well i just got home from Seattle. I drove up there to see Kraftwerk for my second time. Let me just start off by saying it really was a great show. visually they looked much better than in 98 when i saw them in SF at the Warfield.I was really impressed by the visuals that went along with the music. Now musically i think i liked them better in 98. When i saw them in 98 they brought out the whole oldschool rig with a bunch of custom Doepher stuff along with a bunch of stuff i have no clue about.... Although i am skeptical of the Sony VAIO/Cubase SX combo VS. A whole lot of custom Doepher modular stuff the show was still great, and no glitches.... except a sound problem during the robots (when the Mannequin's were on stage) , but i still wish they brought out all of the old gear and they were missing the pocket calculators which bummed me out. last time they each had one and stepped around to the front of the stage and jammed on them...i guess they are probablly getting kinda old , the calculators that it ;-)
The main difference i saw was that they put a 4/4 beat into some of their songs that never had a 4/4 beat. Like when they played radioactivity it started out like the original they jammed it live for a bit then they break it down and bring in the 4/4 beat to the track. It sounds great and makes it a bit more danceable. but sometimes i think i like it better when they play the original then just jam on it...And man the kick drum sounds they did use for the beats REALLY sounded impressive. really bassy kicks but not like an 808 and very punchy. Again i have seen them before but nothing can match how great their sounds sound live..... but overall it was a GREAT show and if it happens to be the last time i see them, then i will die a happy man!! the next shows are in SF for 2 shows and then to the Coachella Valley Music Festival.... did anyone else see them in Seattle or have plans to see them in SF or Coachella?? I recommend it if anyone can still get tickets! my favorite tracks performed Radioactivity (this one gets me all the time) Tour De France (that beat just kills) Music Non Stop (love the way they end the show) Michael www.renegaderhythms.com
