This has to be one of my favourite places to play music. It’s a small club perched on the banks of Berlin’s River Spree. Outside, the Wall stands fragmented alongside the stunning architecture of the Oberbaum bridge; but it’s inside where the fun begins.
The first time I played at Watergate, I was on downstairs, on the riverfront, and the place was packed. It’s quite easy to overthink what you’re going to play, but I just did my thing and the set went really well. The crowd are a mix of locals and worldwide techno tourists that come here especially for underground music and a sense of unity like no other. DJs can really push the boundaries of what they play and the crowd will be receptive, which is a special thing.
The real magic happens as dawn breaks, when the dancefloor is slowly lit up by rays of sunlight flickering across the water. It’s such a beautiful location. It feels organic, it’s just you, the music and the river. A truly unique experience.
• water-gate.de. Knee Deep In Sound by Hot Since 82 is out now
