Kraftwerk in 1976

Posted by: Kevin-W on 01 July 2003

Fellas

I thought I knew loads about Kraftwerk, and assumed that 1976 was a quiet year with no live gigs (apart from a concert recorded for French radio n Februry) which was spent recording Trans-Europe Express.

Yesterday I obtained an amazing show. Apparently on 10th October 76 they played the Roundhouse here in London. The setlist was fascinating:

Intro
Kometenmelodie 2
Europe Endless
Vocoder segment
Radio-Activity
Improvisation
Airwaves
The Voice of Energy
Radio Stars
Ohm Sweet Ohm
Trans-Europe Express
[improv based around] Tongebirge
Autobahn

What's interesting is how different the set is from the 1975 concerts, but most fascinating are the early versions (7 months prior to release) of "Europe Endless" and "TEE". The latter is taken at a different tempo, while the former is just about recognisable. Both have altered lyrics.

Sound quality is shit though, which is a terrible pity - especially as Ralf engages in a bit of interaction with the audience, but you can hardly hear what he says.

Anyone know of any other gigs from this period?

Cheers

Kevin
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by nap-ster
As an aside.....

I happened to be in Aberdeen during the summer of 1991, the year of the last Kraftwerk tour. They did a pre-tour warm up at the Aberdeen Capitol, low key event, only about a quarter full of folk.

Still amazed at the second half of the gig......curtains went back and there were 4 "robots" doing "The Robots". Then all the band members came out with "Stylophone-ish" hand helds and did "Pocket Calculator" ................aaaaah memories!!!!!

For my twopence worth Trans Europe Express (Europe Endless), The Mix (Radio Activity), Computer World (All!), Tour De France, in no particular order, are essential.

Does anyone know if there are any DVD,s available of concerts etc???????



"I program my home computer...........Take myself into the future"

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Posted on: 04 July 2003 by Steve Catterall
quote:
1991, the year of the last Kraftwerk tour


Actually Kraftwerk toured in 93,97 and 98 ... even managed to play in England in 97 at Tribal Gathering
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by nap-ster
Apologies...........I knew they did the Tribal Gathering in '97 and various shows in ´93 but I thought that ´91 was their last full UK tour..........

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Posted on: 04 July 2003 by Kevin-W
Nap-ster
Yes there are DVDs and video boots of live shows available. I've even seen them for sale on eBay!!!

Further to KW tours, they played in 2002 (3 gigs in Paris) and in Australia in February of this year.

By far the best tour they did was in 1981.

Kevin
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by Stevo
There's some live Kraftwerk on the Beat Club DVD compilations. Footage and sound are generally excellent on the ones I have (Roxy Music and T Rex), but I haven't actually seen the Kraftwerk performances.

I also spotted a new Tour De France single and album coming out this month. Anyone know what's on it?

Stephen.