Backstage Werk, Munich, Germany
18th September 2011
VNV Nation & Straftanz
On the 16th of September, 2011 the new VNV Nation album 'Automatic' was published, tags on it began in Munich the yearly Oktoberfest - there was only one thing absent: VNV NATION live! Well, the band came, just two days after the release to turn Munich into a boiling pot!
Straftanz
STRAFTANZ is a German Electro project which was founded in 2006. The project consists of a loose group of different artists. Their music connects influences from Future pop, trance, Rave and Metal. Up to now the band with varying line-up has already published four albums. Their latest album is called ‘Mainstream Sellout Overground’ and was also published on the 16th of September, 2011. www.facebook.com/straftanz.zk
Music & Performance
At about 7:20 PM, STRAFTANZ appeared on stage. During their show, the band offered a well danceable program to the already numerously present audience. They played primarily songs of their recently appeared album. In spite of all, mood did not want to arise naturally; I think that the listeners have come primarily because of VNV NATION and waited merely until the support on the stage left again. Besides, the appearance of STRAFTANZ also had to offer entertaining moments, e.g., as the singer appeared with a pink-coloured plush unicorn, one of the band’s trademarks. After good half an hour they left the stage under moderate applause.
Setlist
01. The Enchantment
02. Forward Ever
03. Die Neue F-Klasse (Ein Panzerlied)
04. Straftanz
05. Für die Kinder
06. Gummimann
07. Turbo
08. Tanzt Kaputt, Was Euch Kaputt Macht!
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 7
Sound: 7
Light: 6
Total: 6.8 / 10
VNV Nation
VNV NATION is an English-Irish Alternative Electronic duet which was founded in 1990. Their music is a mixture of danceable electronic rhythms, elements of pop music and orchestral influences. On the 16th of September, 2011 appeared, as already mentioned, their new album 'Automatic' which immediately made it into the German album charts. At the same time, the band which is known for their dynamic shows, started to their tour. www.vnvnation.com
Music & Performance
Then after half an hour rebuilding break it was time for the main act and after a countdown which was indicated by the big LED monitors in the stage background, singer Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson (drums) together with their live support which consisted of Tom and André on the synthesizers, appeared on stage. The mood in the very well filled Backstage Werk was now already at the first climax and the crowd did not seem to want to calm down any more. Ronan Harris was in a very good mood and was extremely fond of speech during the whole show. He fired the audience, made jokes and told all possible things, like that the band would be renamed in 'WiesnV Nation' (Wiesn = Oktoberfest). Already their last concert in Munich 2009 happened during the Wiesn time and might be well remained to some fans with Ronan's appearance in leather trousers.
Besides new songs out of their two just released album, as for example 'Nova‘ and 'Control', the band played also older songs as for example 'Solitary' or also 'Standing'. The projections on the monitors in the background fitted really well to the program and also the light show supported the positive mood. Ronan Harris emitted an energy which leapt over on the listeners. The audience could not be stopped, it joined in the singing from first up to the very back row, they all clapped and danced together, namely during the whole concert. Ronan had to wait over and over again, until the crowd calmed down again what was hardly to be believed for Munich relations. Then after 2 ¾ hours and more than the planned nine additions (!), the band said goodbye finally under blustering applause.
Setlist
01. Chrome
02. Space & Time
03. Sentinel
04. Darkangel
05. Further
06. Epicentre
07. Tomorrow Never Comes
08. Resolution
09. Solitary
10. Illusion
11. Gratitude
12. Standing Motion
13. Farthest Star
14. Control
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15. Homeward
16. Great Divide
17. Genesis
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18. Legion Live
19. Honour
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20. Beloved
21. Nova
22. Perpetual
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23. Radio
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24. …
Rating
Music: 10
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 8
Total: 9 / 10
The evening was unbelievable! A huge achievement of VNV NATION and a dreamlike audience! The concert could have gone on like that forever… Any time with pleasure again!
All pictures by Erika Knepper (
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