Back when this show was announced almost a year ago, no one knew it was going to be the iconic Berlin trio’s last appearance together for the foreseeable future.
It was the band’s biggest hometown gig to date, taking place in the mammoth 17,000 capacity Kindl-Bühne Wuhlheide. Then, during our cover story interview for Issue Four, the band revealed that they were going on an indefinite hiatus. Would they ever play together again? Was this really the end of an era?
The question hung in the air, adding a special sense of anticipation in the build up. Sold out in advance, it had the feeling of something historic, as if everyone there was lucky just to get the opportunity to bear witness. Every train running to the venue was packed with people, giddy and elated.
When Moderat finally took to the stage, the atmosphere was crackling. It’s sometimes hard to create a feeling of intimacy or personal connection in a venue so big, but they made it happen. The set was a near perfect selection of highlights from their career output. A defining moment was hearing the crowd sing the words to ‘Bad Kingdom’ in perfect unison. The visuals from Pfandfrei formed as much as a part of the show as the music, adding constant visual stimulation.
Before the gig was over we had our answer: Moderat were not splitting up – this was a break but not the end. After the encores Sascha, Gernot and Szary hug each other and take a bow. Their huge tour has finished in the right place at the right time – in front of family, friends, and thousands of their biggest fans. A triumphant night, and what a way to go.
