Berlin industrial music pioneers Einstürzende Neubauten will bring their 2026 Shanghai show to VAS est on September 23. Known for their use of unconventional sound sources and self-made instruments, the band has spent over four decades exploring the boundaries between noise, music, and performance.

About the Show

Founded in West Berlin in 1980, Einstürzende Neubauten emerged from a period shaped by the atmosphere of the Cold War. The band’s early sound was built around unconventional materials and industrial objects, transforming items such as metal sheets, steel pipes, springs, drills, and construction materials into instruments.

Their debut album Kollaps captured the intense atmosphere of their early work, combining harsh industrial sounds with frontman Blixa Bargeld’s distinctive German vocals. Over time, the band’s music developed into a more detailed and structured approach, incorporating silence, space, and subtle textures while maintaining their experimental spirit.

For this Shanghai performance, audiences can experience the band’s custom-built instruments and live sound exploration, offering a chance to hear how everyday industrial materials can become part of a musical performance.

About the Artists

Einstürzende Neubauten

Einstürzende Neubauten is a Berlin-based band formed in 1980. The group is known for redefining the concept of instruments by using non-traditional sound sources and creating performances centered around industrial materials and experimental sound.

Over the years, the band has released works including Kollaps, Tabula Rasa, Ende Neu, Silence Is Sexy, and Rampen – apm: alien pop music.

Blixa Bargeld

Blixa Bargeld is the vocalist and lyricist of Einstürzende Neubauten. His vocal style combines elements of singing, spoken word, and theatrical performance, while his lyrics explore themes including the universe, nature, and human existence.

Why It’s Worth Seeing

Einstürzende Neubauten’s live performances are built around sound-making methods that go beyond traditional instruments. For listeners interested in industrial music, experimental rock, and sound art, this Shanghai show offers a chance to experience the band’s long-running approach to transforming physical materials into music.