DEGEM News – BERLIN – Kiezsalon opening w/ Maggie Nicols, Natasha Pirard, Heli Hartikainen and KOOB | Saturday, 23 May

Dear friends and music lovers,

In two weeks, the Kiezsalon opening weekender takes over Schloss Britz. Following a stacked Friday night, the program continues on Saturday, 23 May, for the first time inside the castle, with legendary Scottish vocalist Maggie Nicols. We then move outside for Ghent-based ambient producer Natasha Pirard, award-winning Finnish saxophonist Heli Hartikainen, and Berlin-based jazz quartet KOOB.

Tickets are available only online, and as we often sell out, we recommend booking in advance.

Maggie Nicols

Saturday, 23 May

Maggie Nicols is a pioneering vocalist known for her contributions to European improvisation. After joining the Spontaneous Music Ensemble in 1968, she went on to lead voice workshops at Oval House Theatre, co-founded the Feminist Improvising Group and collaborated widely. The Wire called her “one of a very few artists about whom it’s possible to say not only that she has an instantly recognisable presence and voice, but that she has invented a whole new art form all for herself.”

At the Kiezsalon, Maggie Nicols will perform two intimate acoustic sessions inside the castle’s piano salon starting at 18:00, ahead of the main program. Capacity is limited: admission is first-come, first-served for ticketholders.

Natasha Pirard

Saturday, 23 May

Natasha Pirard is an electronic musician based in Ghent whose compositions combine analogue synthesis, tape loops and acoustic instruments such as the violin with voice and field recordings. Her work pays close attention to the sounds of everyday life and how they carry meaning, while small motifs emerge and unfold, returning in ways that trace patterns over time.

Her second album Fernande, Cecile was praised by PopMattersas “a quiet miracle of an album” and placed among the top 15 ambient albums of 2025.

Heli Hartikainen

Saturday, 23 May

Award-winning saxophonist, composer and sound artist Heli Hartikainen is a passionate instrumentalist who continually pushes the limits of their instrument, themself and sound technology ever further.

Their internationally acclaimed debut solo album, CHRONOVARIATIONS, won the Finnish Critics’ Association’s honorary prize for the year’s most significant artistic breakthrough and was nominated for Best Jazz Album at the Emma Awards, Finland’s most prestigious music awards.

KOOB

Saturday, 23 May

KOOB is the alias and debut project of Minsk-born, Berlin-based singer Valeryia Dele, whose vocals slide nimbly between jazz, funk, hip-hop and soul.

Her 2025 album Off Head expressed urban frustration, mental weight and fleeting moments of fragile calm; Curious For Music described its lead track “Therapist” as “a staggering piece of music—part confession, part rebellion, all soul.” For Kiezsalon, Dele will be joined by Seth Sjöström on bass guitar, Gabriel Fitros on drums and pianist Wolle.

Thinking you’ll join us year-round? A limited number of our new Annual Passes can be purchased online from now until the season opening. You can also listen to all Kiezsalon artists in our Bandcamp compilation.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Britz again very soon.

Until then,

Michael Rosen & Team