selections. You might recognize him as the head of KEY Vinyl, or for the backstage role, he played at M_Rec, the label he helped run with best friend Max_M. You should definitely know about Virus, the thing that started it all off for him back in Rome.
Moving to Berlin reignited Freddy K’s teenage infatuation with raves. He became notorious for his epic 10, 14 and 16-hour-long sessions there, playing always strictly vinyl and in a dynamic, party-conscious fashion. Freddy K sets are characteristically mercurial and 100% tailored for the dance. He plays a “360°-style of techno,” which can include Soft Cell, WestBam, or Bronski Beat—when the timing is just right. He played his first Berghain set in 2013; two years later he was closing the place, keeping the energy levels soaring well into Monday. The last 20 minutes, he says, are the most important. So be sure to stick around till the very end.