On April 5th, 2025, Time Warp returns to its spiritual home at Maimarkt Mannheim, Germany, bringing with it a bold lineup that celebrates both the festival’s historic roots and the rising stars of underground house and techno.
For over 30 years, Time Warp has been a leading underground electronic music festival. Its commitment to cutting-edge programming, top-tier production, and immersive atmospheres has secured its legendary status.
Each year, music lovers from 170+ countries gather in Mannheim, a UNESCO City of Music. They experience an unparalleled journey across five uniquely curated stages. From high-energy fairground halls to atmospheric tent floors, every space offers a unique vibe. The iconic Glass Pavilion turns sunrise into part of the show, making Time Warp a pinnacle festival experience.
Time Warp 2025 once again leads with a carefully curated mix of global icons and rising talent.
+ featuring 42 artists, 5 floors, and 19 hours
Returning legends like Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, and Nina Kraviz will bring their signature sounds. Representing techno’s new generation, Amelie Lens and Charlotte de Witte continue their meteoric rise. Afro-house pioneer Black Coffee and trance-infused duo DJ Heartstring add fresh energy to the lineup. Exclusive back-to-back sets will feature Mischluft b2b Pegassi, Dixon b2b Chloé Caillet, and Adiel b2b Quest. These sets promise surprises and deep cuts from their eclectic repertoires.
Berlin’s Patrick Mason, boundary-pushing selector SYREETA, and hard-hitting Australian talent HAAi will also perform. Rising techno star KI/KI and euphoric house and disco artist Sedef Adasï will bring diverse sounds. And this is just the beginning—more artists will be announced soon.
An Evolving Experience with State-of-the-Art Production
Powered by Cosmopop, Time Warp is known for pushing festival production boundaries with cutting-edge technology and immersive design. Each edition introduces new visuals and innovations that elevate the sensory experience.
This year, the festival debuts an expanded fifth floor, merging two smaller spaces into a larger, more dynamic area. As Time Warp enters its 31st year, it continues redefining electronic music with forward-thinking curation and groundbreaking production.
Tickets include a Backstage+ package with VIP bars, private restrooms, seating areas, and free lockers, plus an Early Evening Ticket option.
Secure your tickets now at https://tickets.time-warp.de/0668f93fb8e7475a8971d3d4349370aa
TALK- Robin Ebinger, the founder of Time Warp
We sat down with Robin Ebinger, one of the minds behind Time Warp, to discuss the festival’s evolution, its global impact, and what makes it such a special experience year after year.
Time Warp is entering its 31st year. Looking back, did you ever imagine it would become such an iconic global event?
I joined the Time Warp team a bit later, but I can say that in the early days, no one imagined it would grow to this scale. Steffen Charles, one of the original founders, started it out of pure passion for electronic music. Back then, we were just young ravers throwing parties for friends, driven by a deep love for the scene. We had limited resources, but the energy and vision kept pushing us forward. Over the years, it has evolved into a cultural institution.
What was the original vision for Time Warp in 1994, and how has it evolved?
I was actually there at the very first event as a guest; I wasn’t behind the scenes yet, I was standing on the dancefloor (laughs). But of course, I know how Time Warp came about. It was the idea of one of my business partners, Steffen Charles, and his then-business partner and childhood friend, Michael Hock. They wanted to organize a party, a rave, an event—featuring exactly the artists that were important to them. By 1994, there was already a first hint of commercialization after techno had grown bigger and more well-known in the early ’90s. Their goal was to throw a party that would focus on the roots of the scene. They wanted to give a platform to the ‘godfathers,’ the innovators who were at the forefront, pushing electronic music—artists like Richie Hawtin, Laurent Garnier, Speedy J, John Acquaviva, and more. Back then, the organization was, of course, much more laid-back and by no means as complex and professional as it is today.
Our passion for electronic music, which drives our actions, has remained unchanged since then. This passion still connects my business partners, Steffen Charles and Frank Eichhorn, and me. While Time Warp has evolved in many ways over the last 30 years, its core idea of celebrating electronic music and creating unforgettable experiences for fans has remained constant.
The focus on techno has stayed, but there’s now a balanced mix of new talents and established icons. Technology is used to create modern sound systems and immersive visual effects, all while making sure that guests aren’t overwhelmed by the technology itself. The festival has become more international, with guests from all over the world attending our home event in Mannheim. Similarly global have been the festival’s stops over the past 20 years: Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, Buenos Aires, Milan, Santiago de Chile. We’ve been consistently present with editions in New York and São Paulo for many years. This October, Time Warp will make its debut in Madrid. The expansion has broadened the reach and influence of Time Warp within the global electronic music community.
With our new partners, Insomniac, joining us, we now have the opportunity to further internationalize the brand and build on our vision for the years to come. Their network, inspiring colleagues, and resources provide a fantastic opportunity for growth, and we’re excited about the potential this collaboration brings.
We make sure to set the standard time and time again! The electronic music scene itself is cyclical—trends come and go—but the basic patterns and the energetic power of the music remain. The networking within the scene has changed over the years, from record stores and opinion leaders to social media and global live streams, which have made the Time Warp brand globally recognized.
Why do artists prepare such unique sets for Time Warp compared to other electronic music festivals worldwide? What do you think creates that magic?
This is a complex question. The Time Warp Mannheim edition has become a platform where artists feel a special connection to the crowd and the event itself. It’s not just another festival; it’s a celebration of electronic music’s roots and its evolution and culture. We, the promoters, are ravers at heart, and that passion resonates throughout the entire team. Many of us have personal connections with the artists, creating a family-like atmosphere. This close-knit environment, where everyone feels part of something bigger, is something artists truly appreciate.
Carl Cox once said about Time Warp: “Those who want to understand what it is, need to stand right in the middle of the dancefloor, feel it, and smell it. Time Warp has such intensity, and it doesn’t happen within an hour. It’s over hours. If you like this music, that’s the reason you go to these parties, because you experience the best atmosphere and energy. What’s admirable about Time Warp is that they don’t exploit a DJ as a superstar in a commercial sense. That’s great because, with the music you’re hearing, you don’t even know what it is. When you go to a commercial event, it’s not seen as a success unless all the big hits are played. It’s more of a pop concept. But Time Warp is the complete opposite of pop culture. There has to be at least one festival that’s all about the music, supporting those who are committed to this music.”
The energy we’ve cultivated over the years, combined with immersive production and an engaged audience, makes Time Warp stand out. The fans are not just there to watch; they are fully immersed in the experience, and the artists feel that. When they step on stage, they know they’re playing for a crowd that’s open to exploration, which inspires them to prepare special sets that reflect the unique vibe of the event.
What makes Time Warp truly magical is the way everything aligns: the promoters, the team, the artists, and the fans, all united by a shared love for the music. It’s not just a performance; it’s an unforgettable experience created by the family atmosphere we’ve nurtured over the years.
The 2025 lineup is a mix of returning legends and rising stars. How do you approach curating such a diverse and dynamic list of artists each year?
We’re fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced booking team that’s deeply embedded in the electronic music scene. They’re always scouting for fresh talent, listening to new sounds, and staying in touch with the latest trends. We also have the advantage of running two clubs, which allows us to discover and test up-and-coming artists early on. This hands-on approach, combined with strong relationships in the industry, helps us create a balanced and exciting lineup each year, featuring both legendary figures and exciting new faces.
Time Warp is renowned for its innovative use of technology, light, and visuals. What can fans expect from the production this year that will elevate the experience even further?
Let yourself be surprised! I’m confident the production team will create a truly unique experience.
How do you balance staying true to Time Warp’s roots while continuing to innovate and surprise attendees?
We stay true to Time Warp’s roots by focusing on the music and creating an authentic experience. Innovation is important, but technology should never be an end in itself—it’s there to enhance the musical experience, support the energy of the crowd, and complement the music. We aim to stay connected to the scene and continuously evolve, while always ensuring the core essence of Time Warp remains intact.
Time Warp attracts attendees from over 170 countries. How do you foster such a strong sense of global community through the festival?
It is the special space that we create each year and that is called Time Warp. With its various floors, all of which will have their own special energy circling around, pulling you to the dancefloor. Each with its own distinctive synthesis of sound and visuals, to enhance your Time Warp experience.
At its core, we celebrate what originally brought us together: electronic music. We strive to create an environment where fans from all over the world feel welcome and connected, no matter their background.
I believe the international appeal of Time Warp comes from its authenticity and commitment to the music.
What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of organizing international editions of Time Warp in cities like São Paulo, New York, and Buenos Aires?
Planning, organizing, and producing festivals is always challenging due to the complexity of their nature and the environment. Organizing international editions of Time Warp comes with its challenges—each city has its own regulations, infrastructure, and audience expectations. However, we’re fortunate to have strong local partners in each country who help us navigate these complexities. Every market has its unique demands, from different artists to be featured, to tailored marketing, and local regulations. We’re always learning and adapting, which makes each edition a rewarding experience.
Mannheim, as a UNESCO City of Music, is a special location for Time Warp. How does the city itself contribute to the festival’s identity?
Mannheim shares some similarities with Detroit. It is also a motor city as it is the birthplace of the automobile, adding to its legacy of innovation. While the city may not have invented electronic music, it embraced it early on, creating a fertile ground for the genre to thrive. The city has an authentic, no-frills appeal—straightforward, honest, and without any unnecessary embellishments. Mannheim and the surrounding region are our Heimat, the home base for Time Warp. Music has always played a key role here, with local institutions established to support the music scene. For example, Mannheim was one of the first cities in Germany to appoint a night mayor. Being based here gives Time Warp a deep connection to a broader cultural legacy, while still embracing the modern energy of the electronic music scene.
Many legendary DJs, like Sven Väth and Richie Hawtin, have been with Time Warp from the beginning. How do these long-standing relationships shape the festival’s legacy?
They are integral to Time Warp’s legacy. Sven chose Time Warp to celebrate both his 50th and 60th birthday parties, a testament to the trust and bond we’ve built over the years. Richie Hawtin, too, presented the world premiere of a new Plastikman show at our festival and some other innovations. These moments highlight how Time Warp isn’t just a festival; it’s a platform where artists can make history. We’ve created a space that fosters electronic music culture, and it’s fueled by the dedication of these artists and many others who help shape the event.
But it’s not just about the legends. A lot of new and young artists are also very fond of playing at Time Warp. They’re honored to connect with the brand, feel the energy, and present special sets. Whether on the large-scale stages or the more intimate ones, Time Warp offers them a platform to showcase their talent on a global stage and become part of this evolving culture.
After three decades, what continues to inspire you to push the boundaries of what Time Warp can achieve?
It’s the people, the team, the music, our international partners, and the culture that continue to inspire me. The energy from the fans and artists, the passion of our dedicated team, and the ever-evolving nature of electronic music keep driving us forward. Time Warp is a breathing celebration of culture, and the constant desire to push the boundaries of what we can achieve is fueled by the connections we make and the experiences we create together.
What has been the most memorable moment for you in the history of Time Warp?
Cannot pick one.
With electronic music evolving constantly, how do you see the scene changing in the next decade, and how will Time Warp adapt to these changes?
Electronic music is constantly evolving—new sounds, new technologies, new artists. But, like everything in life, it’s cyclical. Trends, economic success, music, and fashion all return in some form, slightly reinterpreted, but the core patterns remain the same. And, of course, so does the energy that drives this music.
Right now, the scene feels more fragmented, with a stronger focus on sub-scenes and individual artists rather than broad exploration of different sounds. That’s why places like Time Warp are so important—they create opportunities for people to discover new artists, styles, and experiences beyond their usual preferences.
For Time Warp, this means staying ahead of the curve. Our strength has always been embracing innovation without losing sight of our roots. We will continue to support emerging artists, experiment with fresh concepts, and push stage design to the next level. But the essence of Time Warp remains unchanged: a night full of energy, passion, and the perfect sound for true electronic music lovers.
Follow Time Warp Festival
more music features here
Get our print with Richie Hawtin 350page + book + vinyl
