To celebrate the new way? – cheerful – Electronic Music from Leipzig

Rave and consumption are inseparable. Really? The Leipzig Pink Cloud collective has been creating an exciting counter-draft for several months-and it seems to work. We present the collective and his thoughts closer.

Since my late youth I have come into contact with alcohol, cigarettes and other substances regularly – especially when celebrating. So it is certainly not just me, but also many other people of the current party scene. There are many reasons for this: social affiliation, an increased self -confidence, the escape from everyday stress, but also the ritualization – think that it simply belongs. But as normal as it seems, there are as many reasons not to do this: no hangover, no “Hanxiety”, your own mental and physical health, no risk of loss of control and so on. If it weren't for the social pressure and the feeling of being the only sober person. To find out whether and how sober celebrations are possible, I was allowed to have some questions from the pink cloud collective answered.

A new consciousness

From the beginning of my research, I could find that I am not alone with my thoughts and questions about drug use and celebration. For several years now, more and more people have been looking for opportunities to celebrate soberly – in rooms in which this is normal and even welcome. “Sober Raving” or “Conscious Clubbing” are growing trends. In 2016, Gideon Bellin launched the “Sober Sensation” initiative, an alternative party concept in Berlin that does without any form of drugs and builds on the “natural high” of partying. In addition to this initiative, more and more organizations and collectives have emerged in recent years that are putting your work sober at the center of her work-including the pink cloud collective.

The collective

Pink Cloud has been around since February 2024. The name comes from the Sober community and describes the state of ease and clarity, which can go hand in hand with the independence of substances. The collective itself describes itself as a colorful bunch of people with a lot of connection to the club scene. Before founding the collective, they worked for years in clubs, at festivals, in bars or on technology. Some make music themselves, others are art and media designers: Inside and still others bring experiences from self-managed rooms. In the Frohfroh interview, they say: “The idea arose from our own experience with recovery and the realization of how challenging it can be to celebrate and get to know people when the ubiquitous availability of alcohol and other drugs is a hurdle.” Since there were hardly any rooms that were free of consumption pressure, they decided to create them themselves – and founded the collective. The goal is to show that celebrations and connection work without a intoxication – without the risk of harmful consumption or consumption -related, cross -border behavior. With some previous experiences, but also a lot of learning-by-thoing, they organized their first party in September 2024, whereby this made up of an open stage, reading, concerts and DJ, i.e. a colorful program.

More than just celebrate: a movement that grows

The pink cloud collective also confirms that the need for alternative party opportunities is growing. Many recognize the dark side of drug use – both physically and mentally – and at the same time the advantages of being sober. It enables real encounters, clear memories, conscious experiences and more self -determination. It also reduces the risk of violence or cross -border behavior and creates spaces that feel more secure.

But it's not just about the direct environment. This is how Pink cloud argues in an interview with us: “The next day you feel fitter and emotionally more stable – which is particularly important if we need the capacities these days to fight for fairer structures. At the same time, the connection and community are strong tools to counter unjust conditions. That is also why we create these rooms. “

Celebrate without intoxication?

While the collective itself is firmly convinced that this is possible and fulfilling, according to Pink-Cloud, this also confirmed the response according to the first parties: “Many people told us that they needed just such a room.” Some experienced a party sober for the first time and were surprised how intensely they perceived the music and the atmosphere. The collective observed that it would take a little longer for everyone to thaw, but then quickly develops the atmosphere into an exuberant, relaxed and creative energy.

But there are also critical voices – for example from people who do not see alcohol as a drug, patronized, condemned, or feel excluded by such events, or feel excluded by the focus. Many people say that celebrations are not fun without alcohol or think that celebrations and substance consumption are inextricably belonging together. The collective reacts to this with educational work and discussions about the need for uncompromising Safer Spaces. You say in the interview:

“It is not about condemning others, but creating a counter offer to the mainstream club culture.”

In its eyes, club culture does not live from alcohol or drugs, but rather from music, people and the common energy.

Music, art and readings

Musically, the collective relies on a mixture of raves and concerts, but also organizes readings, performances and installation art. It is important to them that the artists performing also: support the concept inside and remain sober during the event. Furthermore, they explained: “We attach great importance to designing our line-up as diverse as possible so that different people get a stage and feel represented.”

In addition to the events, educational work also plays a major role. Especially at the beginning, the collective had to explain a lot. Despite the diverse and open Leipzig subculture, many were the concept Sober parties not familiar. But the venues were surprisingly open to the concept of Pink Cloud and were happy to support them as such a young collective.

What awaits us

The next and fourth event will take place on March 8, 2025 in the conserve Lindenau instead of. After the first two hours are reserved for newcomers: a line-up with DJs awaits us, which stands for profound and rousing sounds between techno, trance and hardcore. There are also art installations, the opportunity to live out creatively in the Arspace and non -alcoholic mocktails and vegan snacks on a donation basis.

Another highlight: the parties usually start in the afternoon, so that people with children can also participate. But in addition to the parties, the collective also wants to offer various events in the future: workshops and discussion formats should be the topic Sober Spaces Line up and encourage people to deal with their consumption behavior and to shape alternative social spaces. You will also participate in the recovery walk, an event, organized by people with addiction history to network those affected, relatives, experts and interested parties. This will take place in Leipzig for the first time in September 2025.

To the party? To the party!

After I for the first more intensively talk about my research and the conversation with the Pink Cloud collective with the topic Sober Clubbing I would now like to experience it myself. So far I have dared to stay sober too rarely, but I have the feeling with exactly the rooms that are created by Pink Cloud, this is made enormously easier. I don't have to be afraid of being the only sober person and not feeling the vibe of others and may challenge my self -confidence in a sober dancing. For me it is clear: I will definitely visit the next party on March 8th. I'm excited to see who I meet there.

Foto-Credits: Pink Cloud