Interview: Dr. Motte & Tommahawk discuss Rave The Planet 2026, ‘Imagine Love’, and more

Rave The Planet returns to Berlin this week for its fifth anniversary, continuing the non-profit movement launched by Dr. Motte after the 2022 revival. Ahead of the 2026 edition of the parade, the Love Parade founder has joined forces with German producer Tommahawk for ‘Imagine Love’, the event’s official anthem, which also arrives with remixes from Juliet Fox, Pan-Pot, Mark Reeder, and Micha Adams.

With Dr. Motte balancing the demands of organising Berlin’s largest techno demonstration and Tommahawk in the middle of a busy summer festival schedule, the collaboration arrives during a period of high momentum for both artists.

We caught up with both of them to discuss the making of ‘Imagine Love’, the legacy of Love Parade, the evolution of Rave The Planet, and what they hope hundreds of thousands of dancers will take away from this year’s celebration of techno culture in Berlin.

How has summer 2026 been treating you both so far?

Dr. Motte: It’s been a pretty crazy time lately. I’m out DJing every weekend, and at Rave the Planet, we’re currently busy preparing for the Rave the Planet Parade with the theme “Imagine Love”, which will take place in Berlin on August 15th. There’s always a lot to organize for that. Plus, the anthem for the Rave the Planet Parade which I produced with Tommahawk has just been released. So it’s a busy time not just for me but for the whole Rave The Planet team.

Tommahawk: Summer has been crazy so far, festival shows like Geheime Liefde with a completely secret line-up or the mighty Docklands festival. Paired with more intimate open airs during the 40°C heatwave. Respect to the dancers that still brought lots of energy. And of course, we are full on in the promo phase with the Rave The Planet anthem! Connecting to so many people and the whole RTP crew has been wonderful.

You just collaborated for ‘Imagine Love’, the official anthem of Rave The Planet 2026, where do you begin when approaching a project like this?

Dr. Motte: Everything we do with Rave the Planet is always a team decision. We’ve always wanted to support young artists too. Tomahawk personally caught my attention with her DJ set at Rave the Planet 2025. That’s why I asked her if she’d like to work with me on the track for Rave The Planet 2026. Then we met in the studio in December and came up with a really great result very quickly. I’m thrilled that ‘Imagine Love’ is now available, and we’ve seen great results. A big thank you to everyone.

Tommhawk: After I released ’Soul Flight’ on the RTP supporter series, I was frequently in touch with the team. During winter Dr. Motte gave me a call, if I would like to participate on writing the official anthem. I was thrilled right away, ideas started to come into my mind from the point we hung up the phone. The perfect chance to bring together the classic sounds that shaped me from the teenage years. And shape a synergy with my current style! When Dr. Motte told me the theme will be ‘Imagine Love’ I knew I wanted vocals, and started writing the lyrics. Whenever the layout was finished, we met together in the studio. Finishing the track with the final touches.

There are also remixes from Juliet Fox, Mark Reeder, and Micha Adams, what’s your opinion on those versions?

Dr. Motte: Techno music is all about diversity. We always want to feature a variety of genres. So I asked Mark Reeder in the spur of the moment. He’s been deeply rooted in Berlin’s techno scene for a long time, ran a label with Paul van Dyk, and continues to create interesting music with his partner to this day. We really like the remix. Juliet Fox’s remix, meanwhile, appeals to the younger generation. It’s got a fast beat and Juliet’s signature style, thanks to Mark and Juliet.

Tommahawk: It’s always exciting to see other artists adding spices to your own track. While Juliet Fox came around with a punchy, even more rave shaped version. Pan-Pot shaped the track into a more minimal direction, finishing off the remix package is Mark Reed & Micha Adams, adding totally new elements to the track. Hearing all the creative input from all artists was super refreshing and I cannot wait what the crowd reaction will be, once the remixes are out!

This is the fifth year of Rave The Planet, have things played out how you might have predicted when relaunching in 2022?

Dr. Motte: For us, it’s always true that after the parade is before the parade. We plan well in advance. Once we’ve reviewed and wrapped up the last parade, we immediately start preparing for the next one. All of this has to be funded, after all. We’re a demonstration, and no one pays an admission fee. That’s why everything has to be well prepared again pretty quickly. And we don’t just put on the parade. We also release music and preserve the intangible cultural heritage known as “technoculture in Berlin.” We’re also celebrating our 5th parade anniversary, and we’re already working on a book that we’ll publish in December.

As someone who grew up in Germany with Love Parade playing such a significant role in club culture, how does it feel to now be producing an official anthem within that legacy?

Tommahawk: I felt more than honoured! But it was also a big pressure, as I’m a perfectionist, especially when producing tracks. Having the legacy of the Love Parade, that carried and shaped the spirit of techno, love and unity for decades through the world. Is a tiny bit scary but also the fuel for me, to deliver the best track I can. Carrying the legacy to the new generation of Rave The Planet!

What’s one of the main things you’re looking forward to on August 15th?

Dr. Motte: I love finally seeing all the techno trucks, we call them floats, in action. There’s always so much to do; I can hardly wait for it to finally get started. It might even get really crowded. After all, we’re demonstrating for love, peace, unity, respect, humanity, and justice. Especially in the age of AI, it’s important to pay creators fairly if their creativity is used by AI models.  AI models should license music from creators and artists and develop models for financial participation. In Germany, copyright law applies. And if there’s no contract with a company that uses my music to train its AI, that violates applicable law. I’d like to be asked for permission, please. Streaming services should also offer fair compensation. That’s another reason we’re demonstrating with Rave the Planet.

Tommahawk: To see 250,000 or more amazing souls dancing together, unite, and forget about the everyday hustle. So many generations, different humans coming peacefully together to celebrate music. Not only to the anthem but to all the amazing artists, delivering their best DJ sets on that day!

One message you hope people take away from Rave The Planet 2026?

Dr. Motte: Positive vibes. Great memories of how people as a dancing community can really make a statement that we’re all one human family on this planet. After the parade, we’ll all head to the afterparty at the Columbiahalle with myself, DJ Rush, Nakadia, Teenage Mutants, and Tommahawk. The afterparty is meant to be the perfect finale to our fifth anniversary celebration. I’m really looking forward to it.

Tommahawk: I hope people can take the spirit of Rave The Planet home with them. What happens on that day is that the most different kinds of people, every age, every background, every walk of life, come together and share the same street, the same music, the same moment. That feeling of community, of genuinely liking each other, shouldn’t end when the last float rolls away. Carry it into your everyday life. Take it into your city, your circle, your work. That’s how a parade becomes a culture, and how a culture stands for something bigger: for peace, for tolerance, for respect, and most importantly for love. Because in the end it’s simple: techno is love.

Find more information on Rave The Planet 2026 here.

40 Questions: Ramon Tapia