That’s how it was with SKYND

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April 30, 2026, Vienna, Scene

“Isn’t it macabre that we’re dancing?”

Thursday evening, Vienna, and the venue was packed. Different accents and languages could be heard in the rows of spectators. However, it wasn’t just people from abroad who turned up that evening, but a well-mixed audience. The True Crime concept attracted the entire alternative spectrum, from metal fans to goths.

The atmosphere in the room was tingling. The lights went out. The intro boomed out while the SKYND logo adorned the stage in red letters. Fog rose behind the drums. The conversations in the room fell silent and only when the three musicians entered the stage did applause break out in the rows of spectators. No support act. No announcements. No words of welcome.

The intro faded away and went into the first song “Michelle Carter”. A sombre mood pervaded the entire room. Singer Skynd’s performance remained skillfully distanced. With theatrical make-up, swinging arms and rigid posture. But the real dance took place in her facial features. She was flanked by the two masked musicians, who became one with the light and fog. Even after the first song, there was no speech and this was not to change until the end of the evening. What SKYND presented was a complete performance of their true crime concept. Between the songs, appropriate soundtracks echoed through the venue, thematizing the scenarios covered in the songs.

Yet despite the gravity of the subject matter covered in pieces such as “Ed Kemper”, “Robert Hansen” and “Columbine”, the artists’ conspiratorial performance and driving rhythms drove the audience to dance, sing along and celebrate. It was only at the end of the performance that the artists peeled themselves out of their roles and responded to the jubilant audience with grateful smiles, air kisses and words of appreciation.

What remained were lively conversations about the gravity of world history, the abysses of the human psyche and the question of whether it wasn’t macabre to dance during a SKYND concert. And that’s exactly what rounded off the evening, because what SKYND is trying to do with their concept is not to look away, but to stare the horror in the face and talk about it. Just like the deeds of the serial killers discussed, this evening will not soon be forgotten.

Text & Photos: Gina Riot.

Setlist: “Michelle Carter” – “Elisa Lam” – “Tamara Samsonova” – “Andrei Chikatilo” – “Armin Meiwes” – “John Wayne Gacy” – “Ed Kemper” – “Richard Ramirez” – “Robert Hansen” – “Bianca Devins” – “Jimmy Savile” – “Mary Bell” – “Aileen Wuornos” – “Columbine” – “Heavens Gate” – “Jim Jones” – “Gary Heidnik” – “Tyler Hadley” – “Mikhail Popkov”