This is how it was at PROJECT PITCHFORK

November 1, 2024, Leipzig, Felsenkeller

The band’s third tour stop took place in Leipzig’s Felsenkeller and, to Project Pitchfork ‘s delight, the venue was completely sold out. Not a matter of course in this day and age, but certainly an inspiring feeling for Peter Spilles and his band colleagues, but of course also for Beyond Obsession, the evening’s support band. That’s something to be rightly proud of.

The first concertgoers gathered in front of the entrance early on and the queue was almost endless until admission. Once inside, it started to fill up and a hustle and bustle began at the merch stand to stock up on the most important fan paraphernalia before the start. That’s always part of it, isn’t it?

But at the beginning there was an announcement from the stage! Everyone looked at each other in amazement, an announcer announced that Ms. X, as we shall call her, should please report to the stage. What followed could hardly be surpassed in terms of romance and was certainly a beautiful and lasting memory for those involved. A marriage proposal in the middle of a stage in front of almost 2,000 people in Leipzig is something you have to dare to do. Congratulations!

Beyond Obsession then opened the evening and the duo Nils Upahl (vocals) and Marco Bartz (keyboard), who have been dedicated to synth-pop since 2013, did an excellent job of entertaining the audience with their fresh songs and likeable live presence. Nevertheless, Nils timidly inquired from time to time: “Do you like it? – We are Beyond Obsession!” With so much modesty, you could just cuddle them, couldn’t you? Yet it’s tracks like “On My Way”, “Kings of Ashes” or “Speaking of a Devil” that cement the band’s unique position in the scene, with singer Nils’ special voice playing the perfect part. Beyond Obsessionwere able to convince on the evening, not least because of the emotional depth that is present in every live performance of the band. This makes every song something special.

The fact that Project Pitchfork ‘s live performances have always been very polarizing, with energetic rhythms and a strong light show underpinning the audience with its electro beats, has always been a guaranteed highlight of recent shows. So are we expecting a change at the shows on the “Elysium” tour? Hardly, on the contrary, Peter Spilles outdid himself once again with the current tour and set a new benchmark for his live shows. The setlist alone left you open-mouthed with amazement. – In the course of the concert, Peter would actually present 26 songs with two encores on this evening.

It is particularly impressive to note that he played many older songs that had not been performed live for a long time, such as “Steelrose”, which nobody in Leipzig had expected. Waik Schöner, who had originally been playing the keyboard, suddenly switched to the guitar and danced across the stage with Peter, which was a real treat for the audience. For the first time on stage, Sue took over the keyboard for some of the evening. Her duet with Peter afterwards was unforgettable and particularly touching.

In addition to taking photos, I often stood to the right of the stage that evening and took a lot of time to observe while I was simply enthralled. Project Pitchfork in top form was on offer that evening. That’s how it is when a band puts its heart and soul into it.

Text Photos: Marco BlackS Photography

Setlist:
” Revolution Now” – “Conjure” – “Timekiller” – “K.N.K.A” – “Requiem” – “Titanes” – “Acid Ocean Rmx” – “An End” – “Melancholia” – “B-Diamond/See Him Running” – “Souls” – “Longing” – “Rain” – “I Am” – “Endless” – “Infinity” – “Island” – “Endzeit” – “Beholder” — “Mine” – “God God Wrote” – “Ascension RMX” – “Unity”— “B-Stained RMX” – “Steelrose” – “Final Words” – “Rescue”