On Stage: VERSENGOLD – “Nacht der Balladen” in Hanover

17.03.2023

Anyone who has ever experienced the Folk Rockers from Bremen live knows about the power and artistry with which the guys around frontman and band founder Malte Hoyer inspire their audience again and again. Loud songs, dances and songs about alcohol, love and friendship turn every Versengold concert into a musical celebration. But how can the exuberant party mood that the fans love so much be translated to a rather worn evening on a theater stage, and then also with “Balladen” in the title?

Of course, the musicians are also known for their profound pieces, but they are rarely part of the setlist at their concerts. Who wants to deal with heartbreak, politics or death while partying – or even bawl longing love songs? To give her softer tones more space, the “Nacht der Balladen” tour has been taking place for five years now, the first time in 2018 of course in her home port of Bremen. The venues on this unusual tour range from baroque dance halls to former congress halls to theaters, as in their appearance this year in Hanover.

The stage outfits of Malte and Co. were also very different from those of their other concerts. Unusually confident in shirts, vests and tweed jackets, the folk rockers greeted their fans after a short intro with the first song of the evening “Der Zauber des Wildfräuleins”, directly followed by “Windsbraut”. Despite the usual thunderous applause, it quickly became clear how different this performance would be. Versengold were supported not only by a string quartet, but also by a singer and a drummer. In addition, the musicians were finally able to show how much musical ability they actually have. Without exception, all band members are proficient on more than one instrument, and ALL of them seem to be able to sing as well. For the next song “Küstenkind” violinist Flo switched to mandolin and for “Schönheit der Schatten” Sean sat at the piano. The fact that Flo claimed not to have any real command of this instrument can probably be chalked up to an understatement.

During the old Versengold classic“Das Bier ich in der Rechten trug” Malte went on a singing and chatting ramble through the audience and did what he does most at concerts besides singing, namely telling stories. The next song “Die Wilde Jagd” showed us that we would not have to do without the loud and danceable elements this evening either, to the great delight of all present. Finally, the Bremen band performed “Lautes Gedenken”, a song from their yet to be released new CD, which will be released in November. The song is dedicated to all those who have already passed away, and probably brought tears to the eyes of many. How fitting that there was a twenty-minute intermission afterwards (we were in a theater, after all!) where we could dry our tears and wet our thirsty throats.

The second half of the evening was mainly characterized by history lessons with “Winterflut 1717” as well as political statements with “Alte Männer” as well as “Tod und Trommeln”. The war in Ukraine, which has been going on for over a year, naturally left the musicians, who are unusually political for a lyric band, just as little cold as any of us, and they gave vent to their incomprehension, grief and anger in these two songs from the new album.

After that, however, the more cheerful and exuberant part of the evening was ushered in with “Haut mir kein Stein”, although Malte wrote the lines after a serious car accident in Morocco in which he almost lost his life. The lyrics are a kind of testament to his parents and all his loved ones, but have such a life-affirming and positive message that the song should not be missing at any Versengold concert. The atmosphere was almost like at a normal concert of the Folk Rockers and hardly anyone sat down for a long time. “Paules Beichtgang” and “Thekenmädchen” heralded free escalation in the form of singing, dancing and partying.

Nobody believed in the supposedly concluding song “Die letzte Runde” anyway, and of course the musicians gave encores. Almost demanded by the audience for St. Patrick’s Day, the band performed “Kobold im Kopf” completely unprepared, according to singer Malte the first and probably only time at a “Nacht der Balladen”. “Mondlicht” and their classic “Abgesang” finally ended this fantastic evening, during which it was almost forgotten in the meantime that we actually wanted to celebrate calm and carried tones. Because partying and dancing was a lot and quite loud!

Text: Nina Malik, Photos: Mina Wagner

Setlist:
• „Vom Zauber des Wildfräuleins“ • „Windsbraut“ • „Küstenkind“ • „Die Schönheit der Schatten“ • „Tjark Evers“ • „Meer aus Tränen“ • „Herz durch die Wand“ • „Das Bier ich in der Rechten trug“ • „Die wilde Jagd“ • „Lautes Gedenken“ ••• „Auf in den Wind“ • „Winterflut 1717“ • „Alte Männer“ • „Tod und Trommeln“ • „Haut mir kein’ Stein“ • „Paules Beichtgang“ • „Thekenmädchen“ • „Die letzte Runde“ ••• „Kobold im Kopf“ • „Mondlicht“ • „Abgesang“