Kraftwerk - 1 Autobahn (1974)

A highlight of 2014: Kraftwerk play their entire catalog in the Vienna Burgtheater during the Wiener Festwochen. After having been successful at the Internet auction in the middle of a working day, expectations are high - and easily matched, if not surpassed.

Buddies: Schnee-Weißchen, David, Michael
Score: 5 out of 5
Merch: 'Autobahn' T-Shirt + mouse pad
Another gig: yes, if it's in a comparably innovative venue :-)

 
It's raining cats and dogs, so we are all happy to spend this evening in the holy halls of Burgtheater. David and me are very lucky to get some of the last pairs of 3D glasses - some failed. Without them, the entire thing would have been half the fun. When I am offered earbuds at the entry, I smile - but I would prove quite wrong in this respect, and I'll come back to this a bit later. First faux-pas: I am not aware that the first row of 'Parterre' is quite in the rear section of the ... well ... Parterre, whatever, I finally find my seat in time.

'Autobahn' has been a quite pragmatic choice because the other days did not fit that well. First surprise is the sound, which is very gutsy and with decent surround elements. 'Autobahn' sounds have been updated, but are still very retro. Sometimes the floor heavily resonates with the quite significant volume of the music, much stronger and compelling than expected at this place. And it's still authentic, the dreamy and spherical sounds you know from the original recording, but with today's strength. A very nice way to transform this music into 2014. Same is true for the 3D visuals, this is no hyper-realistic texture-excess, but very retro 3D polygons. I did not expect anything more exiting, the 3D effects were just nice.

Second surprise was that the song 'Autobahn' was a rather short version of the 22 min original - I expected more because the entire work is rather short. But this is of no disadvantage, after these five songs, a potpourri of all important Kraftwerk songs followed. Basically nothing is missing. It gives you a lively impression of the tremendous ingenuity and influence that this music had on the development of electronic music. From this perspective, a performance of this music in a very classical venue actually makes sense. In Kraftwerk's domain, their music is classical and can be performed in the Burg, without any need to play it unplugged or otherwise strangely.

As David puts it afterwards, this gig was impeccable. From myself, Kraftwerk gets highest credit for delivering a strong, yet very authentic performance at a classic venue.

Here are some short impressions of this impressive performance:

 

Laibach IV

Even when seeing them for the fourth time, Laibach easily surprise and impress me. Without doubt, this is their best performance so far.

Buddy: David
Score: 5 out of 5 
Merch: a nice Spectre t-shirt
Again? Can I subscribe? Am I already in Groupie mode?

Die Krupps II (Chant, Vigilante)

Got two tickets for this gig - thanks to Michael and Harald (he unfortunately canceled in last minute). It's so good to see Die Krupps back again with two stellar support acts. 

Buddies: Michael and David 
Score: 5 out of 5 
Merchandize: a signed Chant CD
Another Gig? Any time!





The evening starts with Chant, two percussionists that like drumming to industrial electronic music. What sounds a bit strange turns out as a really good act. Very intelligent Industrial music reminds me a bit of the young NIN or My Life With The Kill Cult (at least at first glance). It's very good music, so I buy the 2013 CD and have it signed by Bradley Bills. Keep on going, this is great music.

Amon Amarth (Carcass)

Vikings in Vienna, they greet us in polished German. Loud music in a packed Gasometer, more than enough cigarette smoke and three decent beer douches - in other words: a metal concert as it should be :-)

Buddies: Stolli, Harald, Tom
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Merchandize: I was too late for a great-looking Carcass t-shirt :-(
Another Gig? One is just fine.



Unfortunately we miss out Carcass and head straight into the main act. It's a shame that I am not much prepared musically, but it doesn't matter that much. It becomes immediately clear to me why Amon Amarth can easily fill Gasometer tonight. It's a professional, yet entertaining gig without flaws. A very energetic start, then some length in between, and a very powerful ending. Knowing the music a bit more would have helped a bit - but I am not so much into this Viking stuff :-).

Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age 

The band has become hugely successful, so they invite into Stadthalle Wien. This has little in common with my favourite locations, such as Arena or Gasometer. 

 

Buddies: Schnee Weißchen, Tom, Rainer

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandize: nope

Another Gig: not as long as the band is so hyped

I must complain of the ticket price, but it's just as every time in Stadthalle Wien: You pay more for less view and less acoustic. But that's what big music business is apparently about.

Similarly to Them Crooked Vultures some time ago, sometimes also this band is a bit too relaxed on stage. They just let you know that they made it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good gig with great music - hey, I needed to see QOTSA live! 

Crystal Castles

Another retrospect review - a tough one. About a year ago, Crystal Castles very much impressed with their particular performance. Still when I try to put the music into perspective, it gets a bit harder to rate this ... Gig? Performance? Dance Party? Whatever ...

Buddies: David Z., Michael M.-W.
Score: 4 out of 5
Merchandize: nope
Another gig? Another tough question :-)



Probably it's exactly how it should be. Crystal Castles perform literally. In everything they are doing, they somehow refuse to be categorized. Nearly all of their public statements end up in negation. So what can I say of this night?