B2B sets and basslines: Cologne’s club scene is in E.P.I.Q. fever

Fresh energy for Cologne’s club scene! When E.P.I.Q. call, the city dances – unapologetically diverse and always high on energy. With randomised slots, spontaneous back-to-back sets and a shared vision, they’ve won over not only the Jaki (one of Cologne’s favourite underground clubs) but the crowd as well. What happens behind the scenes of Cologne’s coolest DJ crew? Let’s find out.

You want to throw the kind of parties you’d go to yourselves. What makes a perfect party for you?

For us it’s about creating spaces where people feel safe, have fun and can really let go. Our parties are about connection, about the joy of dancing, and about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.

How did you meet and find your groove as a DJ crew?

That was back in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic. Piush, one of our members, booked an all-female DJ line-up for the Kölner Bühnensommer (Cologne Stage Summer) festival. Three of us played there – and that’s where the idea was born to throw a party together. Soon after, we started a WhatsApp group and brought in more DJs. That’s how our crew of eight came to life: Sedaction, Savsannah, Sharlipseon, Piush, Nikity, C:Mone, Anna Cainelli and AMSL.

Where did your very party take place?

That was at King Georg, a small jazz club near Ebertplatz. We cheekily named it “Queen Georg”. The club has this little kiosk hut outside, and that’s where the party started – open air, in broad daylight – before moving indoors. We never expected that this spontaneous get-together would draw so many people and mix so many different circles of friends. That night we had no fixed line-up: all eight of us played back-to-back, swapping constantly.

So what exactly does B2B mean?

Back to back – two DJs sharing the decks an playing together. You take turns, you react to each other’s tracks, and it becomes this live conversation in music. We love those sets – they’re playful and keep the night dynamic and unpredictable.

How would you describe your sound?

We cover everything from house to breakbeats, hip hop, techno, UK garage and R&B. Each of us has a signature style – and that really matters to us. But we also keep inspiring each other, sharing new tracks or just by listening to how the others play. Music and DJing for us isn’t about competition – it’s about the shared experience. That’s what our nights are all about.

What’s the setup for your parties?

There are no fixed rules – not for speed, not for the flow of the night. What makes our parties special is that before every event, we draw lots to decide who plays when. That’s pretty unusual. We each play 30-minute slots, which keeps it fast-paced and high-energy. At the start and the end we’re all on the decks together. And we always work with local artists too – whether it’s artwork, posters, jingles or guest DJs.

How do you organise yourselves as a collective?

We share tasks and trust each other. We meet up regularly, especially before big events or interviews. With so many of us, it’s easy to cover when someone’s tied up with work or personal stuff. That kind of teamwork makes everything possible.

The Jaki seems to be a special place for you. Why is that?

The Jaki has been our home for over a year now. Every three months we throw our own club night there, the E.P.I.Q. Nights. The size is perfect, the vibe is special, and the team really trusts us. It feels almost like home. That trust gives us the freedom to bring our vision to life – and the crowd can feel it too. People often tell us there’s a very particular energy at our parties. We also really value the club’s awareness concept: the staff genuinely care about keeping everyone safe and creating a supportive atmosphere. And since the Jaki and Stadtgarten have such deep roots in Cologne’s jazz scene, it feels like the perfect match for our own mix of sounds. Even when we play at other venues, it’s the place where we feel most free to be ourselves and experiment musically.

What’s most important to you when it comes to awareness concepts?

It’s important to us that everyone knows who they can turn to if something happens. The rules need to be clear and visible, especially for people coming to our parties for the first time. And the team should be properly trained, so they can handle things calmly if something does come up. That kind of clarity makes everyone feel safe.

How does it feel to be part of Cologne’s DJ scene as a FLINTA* collective? Do you still face stereotypes or prejudice, or is that no longer an issue?

At first we used the term FLINTA* ourselves to describe the group, but we never really decided whether we were a FLINTA* DJ collective or simply a DJ crew. It wasn’t until people from the outside kept using that label for us that we really started to think about it. These days we prefer to call ourselves a DJ crew. We’ve always felt very welcome in Cologne’s scene. At the same time, we’ve noticed that FLINTA* crews often get assigned more responsibility – like being expected to automatically stand for diversity or political issues. Male crews don’t face that. We’d like to see that change, so that all collectives are valued equally for their music and energy. We try to do our part by being intentional about who we work with and who we support in our bookings and collaborations.

Is Cologne’s club culture already FLINTA* and queer-friendly enough?

Cologne is definitely on a good path, and a lot has changed in recent years. There are now many non-male and queer DJ collectives organising their own parties and getting booked for events. But we’re not quite where we could be yet. There are still nights with all-male line-ups – and moments where the sensitivity for structural issues just isn’t there. Many people don’t realise that real change has to go deeper if it’s going to last. It’s a process you have to keep working on, again and again.

Do you want to strengthen visibility for FLINTA* people in club culture?

Absolutely. We want to show that FLINTA* DJs belong behind the decks just as naturally as anyone else. And that changes the atmosphere: Our crowd is more diverse, and that creates a different kind of energy than at traditionally male-dominated parties. At the same time, lasting change also needs men in influential positions who are willing to question existing structures and take responsibility. Only then can we build a club culture that’s fair and sustainable for everyone.

Are there any moments that have really stayed with you?

Our very first own party, on 2 October 2022 at the Tennis Club by Colonius, was pure magic. We thought a hundred people would already be a success – but in the end there was a door stop. We were completely blown away. And then there are the moments before every party: when we get together, hug and hype each other up. Those moments are just as special.

What feeling do you want people to leave your parties with?

Elated and happy – but we leave room for all kinds of emotions. For our Valentine’s party we played nothing but love and heartbreak tracks. Our parties are about more than just dancing: they’re meeting points, places for connection, and sometimes even reunions after years apart. That kind of energy is what makes them special.

What kind of feedback do you get your guests?

One guest once said: “Every time I come to your parties, there’s something in the air that only you can create.” That pretty much sums it up. We never had a master plan for E.P.I.Q. – most of it just grew naturally. And people can feel that ease.

E. P. I. Q. at a glance

Don’t miss it: on 26th September E.P.I.Q. celebrate their fourth birthday – at the Jaki, of course!