30 years of Tower: Oliver Brock calls for support for Bremen clubs!

30 years of Tower: Oliver Brock calls for support for Bremen clubs!

There's a celebration in Bremen: The Tower Music Club, an integral part of the club scene, looks back on a proud 30 years. Operator Oliver Brock puts a lot of passion into emphasizing the challenges and triumphs of past decades. For Brock, the Tower is not just an event location, but a living part of the culture that represents an important stage for many up-and-coming bands. According to the committed club operator, “perseverance” and support from the local scene are the key to success. Big names like Dyke child, Bratze and Parkway Drive have already given concerts here that have gone down in history.

But the focus is not just on celebrating successes. Brock is also critical of the situation of the clubs in Bremen. “There is a lack of city support,” he notes. Especially in times after the pandemic, it is difficult to open new clubs because there are high hurdles and requirements. He calls for greater consideration of creative minds in urban planning and more space for the club scene. A small ceremony is planned in the tower on November 20th to properly celebrate the milestone birthday.

The importance of club culture

Brock sees club culture as worth protecting and important for the social interaction of young people. The economic threat is enormous – not just in Bremen, but nationwide. The campaign #clubsAREculture is committed to recognizing clubs as cultural places and improving their safety. In many cities, clubs such as the Distillery in Leipzig or the Harry Klein in Munich have already been closed or are about to close because the corona pandemic has left its mark.

The campaign not only calls for improved building law classification of clubs, but also for political support. While the federal government plans to revise the legal framework, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives can bring much-needed support to the club scene.

The role of political support

The importance of recognizing club culture is also reflected in the alliance's demands LiveCom, which has created a comprehensive package of measures for cultural urban development. The protection of clubs must also be anchored in the building use regulations. The social and cultural value of clubs is often politically neglected, which has a negative impact on the entire cultural scene.

Whatever the future holds for clubs like the Tower, one thing is certain: the passion for music and supporting young talent will continue to be the focus. The club scene in Bremen and beyond will do everything it can to maintain its place in the social and cultural landscape in the future.