On Stage: VNV Nation, Bielefeld, Lokschuppen

Automatic translation. Improvements are constantly being worked on.

10.03.2023, Bielefeld, Lokschuppen

After being quieter around VNV Nation in recent years, this changed with an album and tour announcement last summer. Now the time has come and the tour will take place – even if the album “Electric Sun” had to be postponed to May. However, as compensation we shall be able to hear some new songs live in advance via this channel. So not only did we have an evening with Traitrs and VNV Nation to look forward to, but we were also eager to hear brand new songs. So off we went into the car and into the snowstorm that was raging that evening, especially in the Bielefeld area. Almost slipping on the way to the hall was not uncommon for most of them.

At 20:00 sharp the Canadians from Traitrs opened. Some support acts need a few songs to warm up, let alone the crowd. But not today and not here. The duo from Toronto got going right from the first second and could fully convince with brilliant light, a great charisma and their dark sound. The audience got carried away right away and did what VNV Nation fans go to concerts to do: Celebrate, dance and sing.

After a short break the show continued with mastermind Ronan Harris and VNV Nation. Directly opened with the latest single “Before the Rain”. If it says VNV Nation on it, it also means VNV Nation in it and of course: Ronan tigered up and down on his stage despite a somewhat cold nose and sang one song after the other for and with his audience. In addition to new titles, he presented mainly pieces from his long discography. It wasn’t just the long-established fans who got excited. Particularly noticeable was a girl of just 14 years old, who sang along so loudly and confidently to “Further” in the first rows, that Ronan acknowledged this not only with affectionate words, but also with a signed setlist. After more than two hours of playing, however, even Ronan had to admit defeat and the crowd spilled out of the glowing Lokschuppen back into the snowstorm.

Text: Lars Tobias Lorbeer, Photos: Elias Nieke

Setlist:
– “Before the Rain” – “Sentinel” – “Primary” – “The Farthest Star” – “When Is the Future?” – “Retaliate” – “Epicentre” – “Chrome” – “Control” – “Further” – “Homeward” – “Invictus” – “Immersed” – “Resolution” – “Prophet” — “Illusion” – “Solitary” – “Darkangel” — “Nova” – “Beloved” – “All Our Sins”

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