All images courtesy Shameless/Limitless.
This time last year, you were probably spending your last night on a dancefloor, largely unaware of the radical shift about to occur for billions of people around the world. It’s been nearly a year since Berlin clubs shuttered their doors for the last time, and whilst a few were able to negotiate open-air alternatives for the summer months of 2020, the vast majority of nightlife venues have failed to find any degree of post-pandemic functionality. This is mainly, if not entirely, due to a cocktail of circumstances outside of their control.
As a result of this, many have found themselves appreciating the smaller facets of life that hark back to a pre-pandemic world. One of the unsung heroes of our former existence is the humble, yet now immeasurably nostalgic, nightclub poster. There’s no easy way to encapsulate Berlin nightlife, but the 536-page softcover book, Please Come: Shameless/Limitless Selected Posters 2008-2020, serves as a worthy companion when attempting to relive (potentially patchy) memories of the city’s DIY live music scene.
In total, the book contains 223 posters from shows and parties organised by Kevin Halpin with the help of Graeme Mitchell. What began as a weekly, Wednesday-night DJ set in Sonnenallee’s Cafe Warschau incrementally developed into the conductor of the city’s beating live music scene. The book’s posters reference events that have spanned across more than 45 venues and contain guest texts from over 20 musicians, designers, and kindred spirits that perfected the “doing things simply” ethos that came to embody Shameless/Limitless nights.
Having relocated to Berlin from Williams Lake, British Columbia, Halpin placed an emphasis on welcoming everybody to Shameless/Limitless events. As intended, this open-door policy would welcome one and all, including the likes of Erika de Casier, Fatima al Qadiri and Ultraflex to the stage over the course of its 550+ show history. Not to be typecast as an incubator for Berlin-based live music – guest parties were also held for those passing through the German capital. Metronomy, Crack Cloud and Project Pablo were all welcomed by Halpin as were Molly Nilsson, Mac DeMarco, and Kirin J Callinan. The latter three all held recurring shows and parties under Shameless/Limitless’ proverbial roof.
Such is the cult-like following that Shameless/Limitless has amassed, the book unsurprisingly sold out upon initial release. However, due to popular demand, Halpin and co. are gearing up for a second release run. Whilst the future landscape of Berlin’s nightlife is indeterminable at this present moment, comfort can be taken in the fact that memories of its past will live forever.
You can browse through selected spreads from ‘Please Come: Shameless/Limitless Selected Posters 2008-2020’ below:
For more information and further updates on the second run of ‘Please Come: Shameless/Limitless Selected Posters 2008-2020′ follow Shameless/Limitless on Instagram.