Influential rave culture figure Indulis Bilzens passes away at 84

His legacy includes journalism, broadcasting, and supporting the techno music scene.

Indulis Bilzens, a key figure in rave culture and influencer in electronic music passed away at 84, leaving behind a vast legacy that includes journalism, broadcasting, and music.

Born in Riga in 1940, Bilzens survived World War II and pursued education at several universities. He founded the independent Press Corps ID and the acclaimed newspaper, Die Tageszeitung.

Bilzens was a notable figure against conservative Germany. He branched out into publishing and broadcasting, introducing German audiences to electronic music through his independent TV broadcasts in the 80s. These broadcasts also kick-started DJ WestBam’s career. In 1987, Bilzens organized the first Western DJ performance in the Soviet Union’s Riga, significantly impacting local youth culture.

Bilzens played a considerable role in the techno music scene, supporting Berlin’s label Low Spirit and Europe’s first techno music festival, Mayday. His story was showcased in the 2017 documentary, ‘Era of Dance’, which emphasized his part in the techno music movement and the cultural exchange between the West and the East.

Watch the trailer for ‘Era of Dance’ below.