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Old buildings, alternative living, and apparently nicer people than at the main train station. Werk 2 was quickly found, as was the right entrance, which is not always easy. The venue has several rooms and multiple entrances. The last time I was there is just a gray memory, but I definitely hadn't been in Hall A where the concert was supposed to take place today. Unfortunately, the entry was delayed, and so the first guests stood more or less impatiently in front of the door, hoping
to finally be let into the hall. When the entry began, I wondered if I had taken a pack of Valium. I have rarely seen an entry as slow as at Werk 2. Good thing I was one of the first, otherwise I would have definitely had to wait 45 minutes half an hour later. Quite dreadful. Really bad!
As the entry was delayed, the start was also postponed. So I had time to inspect the hall that accommodates up to 1200 people. A beautiful old hall made of brick and steel.
Two bars took care of the physical well-being, and a cloakroom took away the warm clothes. This was, unsurprisingly, also not the fastest.
Around 7:45 PM, the first band, GRANDMAHS DARLEHEN, started. The singer was wearing the great T-shirt “My beer is SLAYER.” Well, so music of the harder kind to start. Far from it. What the band delivered was something between hippie metal and wannabe punk rock. Dreadful and annoying. The singer seemed to be completely absorbed in the music, obsessively fiddling with his guitar, singing strange lyrics, and feeling completely at ease. It was cold outside, and in the restroom too. All escape routes were blocked. The show of the first band lasted half an hour, which felt like three hours.
Now it could only get better, because next up was one of the main bands, DIE SKEPTIKER. By now, about 500 people were in the hall. From skins to punks, from nasty hardcore types to disco idiots, everyone was represented. And with one exception, everyone celebrated together well and exuberantly.
DIE SKEPTIKER took the stage, kicked off, just like the audience, which was packed tightly at the stage and fell into pogo. Great atmosphere, and a fantastic performance by the band, which played almost all the big hits that were sung along by hundreds of voices.
Despite the terrible sound, which was best bearable at the front, the mood was great. DIE SKEPTIKER still have many fans, especially in the former East, and not just older folks. Many young punks also know the band. So the performance was a complete success for the band.
The next band was DIE LOKALMATADORE. Singer Fisch and his guys showed what Ruhrpott and men’s rock 'n' roll mean. The band seemed a bit sluggish during the first songs but was swept along by the partying audience, making the performance a great party. The setlist was a colorful potpourri of the classics from the band from Mühlheim an der Ruhr.
When DIE LOKALMATADORE finished, people headed towards the exit to get some fresh air. Although it was a high hall, it had become quite warm, especially at the front.
When COMMANDO from Berlin started as the last band, there were maybe 50 people at the front. A few more showed up, but most people headed home after DIE LOKALMATADORE. COMMANDO put in the effort and played a decent set, just as one would expect from a Ramones cover band.
Around 12:45 AM, I left Werk 2 to make my way back to the hostel, where a cozy bed awaited me.