View source for Freetekno

{{Short description|Cultural movement formed around loose collectives}}
{{for|the music genre|Free tekno}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=June 2008}}
{{one source|date=November 2023}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Chenilval 006.jpg|thumb|Freetekno]]
{{DIY party}}
'''Freetekno''' is a [[cultural movement]] that is present in Europe, Australia and North America. [[Sound system (DJ)|Freetekno sound systems]] or tribes form in loose collectives, frequently with [[anarchism|anarchist]] philosophies. These sound systems join to hold parties wherever a viable space can be found – typical locations include warehouses (also known as [[squat party|squat parties]]), fields, abandoned buildings or forests. Because freetekno parties are usually held illegally this sometimes leads to clashes with the police, as was the case at both the 2004 and 2005 [[Czechtek]] festivals and many other, smaller parties around the world at different times.

==Music==
[[Image:Soundwall.JPG|thumb|Freetekno party]]
[[Image:04canadatek12.jpg|thumb|Freeteknitians at Teknival 2004, Ontario, Canada]]
{{main|Free tekno}}
Tekno or hardtek is also a style of music which takes elements from both [[techno]] and [[Hardcore Techno|hardcore]], generally high-tempo and energetic. Speedbass, speedcore and other forms of underground music can be heard at freetekno parties. Not all Freetekno events play hardcore (especially the [[Frenchcore]] subgenre); [[Psytrance|psychedelic trance]], [[happy hardcore]], [[hardstyle]], [[drum and bass]], [[breakbeats]], [[Glitch music|glitch]], [[Electro music|electro]], [[World music|world beat]], [[house music|house]], [[techno]], [[trance music|trance]], and experimental [[jazz fusion|fusion]] music are also present at freetekno events.

==History==
The freetekno movement appeared in first half of the 1990s in the United Kingdom and in the same decade was strong in [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[France]], [[Italy]] and the [[Netherlands]]. It also spread to Canada, [[Germany]], the [[Pacific Northwest]] region of the United States, [[Poland]], [[Slovakia]], [[Spain]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Romania]].

Freetekno parties are intended as an example of a [[Temporary Autonomous Zone]]. In summer, large Freetekno parties, known as [[teknival]]s, attract thousands of people and can last a week or longer, with dozens of sound systems attend. 
[[Image:Algorythm duracell enzo pk zinix zbomb sound6tems.jpg|thumb|A soundsystem at Czechtek 2004]]

==Regional scenes==
===United Kingdom===
London in the United Kingdom plays host to "[[free party|free parties]]" (term used by the squat party scene) thrown by an array of sound systems every week. A regular theme is (and always has been) tekno, although drum & bass, breakbeat, hardcore and psytrance can be common. Parties will occur all over London from derelict/deserted buildings in the borough of [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]] to empty office blocks in the [[City of London]]. However, the [[South West England|South West]] of England is generally considered to have the best free party 'vibe' due to beautiful locations of the raves, as well as the welcoming nature of all those attending. In contrast to London, the music played in the south west is generally [[drum and bass]], jungle, jungletek/raggatek, 4x4 and [[hardtek]].

===Germany===
Tekk, also known as Tekke or Hardtekk is a musical genre primarily originating in the eastern part of Germany, gaining prominence in the 1990s. Known for its distinctive rhythm, Tekk, classified as a form of [[dance music]], distinguishes itself by accentuating a pronounced rhythmic structure.<ref name="Bravo91">[http://www.wollexdp.info/TekknoBravo_91.jpg BRAVO: Tekkno-ABC]</ref> The term "Tekk" evolved to become synonymous with [[Hardcore (electronic dance music genre)|hardcore dance music]], with the conspicuous use of the letter "k" serving as an advertising strategy to signify the hardness of the sound at events and compilations (''Tekno'', ''Tekkno'', ''Tekkkno'').<ref name="Bravo91"/> A parallel variant emerged with the rise of the Freetekno scene, creating a dynamic interplay with the evolving landscape of Tekk. The sonic identity of Tekk is often described as "dumb" or "asozial/assi," characterized by heavy, monotone kicks and repetitive vocals, which can be compared to {{ill|Schranz (music)|lt=Schranz|cs|Schranz|de|Schranz|es|Schranz|fr|Schranz|hr|Schranz|ja|シュランツ|pl|Schranz|ru|Шранц|sk|Schranz|sl|Schranz|sv|Schranz|uk|Шранц}}.

==See also==
{{Commons category|Freetekno}}
* [[Free party]]
* [[Free tekno]]
* [[Teknival]]
* [[Sound system (DJ)]]
* [[List of electronic music festivals]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.freetekno.org/ Freetekno.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111133724/http://freetekno.org/ |date=11 November 2012 }}

{{Electronic music festival}}

[[Category:Autonomism]]
[[Category:Counterculture festivals]]
[[Category:Electronic music festivals]]
[[Category:Free parties]]
[[Category:Music festivals staged internationally]]
[[Category:Musical subcultures]]
[[Category:Techno]]
[[Category:Teknivals|*]]