Kraftwerk Tour
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Kraftwerk 2014 Tour Opening Band: No Opening Band
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Frequently Asked Questions
What songs will Kraftwerk play?
After several decades, Kraftwerk is still going strong with an intriguing blend of major influential hits and bebop hooks with a massive sound. Many shows — based around lights, big theatrics, and choreographed 3d visuals — usually make a rather constrained and similar setlist for each date, yet Kraftwerk brings a few surprises along with them in 2014.
A recent show in California had the group breaking out with “The Robots” from their mainstream breakthrough and arguable most popular record as a whole, The Man-Machine. The band plays “The Model” from this record as well, which remains a fan favorite since the record’s original release in the late 70’s. Another major song played at every show is “Autobahn,” which usually comes in the first half of the set, or within the first three songs.
The group also brings out a double whammy of “Tour de France” and “Tour de France 2003” for an astonishing result. The two tracks are almost always played back to back or ignored entirely. This creates a rather intriguing duality between the song’s earliest incarnation and its spiritual sequel.
Kraftwerk has a few songs they use to close out shows in grand fashion, including a medley of “Techno Pop” and “Aero Dynamik.” But the band does play it straighter by choosing to close with “Misuqe Non Stop” or the radiant and flashy “Planet of Visions.”
Though the setlist remains pretty intact, things do get moved around a bit and odd omissions crop up here and there, such as their decision to remove “Tour de France” or “Radioactivity” from a couple sets. Below is a decent collection of the songs that make up Kraftwerk’s setlist on the current tour.
The Robots
Numbers
Computer World
It’s More Fun to Compute / Home Computer
Computer Love
Metal on Metal
The Man-Machine
Spacelab
The Model
Neon Lights
Autobahn
News
Airwaves
Geiger Counter
Radioactivity
Tour De France
Tour De France 2003
Electric Café
Aero Dynamik
Boing Boom Tschak
Musique Non Stop
Techno Pop
Planet of Visions
What should I expect in this 3D Visual Experience Kraftwerk show?
The group holds up extremely well amidst contemporary electronic music. Where they may lack somewhat in the fresh sound of making newer music, they have a unique style that is all their own. It sounds stripped down even against the backdrop of 3d videos and crazy outfits that give off a very Tron-like feel.
A new Kraftwerk show is specific and step-by-step. Seemingly nothing is left to chance. The members are very stoic and rarely engage with the audience through talking or chatting. Songs drift into each other and there is never a pause in sound. Something is always happening in the visual or auditory department, which makes this almost resemble a theater-going experience.
Lastly, many of the 2014 dates implement 3d glasses, so attendees should be prepared to rock some new eyewear to get the most out of the concert’s visual experience.
Who is Kraftwerk’s publicist and press contact?
Being a German band (and a VERY German band at that) Kraftwerk uses German publicity firm Kraftwerk Media, which is named after the group. After brushing up on your high school German, contact them at hello@kraftwerkmedia.de.
Concert Reviews
“Walt Disney Concert Hall is more typically known for showcasing performances of classical works by, say, Mozart and Brahms — and Kraftwerk’s debut there felt like, on some level, a recital of the work of important modern composers, down to the obligatory individual bows in the spotlight at the end. This canonic setting is actually where Kraftwerk seems most comfortable of late. It’s totally appropriate for Kraftwerk’s status as the primal ooze, the big bang, from which many of our current pop styles have evolved.” – Matt Diehl of Rolling Stone
“Kraftwerk thrilled the capacity crowd with intergalactic grooves and bionic beats throughout the night, while delivering a 3-D visual display that was simply breathtaking.” – Jim Harrington of Mercury News
“The decision to stage a series of Kraftwerk concerts in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern may seem like a strange one or possibly even a PR stunt but it is only as the lights dim, the crowd puts on their special 3D glasses and the performance begins that you realise this gallery is the only venue that could house The Catalogue because this is in no way a concert. It’s a piece of performance art, a multi-sensory, audiovisual experience.” – Benedict Townsend of Express UK
Tour Archive
Kraftwerk 2013 World Tour
Started January 11, 2013 in Dusseldorf, Germany | Ended May 27, 2013 in Sydney, Australia
Kraftwerk Catalogue 1 to 8
Started February 6, 2013 in London, England | Ended May 27, 2013 in Sydney, Australia
Kraftwerk 2008 Tour
Started April 26, 2008 in Indio, California | Ended November 22, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia
Kraftwerk Computer World 2005
Started June 6, 2005 in Los Angeles, California | Ended September 4, 2005 in Stradbally, Ireland
Touring with the Tour de France
Started February 14, 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark | Ended November 19, 2004 in Miami Beach, Florida
Kraftwerk 1998 Tour
Started June 15, 1998 in Hollywood, California | Ended October 17, 1998 in San Paulo, Brazil