Growing up with GROOVE Magazine, a hallmark in German media for many, has been an ingrained experience. The magazine cherished as an essential voice for electronic music and club culture in German-speaking countries, embarks on a revolutionary path. After 26 years under the piranha media publishing house, GROOVE will now be run non-commercially.
On May 30, 2024, over 60 authors and editors laid the foundation for the Verein für Technojournalismus, a non-profit entity set to steer the magazine forward. This moment marks a significant chapter as, until July 17, groove.de was the daily electronic music and club culture resource. For the first time in its 35-year history, the editorial team paused operations to reflect on the magazine’s current state and attract new supporting members.
groove.de / www.instagram.com/groove_mag
GROOVE’s legacy of fostering electronic music is unparalleled, actively supporting musicians, labels, promoters, clubs, record shops, and distributors. Critical writings ensure the continued integrity of the electronic scene. However, commercial viability has become challenging in the modern media landscape.
meet the team: Julian Fischer, Alexis Waltz, Kim Stuckmann, Maximilian Fritz (Foto: Lucie Albrecht)“Only a non-commercial model can work for us. Our readers must play a greater role than before for a sustainable future of the magazine,” asserts Alexis Waltz, GROOVE editor-in-chief and chairman of the Verein für Technojournalismus.
The magazine’s editorial team, from writers and designers to photographers, are founding members determining the future of this association. Current GROOVE subscribers now automatically become supporting members of the Verein für Technojournalismus. Nonetheless, the magazine requires an additional 50,000 euros annually to sustain operations beyond August 31. Regular memberships are 100 euros per year, with low-income readers contributing 50 euros, and agencies, promoters, and professional DJs supporting with 300 euros.
In the forthcoming weeks, the GROOVE team will launch a membership campaign engaging various scene players.
Established in 1989 as a fanzine, GROOVE burgeoned into the leading German magazine for electronic music in the 90s. Since 2019, it has thrived as a digital magazine, attracting thousands daily visitors. The shift to being run by the Verein für Technojournalismus since July 18, 2024, symbolizes more than just a dedication to techno and electronic music culture. It’s a groundbreaking pilot project redefining community-supported models for music journalism.
