In the location's words:

SUBSTAGE Karlsruhe e.V. is a live music club, we organize and host concerts by national and international artists, with acts from the region in particular being an integral part of our program. We are not limited to a specific genre - rock, electro, indie, metal, pop, hip hop, reggae, punk - everything is welcome. We are open to a lot - if it suits us. We have no room for homophobia, sexism, racism and discrimination in any form. In addition to concerts, our program also includes regular parties. An elementary part of our work is the promotion of the local music scene. We are committed to supporting up-and-coming musicians from the region, advising and promoting them and offering them a stage. In the PopNetz network, we organize band coaching, seminars and workshops and the NEW.BANDS.FESTIVAL together with other partners.

SUBSTAGE is a non-profit organization. This means that we do not work commercially. Our team of permanent employees is small and without the support of many mini-jobbers and freelancers we would not be able to keep the club running. ♥
SUBSTAGE was founded in 1990 as part of the Karlsruhe Musicians' Initiative (MIK). One of MIK's goals was to establish a venue for rock bands in Karlsruhe - not something that could be taken for granted at the time. This was finally found: SUBSTAGE (then known as Subway) found its loud home in a former pedestrian underpass. We founded a non-profit association - SUBSTAGE Karlsruhe e.V. - and from then until today, many musicians and freelance cultural workers have been part of our team.

Since 2010, we have been located in a former slaughterhouse at the Alter Schlachthof in Karlsruhe. We converted and expanded the building with a lot of love, our own work and with financial help from the city of Karlsruhe. We opened our second stage on the upper floor in 2016, where we offer music and culinary delights in the "bar, cucina e musica" MINESTRONE (formerly "Substage Cafe"). Concerts are held here regularly and the local scene presents itself at "Karlsunruhe". Thousands of bands have performed at SUBSTAGE since 1990, including many legends, and we are working to ensure that many more will follow. Thanks to all those who have been with us for a long time and a warm "hello" to all the newcomers: We look forward to seeing you!