News Flash: Kraftwerk Likes Machines, Robots

Kraftwerk
Saturday, June 4, 2005
Riveria Theater
Chicago, IL

For me, this was a life-altering experience. It was probably the most visually-stunning show/performance that I’ve ever seen in my life. I really was so excited the second I learned of the brief U.S. tour. Learning from our last experience at the Riviera, Katie and I showed up super early–an hour before the doors opened–and we were instantly pleased with our good fortune. We ended up getting a spot in line about fifty people back, and we were now perfectly poised to take a choice spot in the balcony to capture all the pictures and videos that they clearly don’t allow. Let the show begin…

Once the blips and bleeps began, Kraftwerk settled into The Man Machine. This was absolutely jaw-dropping; no one in the crowd moved. I actually expected there to be dancing, and that’s because I purposely went in super cold. I hadn’t read anything about them lately. I didn’t read the shows reviews yet. The only pictures I saw came straight from their website. Nobody in the crowd starting dancing. The balcony sat in silence. It was so great to see how much in awe everyone really was, myself included.

The setlist went something like this: (email me corrections)

Intro > The Man Machine
Planet of Visions
Tour de France e-tapes 1 + 2
Tour de France
Vitamin
Autobahn (super slow autobahn groove)
The Model
Neon Lights
Sellafield > Radioactivity
Trans Europe Express > Metal on Metal

Numbers > Computer World *
It’s More Fun to Compute *
Pocket Calculator *

The Robots **

Elektro Kardiogramm ^
Aero Dynamik ^
Boing Boom Tschak/Musique Non Stop ^

* – Costume change #1. Kraftwerk came back out with red marquee lights flashing up their ties.
** – Costume change #2. Kraftwerk was replaced with robots that were, in fact, much more animated than the Man Machines themselves.
^ – Costume change #3. Kraftwerk came out with their Tron-like green light suits. These are awesome.

I can say with all honesty that these pictures don’t necessarily capture how the music felt when you were there. Please pick up Minimum-Maximum, Kraftwerk’s new 2 CD/DVD/SACD set due out Tuesday, June 7.

Photos

Click here to view the full gallery on Flickr. (updated)

Videos

Stay tuned for download info. Plus, I want to post a couple just for viewing straight from the site, but unfortunately I haven’t figured out how to stream video very effectively yet. I’m working on it. Check back.