All tours in Hagen

Hagen

Neon & Concrete: The Hagen Sound Revolution

3.9 km113 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

In the late 1970s, the gray, post-industrial city of Hagen became the unlikely epicenter of a musical earthquake. This tour takes you deep into the heart of the 'Hagener Szene', where the raw energy of punk collided with the neon aesthetics of the Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW). Walk the streets where Nena's band first found their voice before their guitarist Carlo Karges dreamed up 99 red balloons in West Berlin, where Extrabreit penned ironic anthems of rebellion, and where grand, decaying villas became the incubators for a generation's creative explosion. Discover how a working-class steel town accidentally birthed the most colorful pop revolution of the 80s.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Hagen Hauptbahnhof

The main railway station, symbolizing the arrival point for dreamers and the ironic inspiration for Extrabreit's famous NDW anthem.

1.01 km • 16 min
2

STOP 2

Wilhelmsplatz

The central square of the Wehringhausen district, the historic heart of Hagen's alternative and creative scene.

0.06 km • 1 min
3

STOP 3

Bismarckstraße Gründerzeit Villas

A street lined with grand, historicist architecture that provided the cheap, communal living and rehearsal spaces essential for the 80s music scene.

0.38 km • 6 min
4

STOP 4

Kulturzentrum Pelmke

A grassroots cultural center in a former school, embodying the DIY ethos and the ongoing struggle to maintain alternative spaces.

0.97 km • 15 min
5

STOP 5

Stadtgarten Hagen

A central park where the youth gathered, providing a backdrop to discuss the Cold War anxieties that inspired global hits like '99 Luftballons'.

1.53 km • 23 min
6

END

Stadthalle Hagen

The major concert venue that hosted the triumphant hometown gigs of Hagen's biggest stars, cementing the city's musical legacy.

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Music lovers, pop-culture historians, 80s nostalgics, and urban explorers fascinated by the intersection of industrial decay and creative rebirth.
  • Best time Late afternoon to early evening, when the fading light casts long shadows on the Gründerzeit facades and the local pubs begin to wake up.
  • Footwear Wear comfortable walking shoes; we'll be covering varied urban terrain.
  • Audio Bring good headphones to fully immerse yourself in the narrative.
  • Refreshments Stop for a local beer in Wehringhausen to truly soak in the vibe.
  • Weather Bring an umbrella; the Ruhr area weather can be unpredictable.
  • Pacing Take your time at the Pelmke to check out their current event posters.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Hannah Clarke
Audio sample
0:000:00

Hannah Clarke

  • Pop Culture & Media Landscapes
  • Southern England

Pop culture scout. Leads to filming locations, music hotspots, and fan cultures – where fiction and reality touch.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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