This week was all about Canadian punk rock, or rather: Scottish folk punk. THE REAL MC KENZIES invited us to Wild at Heart in Berlin - Kreuzberg. As if that weren't already great enough, they are not stopping at just one show, but are playing three times. From Monday to Wednesday. Each time, the shows are recorded, hopefully to be released in six months as a live album. The special thing about it: the band is playing completely acoustically. They have also brought in some friends and former bandmates for support. Over the three days, a fan club of THE REAL MC KENZIES is also celebrating its five-year anniversary. So much for the announcements. On the way to the club, we met some friends from Potsdam, and we marched in a large group to the venue. There was already a lot going on, so we first secured tickets for those who didn't have any. Inside, it was still empty, only the bar was already bustling. Drinks were being consumed outside. Then, just before 10:30 PM, as more and more people entered the club, we followed suit. You don't want to miss anything. The band was gathering on stage. Just a few more minutes, and then it should begin... When the first notes were played, the audience stood eagerly and in a party mood in front of the stage. Seeing the band play completely acoustically was something special. THE REAL MC KENZIES hadn't done that before. They had played a few songs unplugged at a concert in Berlin's Clash, but otherwise, I'm not aware of any such performances. The band started a bit reserved, but the audience created a lively atmosphere. There was cheering, dancing, clapping, and jubilation. Since it was quite crowded and tight in front of the stage, it didn't take long before all the spectators were sweating profusely, and the band was dripping as well. The energy rose from song to song. However, the body was also increasingly craving new fluids. More oxygen would have been good too. When, halfway through the set, singer Paul called for a twenty-minute break, the hall quickly emptied. Outside, oxygen and liquids were replenished. The first 15 songs were well received after a somewhat reserved start. Singer Paul was able to showcase his vocal abilities - and they are impressive. His rough, powerful, and honest voice gives the pieces a unique, personal touch acoustically. With three guitars, violin, minimal drums, bagpipes, double bass, and harmonica, the guys created a fantastic set. After 20 minutes, it was time to go back in to celebrate the second half. This began where the first half had left off. The mood in the audience remained extremely good, although with each song, the energy slowly waned. It was now tropical warm in Wild at Heart, and the humidity was rising by the second. In the end, the band also ran out of steam a bit, as they made mistakes relatively often. After almost 30 songs, that can be allowed. It didn't dampen the mood. When the musicians said their goodbyes, only happy faces could be seen. It was something very special to witness a complete acoustic show by the band. The two additional shows at Wild at Heart on Tuesday and Wednesday were also not bad, so the band should certainly have enough material for a live album.
This article was automatically translated by AI.