Kraftwerk @ Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide 12/12/2023
Incredible! Electro pioneers Kraftwerk returned to Adelaide for what would be described as “Gesamtkunstwerk – a total work of art.” To say that this as just a show is selling it well and truly short. It is an experience and there are no bands out there anywhere near like Kraftwerk. Bringing together electronic music, computer animations and performance art to create something quite spectacular.
Their influence on shaping the genre is unrivaled and they were ahead of their time. Adelaide turned out in droves to take in this experience. It wasn’t a particular demographic or a type of fan in the venue but what great to see is the generational shift in the fan base with grand parents, parents and their children taking in this moment together which will be talked about for some time to come.
No support meant more Kraftwerk and with an abundance of riches and so much to draw on from their back catalogue their show would offer so many possibilities. There was a sense of anticipation and not being sure as to what to expect. The set design was minimal with four consoles on stage spread an equal distance apart and a huge screen behind. It was kind of weird that there wasn’t wasn’t any lead in music as such which in a sense quelled the excitement and kept people at ease until the lights dropped right on the knocker of half eight. With what seemed like a test sequence of sorts for a minute or so it didn’t take long for the opening beats of Numbers to kick in and for the real magic to begin.
Kraftwerk filed out out on the stage firstly by founder Ralf Hütter and the rest of the group consisting of Henning Schmitz, Falk Grieffenhagen and Georg Bongartz in their neon-lit suits which would illuminate and change colour with each song. The four consoles were lit up also with everything seamlessly and meticulously programmed to complement the animations on screen. It was literally like being transported to a different dimension for the next two hours.
Visually outstanding and everything was in its place and whilst the members didn’t move around much or engage with the crowd (not that this was the sort of show where you expect that) there was plenty there to hold attention and make you wonder what was coming next. Numbers/ Computer World really did set the scene but it was Spacelab that was made uniquely South Australian with the animation initially zeroing in on Australia and then this flying saucer locking in on and cruising over the Adelaide CBD before landing right out the front of the Entertainment Centre.
Autobahn brings back memories and was presented like a children’s book with the iconic VW Volkswagen driving the well known motorway. The live vocals by Hütter really did enhance this song. Geiger Counter/ Radioactivity was thought provoking. Tour de France 1983 was an epic moment and with Hütter adding all the huffing and puffing live combined with actual race footage from the time it did highlight how gruelling this race is. Trans-Europe Express/ Metal on Metal/ Abzug was another great moment to close the main set.
As the main set ended they walked backwards in unison away from their consoles and the crowd starts cheering for more. The encore featured The Robots, Planet of Visions and Boing Boom Tschak/ Techno Pop/ Music Non-Stop. The band exit one at a time stopping for a quick pause and so the crowd could show their appreciation before the neon-lit turns off as they leave the stage. In a rare show of emotion Hütter is the last to leave the stage, hand on heart, saying the words “Good night” and “Auf Weidersehen”. This was definitely the complete concert experience, simply incredible!
Live Review By Rob Lyon