Europe’s first electronic music museum to open this summer

A museum dedicated solely to electronic music will open its doors in Frankfurt early this summer. The brainchild of world-famous DJs Alex Azary, Talla 2XLC and Stefan Weil, the space promises to be a visual and aural masterpiece. The co-founders chose Frankfurt as it “…is one of the birthplaces of European Electronic Music. The hometown of legendary clubs like Dorian Gray, OMEN, Cocoon, U60311, Monza and XS, MOMEM revives a part of local history”.

After two years of searching for a location, the museum has found a temporary home in the heart of the city – at the Hauptwache, Frankfurt’s main plaza. A more permanent address is planned to be organised for the museum within two years of operating at this temporary space. In addition, the city has promised to renew the mezzanine level of the building, turning the area into an urban park oasis for visitors.

The Museum of Modern Electronic Music, or MOMEM, exhibition will be split into several sections and will explore not only the various genres of techno music, but also the musical influences, social impact and international context in which electronic music is played. The museum will house many original artefacts related to techno music, as well as ‘installations, photography and pictures by visual artists, complemented by temporary exhibitions on selected themes, genres, clubs or labels.’

The project will also endeavour to promote musical education through the establishment of the MOMEM Academy, complete with lectures by well-known DJs, a concert series and club night programmes.

Frankfurt’s Mayor also acknowledged the importance of Frankfurt’s musical background:

“The fact that Frankfurt has played a decisive role in the international development of electronic music since the 1980s is no longer a secret. In Frankfurt, the cultural relevance of this youth and cultural movement is perceived and appreciated accordingly by the city.”

There is currently no official date set for the MOMEM grand opening, but Azary announced that they will “renovate and hopefully set off this summer.”