In 1997, rock radio exploded with a sound none of us had heard. I mean, we’ve heard hard rock, metal and some industrial music, but to have it all be in German was mind blowing. I remember playing the crap out of the “Du Hast” by Rammstein both on and off air, request lines blowing up and everyone absolutely fascinated with a band they literally couldn’t understand.
In 1998, a new festival hit the circuit. Inspired by the success of Ozzfest, Korn put together the Family Values Tour that brought rock, metal and hip hop (something Ozzfest did not do) to arenas everywhere. The lineup consisted of Korn, Rammstein, Ice Cube, Limp Bizkit and Orgy. I remember it well as it was my first time seeing Ice Cube and I actually was in the Korn Kage where a few dozen lucky fans got to watch Korn’s set from inside yes, a metal cage on stage behind the band. The down side to being selected for the Korn Kage was the fact that we had to gather at a rally point to check in and get wrist bands during Rammstein’s set. While I missed seeing it, you could hear it and even feel the heat, quite literally, from their pyro, even backstage.
Well, it’s been almost a decade or so since we’ve heard or seen anything from the band that had us all saying “You…You have…you have asked me…” in German. Their last album, their sixth, came out in 2009, they faced lots of controversy for the first song, while it hit number one in Germany but the pornographic video that went with it ruffled some feathers. Fast forward to May 2019 and the band finally releases an untitled seventh studio album.
Here we are, 2020 and Rammstein is ready to rage in their first ever headlining arena run in the United States! The band will start a European trek at the end of May, crossing into Canada in August which will start a string of 10 North American dates. The closest for us, by the way, will be Soldier Field in Chicago on September 3rd.
Looking at the touring schedule, you’ll also notice at minimum three days between shows. That’s because the band has promised us “the most extreme spectacle in live music”. In a press release from the band they said:
This year will see the North American debut of the most extreme spectacle in live music, when Rammstein brings its full-scale stadium production to this continent for the first time ever. Rock ‘n’ roll’s most ambitious pyro-theatrical experience will be on display for a series of 10 open-air dates.
When they say “Spectacle” they aren’t kidding. Word has it they plan on recreating their set up from a Dresden show that takes 60 hours to set up. Yes, 60. I mean, I’ve seen production crews with big names do arena gigs and am always marveled at how quickly things can be assembled, torn down, packed up and ready to move to another town. But taking a look at what Rammstein is planning…. Holy Lord!!! Hats off to their crew… of over 400!
Check out the time lapse video of the set up for a show in Dresden Germany. This is the set they will recreate for the upcoming tour.
Impressive doesn’t even cover it!!
The band’s lighting director, Roland Griel, gave some insight during an interview with Kerrang! last summer:
“Going into stadiums, you can only bring in about 10 trucks at a time, so you have to make sure you bring in the right one at the right time for what it’s got in it, that there are enough people around. I think they’ve got the load out down to four and a half hours now. Then they get in the trucks and drive 500 kilometres to the next show. Then they load all the pyro and lights, which takes about eight hours. Repeat that until the tour is over!”
And a teaser for their upcoming tour that is posted on the band’s official website:
And just to take you back….
