Saturday closes out the Weekender with a genre-hopping, boundary-smashing celebration of everything dark, strange and unforgettable. It’s the last day out of 3: getting a bit tired and still a bit sad about the cancellation of She Hates Emotions (but hey: if you are sick, you are sick). Today I get to see a lot of bands I have never seen on stage and a closing act I know for years! So here we go!
MINTAGE: Blending dark electro, alt-rock vocals and hyperpop into their signature hyperbass sound, Berlin’s Mintage channels raw emotion and bold originality. With influences from midtempo to Berlin electronica, they bring a genre-bending, art-driven edge to the lineup.
What do I think about it? A guy with a mask on runs on stage, jumps, screams, sings and in stead of eyes I see 2 symbols that reminds me of this Korean series (Squid Game), with clothes that remind me of the likes of Naruto. It’s as if we are at a Comic Con and we will see later on Death Note, Bleach, One Piece, … I also noticed a nice duet with a women (Chapauko with the first single: Bad 4 You). The music is club minded and the crowd loves it, so can’t add more and yes: it was fun.
VIOLENT MAGIC ORCHESTRA: A multi-sensory onslaught, Japan’s VMO fuses black metal, techno, noise and strobing visuals into a performance that’s part concert, part ritual, part breakdown. One of the most unique and extreme acts you’ll see all weekend.
Unique it is and on top they have a girl who sings and looks young and fragile but launches heavy grunts, growls, whispers, sings, dances … totally unexpected. There is also a death metal guitarist (face paint included). Besides that 2 guys who do the animations and sound: they both run every now and then into the crowd (one of them hung over me for a short while) and add some vocal aid. It’s unique, crazy and gets better with every note. Mind blowing!
SHE HATES EMOTIONS: The synth-pop side project from Blutengel’s Chris Pohl, She Hates Emotion leans into the retro, melancholic vibes of the ’80s - catchy, moody and packed with hooks that linger long after the lights go down: should have played here and I was really looking forward to see them on stage and finally meet Chris but one day before the festival started this message was send out: "Small change of plans: for unforseeable reasons, SHE HATES EMOTIONS sadly won’t be able to perform at this years weekender. We‘re very sorry for everyone who wanted to see them. But the good news: with X-RX at least one of the zebras will be on stage!"
X-RZ reminds me a bit of Front 242, but without a live drummer, no guitar player, … Just the 2 of them. The beats are good, the global sound is warm and modern. By my surprise I know indeed some songs. Some parts of the vocals come close to metal, so that changes it a bit. They don’t stand still for a second and work hard to entertain us. I see people dancing, cheering, clapping their hands, … Mission completed!
LEAETHER STRIP: One of the true masters of dark electro, Claus Larsen’s Leaether Strip delivers raw emotion, pounding rhythms, and intense performance. A key figure in the industrial scene with a heart-on-sleeve approach.
Was not as hard and heavy as yesterday, but it was still good and 2 days in a row is never an overkill as the guy can play for hours and still keep us entertained, so never dull and never boring! He’s a hit machine! Firing them off one after another, pleasuring us all! It was an all mighty EBM blow right in the face! Thank you Claus!
SIDEWALKS & SKELETONS + CASHFORGOLD: UK-based producer Sidewalks and Skeletons teams up with Cashforgold for a haunting blend of witch house, ethereal vocals and bass-heavy atmospheres. Dark, dreamy, and devastatingly beautiful.
I see 2 sets here: an industrial with just the machines and a very sensual / ethereal with the focus on CAShFORGOLD (and her looks and great voice). Some parts sounded like dream pop. I think this one would have fit on Friday too in stead of MOTOR!K (just an internal switch). Anyway: I enjoyed I and so did the fans. The set ended as it started with industrial soundscapes and good vibes.
THE BLOODY BEETROOTS: Electro-punk chaos meets club energy with The Bloody Beetroots on stage. Expect high-octane beats, distorted basslines and pure dance floor destruction with a guaranteed adrenalin rush.
Well this wasn't what we call a regular DJ set: it was a physical work out! The guy jumped up on his table, sang, made us all sing with him, did a complete cardio work out with us, mixed all kind of genre's ( including old rock 'n roll, metal, ...). It was more than just a DJ set and that made it worth it! Expecting this guy to close next time! Wow!
COVENANT: Swedish futurepop pioneers Covenant deliver anthems that blend sci-fi aesthetics, emotional depth and razor-sharp synths. With a career-spanning legacy and an unmatched live energy, this is a grand finale act worthy of the name.
Covenant rises from its ashes after a very long intro, but the party really starts with one of their biggest hits: Dead Stars! They still burn and the audience love them! The vocals are still good (hence unlike with The Sisters of Mercy, and yes both singers have a bold head and one of them has now glasses on). Old wine can turn into vinegar but this one gets better with the age! I have seen the rise of this band but it’s too early to talk about the fall as this is still a great thing! Still jumping, running, firing up the fans … The set is a mix of newer stuff (not so much appreciated) and the hits. No Man’s Land, Stalker, Ritual Noise, Like Tears in Rain and calling it a day with Call The Ships To Port are for sure the highlights! Whilst my ships turns back to port I keep an incredible memory from this festival!
Kuddos to the organisation, to the sound guy who did an amazing great job (hence some bands even started 2 minutes before their due time, no delays, great sound, no mishaps, …), the bands, the meet and greets and last but not least thank you Julia for all the help and the great work from the past! I’m happy I made this trip from Belgium to Berlin! It was great! Heading home filled with music and great memories! Thank you all!
PS: all pics taken with my phone, raw and untouched.
