Our mission is to reclaim techno as a manifestation of Black expression in a society that has oppressed it by creating spaces, both virtual and IRL, that celebrate the black roots of techno. An assertion and a reminder that Techno IS Black.
Join us Friday February 27 at TRANSMISSION for a special Black History Month collaboration between BLACK TECHNO MATTERS and Midnight FM.
Upstairs we’re honored to showcase two innovators. Detroit Techno legend DJ STINGRAY 313 graces our decks with his relentlessly inventive and provocative sonic sound that is deeply intertwined with techno history’s past, present and future. Then, prepare for your system to be rattled by the unapologetically bold and speaker testing high octane sound of FEMANYST, techno alias of house legend Lady Blacktronika hailing from San Francisco. Rounding out the upstairs lineup will be Black Techno Matters crew member XAV who is known as a melodic spell caster on the decks as well as a community mover in the Richmond techno scene. He's also been working in the studio and will be dropping a new EP on the Black Techno Matters music label later this month!
On the bottom floor, Midnight FM is excited to host the long awaited return of CARLOS SOUFFRONT, a master selector, beholden to no genre, and yet finding that perfect tune at the perfect moment. Joining Carlos, are two Midnight FM favorites. First is ETHER PLEASER, who built his name as a resident of the TURBO/140+ collective, blending and bending techno toward the future. And opening the night is Midnight FM resident and recently crowned "Jolliest Man in Navy Yard", KIVA who plays with a lithe and effervescent confidence that shows through both his selections and his laughing spells heard through the fog and soundwaves.
***To accommodate those with visual sensitivities this will be a low light event with no flashing lights, no strobe lights, and no lasers. ***This is a NOTAFLOF event.
Saturday February 28th we head down to LOSO in Richmond, VA for a special birthday and ep release party. XAV will be doing an open to close set to celebrate! This event is FREE with RSVP.
Xav's musical style can be summarized as one word, emotional. When he's not DJaying, producing or growing his hometown dance community, he’s working with the prestigious Black Techno Matters or managing at his hometown club Loso in Richmond, Virginia. Xav, a driving force in Richmond, Virginia's dynamic dance music scene, crafts sonic experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. His signature sound, best described as emotional, blends the rhythmic intricacies of house and techno, creating sets that are both captivating and uniquely evocative. Whether he's setting the stage for international headliners or commanding the peak-time slot, Xav's dynamic sets transcend genre boundaries, delivering unforgettable dance floor moments.
Beyond his prowess as a DJ and producer, Xav is deeply committed to nurturing and expanding his local dance community. He plays a vital role in this effort through his involvement with the prestigious Black Techno Matters organization, a platform dedicated to celebrating and amplifying Black voices in the techno world. This commitment to community extends to his role as manager of LOSO, a Richmond club that has become a hub for the city's vibrant nightlife. At LOSO, Xav curates an atmosphere that fosters connection and celebrates the diverse sounds of electronic music.
Experience the mission of BLACK TECHNO MATTERS at a city near you as the BTM crew traverses across US cities during the Liber8 US 2026 Tour!
In previous years, the innovative collective pulled off the feat of throwing multiple Liber8 US events in multiple cities during Juneteenth week. In 2026, the crew is spreading out the celebration throughout the year, and giving each city its own space to shine. The tour kicks off Jan 16th (MLK weekend) in DC followed by Richmond, VA on Feb 28th, then heads to other cities in later months.
We hope that the Liber8 US 2026 Tour will be a statement to the music community and to the world that BLACK TECHNO MATTERS, and show what's possible when black artists organize together.
“The Liber8 US events extend the reach of our mission, spreading the knowledge of the black origins of techno across the country. Not just celebrating our history, but also organizing in the present to elevate ourselves into the future. Liber8 U.S. is about people power and showing what’s possible when black artists organize together with intention. And our intention is not just to party, but to liberate ourselves in body and mind and across time and space, using techno as a means to escape the chains of this oppressive society and travel to an alternate timeline where we are free to be ourselves and express ourselves. It’s time to Liber8 US!”
- Bernard Farley, Founder of Black Techno Matters
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR CREW
Check out what the Black Techno Matters crew has been listening to.
Check out the story behind the creation of “Subbie” by Kerri Chandler, an ode to Sub Club, Glasgow that was mixed in the club itself!
