Liber8 US 2025: RESIST THE ALGORITHM

The year is 2025. Once intended to be open and free, the Internet is now controlled by ultra-rich Tech Bros exploiting a massive data explosion. Scouring information from smartphones, social media, e-commerce, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to feed their mysterious AI-powered algorithms that feed humanity an infinite scroll of stimulating content and addictive convenience.

Stuck in a feedback loop, humanity finds itself dependent on tech corporations while also navigating the societal pollution they create: AI-powered propaganda, misinformation, manipulation, echo chambers, filter bubbles, and biased algorithms that perpetuate oppressive imperialist, capitalist and racist ideals.

Resisting one person, group, policy, political party, or government is no longer enough.

One must RESIST THE ALGORITHM in order to find liber8ion…

JUNETEENTH 2025 🗓️

Artwork by @estevancarlos + @b_x_r_n_x_r_d
Original logo by @btrcp

TUESDAY JUNE 17

Liber8 v3: Resist the Algorithm
24 hr livestream loop of our recent compilation, Liber8 v3: Resist The Algorithm. Will include special images and words from the artists.

6AM - 6AM EST

http://www.twitch.tv/blacktechnomatters

https://blacktechnomatters.bandcamp.com/album/liber8-v3-resist-the-algorithm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 18

SONIC SESSIONS - Liber8 US 2025 Edition
Join BLACK TECHNO MATTERS and host, MERLINBERLIN, for a special LIBER8 edition of our listening and feedback gathering, Sonic Sessions.

With Sonic Sessions, we invite artists from the DC area and beyond to submit an electronic genre track that will be heard in an intimate setting by other artists and the Black Techno Matters label team themselves. Sessions are small—we select only a few tracks for thoughtful discussions on each submission. Of course, we monitor all feedback to keep things respectful and constructive. Whether this is your first time producing, an expert sharing what’s been in the vault, or curious about improving your sound and creativity as an artist, we’re excited to hear from you!

7-9:30PM EST

http://www.twitch.tv/blacktechnomatters + BLACK TECHNO MATTERS Discord (URL) + BLACK TECHNO MATTERS HQ (IRL - Washington, DC)

WEDNESDAY JUNE 18

LIBER8 LA
W/ TROVARSI x 92JELANI (live), FORCE PLACEMENT, E M BAE, BRYCE BYRD (live), SOMEKID (hybrid)

We're excited to announce the lineup for this year’s BLACK TECHNO MATTERS LIBER8 LA juneteenth event! This year we have FORCE PLACEMENT, BRYCE BYRD (live set) SOMEKID (hyrbid set) and also for the first time ever, a live set b2b with TROVARSI and 92JELANI. This will be FREE all night at General Lee’s in Chinatown LA. We hope to see you there!

General Lee’s Chinatown
475 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA

FREE

9-1:45AM PDT

https://ra.co/events/2183850

THURSDAY JUNE 19

LIBER8 HTX - Skillshare Sessions

Houston! We’re back at @echoeshtx THIS THURSDAY for Liber8 HTX, our first collaboration party with @blacktechnomatters—and we’re celebrating with our new skillshare series!

The Skillshare Sessions aim to bring equity to the dance music landscape by sharing knowledge, tools, and perspective with the South’s producers, DJs, and music lovers.

Join us Thursday, June 19th from 7-9pm for our first round of sessions:

🎵ABLETON WORKSHOP SESSION, a creative guide to exploring and making music with Ableton (with BIG ACE)


🤠 DANCE MUSIC IN THE DEEP SOUTH: A RETROSPECTIVE, a deep dive into the South’s impact and influence on American electronic music (with HYPERFEMME)


Free entry with limited availability! All attendees will have access to the showcase afterward (you will not need to purchase a ticket at 9pm!)

THURSDAY JUNE 19

LIBER8 HTX
w/ IDKRYAN, SKINNY PLAY, JUPITER, PRO GHOST (live), SICC PUPPY, HYPERACE (HYPERFEMME + BIG ACE)

Houston, let’s go! We’re back next month at Echoes for Liber8 HTX, our first collaboration with D.C.’s trailblazing techno collective, BLACK TECHNO MATTERS.

Liber8 HTX marks the latest addition to Black Techno Matters’ Liber8 US event series—a multi-city Juneteenth celebration of techno’s Black origins, pioneers, and innovators. In step with BTM’s mission, Liber8 HTX invites Houston’s techno heads to celebrate the genre’s roots and the South’s impact on dance music.

Curated by HYPERACE, Liber8 HTX’s inaugural lineup features scene staples serving up techno in all its forms.

Tune in from anywhere via a special livestream and audio/visual archive, courtesy of our friends at @icehouseradio!

More on the way—stay close for updates and one final drop before the big night. Share with your favorite techno lovers in Texas!

Echoes
900 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX

PURCHASE TICKETS AT DOOR

9-2AM CDT

THURSDAY JUNE 19

LIBER8 PDX
W/ MÁS O MENOS, BRYSON MILLS, M5007

SOUL HOUSE and SAMEWAVE RADIO are ecstatic to bring you a FREE Juneteenth celebration! We’re joining the amazing folks at BLACK TECHNO MATERS to bring you a second year of LIBER8 PDX. 

Liber8 is a multi-city celebration of the black contributions to the forming  and continuation of techno music. Through sponsorship from Soul House and Samewave we are able to provide FREE entry to the event but also invite guests to make donations at the door, 100% of which will go directly to the artists playing. 

We will open the night with a social hour providing an opportunity to connect and celebrate with each other, the night will then be followed by a 30-minute screening of “Techno City: What is Detroit Techno?” a fabulous documentary that explores the origins of techno in Detroit, Michigan. 

Finally, the night will be capped off by an amazing range of techno sets from más o menos, M5007, and Bryson Mills.

We welcome you to join us in continuing to celebrate the history and contributions of Black people on the world of techno!

Schedule:

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Social Mixer
9:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Short film screening
9:30 PM - 1:00 AM | DJ Sets

8-1AM PDT

5040 SE MILKWAUKIE AVE, Portland, OR

FREE RSVP ON RA.CO
https://ra.co/events/2187494

THURSDAY JUNE 19

LIBER8 LA - Industry Mixer Event
Mixer Event, Open Decks, Gear Giveaways, Live Techno Workshop

The day after the BLACK TECHNO MATTERS LIBER8 LA party in Chinatown we’re having an industry mixer event in partnership with Pioneer DJ to get to know the community and give opportunities for new talent. Trovarsi will be hosting workshops focused on live performance and we will be doing a giveaway from Pioneer for some FREE gear. This is an open decks event, so bring your USBs to hop on and set the vibe. It’s happening at Tirebiter Brewery in Downtown on June 19th to celebrate Juneteenth. Hope to see you there!

Tirebiter Brewery
2502 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA

FREE

6-10PM PDT

https://ra.co/events/2183859

THURSDAY JUNE 19

LIBER8 BOST
W/ AK, BIG BEAR b2b SSG, CHELITA b2b RAPHAËL

AVERSION x BLACK TECHNO MATTERS x CLEAR THE FLOOR bring you LIBER8 BOSTON ☘️

Come dance with us @middlesex.cambridge and celebrate Juneteenth & LIBER8 your mind, body & spirit through movement with your hosts:

@av_rsion x @rinsed.av
@blacktechnomatters
@clear.the.floor

& Your DJs:

@rapharazzi (DET)
@djbigbear
@shak___av
@chelitasdelights

From the depths of sounds in Afro Electro to Techno, Ghettotech, Club & beyond;

🪩Come Dance With Us!🪩

MIDDLESEX
315 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA

8-2AM EST

TICKETS: https://ra.co/events/2188278

FRIDAY JUNE 20

LIBER8 NYC
W/ DAIYAH, STUKES, MIKE DEARBORN

Liber8: NYC Edition | Juneteenth 2025

Presented by RNR & Black Techno Matters

This Juneteenth, we honor Black liberation through the lens of wellness, restoration, and embodiment. Join us for Liber8: NYC Edition—a night of unrelenting techno made to restore, uplift, and excite.

We’re grounding in the belief that liberation starts within. Through sound, sweat, and shared intention, we’ll celebrate the resilience and brilliance of Black artistry. This is more than an event—it’s a ritual of reclamation. A portal to presence. A space to tune in, let go, and come home to our collective power.

BOSSA NOVA CIVIC CLUB
1271 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY

10-4AM EST

TICKETS AT THE DOOR

https://ra.co/events/2169999

FRIDAY JUNE 20

LIBER8 DC
W/ JJ202, KEENAN ORR, GEENA MARIE, B_X_R_N_X_R_D, BARONHAWK POITIER

📢Join us Friday June 20 for a very special night at DC9 as BLACK TECHNO MATTERS celebrates Juneteenth, the blackness of techno, and the sacred gathering space that we call the dance floor.

🔊JJ202, KEENAN ORR, GEENA MARIE and BARONHAWK POITIER will be on the decks plus there will be a special midnight performance by B_X_R_N_X_R_D, so get there early and stay late.

🪧Maybe you noticed it in the flyer, but we’re encouraging people to turn off and/or silence their phones while on the dance floor for this event. The theme of Liber8 US 2025 is RESIST THE ALGORITHM and our method of resistance in this space will be creating a SANCTUARY from the algorithm. A place where we can gather, dance, talk, laugh and maybe even cry without a billionaire getting a share of our attention.

🗓️Mark your calendars and see you there!

DC9
1940 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11-3AM EST

TICKETS: https://dc9.club/event/black-techno-matters-liber8-dc/

FRIDAY JUNE 20

LIBER8 SF
W/ FEMANYST, 9-SYSTEM, XIORRO, GHOSTMiLK, yNOTi

Liber8 SF 2025: BLACK TECHNO MATTERS returns to San Francisco for a sexy and sultry Juneteenth celebration featuring a tasty and stacked selection of legends and emerging artists. Join us June 20th at F8 for Liber8 SF 2025, one of several events we’re throwing across the country this June!

We’re excited to finally have FEMANYST headline one of our events as she brings her legendary brand of bold, gripping and unapologetic techno to work us up into a sweat.

XIORRO returns with his own unique style of driving yet versatile techno rhythms which blends endurance and mixing prowess through a meticulous selection that has brought him international acclaim.

GHOSTMiLK is being summoned to bring you some silly wacky hard fucking bass where you’ll be left feeling spiritually moisturized. Expect the unexpected with this artist whose eerie dark ambient swag with a dash of Nintendocore will take you to their fantasy world that is their obscure minD.

Known for her energetic and dark sets, DJ and burgeoning music producer yNOTi will work us up with the classical finesse of a violin player (she’s classically trained). Her exposure at a young age to the experimental electronic sounds of 1960s funk groups and love for video games and anime manifests itself in her music in exciting ways as she continues to evolve as an artist.

9-SYSTEM combines heavy rhythms and hard sounds to evoke emotional euphoria that will make you want to go deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. He coalesces a variety of influences with a singular goal: impact. Brace yourself for an unyielding psychedelic experience.

F8
1192 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103

11-3AM PDT

TICKETS: https://ra.co/events/2135348

FRIDAY JUNE 20

LIBER8 804
W/ AFRIQUA, B. HILL, PEEACE. + ELECTRIC SUN SOCIETY

BLACK TECHNO MATTERS returns to the capital city with Liber8 804 on Friday, June 20th (8 PM - 2 AM) at the underground haven, @losorichmond

This year’s Liber8 series is all about one thing: RESIST THE ALGORITHM! 🙅🏽‍♀️📱 Let’s break free from the tech bro feedback loop and find our connection on the dance floor - a true sanctuary.

We’re bringing you a stacked lineup ✊🏿🖤
-Prepare for a sonic journey with the multidisciplinary Artist/DJ/Producer @afriquamusic! This Virginia-born visionary honors Black heritage while also pushing their sonic range into the Afrocentric future. ✨
-Setting the scene for the night in the club will be local artist & DJ’s @b.hiill & @seeking.peeace! These artists will also be making their LOSO debut and we suggest you come early for your proper total Liber8 experience.
-Sidepiece (LOSO’s patio) will be taken over by the local Afro collective @electricsunsociety, bringing the heat with infectious Afro & Amapiano rhythms all night long! Get ready to move your feet! 💃🏾🕺🏽

This Juneteenth, let’s celebrate RESISTANCE, freedom, community, and the BLACK roots of real dance music . Come gather, dance, talk, laugh, exchange ideas and most importantly resist the algorithm 💪🏾
SN: Let’s make the dance floor a true sanctuary. Consider silencing those phones and immersing yourselves in the moment.

8-2AM EST

LOSO
2727 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220

TICKETS: https://ra.co/events/2162790

SATURDAY JUNE 21

LIBER8 757
W/ BENLOGIK, DAVY WRECK, XAV

Black Techno Matters is bringing their signature Juneteenth event, “Liber8,” to the 757 for the VERY FIRST TIME! Get ready to move your body and celebrate Black expression through the power of house, techno and more at Liber8 757 happening at Only You in Norfolk, VA.

This years theme is “RESIST THE ALGORITHM” and we plan to do just that by creating a space where you can disconnect virtually and connect physically, mentally, and emotionally with the community, people, & music.

The lineup includes 757 mainstay DJ/producer Benlogik, Virginia born multi-disciplinary Artist/Producer/Dancer/Designer Davy Wreck, & DJ/Producer/BTM Event coordinator Xav

-Entry is free for Liber8 757

-Located above The Veil Brewing Co. Norfolk

8-12AM EST

ONLY YOU
2314 Colonial Ave, Norfolk, VA

FREE

SATURDAY JUNE 21

LIBER8 BALT
Break A Leg x Black Techno Matters: Liber8 - A Juneteenth Celebration
W/ CASH.LISS, KOTIC COUTURE, DJ DOLLA, ACEMO + ROSE KOURTS, TROMAC, FLOTUSSIN, DEE CLARK

Reflexions invites you to join us on Saturday June 21st for this very special two room event at The Compound. With our special hosts Break A Leg and Black Techno Matters. Going from 10 PM til late, we hope you dance til sun rise and rejoice with each other in movement in celebration of Juneteenth. This event prioritizes BIPOC folks, discounts available ATD.

Break A Leg:

Tromac
Flotussin
Rose Kourts (NYC)

Special Sunrise SET (ALL VINYL)! by Dee Clark (DC)

Black Techno Matters: Liber8

Cash.Liss
DJ Dolla
Kotic Couture
AceMo

Speakers provided by Campfire Sound and Harbor Sound

Lighting by E! Lightworks

10PM-LATE EST

THE COMPOUND

TICKETS: https://ra.co/events/2172252

SUNDAY JUNE 22

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION: RESISTING THE ALGORITHM
*discuss ways to connect as a community without billionaires capitalizing on our time and attention

discussion topics:

ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF SERVICE

discuss the language of the TECH BRO MAFIA aka THE HUMAN TRAFFIC KINGS: “follower”, “influencer, “feed”, “clickbait”, “discovery”, A/B Testing, etc.

KILLING US SOFTLY WITH CONVENIENCE

the gradual decline of meaningful connection in exchange for consumer convenience

INTENTIONAL CONNECTION vs. ALGORITHMIC CONNECTION

are we feeding the algorithm or is it feeding us?

using algorithms as tools for building intentional communities

FINDING THE OFF BUTTON

the need for digital sanctuaries

7PM - 8PM EST / 4PM - 5PM PDT

BLACK TECHNO MATTERS DISCORD

SUNDAY JUNE 22

MUSICAL IDENTITY BY CREATING YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT
*a workshop led by ESTEVAN CARLOS (creator of the Liber8 US 2025 generative artwork)

This workshop aims to visit overlooked historical moments of music instrument creation. We will imagine new and creative ways to design and construct sounds through modern tools. This includes investigating musical ideas outside of Western/Europeans musical traditions.

By investigating the origins of instruments such as the talking drum and tanbur, we can reflect on and discuss how these ideas may inform our musical sound design.

The presentation will accompany a workshop in which we will work exclusively in Ableton Live 12 Suite. The workshop will combine technical details with conceptual ideas. I will demonstrate ways to approach sound design through an ethnographic perspective and by borrowing ideas from ancient instruments.

8PM - 10PM EST / 5PM - 7PM PDT

BLACK TECHNO MATTERS DISCORD