On Stage: RAMMSTEIN

Automatic translation. Improvements are constantly being worked on.

Support: Abélard
15.07.2023 – Berlin, Olympiastadion

Rammstein played the first of three scheduled concerts in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Saturday evening. Joyful anticipation prevailed during the opener “Royal Fireworks” by George Frideric Handel, which hinted at what was to follow. The fact that it was a “concert” in banal terms doesn’t do it justice, because it was another show of superlatives. “Nun hat das Warten ein Ende / Leiht euer Ohr einer Legende” (“Now the wait is over / Lend your ear to a legend”), Till Lindemann sang in “Rammlied” without any hint of false modesty.

There must have been around 60,000 people in the stadium, which made this concert seem like a conspiratorial unit. A unit both in the audience and on stage with a direct connection to each other. This meant that resounding choruses rang out again and again, such as with “Du hast”. One of many goosebump moments.

With Rammstein, you know what you’re getting and what you’ve got. It is an engagement and identification with the lyrics and the music, including the omnipresent stage show. “Links 2-3-4”, for example, can be interpreted as a substantial rejection of right-wing instrumentalization. They used to be lighters that lit up during a “cuddle song”. In modern times, the smartphone is used as a substitute to create the desired atmosphere. This was the case with “Zeit”, the relatively soft song by Rammstein.

“Deutschland” is special, whereby the audience disregarded many a line of text and the fan unit, completely detached, belted out the Vaterland line particularly loudly through their throats. The crux of the matter is that Rammstein object: “My love / I can’t give you.” Lindemann outed himself as a foreigner on “international terrain” with the song “Ausländer”. An emotional climax followed with “Ohne dich”. “Ich will, dass ihr mir vertraut / Ich will, dass ihr mir glaubt” (I want you to trust me / I want you to believe me”), it said in the following song “Ich will”, and Lindemann lifted the corners of his mouth with a slight smile.

After the encore, the audience left the Olympiastadion with one crying and one laughing eye, probably also lost in thought. With a teary eye, because the time has simply passed far too quickly, and with a laughing eye, because you can’t even register what has actually happened to you during this bombastic concert evening: an experience that will resonate in the minds of those present for a long time to come.

Text & Photos: Fred Gasch

Setlist:
“Royal Fireworks” – “Rammlied” – “Links 2-3-4” – “Bestrafe mich” – “Giftig” – “Sehnsucht” – “Mein Herz brennt” – “Puppe” – “Angst” – “Zeit” – “Deutschland (Remix by Richard Z. Kruspe)” – “Deutschland” – “Radio” – “Mein Teil” – “Du hast” – “Sonne” — “Engel” (with Abélard) – “Ausländer” – “Miststück” – “Du riechst so gut” – “Ohne Dich” — “Rammstein” – “Ich wil” – “Adieu” – “Deutschland (piano version)” – “Haifisch (Haiswing Remix by Olsen Involtini)” – “Lügen”

Fancy seeing Rammstein live? Here are the dates:
May 11, 2024 Czech Republic, Prague, Letňany Airport
May 15, 2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne
May 16, 2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne
May 18, 2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne
May 19, 2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne
May 24, 2024 Serbia, Belgrade, Ušće Park
May 30, 2024 Greece, Athens, Olympic Complex
June 05, 2024 Spain, San Sebastián, Estadio Anoeta
June 08, 2024 France, Marseille, Orange Vélodrome
June 11, 2024 Spain, Barcelona, Estadi Olímpic
June 15, 2024 France, Lyon, Groupama Stadium
June 18, 2024 Netherlands, Nijmegen, Goffertpark
June 23, 2024 Ireland, Dublin, RDS Arena
June 27, 2024 Belgium, Ostend, Park Nieuwe Koers
July 05, 2024 Denmark, Copenhagen, Valbyparken
July 11, 2024 Germany, Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park
July 12, 2024 Germany, Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park
July 17, 2024 Austria, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee Stadium
July 18, 2024 Austria, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee Stadium
July 21, 2024 Italy, Reggio Emilia, RCF Arena (Campovolo)
July 26, 2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena
July 27, 2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena
July 29, 2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena
July 30, 2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena