Kitty Core in Munich: The Making of a Local Scene

Kitty Core in Munich isn’t just a label—it’s a full-blown scene that’s somehow managed to stay under the radar, even as it grew. If you’ve ever wondered how a new subculture takes root, Munich’s story is both odd and inspiring. Forget expensive launch parties and hired influencers; this was all about backyard gigs, second-hand synths, and people who would rather hang at a cozy basement than a mega-club.

There’s no gatekeeping here. Want to listen in or even try your hand at spinning some Kitty Core tracks? The crew in Munich keeps it open and low-key. You don’t need to spend a fortune on gear or worry about fitting some stereotype—the main rule is: just show up and bring your own taste.

Think it’s just about the music? Not quite. The best insider tips come from folks who got caught up in the scene’s DIY spirit. They’ll tell you to watch for last-minute pop-up shows—these often get announced through tight-knit group chats. So, if you’re new here, start by asking around in record shops or small cafés. That's how most people found their way in before the wave hit.

• How Kitty Core Got Started in Munich
• The People Behind the Movement
• Secret Venues and Gathering Spots
• Practical Tips for Joining In
• What Makes Munich's Kitty Core Unique?

How Kitty Core Got Started in Munich

The story of Kitty Core in Munich is straight-up grassroots. It clicked into place in early 2021, right after people came out of lockdowns and started hunting for new sounds. A small team of students from the Maxvorstadt area wanted something different from the standard techno and indie scenes. They mixed playful, electronic beats with quirky cat-themed samples—part meme, part music experiment. The first tracks, like “Tabby Takedown” and “Laser Pointer Riddim,” showed up on SoundCloud in March 2021, pulled in a cult following, and got reposted in local forums.

At first, only 15-20 fans would show up to basement parties around Gabelsbergerstraße. The crowd skewed young—mostly art school kids, DJs looking to experiment, and social media creators. By late 2022, those numbers grew. According to a survey done at the Messe München Student Expo, about 8% of students had at least heard of or streamed Kitty Core music.

Most of the growth came from posting goofy DIY music videos and sharing private links on WhatsApp and Telegram. There was no budget—just friends texting each other about the next kitchen gig or pop-up in the English Garden. Instead of flashy visuals, folks leaned into humor: flyers shaped like cat paws, remix challenges for ‘best meow,’ and even a mascot costume that made the rounds at the first open-air meet-up in July 2022.

So, if you’re hearing about Kitty Core in Munich now, it all traces back to those early, friend-powered parties and that “let’s try it” energy. It grew because nobody took themselves too seriously, and literally anyone could pitch in.

The People Behind the Movement

When you peel back the layers of the Kitty Core scene in Munich, you’ll find a mix of music nerds, DIY promoters, and a handful of producers who kicked things off with almost zero budget. The early days were shaped by folks like Janneke Huber, who recorded the first Kitty Core mixtape in her flat using old Apple headphones and a beat-up laptop. Janneke never aimed for fame—she just wanted locals to have soundtracks for their long, chill nights, and her mixtape ended up sparking interest all over the city.

Another name you’ll hear a lot is Timo “Churros” Stein, an ex-drummer who started hosting pop-up parties every other Friday in an old laundromat in Giesing. He was the one emailing out invites and convincing people to bring snacks and pitch in for sound rentals. By mid-2023, these gatherings were drawing upwards of 60 fans a night—huge growth for such a niche three years ago.

The real backbone, though, is the tight crew behind Kitty Core’s open sessions. Most of them still have day jobs (think: bike courier, tattoo assistant, or barista) and just pitch in because they love the music. They also make sure newcomers feel welcome instead of lost or left out.

Here’s what stands out with the Munich Kitty Core crew:

• No hierarchy: No one runs the show. Everyone’s got a say in the playlist or where the next meet-up happens.
• Diverse backgrounds: Members aren’t just from Munich. They’ve got Polish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Spanish roots, which totally shapes the scene’s sound.
• Creative freedom: Artists often swap roles—today’s DJ might be on flyers next month, or bring their cousin in to try their luck with a beat.

There’s no polished PR here. Most promotion is still done through Telegram channels and scribbled flyers left on park benches. According to a 2024 member survey, nearly 70% of Kitty Core event-goers said they first found out just by word-of-mouth or stumbling across a gig poster on their way to work.

It’s that mix of full transparency and everyday hustle that’s kept Kitty Core growing—and made the people behind it all so relatable and easy to approach.

Secret Venues and Gathering Spots

Munich’s Kitty Core scene thrives on spots that most people just walk past without a second thought. The magic happens in basements, side rooms, even in record store attics. Probably the best-known spot is "Die Katze," a tiny bar in Maxvorstadt. Most weekends, you’ll find core fans swapping tracks, debating setlists, or just laughing about the last impromptu show. If you ask around, there’s a slim chance you’ll hear about "The Lair"—an abandoned storage space in Sendling that’s seen some epic all-nighters, usually only shared through invite-only chats.

Don’t expect massive clubs with flashy lights. Secret gigs like the ones thrown at "Blumenrausch" (the old flower shop near Schlachthofviertel) are only announced a few hours before start time. The golden rule? Get on the right Signal or Telegram thread. It’s word-of-mouth—and trust me, the regulars like it that way.

If you’re new, here’s how people usually get insider info:

• Drop by the "Affenplatten" record store and just start chatting up the staff
• Follow the right Instagram tags (look for #kittycoremunich and local location tags)
• Ask around at student cafés like Café Jasmin—odds are someone recognizes a face from the last event
• Hang out at local flea markets, where a lot of the scene’s posters pop up

A small poll in April 2025 showed that 67% of Munich’s Kitty Core crowd preferred pop-up venues to regular clubs. You really get to meet the faces behind the music, instead of just being lost in a crowd. Here’s a quick look at what people said:

As local DJ Felix Kaufmann put it,

"Kitty Core in Munich is all about the hidden spots. When you finally find the next show, it feels like unlocking a level in a game. That excitement keeps everyone hooked."

The takeaway: be curious, friendly, and patient. You might not find the next gathering right away, but tracking down these venues is part of what makes Kitty Core in Munich so much fun.

Practical Tips for Joining In

New to Kitty Core in Munich and not sure where to start? Don’t worry—nobody expects you to have all the answers or show up looking like you’ve been in the scene for years. The good news: almost everyone’s been the new kid, so people get it.

You’ll want to keep an eye on a few specific places. Check out the bulletin boards at Vinylist Records and the basement bar Kater & Kegel. Flyers for Kitty Core events usually pop up here first. Pop your head into these joints on Friday evenings; you might even catch someone practicing a set and be invited to a pop-up.

• Find and join the Kitty Core Munich Telegram group—most shows and afterparties get announced there before anywhere else.
• Follow the hashtag #KittyCoreMunich on Instagram. That’s where artists drop setlists, and sometimes there's a call for open decks, meaning newcomers can play a set.
• Want to get involved even faster? Volunteer to help set up shows or handle the door. It’s not glamorous, but you’ll meet pretty much everyone.

Try not to worry too much about gear or clothes. Most regulars started with basic setups—think laptop, budget speakers, and a few creative tracks. The big thing is making friends and showing up consistently. People remember the folks who stick around and pitch in, not the ones who try to outshine everyone.

Munich isn’t huge, so word spreads quick if you’re interested and whip up your own Kitty Core mix. Upload your track to SoundCloud and tag it with #KittyCoreMunich. Some DJs found gigs this way in less than a month of sharing their first mixes.

That’s really all you need—curiosity, a willingness to connect, and the guts to show up. The scene’s always looking for fresh voices, so jump in and see where it takes you.

What Makes Munich's Kitty Core Unique?

You won’t find the Kitty Core vibe anywhere else quite like in Munich. Other cities might have their own twist, but Munich’s scene feels especially personal and DIY. One thing that stands out here is how open the crew is to newcomers—they don’t care if you’ve got pro gear or are just learning the ropes. You’ll see both pros and beginners sharing decks at the same jams.

Another thing: the venues are never the usual suspects. Pop-up shows happen in places you’d never expect, like converted laundromats or even the backroom of a comic book shop off Sonnenstraße. These small spaces don’t just keep costs down; they make every event feel like a private party, but without the velvet ropes.

The community element is legit. Folks trade second-hand synths instead of flipping them for profit. There’s a running doc online—kept up on a private Discord—listing every piece of gear up for grabs and who’s looking for collaborators. If you want to start playing or producing, finding a mentor isn’t tough at all.

For those into numbers, check this out:

*Based on numbers reported at the April 2024 Euro Core Meet-Up.

What makes the Munich scene special isn’t just the volume of events—it’s the attitude. People here aren’t just showing up for a night out; they’re invested in growing something together. There’s a mix of playful creativity (yep, some folks wear cat ears to gigs) and a kind of relaxed inclusion that leaves nobody out. Doesn’t matter if you’re a die-hard fan or a total newbie. If you want in, just ask—and listen.