David Bowie, New Wave, And The Fall of The Berlin Wall

In the decades before the fall of the wall, West Berlin was home to one of the most vibrant alternative music scenes of all time. Despite being isolated from the rest of Western Europe, the city was home to artists and musicians from Germany and the rest of the world, all of them eager to submerge themselves in the intoxicating disorder and creativity that Berlin was home to.

Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, U2, and Lou Reed were all part of this scene at one time or another, each of them contributing to the outburst of musical inspiration that occurred here. Most notable of all though, was David Bowie. The location of some of his most inspired recordings, it is impossible to imagine Bowie's career without Berlin or Berlin's musical heritage without Bowie.

But Berlin's music scene is inexorably entangled with the story of Berlin in the 70s and 80s. Learn how the spirit of Berlin's alt-scene reflected the spirit of this unique city and how it contributed to the arrival of the its most joyous day, November 9th 1989.

This tour will tell the story of Berlin's incredible recent history through the lens of the time's most weird and wonderful music scene. It will take you through Schöneberg, West Berlin's alternative neighbourhood where Bowie and Iggy Pop shared an apartment and home to some of the most important spots in the Berlin alt-scene. 

We then move towards central Berlin to take in Hansa studio, where Bowie, Iggy, U2, Lou Reed, and many more have all been patrons. Next. we'll pass Brandenburg Gate, before ending at the mighty Bundestag, all places steeped in history (both musical and otherwise). There'll even be a quick visit to the scene of one of pop music's more infamous moments.

• Kleistpark (start of the tour)
• 155 Hauptstrasse (Bowie and Iggy Pop's home)
• Dodo Beach Record Store
• Slumberland Bar
• Metropol Music Venue
• Hansa Studios
• Potsdamer Platz
• Brandenburg Gate
• Bundestag (end of the tour)

Approximate time: 2 hours

There will be a short ride on the U-Bahn between Metropol and Hansa Studios and travelers will need a ticket for the trip.

Unfortunately, I may have to regretfully cancel a walk if there are less than 5 walkers booked on it.