Berlin is the lion of the concrete jungle, the undisputed techno giant, the motherland of progressive culture. But like all the greats, there’s a contender nipping at its ankles…

Say hallo to Leipzig. It used to be an East German, coal-mining, industrial pit, but these days it’s ready to take on Berlin.

TECHNO: The scene is fresher and less watered down - no ‘techno noobs’ here. You don’t have the mega clubs (sorry Berghain), you get Distillery and hard to find basements packed with sweaty locals.

STREET ART: Like Berlin, it’s everywhere. Check out MadC and Blek le Rat. There’s also a gigantic mural marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the GDR regime (find it between Richard-Wagner-Strasse and Brühl).

EAST V WEST HISTORY: Yep Berlin has The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie but the protest movement started in Leipzig. Find anti-State memorials around the city and the chilling Stasi headquarters.

Berlin we still love you but Leipzig is having its moment - Nomadic artsy types, pop-ups and converted factories, it’s the Berlin of 20 years ago. Get there while it’s still raw.