WGT Memories 2023: THE CHAMELEONS

“…the feeling of a tribal gathering.” (Mark Burgess)

How often have you been to the WGT so far? (As a visitor and as an artist)
I have never been there as a visitor, but I think it was the third time as an artist.

What did you think before the gig and how do you look back on it today?
I have always liked the WGT. I love the clothes the participants wear and the feeling of a tribal gathering. However, at the last performance we had a rather nightmarish journey and consequently some technical problems, but yes, it is a great event and the audience was spectacular. Normally I like to get closer to the audience, but this time the barriers were too big.

Which song did you particularly like to play?
I think I would say “Home Is Where the Heart Is” and “Swampthing,” which are kind of connected in this case. The former took on a special meaning after the pandemic, and “Swampthing” is always a joy to play at WGT because it is such a great song within this community. I love singing these two songs because they feature the Solina strings, one of my favorite keyboard instruments.

Were there any personal meetings that meant a lot to you?
Yes, I was able to meet with Dusty Gannon from Video Vision. We met when we were on stage together in San Francisco during our American tour late last year, and it was really nice to see him again. Dusty is a great artist and a very interesting person and his band is great. I also saw Tom, who plays with Dusty and is active with The March Violets. I was also able to say a quick “hello” to Frank the Baptist, with whom I am also friends and with whom I have also played concerts in Germany in recent years.

What will you remember for a long time from this year’s WGT?
To be completely honest, I have to say that I was able to spend physical time with my mistress Ina, who lives in Berlin. Since we live so many thousands of miles apart, we’ve only been able to communicate via chat, so it was a big thrill for me to actually spend time in her presence at such a cool event.

WGT setlist:
„A Person Isn’t Safe Anywhere These Days“ • „Paper Tigers“ • „Looking Inwardly“ • „Return of the Roughnecks“ • „Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close in) “ • „Soul in Isolation“ • „Paradiso“ • „Tears“ • „In Answer“ • „Home Is Where the Heart Is“ • „Swampthing“ • „Second Skin“ ••• „In Shreds“

You can find more acts like Deine Lakaien, Front Line Assembly, Rosa†Crvx, Eisregen and V2A exclusively in the “WGT Special Issue”, which is enclosed to the current Orkus issue. You can order the July/August issue in the Orkus! Shop or in the Onlinekiosk.