Collective Spotlight: Awkwardly Social

In this series, we spotlight up-and-coming collectives who are paving their own way while driving underground culture forward.

Awkwardly Social is a Berlin-based club night, record label and collective that’s big on pushing boundaries and building community. And it all started in 2016, when they threw their first party which doubled up as a surprise birthday party for their founding member, Cheng NWSH.

“We’d had so many house parties at his, and he was always such a generous host, so we thought we’d turn it around and do this Cheng appreciation party,” says co-founder Carl. Cheng thought he would be DJing at someone else’s event, only to find himself at the center of it. “It was really beautiful,” Carl remembers. “Lots of people got involved, and we figured we’d take the momentum from that and turn it into a party series.”

They’ve carried that kind, inclusive, family energy into everything they do, whether it’s their club nights in Berlin, their podcasts spotlighting up-and-coming artists, or their label, which is now on its 6th release.

Who is Awkwardly Social?

The collective is run by four international friends, all based in Berlin: Cheng (China), Carl (Germany), Momo (France) and Alana (Australia). All of them share a passion for left-field techno, bass and breaks, and creating a space where people can be themselves.

In a city where coolness is kudos, Awkwardly Social actively rejects it. They encourage people to come as they are, to wear colourful clothes if they want, and to dance like nobody’s watching. They were one of the first crews in Berlin to move away from techno and platform an eclectic range of music, and the name was born from that same energy.

“The name comes from Momo,” Carl says. “She wanted to say we were socially awkward, but she accidentally said ‘awkwardly social.’ I remember it so clearly — it just fit perfectly. It’s a nice spin on being socially awkward, but in a friendly way. Like, we can be socially awkward together.”

That offhand phrase became a manifesto for connection and inclusivity in a city known for being the opposite. “We started at a time when Berlin felt very exclusive,” Carl says. “There were always long queues at the door, and you had to wear a certain dress code or behave a certain way to belong. It made the whole thing kind of superficial. We wanted to be more inclusive. We just wanted people to feel good and part of the community.”

Building Community Beyond the Dance floor

Their first events were held in Anita Berber, a venue run by Tom Clark, a former Berghain and Ostgut resident. Their sound leaned towards house and techno, “but we were already quite interested in breaks and bass music even then,” Carl recalls. “Sometimes we’d piss off Tom by putting on really heavy basslines in a venue that was house-music focused, but over time, our focus evolved more towards the bassey, breaky direction — always techno-informed, but on the more experimental side.”

That musical curiosity became their signature sound and remains so today. Awkwardly Social’s parties blended the intensity of Berlin’s club sound with a looser, more colourful sensibility. “That was our aim from the start — to be inclusive in our vibe, but diverse in our music policy,” says Carl.

Expect the Unexpected

“I always find it nice when people come with a certain expectation but leave having experienced something totally different,” Carl says. “I like nights to be diverse, broad, and full of surprises.”

That approach has created a space that’s both dynamic and deeply loyal, more like an extended friendship group than a party. They often give local artists their first Berlin gigs, and their May Day parties have become legendary, as has their residency at OHM. “Our first night back after the pandemic with CCL and Angel D’lite was a really special one,” Carl remembers. “CCL loved the space so much they started their own night there after.”

Awkwardly Social nights are as much about connection as curation, not clout or status. Here it’s all about having fun, playing music you love, and supporting your friends.

Their Label and Legacy

As well as their party series, Awkwardly Social are building a loyal following with their label. “We’ve been a label since 2020 — we’re now six releases deep,” Carl says. “We’ve got another release coming in March 2026, plus a few more on spec. Putting out vinyl in this day and age is definitely an uphill battle. It’s expensive, and fewer people play it. But it’s still beautiful to see a record come to life as a physical object.”

Their approach to A&R is rooted in community and mentorship. “It’s always really nice when we A&R an artist, and then they go on to release with another, bigger label,” Carl says proudly. “It shows our release was well received and helped open doors.”

Standout artists include producer dadan karambolo, who released with Sneaker Social Club after their record on Awkwardly Social, and Egyptian artist Azemad who went on to work with Banoffee Pies. “It’s nice to see people grow — that’s what this whole thing is about.”

Awkwardly Social runs a joint party with Sneaker Social Club called Awkwardly Social Club, and a podcast series spotlighting emerging artists. “We try to shine a light on local talent,” Carl says. “During the pandemic, we also did radio shows with interviews — just to stay connected with artists when there were no shows, and we still occasionally have shows on Refuge.”

A more Colourful Berlin

Nearly a decade since their first party, Awkwardly Social has become part of a broader shift in Berlin nightlife — one that’s more inclusive, experimental, and diverse than ten years ago. “There’s much more color now,” Carl reflects. “There’s Reef at Berghain, and newer promoters like Green Room at Fitzroy or Blurry Vision who are doing great things. It’s become a much friendlier scene, where different collectives support and inspire one another.”

That evolution feels like vindication for Awkwardly Social’s founding vision: a club community built on kindness, compassion and absolutely banging music taste, not on coolness or exclusivity.

It’s just as Carl says: “Come as you are. We can all be awkwardly social together.”

Their next club night is on December 6th at OHM, featuring Dubrunner, Breaka and Yushh, and their next release is out in early 2026.