Press release:
As Berlin began to settle into the seasonal rhythm of Fashion Week and the shows, House of Vans stepped up to disrupt! Having earned a reputation as one of the biggest nights in Berlin and a much anticipated fixture on the party calendar, House of Vans once again returned to the creative capital.
With a new location for 2015, House of Vans took up residence in Neue Heimat – part of Friedrichshain’s vast network of old railway buildings that are now home to food markets, bars and skateparks – the perfect spot in which to party. Previous headliners such as Mos Def, Angel Haze, Boys Noize and Hercules and Love Affair already established House of Vans Berlin’s reputation for eclectic, genre-fusing line ups, and Tuesday night was no exception. Assembling some of Berlin’s brightest stars of Electronica and Hip Hop, as well as bringing over a selection of the London’s heavy hitters, the scene was set for a big night of big beats.
Before the music started, House of Vans Berlin proudly presented the Bright European Skateboard Awards. As the annual opportunity for the skate industry to recognise the best bits from the past year, a who’s who of skateboarding descended upon House of Vans. Pros, brands, media, shops and everyone in between assembled to see the work of their industry’s finest rewarded. This year’s BESA winners included Vans’ very own Daan Van Der Linden – taking home the accolade of Rookie of the Year, and Vans snapper, Davy Van Laere with the award for Photographer of the Year. Madars Apse was deservedly crowned BESA’s European Skateboarder of the Year.
As the doors opened to the public, Berlin’s Hotflush DJ’s kicked things off in the main room, whilst fellow citymen Beathovens got down to business with some serious hip hop. With the party getting started and spirits high, Mount Kimbie’s DJ set had the electro room going nuts, setting the tone for The Bug to bring the noise. With a set featuring Miss Red and Flowdan, they didn’t disappoint, nearly taking the roof off in the process. My Panda Shall Fly and Benji B added to the heat with their expansively influenced tunes, delivered in killer back-to-back sets.
With revellers flowing between spaces, food trucks stationed between the two buildings served everything from raclette to dumplings, whilst gifs taken in the House of Vans gif booth fed live to a huge projection right alongside, providing some comedy moments to help take the edge off the cold! As 04:00am approached, Bass Gang and Through My Speakers did little to wind the crowd down, but that certainly wasn’t a bad thing.
However, all good things must come to an end, and as the lights came on and the doors closed, smiling faces poured onto the streets and made their way home – or more likely in Berlin, on to another club to party until sunrise.
Thanks to all those who came, played, partied and supported yet another awesome House of Vans Berlin! Until next time, keep an eye on the hashtag and houseofvanslondon.com for news, events and exclusive content. Watch the video from the event here.
#HouseOfVans
House of Vans Berlin 2015 featured
Mount Kimbie (DJ Set)
The Bug feat. Flowdan & Miss Red
Benji B
My Panda Shall Fly
Through My Speakers
Hotflush DJ’s
Beathovens
DJ Craft
Bass Gang
Bright European Skateboard Award Winners
Skate-aid Award // Skateboarding Society of Kenya
Videographer of the Year // Niki Waltl
Magazine of the Year // Kingpin
Website of the Year // Live Skateboard Media
Brand of the Year // Polar Skate Co.
Shop of the Year // Lockwood
Photographer of the Year // DVL
Clip of the Year // Phil Zwijsen in Time Chase
Endless Bummer by Palace
Video of the Year // Endless Bummer by Palace
Rookie of the Year // Daan Van Der Linden
Kingpin European Skateboarder of the Year // Madars Apse
About House of Vans
House of Vans is a platform for creative expression that hosts art, music and skate events, with an emphasis on nurturing and inspiring the next generation. With permeant locations in two of the world’s most inspiring cities – London and New York – House of Vans brings to life the creative culture that lies at the heart of the brand to a broader audience through pop-up initiatives in cities such as Seoul, Berlin, Shanghai, Austin (Texas) and Guangzhou.
About Vans Music
Vans supports and promotes music through shoe and apparel collaborations as well as with innovative events like the Vans Warped Tour, Off the Wall Music Nights and the House of Vans. Prolific musicians such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, The Descendants, Kiss, Social Distortion, No Doubt, The Dropkick Murphy’s, Slayer and Millencolin have all participated in creating memorable projects and representing the Vans “Off The Wall” attitude.
