Paul Kalkbrenner Concerts Setlist

Born in Leipzig, Germany, Paul Kalkbrenner, also known within the EDM universe as DJ Ickarus, or Paul dB, is an iconic electronic music DJ and producer. Paul achieved platinum status, selling over 200k copies and charting well in Europe and North America. Additionally, Paul gained recognition for his role as Ickarus in the film Berlin Calling, a production that enjoyed a lengthy run at Kino Central in Berlin.

DJ Ickarus, AKA Paul, was raised in East Berlin's Lichtenberg area, and began his interest in music in general at a very young age, spinning records for peers in local youth clubs despite curfews. Bonding over techno with his friends, they immersed themselves in the genre and honed their skills.

At that time, Paul was very Inspired by Detroit's Underground Resistance and techno radio shows, he delved into music while studying trumpet and music theory. A devoted FC Bayern Munich fan, he transitioned from dancing in clubs to creating music, working in television to finance his production equipment. This led him to focus on live performances featuring his own compositions.

Before founding BPitch Control, Ellen Allien organized BPitch parties in Berlin where Paul Kalkbrenner and his friend, Sascha Funke crossed paths with her. After receiving feedback from Allien, Paul debuted his music as "Paul dB+" with the Friedrichshain EP on BPitch Control in 1999. Transitioning to albums, he released Superimpose and Zeit in 2001 before focusing on album formats, culminating in the narrative-driven Self in 2004. The track "Gebrünn Gebrünn" marked a significant crossover success. Paul's fruitful collaboration with BPitch Control saw the release of six albums and ten EPs before parting ways amicably in 2008.

In 2016, Paul unveiled the "Back To the Future" mix series, tracing techno's roots in 1990s Berlin. Compiling over 5000 tunes from 1987-1993, he meticulously curated three volumes capturing the essence of a transformative era. By sharing these tracks online for free, Paul amassed over 1.5 million downloads and earned acclaim from publications like Rolling Stone and Billboard.

Transitioning to DJ sets for the "Back To the Future" shows in Europe starting 2017, Paul revisited his early club DJing days, selling out the tour swiftly.