Edit: Parts of this review were written shortly after the show, parts of it about 4 weeks later due to lack of time – so this is a mess. And I still haven’t finished editing my photos, so they will be added later.
Second round of this tour. I can tell straight away that this will be less of a concert review – because this time I got a photo pass (for the first time – or second, somehow, if we count that one time Self Deception just allowed me to bring a better camera) and since I was very busy moving around to take photos I didn’t take much in of the concert. A pity, but also a great opportunity.
Maelføy
Just like the last time, I liked their set a lot. Maybe I even enjoyed it a bit more because I spent even more time in advance listening to their songs after I had seen them live once. If I remember correctly, one of them was missing, though. But they really are great performers with a great stage energy and some great songs. This time we managed to snatch a setlist (at their merch, after the show), so I will attach a photo of the setlist for anyone who’s interested in the songs they played.
I still think that their live performance is a lot stronger than their album recordings and I will keep an eye on their socials to find out if and when there’ll be another chance to see them live again.
Since this show was the tour finale, there were also some fun interactions between the bands involved. In this case, they had a rapper (I didn’t get who he was, so if he’s popular and someone’s offended because I didn’t hear the name I’m sorry, enlighten me) and Timo Rotten of Oceans perform a song with them. That’s one of the main reasons why I love visiting last shows of a tour so much. You always get a little extra entertainment.
Oceans
Now Oceans were the main reason for me why I had a photo pass – first of all I wanted to take photos of them in particular and secondly they were the ones who put me on the guest list. Yay. Extra big thanks for that, Mr Rotten.
Just like in Münster, I absolutely loved Slaves to the Feed as an opener. The song has a great vibe on stage, but I also have to say that in Essen it wasn’t as impressive as in Münster, because if I remember correctly, this time Timo wasn’t alone on stage – which was one aspect that made the opener in Münster even more atmospheric.
Altogether, Timo seemed a bit less chaotic than in Münster, but the performance was still very energetic and just fun to watch. During their set, the Our Mirage guys walked on stage and attacked them with inflatable … well … clubs, you could say? It was chaotic and fun and once again: I love last shows of a tour 😂
This time, there were no technical difficulties either, so we also got to hear Home completely without any interruptions. Their setlist is a 10/10 and a photo of the setlist will be attached later.
I also have to add that they’re super kind off-stage, take the time for their fans at their merch and are fun to talk to. I can’t wait to see them live again (I’m already planning more shows lol) and I can highly recommend them to everybody else. As I already mentioned in my other review, they’re not necessarily a band I listen to that much, but each time I see them live it’s just a blast. This show was no exception.
Our Mirage
Our Mirage once again were super energetic – and so was the crowd. I’d say for the other acts, the crowd was a bit calmer (and during Oceans, I spotted an almost offensive amount of people who looked inexplicably bored to me…), but during Our Mirage people woke up and the pit went wild I’d say. I didn’t spend much time at the front because stuff quickly got a little tight (and hot) there, so I watched mostly from behind, the stairs or the upper floor. That was smart, because as I said: The pit was wild – and the room was small and very heated.
To be honest, when I see Our Mirage live I have a hard time understanding why they play in such small clubs. Their performance is absolutely amazing, they’re incredibly good musicians, their music is great and I personally think they deserve a much larger audience. They’re one of those bands I somehow expect to grow quickly in the next few years – they’d definitely deserve it.
I can’t say much more about their show in particular though because a) I was exhausted (the air was REALLY stuffy), b) I was still focusing a lot on my photos and c) I’m literally writing this part of the review about 3-4 weeks after the concert 😅
Just one thing: Go. See. Our Mirage. If you have the chance to, just go. They’re worth it.
*Photos will be added later*