Experienced live: KoЯn

August 19, 2024, Bonn, Kunst!Rasen

Since 2012, the Bonn Rheinaue has been transformed into Bonn’s largest open-air site in summer. Top-class concerts take place here week after week. This time, visitors were in for another highlight as the nu-metal pioneers from KoЯn made a guest appearance in the popular city on the Rhine. With 10,000 visitors, the concert was completely sold out. The first fans were already there in the morning to secure the best seats directly in front of the stage later on.

Deliberate contrasts

Admission took place as early as 4:30 p.m. and really quickly. Now we had a good two hours to linger on the grounds, fortify ourselves for the evening ahead and make new friends. The Canadians from Spiritbox awaited us as special guests. Together with their front woman Courtney LaPlante, the band is currently one of the up-and-coming modern metal acts. The singer calmly entered the approximately three-meter-high stage and approached her microphone stand. Her dark hair was set off with purple sections to match the background on the screen. In addition to a heavy sound and deep growls, the Canadians also had melodic sounds with crystal-clear vocals to offer. While Courtney moved gracefully and gave the audience her sugar-sweet smile or the occasional air kiss, guitarist Mike Stringer had a bitterly evil expression on his face to match his riffs.

Against the current

Courtney and her men kept coming close to the edge of the stage, cheerfully changing their positions on stage and making the most of the space. In addition to the ear candy “Jaded”, the hit song “Circle with Me” and the powerful track “Holy Roller” stood out in particular. The quartet was already well received by the audience. “I see you guys and I appreciate this.” The Canadian scored further bonus points when she said that so many people in the metal scene like to tell the crowd what to do. Instead, she opted for the contrasting program “Do whatever the fuck you want!” Brian “Head” Welch from KoЯn didn’t miss the opportunity to watch her special guests perform from the side of the stage – what an honor! Courtney sincerely thanked KoЯn and the entire crew for their time together. This evening finally marked the end of the tour. Spiritbox said goodbye with “Hysteria” after their entertaining 45-minute set. Deep, dark, heavy riffs were finally accompanied by devastating growls. Well, that was a successful start to the evening.

A rousing start

After the stage conversion, the unique biomechanical microphone stand in the shape of an exotic woman, which H.R. Giger once designed for Jonathan Davis, was unveiled at 8pm. Another huge LED wall was mounted on the ceiling at the front of the stage. We were therefore in for a special visual spectacle. The KoЯn logo was emblazoned on this very screen to accompany the intro “4U” and so the show began. Together with his bandmates, the legendary frontman took to the stage in a green Adidas suit embroidered with sequins. When the opener “Rotting in Vain” was played, there was no stopping the crowd. Completely euphoric, the crowd surged forward. Like a whirlwind, the fans in the front section simply swept away anyone who just wanted to watch the concert. Drummer Ray Luzier was really up for it and, right at the beginning, he twirled a drumstick high into the air before skillfully integrating it back into his drumming.

Established shining star

All around the stage we were served animated videos in changing colors to match the lightshow. It looked really impressive. The sonic unfolding of anger and resignation on the track “Here to Stay” heated up the cauldron even more. This was accompanied by the loud voices of the dedicated crowd. The first beer showers cooled the overheated tempers. Jonathan also got rid of his jacket and from then on walked across the stage singing in a black tank top. While guitarists Brian “Head” Welch and Munky didn’t leave their seats for a while, eliciting virtuoso sounds from their stringed instruments song after song and swinging their bowls with commitment, you could tell that bassist Ra Diaz has only been on stage with the guys for a few years. With unbridled enthusiasm, an unspeakable joy of playing and his honey-cake horse smile, he was not only to be seen everywhere, his stage frenzy was also extremely infectious. Since Fieldy’s sabbatical, the dedicated bassist has more than earned his place in the band.

Wild escalation

“I love you, Jonathaaaaan!” shouted a fan towards the stage. Although KoЯn ‘s latest album was successful and was showered with praise, only one song from it made it onto the setlist: “Start the Healing”. Menacing shouts alternated with melodic, even sweet vocals, only to become oppressive and evil in the chanting. The crowd was just as crazy as “Good God”. While strangers bounced on you, hugged you and engaged you in conversation, the crowd of crowdsurfers got going. So there was plenty to do in front of the stage – in the meantime, you hardly noticed what was happening on stage.

A delightful journey through time

To my relief, this was followed by an expansive drum solo from Ray. He alone was now the focus. Everyone else left the stage for a moment. The drummer let off steam to strobe effects and blue light and his own fun was clearly written all over his face. “Are you readyyyyyyyyy?” They headbanged peacefully to the famous riffs of the classic “Blind”. An absolute highlight followed with “Got the Life”. The entire stage was lit up in warm orange-red hues. All the musicians were on fire for this song. Jonathan felt like he was singing for his life and we all jumped around in the crowd and sang along happily. It felt like we were all Sweet Sixteen again at that moment. In the meantime, Brian and Munky appeared and came right to the front. They also waved to the audience.

Karma will sort it out

During the song “Falling Away from Me”, a guitar pick suddenly landed on the floor between us. Some of the rigorous fans simply reached into the mud at random. And we sang “Beating me down. Beating me, beating me down, down. Into the ground.” Incidentally, the pick didn’t reappear until much later. And it was right behind me. A really nice woman had found it. Jonathan addressed us: “How are you feeling tonight? I said, how the fuck are you feeeeling? This year we celebrated thirty years with this band. It’s amazing. We wanna thank you. So, you wanna keep this party rolling? Let’s take the middle finger up! One, two, three – fuck that!” “Y’All Want a Single” created a sense of community. During the chorus of the angry song, the band and fans repeatedly raised their evil fingers together, smiling inwardly as they celebrated the resistance.

Concentrated intensity

After just an hour, the official part of the set ended suddenly and unexpectedly. Calls for an encore spread, but then it became romantic. An infinite number of cell phone lights lit up and created a warm atmosphere. Jonathan returned to the stage – while playing his fine bagpipes, he came very close to the edge of the stage. Gradually, the rest of the instruments began to play again. A snippet of Metallica’smega hit “One” provided a pleasant surprise during “Shoots and Ladders”. The fans became deafeningly loud when the closer “Freak on a Leash” came on. Once again, everyone jumped around with their arms raised in euphoria. On stage, too, every last ounce of energy was tapped and the musicians gave their all. Jonathan beamed: “Thank you so fucking much. You were an incredible crowd.” At the end of the tour, KoЯn brought their entire crew and Spiritbox on stage to take a souvenir photo with us. Munky’s son threw numerous guitar picks into the crowd together with his dad. Ray, Brian and Ra Diaz also threw gimmicks to the front. At the end, Ra Diaz even got rid of his red cap. It was an intense 85 minutes. Even after 30 years, KoЯn have lost none of their immense power. Work on their next album has already begun. It can go on like this!

Setlist SPIRITBOX:
“Cellar Door” – “Jaded” – “Angel Eyes” – “The Void” – “Rule of Nines” – “Blessed Be” – “Secret Garden” – “Circle With Me” – “Holy Roller” – “Hysteria”

Setlist KoЯn :
“Rotting in Vain” – “Here to Stay” – “A.D.I.D.A.S.” – “Clown” – “Start the Healing” – “Good God” – “Blind” – “Got the Life” – “Falling Away From Me” – “Coming Undone” – “Somebody Someone” – “Y’All Want a Single”— “Shoots and Ladders” – “Twist” – “Divine” – “Freak on a Leash”

Text: Nadine Kloppert
Photos: Michael Gamon