On Stage: Die Ärzte

02.10.2023, Ringlokschuppen, Bielefeld

After the Punk Rock veterans Die Ärzte Last year, in addition to the big venues, there was also a tour of the smallest clubs in Berlin, for which getting a ticket was like winning the lottery, fans from the rest of the country should now also have the opportunity to see the best band in the world in relatively small venues. Here, too, tickets went like hot cakes and those who were able to attend were lucky.

Today was the second appointment at the Bielefeld Lokschuppen. The show started right on time at 8 p.m. with a cold start with BelaFarinRod – why bring a heater when the temperature in the room was already soaring during the intro?

If you’ve ever looked up the setlist on the relevant websites, you didn’t know exactly what would be played today – typical for the Ärzte – but you could prepare yourself for songs that you don’t always get to hear live. Accordingly, there was great excitement as to what would be on the program today in addition to the standards. With “Wer verliert, hat schon verloren” and the “Lied vom Scheitern”, things got off to a powerful start. Of course, there is no Die Ärzte show without various conversations, mainly between Farin and Bela, about current affairs, ageing (Farin has realized that he shrinks with age, but not everywhere) or stories from the past – to list everything would go beyond the scope. It’s also difficult to describe – it’s best to experience it for yourself. Of course, the audience was also involved – whether with a “La-Ola support group”, frog croaking during “Noise”, or the appointment of a “Master of the Pit” – “Everyone do what the guy from Gütersloh does now”, Farin explained this post. The obligatory shouts of “undress” follow immediately, of course. Despite all the nonsense, Bela also addressed serious topics such as the AfD’s strong percentage figures in the elections in Hesse and Bavaria. There was also a tour premiere today with “Alleine in der Nacht” and there was no stopping the “sit down and jump up” game to “Unrockbar”.

Of course, the concert didn’t end there. With no less than three encore blocks, they were just over halfway through. Nevertheless, the three hours flew by and some people looked a little incredulous when Farin announced the “Now really the last song”, of course he mentioned beforehand that the audience was better today than yesterday. Unfortunately, the “Autumn of Life” was already over for the day. However, the title must refer to the age of the band members, as there was not much sign of autumn that day.

Text & Photos: Mina Wagner

Setlist:
Intro (“Erinnerungen aus 41 Jahren”) – “Wer verliert, hat schon verloren” – “Lied vom Scheitern” – “Ein Lied für Dich” – “Geld” – “Tamagotchi” – “Der Misanthrop” – “Noise” – “Ein Sommer nur für mich” – “Vokuhila Superstar” (incl. “Blumen”) – “Lasse redn” – “Einschlag” – “Ich, am Strand” – “Hard Luck Woman” (KISS cover) – “1/2 Lovesong” – “Anti-Zombie” – “Dunkel” – “Die Banane” – “Our Bass Player Hates This Song” – “Mysteryland” – “Schunder-Song” – “Doof” – “Herrliche Jahre” – “Alleine in der Nacht” – “Unrockbar” — “Leben vor dem Tod” – “Für uns” – “Deine Schuld” — “Dinge von denen” – “Himmelblau” – “Hurra” — “Wie es geht” – “Junge” – “Schrei nach Liebe” – “Dauerwelle vs. Minipli” – Outro (lullaby)