Because Germans just know about techno.

And that it’s best enjoyed somewhere good-looking and woodlandy, with a small crowd that’s also good-looking (and woodlandy).

These three festivals are deliberately tiny, and new on the scene, so new there's virtually no photos of them... it all adds to the intrigue...

Her Damit Im Exil

Berlin, 9th-11th June

In a secret forest, in a yet-to be announced spot North of Berlin, Her Damit Im Exil is in its third year.

DJs range from credible Berlin residents (Karl Ferdinand, Damnitsdisco) to techno royalty Juan Atkins (who basically invented it.) All playing to a cosy crowd of 2500 (that's 1% of Glasto.)

In typical Berlin style, their photos are all black and white, (uber cool and giving off a faint serial-killer vibe) but actually, making friends is part of the festival's ethos.

Tickets are €84 for the weekend.

Farrago Festival

Bavaria 18th - 19th August

There’s something great about a 13th century castle in the charming Bavarian countryside... filled with people off their chops and raving to techno. The locals will have NO IDEA.

For a crowd so small (700 people), a setting so magical and a line-up so punchy (John Talabot, Mano Le Tough, Honey Dijon) this is sort of unbelievable.

Get one of those 700 tickets before it sells out. It's a 40 minute drive from Nuremberg.

Tickets €95.

Akasha

Berlin June 16th – 18th

Akasha’s a new ‘multi-sensory’ festival just outside Berlin. There’s four different areas, ‘liquid, gas, plasma and solid’ each with music and visuals carrying that theme. (A bit like the four stages of a mescaline trip?)

It’s hosted by ‘well-seasoned Berliners’ (i.e wearing latex) in a dreamy setting of meadows, woodland and run-down farm buildings.

Tornado Wallace, and Young Marco are playing - tickets soon to be announced.