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In Berlin at S.O. 36 on January 10, 2009
Or…
SHIT, I DANCED MYSELF A BLISTER!
As every year in January, the probably most famous German ska band THE BUSTERS made a stop at Berlin's S.O. 36 again. As guests and dance motivators, after the sensational success last year, the DJs THE INCREDIBLES FEAT. DJ BELA were back. Although DJ BELA is not a well-known drummer from Die Ärzte, but a well-known ska, reggae, and dancehall DJ from Berlin.
Around 8:30 PM, we entered S.O. 36 and first faced a long line at the cloakroom. It was freezing cold outside, but anyone who knows THE BUSTERS knows that it can get wild and hot that evening. So, light clothing is necessary. After we had shed half of our clothes, we entered the already quite well-filled concert hall. The atmosphere was already very exuberant and exceptionally friendly. This might also be because DJ BELA was already delivering solid and danceable ska to the people. After the first beer and a look at the merchandise, it was already time to go. Shortly after 9:00 PM, the 12 men of THE BUSTERS took the stage. A murmur went through the audience. The dark hall, filled with 600 people, was tense. In front of the stage, everyone was ready to start dancing at the first beat. However, the band didn't immediately go full throttle but started with an instrumental piece, “Cobalt 60.” This was not what the audience expected. So, they moved very cautiously. They were basically warming up. The next songs gradually picked up speed. Berlin was warming up. The band too. With “Ubangi Stomp,” the dam began to crumble. More and more pieces fell, but it was only with the ninth song “Tokyo Ska Zone” that the dam finally broke. The dancing began. One half was pogoing through the hall, and the other half was skanking, as true rudeboys or rudegirls do. Now it was really going off. The temperatures had noticeably risen. Sweat, hot bodies, and enthusiasm.
Even the back rows were dancing happily to the ska of THE BUSTERS.
It was a great ska party. The band kept the momentum going, making it a perfect ska concert by the middle of the show. When actress Katharina Wackernagel entered the stage in a red dress for the song “Dirty Money” and performed two songs, the highlight of the concert had already been reached. Katharina had just outed herself as a fan of THE BUSTERS on TV, and it was easy for THE BUSTERS to invite her on stage.
Throughout the band's performance, there were also the beloved battles of the brass section, which presented themselves in top form that evening. Especially trombonist Rob flirted with and provoked the audience, making it a joy to watch.
After 26 songs and 2 hours, there was the first short break. The band left the stage. The hall had meanwhile transformed into a tropical house. Both the band and the audience were drenched in sweat. To the underwear, as the two singers pointed out cheekily.
The calls for an encore were very subdued in the first minute. People took a breath and were grateful to the band for this breather. Of course, it continued.
The first encore consisted of rather calm pieces, with “Whiskey till I drop” turning into a turbo number. Speed met musical skill, met a dance-crazy audience. Then it was time to catch a breath and call for “encore.” The band came back and blasted three songs at the audience that drained all remaining energy from both the band and the audience.
When the house lights came on after 2 ½ hours, one looked into happy faces, even though the body was screaming for recovery. However, there was no recovery, as the DJs immediately played the finest ska, creating a dancing crowd right away. People danced, bought merchandise, or took care of hydration at the bar. The party atmosphere was still brilliant. The DJs provided the dance-crazy audience with ska, reggae, and dancehall rhythms until the early morning hours.
Frank