Founded back in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, KRAFTWERK have not only made history - they are the history of electronic music and are one of, if not THE most influential band in this sector. One could write essays and books about KRAFTWERK, others have already done so. In droves. KRAFTWERK is a science unto itself. And a legend, anyway. They are and always will be

“godfathers of electronic music”

KRAFTWERK has been on the road for 55 years now, and there is no end in sight. In 2025, on their current multimedia tour the electronic wizards celebrate the 50th anniversary of their fifth album, Radio-Aktivität, (last year was the 50th anniversary of Autobahn). What a career and longevity to achieve!
Since Florian Schneider passed away in 2020, Ralf Hütter, the only remaining original member and now 79 years old, has been touring the world alone with KRAFTWERK – together with his operators, of course ;) After an extensive tour of the US in the spring, he is now touring Europe and will be in Asia early 2026. Every night, two hours of an exclusive spectacle - always sold out. The man doesn't stop. My deepest respect for this physical and mental achievement!

Almost exactly 10 years ago (on November 22 at the Lichtburg in Essen – live report here), I saw KRAFTWERK live for the first and only time to date, in a late-night show, because the demand was so great that KRAFTWERK had to play two shows in one evening.
It's no different in 2025. There were and still are additional concerts on many dates, all sold out. For me, Sunday at the :: RuhrCongress :: in Bochum was the best fit, and this time I was able to catch accreditation with a photo pass, even though we photographers were banished to the FOH. I didn't really expect to see KRAFTWERK live again, but sometimes unexpected things happen ;) I'm officially thrilled.

:: pics :: KRAFTWERK ::

A :: KRAFTWERK :: show has now become an immersive total work of art combining music, sound, distinct, subtle, rather minimalistic animations with all the more powerful expressiveness, and performance art, technically much more refined, compared to the less-than-optimal 3D shows in 2015. The term “performance art” in this context may be debatable. The four operators stood glued to their desks – which had little to do with performance or art, even if they looked extremely appropriate and beautiful in their illuminated suits. In general, the performers remained in the dark, illuminated only by the reflections from the screen and the consoles (those familiar with the band could still make out Ralf Hütter, of course). The demonstrated “invisibility” of the operators is both an understatement and a statement at the same time. Here, it is (supposedly) not the performers that count, but the music, the visualizations, the atmosphere, just the total work of art. In fact, except for Ralf Hütter's still distinctive voice, anyone could turn the knobs on the synthesizers. Maybe, one day, there will be robots behind the consoles while KRAFTWERK is still touring in 2090 ;) That's how it is with art and performance...

Over 5,000 fans quickly flocked to the RuhrCongress. The audience was colorful, a cross-section of subcultures (from the average Joe, the die-hard KRAFTWERK fan, to electro-heads, ravers, hip-hoppers, techno fans, goa lovers, goths, and metalheads - everyone was there), and decades, even if the older segment was clearly predominated. In keeping with the show, there were matching cups in four color variations, the beer for €5.50 plus a €2 deposit. The merchandise was priced, as usual: shirts for €40, tote bags for €30, and zippers for a whopping €90. People bought them anyway. The RuhrCongress also has a counter for all kind of jelly stuff and gums, which was also very popular ;)

Right on time at eight o'clock, the lights went out and, amid loud cheers, KRAFTWERK kicked off their set with the Numbers/Computerwelt/Computerwelt 2 medley. As expected, the setlist remains unchanged throughout the tour and actually differs very little from the tracks played 15 years ago. It's a best-of set, not even much related to the anniversary album, from which only the “standard tracks” were played. I would have loved to experience Radio-Aktivität played in its entirety, with various hits around it. But well... that's just nitpicking ;) The sound of the individual tracks has changed and developed though over the years to a now way more modern approach, with bass-boosted and heart-pounding rhythms, sometimes sounding even Techno-like.

There is one novelty on this tour, however, and it is the only occasion on which Ralf Hütter has said anything at all. In 1981, KRAFTWERK met the late composer Ryūichi Sakamoto on their Japan tour, and a lifelong friendship developed between them. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence was a (rather short) rendition of one of his pieces in his honor. Sakamoto also wrote the Japanese lyrics for Geigerzähler/Radioaktivität, so these three tracks were combined into one set.
That was certainly the most moving and impressive moment of this two-hour show. A statement against the money-grubbing abuse of nuclear power in the threatening and industrialized world and against nuclear power as a weapon against humanity. Again and again, the names Chernobyl, Harrisburg, Sellafield, Hiroshima, and Fukushima flashed across the screen. Threatening and cautionary. For good reason. And the fact that Ralf Hütter sang the song in Japanese gave this performance a special goosebumps moment.
Speaking of vocals... Ralf Hütter's age was a little noticeable, because on the rare occasions when he sang, he sounded scratchy and short of breath.

Yes, it was a fantastic show! Maybe not necessarily the most spectacular show, but every music connoisseur, regardless of their taste, should see KRAFTWERK live once in their lifetime. And I am very grateful that I had this opportunity once again!

Band: Ralf Hütter (vox, Audio Operator)
Audio Operators: Henning Schmitz und Falk Grieffenhagen
Video Operator: Georg Bongartz

Setlist: Nummern/Computerwelt/Computerwelt 2, Heimcomputer/It's More Fun to Compute, Spacelab, Ätherwellen, Tango, The Man-Machine, Electric Café, Autobahn, Computer Liebe, Das Model, Neonlicht, Metropolis, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Ryūichi Sakamoto cover), Geigerzähler, Radioaktivität, Vitamin, Tour de France/Tour de France Étape 3/Chrono/Tour de France Étape 2, La Forme, Trans-Europa Express/Metall auf Metall/Abzug, Planet der Visionen, Boing Boom Tschak/Techno Pop/Musique Non Stop // Die Roboter

Vielen Dank an :: FKP Scorpio :: für die Presse-Akkreditierung :)

story & pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography