At the beginning of February, a first study appeared, which represents the value creation and the challenges of the Leipzig club and live music scene with valid numbers. We took a closer look at the exciting document – here are our central knowledge.
Leipzig has developed a permanent place in the electronic music scene with its lively club culture. But it is uncertain whether this stays that way. The numerous closures of clubs and cultural locations in recent years clearly show that club culture is under pressure. This is also illustrated by the current study on the location of the clubs and live music venues (CLIV) in Leipzig, which was carried out by the city of Leipzig in cooperation with the night, which was carried out. This article gives insights into the comprehensive results of the CLIV study and focuses on where Leipzig's club scene is currently and what future prospects are emerging. One thing makes the study unequivocally clear: we have a lot to lose if it is not traded together.
Club and live venues: where you are today and why we and the city you need
The CLIV study, the results of which were published in February 2025 and which was carried out in 2024, illuminates the diversity of Leipzig night culture. The 129 players surveyed represent a wide range of music culture: in addition to the 21 clubs, this includes 47 music bars, 18 music venues, 23 offspaces and 20 socio -cultural centers. These places are much more than just event rooms – they are social and cultural nodes that shape Leipzig's identity. They promote young artists: inside, offer space for subcultural scenes and contribute significantly to the attractiveness of the city, also for tourism. However, the CLIV study not only takes a look at the cultural, but also the economic importance of these venues: they generate sales of 47 million euros every year, 80 percent remain in the city. A total of 2.2 million people attend concerts, parties and other events every year. Despite these impressive numbers, the future of many locations remains uncertain. In recent years, the MJUT, the IFZ and soon also the Duqo – and the Distillery takes significantly longer to restart on a different location. But why are more and more Leipzig clubs and music venues in existence?
From rising rents to changing celebrations
It is no secret that the gentrification in Leipzig has long since reached Leipzig – its effects are noticeable in many places. From the perspective of the operators, the CLIV study shows that rising rental prices for rooms are increasing. However, the solution cannot be that clubs and cultural locations are increasingly being pushed to the outskirts, because this makes access to visitors: inside and endangers the cultural diversity. In addition, the study shows that there is either a lack of suitable funding programs or that bureaucratic hurdles are so high and/or the competition in order to be too large the limited funding.
Another obstacle is official requirements, such as noise protection, fire protection and accessibility. For many clubs, these regulations mean high investments that overwhelm them financially. The requirements for security concepts and awareness measures have also increased, which generates additional pressure. A crucial pillar who carries the Leipzig club scene is not to be neglected: the enormous commitment of volunteers: inside. A total of 66 percent of the working hours in the club and live venues are performed on a voluntary basis and only 16 percent of the activities are carried out full-time. The scene could hardly exist without this voluntary work.
At the same time, this dependence increases the uncertainty of many clubs. But not only the city of Leipzig and economic factors are turning on the adjustment screws of the change-also its audience itself. The CLIV study has over 3,000 visitors: Interior and shows that people are less likely to celebrate than before the corona pandemic. The younger audience under 30 in particular stays in the club for less long. Instead of extensive nights, more targeted visits are in the foreground – many come to see a certain headliner. Interestingly, the reason for a “non-visit” of a venue is generally stated in 9 percent of the cases too high costs.
When night's sleep meets bass – further challenges
Different interests collide – between residents: inside, urban planning and the clubs themselves. A big factor is simply the volume. The study shows that residents are increasingly complaining about noise and night crowds, while club operators are fighting for their existence. At the same time, the scene is also under pressure from a urban planning perspective, in which areas for clubs have to give way to living or commercial projects. There are also tensions within the scene: on the one hand because it is not always easy to integrate political and social responsibility in a collectively organized company.
On the other hand, ideal and economic approaches differ. While some clubs rely on commercialization to survive financially, others are fighting for the preservation of DIY culture. These conflicts make it clear: Without clear political course, there is a further displacement of the subculture, which would massively endanger Leipzig's status as a music city.
The city must act
The CLIV study has some ideas to stabilize and promote culture in Leipzig more sustainably. One of these ideas, for example, is a so-called cultural protection zone: so that venues do not have to give way to the next chic loft apartment project by Berlin investors, the proposal is to establish spatial zones for cultural projects. Further measures would be long -term rental contracts and funding. B. enable good sound insulation to avoid the conflicts already described. Another point that the CLIV study emphasizes is the need for closer cooperation with the city, stronger political support and better networking of the projects.
In addition, cultural areas in urban planning must be considered instead of only considering them as disruptive factors. Otherwise, Leipzig threatens a bitter loss of cultural sources and important encounter locations. It remains to be hoped that these results will be impetus for political action and the city of Leipzig takes the preservation and sustainable promotion of night culture to heart. It is to be hoped that these results will give political impulses and that the city of Leipzig will receive the night culture in the long term and promote targeted.
For more information and results of the CLIV study, please feel free to read in the official brochure.
Source: https://www.frohfroh.de/44123/zwischen-hype-und-verdraengung-ein-blick-in-leipzigs-erste-clubstudie
