Closedown Concerts (on film) 1

For the second week of closedown, beginning today, here are some hints for classic published concerts.

För nedstängningens andra vecka, här är några livetips på klassiska publicerade konserter.

I sincerely miss attending concerts, standing tightly together with thousands, grooving in the masses to the music for the masses. Will those days ever return?

Jag saknar konserter med tusentals fans, tätt sammanslutna, i gemensam musikalisk eufori. Kommer de dagarna nånsin åter?

One day, en dag!

Tills dess...

Enjoy!

Monday

Kraftwerk: Minimum-Maximum (2 DVD)

Meine Damen und Herren... Die Mensch Machine...Kraftwerk. Live 2004. First time I saw Kraftwerk was during this world tour 2004. Magic. The film may not have as spectacular backdrop as 3-D (2017), but this is a live document with both founding members, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider(-Esleben), in the live lineup. The late, great Florian Schneider is sorely missed. However, this is not a single concert, but compiled from different concerts during the tour in 2004, much like 3-D in 2017. A first Kraftwerk live experience is unforgettable, much more multimedia music happening than a traditional concert. Minimum-Maximum offers the viewer a hint of how extraordinary Kraftwerk concerts are and were, but they are always best experienced live. For fans of a more cinematic experience, 3-D (a priceworthy 12345678-compilation on 1 Blueray/1 DVD) is well worth checking out. In any case, Minimum-Maximum is a great live document, of a truly ground-breaking, influential and unique band. Fine moments: The Man-Machine, The Robots.

Tuesday

Jeff Lynne’s ELO: Wembley Or Bust (DVD + 2CD)

118 mins live Lynne & co, filmed in 2017. Fine family pop entertainment. In the 1970’s Lynne's songwriting was criticised for being too Beatles-inspired. ELO was always considered somewhat uncool, even though for example great pop writer Andres Lokko was a member of their fan club in the 1970’s. ELO was as uncool as ABBA, then. And considered almost as great a pop band as ABBA, now. You can sense something of that uncoolness in the audience at the Wembley mega concert too. However, they enthusiastically enjoy every single minute, and rightfully so. It is a great performance by Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Wembley 2017, where Lynne’s wonderful pop songs are performed perhaps better than ever before. A family night out, and a great musical party, with excellent sound and musicianship. And with Lynne’s beautiful voice still in great form. It might not have been the coolest thing happening on the musical scene in London that night, but it probably was the very best. Catchy, sympathetic, enjoyable pop. I have always liked ELO, since I heard A New World Record in the 70’s. Cool or not, it’s great pop music. Fine moment: Last Train To London.

Wednesday

Nena: Nena feat. Nena Live (2 DVD)

20 year anniversary concert for artist Nena, with a bucketload of fine guest performances. This is Nena live 2002 in Frankfurt. Wonderful warm atmosphere and a very enthusiastic audience. Nena’s debut album was the first German-language lp I ever bought, and I have it still. 99 Luftballons, Nur Geträumt, Leuchtturm... This concert was partly a nostalgic flashback but also a great live now moment in time. Nice guest performances from for example Kim Wilde and Markus. A sweaty, fun night when Frankfurt really rocked. Especially when three original Nena band members joined Nena for a smashing Leuchtturm. Fine Moment: Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime (with Kim Wilde).

Thursday

Depeche Mode: 101 (2 DVD)

D.A. Pennebakers masterful live document of supergroup Depeche Mode, at exactly the moment when the cool synthpop group took the first step to superstardom. The band's popularity would continue to grow massively, but here is the moment when a cult pop group becomes an arena band, and hits the US market. Live at The Pasadena Rose Bowl 1988 was a major step forward for Depeche, and a smashing concert film. The 2nd dvd looks at the American tour and Rose Bowl concert from a fan perspective (fresher film Spirits in the forest from 2019 also present a fan perspective, but on a global scale). In 1988 DM was still a coming band. And performing an astonishing live concert with a lineup including synth virtuoso Alan Wilder. Fine Moment: Somebody.

Friday

Eldkvarn: 40 (DVD)

Many of the Swedish pop/rock elite was present when Eldkvarn celebrated 40 years with a great concert at Stockholm’s Circus 2011. I was in Stockholm that day too, but could not get a ticket, anywhere. I even stood outside Circus for one hour before the show, but, no no. This DVD shows that I and everybody else not present missed, a fantastic concert. I got a poster signed by Eldkvarn (when I earlier that day bought the superb box set Den goda skörden) and a saw a fine late-night Christmas concert with The Boppers at Akkurat in Södermalm. But I would rather have spent that night in Circus. Luckily, the concert was later published on DVD. A great live moment in Swedish rock. Fine Moment: Konfettiregn (with Håkan Hellström).

Saturday

Udo Lindenberg: Stärker Als Die Zeit Live (2 Blueray + 3 CD)

Udo Lindenberg with Die Panik-Orchester live 2016 in Leipzig. A magic night, as demonstrated by this great box set. I saw Udo live in his hometown Hamburg 2019, one of the greatest concerts I have experienced. This is also a superb live document. Udo brings parts of Reeperbahn and the legends of sinful St Pauli on stage, and does it with wit, taste and touch. Captivating sound and visuals, as well as strong lyrics on love, life and politics. Fabulous versions of classics Horizont, Das Leben, und so weiter. Three generations of fans gathered at the concert, enjoying a wonderfully warm atmosphere, sweaty rock songs and unforgettable ballads. Atlantic Hotel, Panik City, Udo Lindenberg's star on Reeperbahn, Sonderzug nach Pankow gluhwein on Santa Pauli (Hamburgs geilster Weinachtsmarkt)... Udo is everywhere in Hamburg and he brings a part of Hamburg’s heart on the road. Why is he so popular, and so great? This concert helps to answer why. Pure magic. Fine Moments: Horizont. Bunterepublik Deutschland.

Sunday

Leonard Cohen: Live in London (DVD)

The late, great Leonard Cohen in wonderful live form at the O2 Arena. From opening Dance Me To The End Of Love, Cohen spellbinds his audience. Wonderful mellow and sense-inspiring music experience. Perfect for sunday night. Both adult and playful at the same time, with voice in great shape, but also presenting smart and fun small talk between songs. Was Cohen ever better live and on record than here, in the autumn years of his experienced life journey? A concert for all senses, mind and body. Enjoy. Fine Moment: Dance Me To The End Of Love.