Concert Review

Zepp Tokyo - Tokyo - 29/02/2004

This is my first time experience to see Kraftwerk concert. It looks Tokyo was the only place in Asia they picked up for the gig this time.

The concerts were scheduled to take place on 28th, 29th of February at Zepp Tokyo and 2nd, 3rd and 4th of March at Shibuya AX.

Both facilities are relatively new and equipped with nice big Audios & projectors. I estimated about 1,500 -2,000 people were present each day judging from capacity of the facilities. The audience varied from school kids to senior people - but mostly 20's to 40's.

I failed to get ticket at early timing and found that they are sold out far before the concerts, so I had to buy ones from one of the auction site at a premium. This explains popularity of the band in Japan as a 'guru' of electronic pop music with European atmosphere. It probably started in late 1970' to early 80's as Japanese techno pop band Yellow Magic Orchestra - generated academy award wining musician Ryuichi Sakamoto later - admired the achievements of Kraftwerk in their early works.

The concert started exactly at 5:00 p.m., with sequence of following musics:

1. Intro 2. The Man Machine 3. Planet Of Visions 4. Etape 1/3 /Chrono 5. Etape 2 6. Vitamin 7. Tour De France 83 8. Autobahn 9. The Model 10. Neon Lights 11. Radioactivity 12. Trans Europe Express 13. Numbers 14. Computer World 15. Homecomputer 16. Pocket Calculator 17. The Robots 18. Elektro Kardiogramm 19. Aerodynamik 20. Music Non Stop

"Planet of Visions" is a re-named version of Expo 2000, probably they changed it because today is in year 2004 and now there is an associated excellent computer graphics of future plant.

"Autobahn" - There was a big laugh among audience at the beginning of an feint engine stall.

" Pocket Calculator" - Ralf sang the song Japanese name 'Dentaku' in Japanese, and big graphics in back screen were also in Japanese logo. I do not know if they sing in same way in other concerts at different countries, but audience here seemed to like the friendly words in local version.

There were no technical troubles throughout the concert and everything seemed to be performing as planned and expected. The music was great, computer graphics were dynamic, colors were vivid and cute icons popped up, robots were dancing. The only things that stayed cool were four members of Kraftwerk. I believe they showed us a new direction and possibility of futureentertainment, by synchronizing music, computer graphics, videos and real peformers one place in a stage.

My friend Mariko and I are very looking forward to their re-visit to Japan.

Review by Hayabusa Kato - Tokyo - Japan

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Updated: November 25, 2007