999999999
Genre: Techno
Origin: Italy
999999999 are an imposing and inescapable presence at the vanguard of the hard techno
scene. In the studio and on stage, the immediacy of uncompromising machine music collides
with the unpredictability of improvisation to create an ever-shifting, forward-pushing energetic
force.
Since the project started in 2016, the Italian duo have released a potent run of gnarly,
precision-tooled 12”s on their own NineTimesNine label, most of which have been repressed
multiple times in response to widespread demand. Elsewhere, their ‘300000003’ track (released
on Planet Rhythm in 2018) was a breakout success, catching a viral wave, going through
repress after repress and breaking their take on acid techno to a huge new audience. In 2020,
they moved from a vinyl-only operation for their own productions to offering their music up
digitally, and welcoming other artists into the fold.
But it’s as a live act 999999999 have truly carved out their reputation, presenting a
hardware-only set with the impact and intensity to set alight the world’s largest techno events.
Their rap sheet of past achievements is long and winding, taking in monolithic festivals and
intense basements alike – every different strand of Awakenings, Fabric in London, Fabrik in
Madrid, Crssd in San Diego, Fuse in Brussels, Sub Club in Glasgow, Kompass in Ghent,
Possession (with Boiler Room) in Paris. They’ve completed tours across the Americas, in Asia,
Australia and through every pulsing pocket of party energy in Europe.
Beyond their tours, 999999999 also take pride in hosting their own specially curated 9×9 Invites
events across Europe, most notably in the much-missed Berlin techno mecca Griessmuehle
where they welcomed respected artists such as Sunil Sharpe and Umwelt. They also enjoy
taking control of the club for the entire night, for example doing the first 12-hour takeover of
Khidi in Tbilisi in late 2019.
The secret to the success of the 999999999 project lies in its force of personality. Every
thunderous kick, daggering synth stab and twisting acid line is fired off with a clear-sighted
intention – everything is pitched to elicit the maximum physical and emotional response from the
dancer. There’s no middle ground, just an emphatic tribute to the hard, dark, deep end of the
night.