Beyond the Booth: Tomasz Guiddo on Techno, Rave Culture, and Cultural Preservation
From Underground to Cultural Advocate: The Journey of Tomasz Guiddo
Tomasz Guiddo is a globally recognized DJ and music producer with over two decades of experience, known for his eclectic sound that "masterfully eludes a single genre." His extensive discography spans influential indie labels like Ostgut Ton, Beats In Space, and Compost, and he is the founder of Fine Coincidence Recordings. Guiddo has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, from Berghain in Berlin to MoMA PS1 in New York.
During his six-year tenure in Asia (2014-2020), he became a pivotal figure in South China's music scene, earning the title "The man putting Shenzhen on the map!" from Mixmag for his work as a promoter, DJ, and co-founder of Vinylhouse record stores. He has also collaborated with renowned artists such as Jamie Lidell and Jimi Tenor, and his music has been remixed by industry heavyweights like Tom Findlay of Groove Armada.
Returning to Berlin in 2020, Tomasz is now deeply involved with Rave The Planet, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Techno Culture as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage and upholding the spirit of the iconic Love Parade. He also serves as the manager of Rave The Planet Records.
Tomasz sits down with 6AM to talk about his role in Rave The Planet, the cultural recognition of techno, and why the parade is more than just a party.
Hi Tomasz! Thanks for talking to 6AM. How are you doing?
Thank you so much for having me. It’s the busiest time of the year for us at Rave The Planet as we approach the big parade in July. Busy yet exciting — the big picture, the incredible response, and the great energy coming from the fans, artists and amazing volunteers drive us and keep us motivated.
You’ve been involved with Rave The Planet, both a music label and internationally recognized parade, since its beginning in 2020. What was it like in the early beginning when you returned to Berlin and joined RTP working on the first parade?
It was during the pandemic. The very first planned parade had to be cancelled. Luckily, in 2022 it was possible again, but we honestly weren't sure what to expect. The entire music scene and club culture had been heavily affected. A lot of time had passed since the days of the Love Parade, new generations had emerged, new trends had developed, and the lockdown’s impact had left us unsure how many people would actually show up. We were expecting around 25,000 people… and about ten times that number showed up.
The label’s new Future Prints compilation is arriving at an interesting moment, especially with Techno being recognized as part of Berlin’s UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. What does that recognition actually mean to you—and how did it influence what you wanted this series to say, musically or culturally?
It’s a very important step forward, and it sets an example that will hopefully inspire and motivate other music activists around the globe to renegotiate the position of Techno music and clubs within their local cultural hierarchies. Of course, we’d love to see the same recognition happen in Detroit. For now, in Berlin, we believe it should help venues and promoters receive better treatment from local authorities and gain more trust and proper recognition from society.
The Rave The Planet parade is often called a demonstration, not just a party. Can you walk us through what that distinction really means—and how that purpose shows up in the music you’ve been curating for the label?
Absolutely — it’s a demonstration with a list of very specific demands. It meets all the legal requirements for being classified as a demonstration, including the required amount of spoken word content, among other criteria. And as a demonstration, it serves a very important social purpose. To put it simply: we demonstrate for peace, for the freedom to express ourselves through music and dance, and we gather to celebrate and highlight the importance of Techno as a part of our culture that needs to be preserved and protected.
Coming together to present these demands and the music sends an important signal to society and to those who help shape it. It’s also a nod to all the creators — from the roots of Techno to today.
On our label, we release music with these ideas and values in mind. As a non-profit organization, we offer a platform where electronic music producers can express themselves, share their creative work, inspire others — especially the next generation — and help keep our culture alive. Curating the catalogue and releasing a compilation like Future Prints also aims to support young talents.
You’ve played everywhere from Berghain to Bali,—what’s a moment from one of the Rave The Planet parades that stuck with you in a way no club night ever could?
That moment of joy and togetherness — this feeling is so much stronger when you see so many people dancing all around you. The sight of everyone celebrating music and feeling happy reminds you that it’s in our human nature to be together, to feel safe, free, and joyful. I remember that same feeling perfectly from when I joined the Love Parade for the first time in 2000, and I’m so happy to witness it again now, seeing that exact same energy even after so many years. Being able to contribute to it now gives me great satisfaction.
We’ve heard you’re also into film photography. When you're capturing moments from the parade or behind the scenes with artists, what are you looking to preserve that you feel might otherwise get missed?
I’m not aiming for a perfect shot. I follow the rules of Lomography and let myself be surprised by the results when I develop the film days later. The randomness of the shots, the use of colour or prism lens filters, and the grain of the film are meant to give these photos something unique and real. In an obvious way, they also evoke the aesthetics of the ’80s and ’90s, making them an even stronger nod to the roots of rave culture.