Since its founding in 1993—emerging from a subsidiary of the legendary Delerium record store in Frankfurt—Kompakt has become one of Germany's most influential techno labels. Based in Cologne, the label has helped shape the sound of techno for over 30 years, pioneering everything from Shuffle- to Schlager-Techno. With iconic artists like DJ Koze, Robag Wruhme and Kölsch, to name just a few, alongside label founders Michael Mayer, Wolfgang Voigt, Reinhard Voigt and Jürgen Paape, Kompakt has consistently redefined the boundaries of club music—and continues to do so today.
Rather than counting the years, Kompakt celebrates milestones—and their 500th release is a landmark worth celebrating: a limited collector’s box set featuring 50 handpicked tracks across five colored LPs, a 10” vinyl, and a stunning 144-page artbook chronicling the Kompakt story from 1993 to the present.
Electronic Beats TV revisited the Kompakt crew—20 years after our first feature on the Electronic Beats Slices DVD—to talk about the anniversary release, the challenges of running an independent label today, and their enduring connection to visual art.
Production: Romi Agel & Holger Wick for Sense Music & Media
Camera: Romi Agel, Holger Wick
Interview: Holger Wick
Edit: Julia C. Weber
Slices DVD Footage: Sense Music & Media archive
Graphics and photos from the Kompakt 500 Artbook
Event information:
KOMPAKT 500 Exhibition & Party
Vernissage: Fri, 23 May 2025, 7 PM – Kölnischer Kunstverein
Celebrate the launch of KOMPAKT 500 with a massive art exhibition across three floors, featuring iconic visuals and works by top artists. Don’t miss the opening night party with DJ sets and live shows by the Kompakt Allstars.
Exhibition runs: 23 May – 20 July 2025
The last one turns off the bass drum.
#Kompakt500 #TechnoLegacy #ElectronicMusic #KölnischerKunstverein #DJKoze #MichaelMayer #Kölsch #RobagWruhme
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