Fans
Megaherz live at the "Metropolis"
May 15, 2000 - Munich
I had been acutely aware of the existence of MEGAHERZ for a little more than a year. From the moment I first listened to their song "Gott Sein", I had felt that familiar buzz that I had previously only experienced when I first "laid ears" on that other German band . . . . . . .
It had become a burning quest to see a LIVE performance; a mission that I realized would have to be orchestrated by myself. As, given the current state of affairs, it seemed highly unlikely that the opportunity to see a MEGAHERZ Show on this side of the Atlantic was going to occur in the near future. No problem. (yeah, right . . . . . . .!)
Gott sei dank! I have an understanding family that knows what makes me "tick", and allows me to have my little adventures. And that is how it all began and why I am now able to relate my impressions of MEGAHERZ - Live at the Metropolis. Oops . . . .one more step back into the past before I begin. Several months before, I had asked a German Fan about what a MEGAHERZ concert was like. Her words included "natural show" (not a lot of tricks and gimmicks), "charismatic Sänger", and a drummer who throws his "unterhosen" into the crowd (!). OK! - with her glowing words of enthusiasm, I was definitely determined now . . . . . .
THE SHOW!!! (note: this is my 3rd review and it is always at this point where I tend to "fall apart" . . . so I shall attempt to try to keep it together.) The "Metropolis" is a club-type venue with quite a lot of floor space. A bit more room to move about than what our typical clubs in Seattle offer. The crowd seems to have grown considerably in numbers, almost magically, following the exit of the support band, Twelve After Elf. I have been "warned" that the München crowd can be, at times, rather undemonstrative during a show (hands in pockets, arms folded across chests, not a lot of "action" going on) - and I was wondering how the response would be from this crowd. (I did not want to be the only idiot physically getting herself worked-up!) Not to fear, as soon as MEGAHERZ emerged on-stage, the crowd came to life.
MEGAHERZ opened with "Du oder Ich" (a great opener!), quickly followed by "Gott Sein". The spontaneous "sing-along" from the audience sparked by "Gott Sein" was positively deafening. Alexx's very powerful voice was basically negated and he simply pointed the microphone towards the crowd and let them take over. The remainder of the main set-list relied heavily on new songs from "Himmelfahrt", with many of the older songs "sprinkled" here and there. On a personal note, one of the older songs that they included, "Freiflug", has alway been an extremely emotional song for me - being able to hear it "live" is a moment I will always treasure.
The MEGAHERZ sound was flawless! Every song was full, complete and sonically perfect. The big difference is the LIVE factor. Yes, the show is "natural" - there are no "flash pots" and geysers of flame burning your face. There is "fire" though. But this type of "fire" is generated from the band themselves, and it comes from within. The music is hart and the band is herzlich!!!!!!
You know what really annoys me? When I see a band live and they make no attempt to "connect" with the audience. I am sure you have "felt" it yourself. A singer who clings to his microphone, self-absorbed, never looking at the audience. A guitarist who is constantly fiddling with his amp and is more concerned with his own facial expressions than acknowledging the fact that there are "other" people there too. This is not MEGAHERZ! I have never seen a more "connected" band. And it positively works. The amount of personal energy that flows between the band and the audience just keeps building throughout the show. Alexx is the master. He has the audience under his spell from the get-go, with his dynamic presence, god-like voice, and his very friendly, humorous orations between songs. It is apparent that his own personal "cheer-squad" is front and center for this show. And it is the little things that he does which makes him so very special and endears him to the audience. Example: Towards the beginning of the song "Falsche Götter", at the point where Alexx says, "an deinem Rosenkranz"; he reaches down and places his hand on the head of a fan. He rests his hand gently on her head, which is covered with brown curls, kind of like a priest blessing one of the "faithful". And then, as he is about to remove his hand, he playfully "messes" up the hair, removing the solemnity and tension from his original gesture. Quite remarkable to see!
X-tian is one BIG SMILE on stage. Constantly moving about the stage, scanning the audience and making eye-contact - withdrawing his gaze only briefly when he needed to concentrate on a brief guitar solo here and there. Wenz and Frank, though relegated to the back of the stage, also do their part to "include" the audience. Frank's time in the spotlight comes at the very end of the how, when he presents himself "front and center" in the buff. !!! Gerritt (who is standing in for Noel tonight) was able to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of trying to "fill Noel's shoes". During the song "Menschmachine", Gerritt was outfitted with a mechanical looking contraption which covered his head. He assumed the role of the robot prop for this song! Any silly resentment I harbored towards Gerritt vanished. He was wonderful! I am just eagerly hoping that my next MEGAHERZ Show will include Noel . . .
The set list follows, in random order, as I freaking "lost" it after the second song into the main set ("GottSein") and just melted into the audience - with everything whirling past, thoroughly absorbed in the whole experience.
MAIN SET:
From "Himmelfahrt" -
Du oder Ich
Himmelfahrt
Showdown
Menschmaschine
Windkind
Ruf Mich An
Falsche Götter
Hurra - Wir Leben Noch
Beiß Mich
From "Kopfschuß"
Kopfschuß
Miststück
Freiflug
Rappunzel
Herz aus Stein
Jordan
Rock me Amadeus (the set closer!)
From "Wer Bist Du"
Gott Sein
I do remember the exact order of the encore - as I sadly knew the Show would all too soon be over, and my keen awareness of that fact induced me to pay close attention.
ENCORE:
Teufel
Liebestöter
Wer Bist Du
Hänschenklein
Miststück*
*Yes, a second attempt at the song "Miststück" was included in the Encore. There was a slight problem during the initial attempt of this song in the main set. Even though the song was completed in the main set, it was repeated in the Encore, flawlessly! Very cool gesture for the Band to make that extra effort to render every song in perfect form.
In all, the Show was in excess of 2 hours! A virtual marathon of music. It was hard to tell who was more exhausted by the end of the show - the crowd or the band! But the spirit kept everyone from admitting to any type of fatigue. Personally, my feet were killing me! But the pain in my toes was wiped out by the joy in my heart, having just witnessed a true spectacle - MEGAHERZ!
I strongly urge anyone planning on traveling to Germany, to check the band's Tour schedule. If your visit possibly coincides with a MEGAHERZ Show - do not miss the opportunity. It just may be the highlight of your trip to Germany - I know it was mine :-)
Metelfrogg