VNV NATION: On Stage

10.12.2023, Fantastic Christmas market with lights, Dortmund
Support: Adam Is A Girl, Versus Goliath

Normally, when you think of a Fantastic Christmas Market of Lights, you tend to think of bands with a medieval flavor. This year, however, they thought outside the box and invited VNV Nation, an electronic band, to the Fredenbaumpark in Dortmund. Also on board: Adam Is a Girl and Versus Goliath.

A parking lot was quickly found, unfortunately the entrance turned out to be a little more difficult than planned, as the press tickets were only available at the main box office, so that we missed the first band, Versus Goliath. Judging by the voices of those present, however, they delivered a decent performance and warmed up the tent a little.

As we entered the main entrance through the market, we had a view of the beautifully decorated lake and the plastic shark “Bruce”, which had been attacked by killer nutrias last year, but was now completely healthy again and watching over the lake. We crossed a bridge through the beautifully illuminated and lovingly decorated pirate camp past all kinds of stalls to the main venue for today’s events: the large music tent. After the last few years of open-air concerts, this year the decision was made to make the whole thing weatherproof and move it into a tent. This proved to be the right decision in the foul weather.

Adam Is A Girl started on time and were able to enjoy a well-filled tent, which welcomed the Berlin trio with thunderous applause. The idiosyncratic mix somewhere between Dark Pop, Electro and indie fitted beautifully into the picturesque backdrop of the Fantastic Christmas Market of Lights and invited you to dream and sway along.

The following changeover break was used by some as a last chance to explore the market again, which had to close half an hour after the concert began. Fortunately, food was provided both inside and outside the tent.

VNV Nation entered the stage in good spirits and despite all the prophecies of doom, for once not in their usual shirts and without the Christmas hat they had assumed, and really got going with “Before the Rain”. Even though the new album “Electric Sun” took center stage, “Standing” and “Darkangel” took the audience far back into the past. As always, the spectacle was accompanied by a breathtaking light show. VNV Nation created a great atmosphere with their varied setlist and perfectly coordinated light show. After two hours of concert enjoyment, those present left the tent with a blissful expression on their faces. Ronan always seemed moved or even speechless – whether it was because the tent was packed, the applause so loud or the crowd so sure of the lyrics – he kept pausing for a moment, as if he couldn’t believe what was happening. The fact that this is still the case after all these years and sold-out shows speaks volumes for the native Irishman. The set ended with “All Our Sins” after four more encore songs. Thinking outside the box has really paid off here.

Text & Photos: Mina Wagner

Setlist VNV Nation:
– “Before the Rain” – “Sentinel” – “Primary” – “The Farthest Star” – “When Is the Future?” – “Space & Time” – “Chrome” – “Control” – “Standing” – “The Game” – “God of All” – “Invictus” – “Immersed” – “Resolution” – “Prophet” – “Perpetual” — “Illusion” – “Gratitude” – “Darkangel” – “Nova” – “All Our Sins”

Experience VNV NATION live:
December 21, 2023 DE-Hamburg, Logo
December 22, 2023 DE-Hamburg, Logo
December 23, 2023 DE-Hamburg, Logo
December 25, 2023 DE-Chemnitz, Dark Storm Festival, Stadthalle
July 26, 2024 DE-Königstein, Festung Königstein Open-Air
July 27, 2024 DE-Königstein, Festung Königstein Open-Air
July 28, 2024 DE-Ebern, Schloss Eyrichshof

… overseas:
March 29, 2024 USA-Tampa, The Orpheum
March 30, 2024 USA-Atlanta, Variety Playhouse
March 31, 2024 USA-Durham, Motorco Music Hall
April 01, 2024 USA-Silver Spring, The Fillmore
April 03, 2024 USA-Philadelphia, Theatre oft he Living Art
April 04, 2024 USA-Boston, Royale
April 06, 2024 USA-New York, Irving Plaza
April 07, 2024 CA-Montréal, La Tulipe
April 09, 2024 CA-Toronto, The Danforth Music Hall

… with the Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra:
May 03, 2024 DE-Leipzig, Kupfersaal
May 04, 2024 DE-Leipzig, Kupfersaal
May 05, 2024 DE-Leipzig, Kupfersaal
May 08, 2024 DE-Stuttgart, Beethoven Hall
May 09, 2024 DE-Wiesbaden, Friedrich-von-Thiersch-Saal
May 10, 2024 DE-Leipzig, Gewandhaus
May 17, 2024 DE-Wuppertal, Historische Stadthalle
May 18, 2024 DE-Berlin, Admiralspalast
May 20, 2024 DE-Hamburg, Laeiszhalle
August 03, 2024 DE-Chemnitz, Festwiese, concert with string orchestra and piano

Do you already have your tickets?

For the last time: the “Dark Mystery” calendar 2024