| Doors: 7 pm | Show: 8 pm | Tickets: 10/13 EUR |

Swedish duo KITE was one of the bands that blew me away at this year’s E-Tropolis Festival. Awesome music, stunning performance, definitely one of the highlights.
After a successful side trip over the pond, KITE returned to Europe to play some more summer festivals, with one headlining single show in between. To my luck, nearby at :: Zentrum Altenberg :: in Oberhausen, Germany, for unbeatable 10 Euro (13 at door).

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It goes without saying that this was a must-be-there event. In nice company I hit the road towards Oberhausen. It was a wonderful and warm summer day and certain fears of an empty venue crept in our thinking. But, thank Buddha, we were wrong. It took some time but the club filled acceptably.
On stage there was a lot of odd stuff to see KITE fans immediately identified as the band’s special light show we didn’t have the pleasure to enjoy at E-Tropolis festival. Now I was really excited.
KITE was the only one band, no support, and was supposed to enter the stage on time at 8pm. And so they did, with a few minutes delay.

KITE played a set with songs from all 6 EPs but didn’t have a regular setlist. As I learned later, they never have one and just play the songs they feel they would fit in at this particular time. And of course the guys can’t remember which songs they played in which order. Never mind, most of the songs I recognized anyway.

Right from the beginning there was a thrilling atmosphere in the club. Most of the people were dedicated fans and that you could see, hear and feel. And mood increased with every new song. At the end, everybody was beside itself with joy and acted frenetically.
The light show was seemingly as spontaneous as the chosen tracks but still harmonized with the parts in the songs. Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Berg were quite busy between all the machines and various keys, the wonderful visuals behind, smoke, multi-colored lights, laser and the atomic eyes of two white panthers. It was just staggeringly great and the crowd danced. And clapped. And screamed. And danced. No chance to keep out or to elude. No one wanted to do so. Me neither. After a couple of songs I put my cam away and joined. Just letting it go, enjoying the driving music, the great atmosphere and danced.

KITE had just passed the 60 minutes mark when they announced the last song, heartily said thank you and left the stage afterwards. A storm of protest followed and almost got into a tumult to get the gents back for an encore. They came back, played only one extra song and left again. Buuuuuh. No need to mention that this was WAY too short.

Fans were left uncertain and undecided what to do. There was still hope for another encore and it was still early in the evening. When lights went on and some common music started it was clear it’s over. Instead a run on the merchandise set in. CDs, vinyls and shirts were sold like hot cakes. Too bad, they didn’t have any girly shirts :/ Ok, then vinyl instead. Signed… of course ;)

Yes, that was a spectacular show, an evening of awesomeness! :)

story & pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography