STOOR LIVE

Chris Liebing is synonymous with techno. His legacy is long assured, but his craft never stops evolving. Whether as a label head, podcast curator, DJ, or producer, he continues to challenge himself and his audience to explore new realms in the electronic world. Often ahead of the curve, Liebing has shaped techno’s evolution, from the early, hard-edged, loopy 90s sound that has regained popularity today, to the stripped-back minimalism of the early 2000s, and now to the cinematic atmospheres and alternative electronica of his latest albums on Mute. His story is closely intertwined with the history of techno itself.  

Widely regarded as a global techno ambassador, Liebing’s ambitious album projects and direct club tracks excite and innovate as much as any new-school artist. His forward-thinking mindset ensures this, as he constantly evolves his DJ tools and studio setup. An early adopter of technology, Liebing pioneered vinyl controllers, Traktor, and hybrid/live DJing techniques.  

Liebing’s recent work reflects a broader spectrum of sound. After an eight-year break from full-length albums, 2018’s Burn Slow on Mute marked a creative rebirth, receiving critical acclaim for its melancholic exploration of gothic moods, apocalyptic landscapes, and broken-beat techno. Influenced by his love of Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, and the New Romantic movement, it defied expectations. The years following saw remixes for Depeche Mode and Goldfrapp, a collaborative single with Charlotte De Witte, and in 2021, his second album on Mute, **Another Day**. This album delved deeper into melodic and euphoric elements, showcasing his technical prowess and collaborations with artists like Miles Cooper Seaton and Polly Scattergood. Liebing’s exceptional form continued into 2023 with his Love Those Who Fight With Passion And Faith EP on CLR, a politically charged anthem for the dance floor, as well as a remix of Depeche Mode’s iconic Ghosts Again with Luke Slater.  

Born in Giessen and active since the 1990s, Liebing has long championed the talent around him. His CLR podcast was a pioneering series, featuring a who’s who of international techno innovators, and became one of the most influential platforms in the scene. This was succeeded by his AM/FM radio show and, after a hiatus, the return of the CLR podcast, now focused on a fresh techno agenda. His label, CLR, has also evolved — from Chris Liebing Records to Create Learn Realize, and now Create Learn Repeat—reflecting the core philosophy of his work.  

CLR remains synonymous with cutting-edge techno and has reemerged as a platform for hosting parties and festival stages. Despite the dramatic intensity of his music, Liebing himself is known for his friendly demeanor and signature smile. With the freedom that comes from years of experience, he now operates without limits or expectations, driven purely by his love for techno. This passion continues to push him toward new creative pathways, ensuring his impact on the genre remains as vital as ever.

Jochem Paap's first album as Speedy J was released on Plus 8 in 1990, and yet he continues to interact with electronic music with the curiosity and productivity that one would expect from those new to the game. His long and varied career is dotted with important stages: fundamental electronic albums in the *Artificial Intelligence* series on Warp Records and on Planet Mu, epic ambient productions on FAX +49-69/450464 Records, and an incessant wave of 12 inches of sharp techno on almost all the most iconic techno labels.

Despite these achievements, Paap's musical present is just as interesting. Through his label *Electric Deluxe*, he promotes some of the most daring variations of current techno, with artists such as AnD, Clouds and JK Flesh who have entrusted Paap with their most ambitious album projects.

On stage, Paap has long been a champion of hybridization, a philosophy rooted in the DNA of techno as progressive and experimental music. Embracing the limitless possibilities of musical technology, the lines between live performance and DJing have blurred for Paap, who navigates between stand-alone tracks and improvisation with hardware. This approach also defines his collaborations on stage: the Collabs project with Chris Liebing, Zeitgeber with Lucy and Multiples with Surgeon. In every situation, Paap and his traveling companions use their sharp instinct for experimental techno and 360-degree technical knowledge to deliver visceral experiences. His *Electric Deluxe Presents* events are also an extension of his artistic vision and that of his label's roster, gathering high-profile lineups in places ranging from Sonar to Berghain, from Detroit to New York, and of course across the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, STOOR is a bold new initiative that includes a studio and label based in Rotterdam, where Paap opens its doors to established and emerging artists, allowing them to immerse themselves in a highly technological environment to bring to life any type of creative outcome. Among the results of the sessions that take place, there are collaborative issues printed on vinyl in a limited edition with an internal lathe. It is an innovative approach to creating and releasing music that celebrates the immediate moment, a present with which Paap has always been committed to continuously continuing into new fascinating sound worlds.

Amsterdam electronic music pioneer Steve Rachmad has built a unique career through a wide range of aliases reflecting the depth of his musical vision. Among them, STERAC represents the darker, deeper and more uncompromising side of his techno identity, remaining timeless and independent from passing trends.With releases on defining labels such as Tresor, M-Plant, Klockworks and Delsin, STERAC has influenced generations of artists and dancefloors. A regular presence at leading clubs and festivals worldwide — from Awakenings and Berghain to Movement Detroit — he continues to embody one of the most authentic and enduring forces in techno.