Techno for Beginners: How to Get Into It

Techno can look like a closed world from the outside: long sets, no lyrics, people who seem to know exactly what’s going on. The good news is that nobody is born knowing it. Everyone on that dancefloor had a first night too.

This is a simple way in.

What techno actually is

Techno is electronic dance music built on a steady kick drum, usually between 125 and 140 BPM, with repetitive patterns that change slowly. It was born in Detroit in the mid-eighties and found a second home in Europe, from Berlin to the UK warehouse scene. It’s mostly instrumental and it’s made to be heard loud, for a long time, in the dark.

The main styles in one minute

• Detroit techno: the original sound, soulful and futuristic.
• Minimal: stripped back, the groove is in the small details.
• Melodic techno: big emotional melodies, the easiest way in for many people.
• Hypnotic and dub techno: deep, repetitive, made to get lost in.
• Industrial: raw, distorted, metallic.
• Hard techno: fast and intense, the sound of many young crowds right now.
• Hard groove: percussive and funky, a big part of UK techno history.

The tempo of each one is in How many BPM is techno?

How to start listening

1. Listen to full DJ sets, not single tracks. Techno makes most sense as a journey. Recorded sets from clubs and festivals are the best introduction.
2. Follow a few artists, not a playlist. When you find a DJ you like, look at who they play with and who they invite.
3. Listen loud, or with good headphones. On laptop speakers you lose half of it.
4. Give it time. The first few minutes of a loop can feel like nothing is happening. That’s the point: it builds.

Your first night out

You don’t need to know the names on the line-up to have a great night. A few tips:

• Pick a medium-sized club. Big enough to feel the energy, small enough not to get lost.
• Go a bit earlier than you think. The warm-up is often where you hear the most interesting music.
• Check the venue’s rules: ID, phone policy, last entry.
• Respect the dancefloor: give people space, don’t film non-stop, look after your mates.

More practical tips: what to wear to a techno club, what to bring and going out on your own.

Where to go in the UK

London has the widest choice, but Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds and Birmingham all have strong scenes. Browse upcoming nights in our UK techno listings.

FAQs

What techno should a beginner listen to?

Start with full DJ sets and with melodic or classic Detroit techno, which are easier to get into, then explore harder or deeper styles.

Do I need to know the DJs to enjoy a techno night?

No. Plenty of people go for the music and the atmosphere, and discover artists on the night.

Is techno only for people who take drugs?

No. Lots of people go out sober. Look after yourself, drink water and know your limits.

What time should I arrive at a techno club?

An hour or so after opening is a good balance: the room is warming up and the queue is usually shorter.