| People
started screaming before it could see what it was screaming at. Playing
to its air of mystery, Kraftwerk first appeared at the Warfield on Wednesday
in the guise of four anonymous, larger-than-life silhouettes projected against
the theater curtain by a wash of vermilion light. |
| When
the curtain parted to reveal a quartet of distinguished, middle-aged gentlemen
in matching black suits, the crowd's shrieking escalated. With the first
synthesized pulse of "The Man Machine," Kraftwerk's paean to the interface
between human and technology, pandemonium ensued and continued, unabated,
for more than two hours. |
| Germany's
Fab Four was back in San Francisco for the first time since 1998, and throughout
its 130 minutes show - the first of its two-night stand at the Warfield
- the sold out audience was on its feet. No matter that the band members
remained as impassive as their laptop computers in the face of adulation:
fans whooped when vocalist Ralf Hütter moved his head to a beat, roared
at each new graphic on the cinemascopic screen and cheered every synthesized
flurry. |
| This
euphoria testified to the Düsseldorf quartet's place in modern music
history. It's fact, not hyperbole, to say that Kraftwerk - founders Hütter
and Florian Schneider and current collaborators Fritz Hilpert and Henning
Schmitz - is one of the most influential outfits ever to put music to tape.
Its electronic innovations of the 1970s and 1980s laid the groundwork for
hip-hop's break beats, launched contemporary dance music by prompting the
birth of Detroit techno, and echoes in the music of everyone from Missy
Elliot to David Bowie. |
| That
the members of Kraftwerk are as reclusive as they are revered has only embellished
their mythic status. They seldom tour, and last year's "Tour de France Soundtracks"
was their first album of original material in 17 years. They are most content
at home in Düsseldorf, composing and tinkering in their Kling Klang
Studio. |
| On
Wednesday, they showed they've used their studio time industriously, making
the leap from old to new technology without compromising their singular
repertoire. Laptops have replaced clumsy analog equipment to add a fresh
slant to Kraftwerk's marriage of man and machine, eloquently paying homage
to the past while embracing the present. |
| Newer
material such as "Tour de France 2003" and "Vitamin" segued with ease into
the original "Tour de France" and the classic tracks "Autobahn" and "The
Model". References playfully overlapped, as when a retooled "Radioactivity"
(which opened with the chilling, spoken-word "Sellafield", about a toxic
nuclear reprocessing plant in England) incorporated beats developed by the
techno disc jockeys it inspired. A remix of "Expo 2000" openly acknowledged
the link with its "Detroit, Germany, so electro" mantra. |
| Abetting
the music was a stage presentation that owed as much to retro-futurist art
as popular music. Archival footage of pastoral scenery, vintage German motorways
and DOS-era computer screens shared the screen with architectural diagrams,
images of cascading pills and, most memorably, hypnotic montages of trains
and bicyclists during "Trans Europe Express" and "Tour de France" songs. |
| The
audience sailed into collective rhapsody when the group performed favorite
tracks from 1981's "Computer World," including "It's More Fun to Compute"
and "Pocket Calculator" during its first encore. But fans came close to
swooning during the second encore, as Kraftwerk's famous robotic replicas,
stripped to their mechanical basics, executed synchronized tai-chi moves
along to "The Robots". |
| The
third and final encore found the band returning to the stage in its fluorescent
3-D-imaging body suits (think "Tron") for the electro-jamming "Music Non
Stop." Then, with as much discretion as when they had appeared more than
two hours earlier, each member departed with a courtly bow. |
| Applause
continued long after the curtain closed, paying raucous tribute to the fact
that Kraftwerk's appeal is as romantic as it is historical. Rooted in a
belief that technology can be as dynamic and humanistic as any fine art,
the band's oeuvre has aged well. In fact, as is the case with all classics,
it's hardly aged at all. |
|
Review
by Max Totten - USA
|
|
| Well,
I just got back to Central Call from San Francisco and I don't know where
to begin. What a wonderful "weekday weekend" I had. We left Wednesday night
after work and my cousin who lives in Palo Alto met us there. We got to
SF around 10pm. We stayed at the Hotel Adajio in the city and I took my
daughter. It was her first concert ever and she was very excited. She's
never been to San Francisco. It's such a beautiful, but expensive city!
Perhaps I'm just frugual and cheap but I wanted to laugh! Another thing
was it was warm! I mean I haven't been to San Francisco since the last concert
in 98 and it was in June and it was a cool 65! This heat wave, let me tell
you, was even felt this time! |
| Oh
yeah, speaking of reviews, I checked the San Francisco Chronicle this morning,
since it was left by our hotel room in the morning and no review. Just like
back in '98. I wonder why? Now, I have so much to say, that I don't know
where to begin. But most importantly, I can say, that my daughter Marina
shook hands with Florian, Fritz and Ralf. Henning escaped on his bike! It
was so funny! My cousin was laughing and just smiled and said, "Did you
see him? He just road off! It made me so happy. You see them, and you want
to express so much and you can't. I mean you don't know them. Fritz is very
nice but short? I mean I'm short too, but I'm looking at him, and thinking
"Fritz? Your a little guy" he he. I told him, "I saw you guys back in 98"
and he goes, "Really?" I told him thanks for the tour and I can't wait for
the DVD. I didn't say, "Can we expect a DVD?" or "Are you working on
it?" I just said, "I can't wait for the DVD." He said thanks. It's really
awkward, I mean. Like with Florian and Ralf. But Ralf was very friendly
this time around. Security were really assholes though. When Florian came
out the back peeking and then coming out. I was very excited on the inside.
I was like thinking, "OMG! It's Florian!" The black security guard goes,
"Back away! Your gonna have to leave, right now!" Florian put out his arm
across the security to as if say, "No. it's okay." And from far I call out
to Florian. "Excuse me, Florian....Mr. Schneider? Hi. Can I have your autograph?
I said it almost like I was selling candy bars for my daughter at a fundraiser
for school. he he. I mean my daughter was behind me and nobody was around
yet. |
| We
had time to go tour the sites and museums. All my life a Californian and
been to SF plenty of times and never even been to Alcatraz until now! he
he. Anyway last night was very interesting. First let me say, the venue
is classic theatre, like an opera of some sorts. But it's location, crazy!
Homeless people lining the streets asking for money and even selling their
"shopping cart belongings!" he he. But that's The City, makes for more excitement. |
| The
sound system was loud as hell at certain times, but then they must have
turned it down to a comfortable loud. It got loud during "Sellafield-Radioactivity".
Crystal clear and no major glitches. Crowd was all types like before. A
lot of women more this time I think. Even a few handful of children my daughter's
age. My right ear is still ringing, but perhaps it should because I even
brought earplugs. I'm so stupid. It was excellently loud so at first I waited
to see how I could handle it. And then during "Radioactivity",
it was freakin' loud! Perhaps that song, you know the pitches in it. But
then it went lower even my daughter took hers out of her ears. Also, it's
Kraftwerk! You want that true sound. You don't want to hear it muffled.
You need to experience it I think. So anyway, security was oh so tight!
Much harsher than in '98. I'm talking metal detecting wands. I was able
to snap some pics but only at the beginning. And not digital. There was
this staff security guy slacker pony-tail-a-hole whose sole purpose on earth
was to be born and harrass everybody near a flash. Another stupid thing,
was I left the role of new film at the hotel. And couldn't refill. I think
that was a good thing in the end. Because Ralf said, "No fotos!" to the
fans at the end of the concert. Oh man, so much to say. I did get my $30.00
shirt. My cousin goes, "But this shirt costs like a dollar and change to
make and it costs $30.00?" "You know why? Because they can." he
he that's Kraftwerk! I got the programme too. Not much else except they
did have those neat things. The "candy cigarette girl" was selling. You
know those oldfashioned metal noise maker New Year's things? You know you
spin the crank and they make noise? Well they had these neat black led one's
which you spun fast and the red leds spell out "Kraftwerk" in the air. Pretty
neat but I didn't have anymore cash on me and was afraid to go to the ATM
machine in the lobby because it was already like 8:10 and the concert might
have started. |
| It
started at about 8:15 and ended at 10:30. Set list the same I have to confirm.
The security guard gave me a photocopied (perhaps one of many) of the setlist.
My daughter goes "Daddy, look he isn't doing anything." I told her, "Baby,
that's Florian. He doesn't have to." he he. Florian had us cracking up.
He would lean like other's said. Almost like he was going to fall over.
He didn't move at all for the longest time. His upper body was stationary,
but his waist down would lean over little by little like I don't know he
was gonna fall? faint? fall asleep? he he. And Ralf was really moving. His
head would bob back and forth with the beat and do the vocals with the cupping
thing over his mouth. Henning and Fritz would do the most movement and with
the groove. I even yelled out as loud as I could at one point. "Go Fritz!" |
| And
then "Pocket Calculator" and that's when the all rocked the house.
Ralf got really into it, and then Florian started "acting funny." He's a
character, but like my daughter said afterwards, "Daddy, Florian's shy!"
Florian started like posing and then at one point he ran his hand over his
head, like if he had hair and was suave and good looking or a sexy GQ model.
It was funny. I thought he was maybe doing it for some girls up front at
the stage or something. We were at lower lodge but I guess it was balcony
so we saw a bunch of people dancing during "Pocket Calculator".
And so I thought he was doing this for some fans. Then he does he wobbly
legs. It's the funniest thing to see. I mean Florian is practically still
the whole time. I mean perhaps he's just surfing the net or checking his
email but he isn't doing much! But It's so obvious, but doesn't matter.
Because he's Florian! He didn't do much, but he did everything for me. When
he reached out his hand to offer a handshake to my daughter. That was so
sweet of him. This was after the concert, but I'll get to more on that later. |
| Anyway,
Florian starts doing his "wobble dance" it was so funny. The crowd started
shouting and clapping, but not that much. I don't think they expected it.
And so the currents close slowly at the end and everybody's screaming and
applauding and as the currents close Florian runs off! Just like others
said. I was cracking up busting with laughter. So anyway, Henning and Fritz
seem to do the most and Ralf's got vocals and chords. Another stupid me
thing once again, is I left the binocculars at the hotel. I wanted to see
if I could tell what's going on more closely, but oh well... So the songs
were good seemed short, but they were tweaking live. I hope somebody did
a soundboard. Oh, and speaking of, right below us was the mixing board and
the setup. I'm not sure who he is, but the young guy with black hair who
had a monitor looked like some Atari ST setup by the mixing board who tours
with them and speaks, I suppose German with his "banana Red Bull" lunch
was taking some still digital photos during the concert. |
| Well,
right next to him, there was this guy who must have been filming the thing!
I mean he somehow got in a camcorder. And then not sure if it was the tour
guy near their but security came and just kicked him out. Straight up they
escorted him, but not just him, some other people next to him who had like
practically recording setup backpack thing! If I'm mistaken, maybe a journalist
or something without authorization, but they were booted out of there! I
tell you security were everywhere and people where moving up here, there,
sitting in aisles somewhat distracting , but it was dark, like in a theatre
so it wasn't too bad. Oh, and people lighting up right next to us. I mean
the whole section smelled so strong of pot! he he. But flashes were few.
At one point I think half way through the concerts, you didn't see any flashes.
Some on the floor up front, but let me tell you, it was difficult. I sat
near the aisle and so I even almost got caught at one point by that pony-tailed
security guy, but denied it. As he stood there staring at me. I just kept
clapping. |
| Okay.
Anyway, at one point during TEE Florian, who I assume must be doing something
because at one point something wasn't right. He looked to the left side
of the stage to the other people with the lap tops and tried to signal something.
He kept like just looking and then didn't get it. And then Florian turned
his lap top slightly so they could see his screen. Not sure what happened.
I didn't see any major glitches. A couple of blank screens during a few
of the songs, but not sure if this was anything. At times Henning would
look at Fritz and then look down at his hands and watch him, kinda like
"Go ahead it's your measure." Alot of clapping and shouting in between songs.
"Aerodynamik" wasn't recognized well, I think. Perhaps because
it's newer. "Vitamin" was good. Ralf sings very well and confident
at points. He gets really into it at times. You know , he's jamming and
he's look towards the others and almost smiles. |
| The
funny thing is, this time, they were like outta there! practically in a
flash. As soon as the concert was over. No fifteen minutes standing ovation
this time. No stopping and clap in cadence. Maybe because of the bow at
the end. People knew that was it. One by one they bow, Florian rushes off
first. When Henning left, he bows and then looks to Ralf and gives him that
"take us outta here, Ralf!" and then Ralf does his solo and chords and then
Ralf goes. Anyway, I know it's gonna end so as soon as Ralf leaves the audience
gives the standing ovation to him. And I' tell my cousin and my daughter
and brother and his girlfriend. "Let's go! Let's go it's over!" Lets get
back behind the building and wait for them! Just like we did in '98. |
| Ralf
was the last to leave, just on stage. When he was signing autographs he
was very pleasant and cordial. I told him thanks, and we saw him in '98
and this time I brought my pen! I also once again said, "I can't wait for
the DVD." I'm sure he didn't remember me. Of all the people and venues and
such, but when he saw my brother and my brother is wearing this t-shirt
he maild. He signs the shirt that my brother is wearing, which is a picture
of Ralf in '98 next to my brother, when he was signing autographs it must
have been such a shock. My brother goes "can you sign my shirt of you and
me?" It was too funny Ralf looks at the shirt with that puzzled "How'd you/where'd
you get that?" And the shirt said, "Me and Ralf Warfield '98". So Ralf,
pretents to like sign his name over his face. he he. You know to like block
it out. Ralf grins and then we laugh. And I tell my brother, "Henry, Ralf's
probably thinking "I don't remember taking that picture." It was very
amusing. So ralf signs his chest "Ralf + Me". It was very funny. Ralf left
with not much. He had a folder binder and a FedEx box maybe like an overnight
small box. I was thinking? A new hard drive? I mean Fritz had a backback,
Henning left dressed like he was riding to the Tour de France. Florian had
nothing but his cellphone dressed in his suit and golf cap. |
| A
lot more to say, but yeah, my Tour de France '03 single has all three signatures
now under neath each bicyclist. Except for one...Henning...who ironically
practically raced out of the door on his bike! Too funny....anyways, more
to say, but it was an excellent time. |
|
Review
by Circuit Slave - USA
|
|
| Just waking
up this morning after attending Kraftwerk's first concert last night (out
of two) at San Francisco's historic Warfield Theatre - their first appearance
there since June 7, 1998. |
| At 9:45am
I picked up my friend Larry, who had flown in from Kankakee, Illinois via
Chicago Midway (what dedication!) at San Francisco International Airport
and then we went straight to the Warfield, arriving about 10:15. We were
the first in line (like we were in 1998), and we were armed with lawn chairs,
reading materials and my boom box with plenty of CDs (in the elektro vein,
of course). It took quite a while before more people showed up (it's the
middle of the work week, after all) but eventually some familiar faces from
the last time showed up, and some new friends were made as well. Myself,
Larry and another friend named Rick wore matching (sort-of) outfits of red
shirts, black pants, belts, shoes and ties (with sequential LED lights on
our ties supplied by Larry). Right before the doors opened we had people
taking our pictures in various "Robot" poses - that was fun! |
| Now, for
those of you not familiar with downtown San Francisco, there's quite a lot
of homeless people there. I told Larry about this friend of mine who when
a homeless person would approach, he would say to the homeless person "Hey,
lemme have a dollar!" before the homeless person could have a chance to
speak. Well, Larry thought that sounded like fun and decided to try it on
this guy who approached us. The man didn't think it was very funny, but
we survived. Another time one guy with a shopping cart came up and simply
tried to take my LED tie. While Larry & I were telling this guy he was making
a big mistake, Rick grabbed the man's shopping cart and ran down Market
Street with it! |
| So at
7 PM we went inside and got our treasured spot - not at the very front but
the first level behind the floor, where we were directly across from the
stage. Some notes: |
| - The
sound was much improved (and louder) than their last San Francisco appearance
in '98. |
| - The
crowd was much more into the show than '98. |
| - On "Expo
2000/Planet of Visions" the arrangement was different from the other versions
I've heard from this tour - a new bass line was added and it was a great
surprise! |
| - "It's
More Fun To Compute/Home Computer" was extended - a new "breakdown" was
added where the song had ended before. That rocked!! |
| - On
"Pocket Calculator", Florian did some great funny poses which the crowd
enjoyed (by the way, Florian's calculator worked fine this time around). |
| - We
all got a real treat on "Music Non Stop" - first, the solos were the best
I've ever heard, especially Henning's bass line jam - Ralf had a big smile
and was groovin' through that. Also, all four members bowed to the audience
once they left the stage after their solos - and Ralf said "See you tomorrow!" |
| Now I
gotta rest up for tonight's second show - I've already lost my voice from
all the yelling I did last night (I know I'm gonna be on the bootleg!!).
|
|
Review
by Jason & Sherry - USA
|
|
