EB Live Special Bonn

The Electronic Beats stage came alive once again on Saturday April 19th in Bonn with an exciting and eclectic line-up including MIA., Stereo MCs, Klee, WHOMADEWHO and The Whip. A sold-out crowd filled the T-Mobile Forum, four years after one of the very first Live Specials was hosted there back in 2004. Fans were treated to a night of premieres and past favourites as MIA., Stereo MCs and Klee performed material from their upcoming new albums for the first time.

Manchester natives, The Whip were first on-stage and warmed up the already full room with their self-described ‘dirty electric’ sounds. Their upbeat tracks such as ‘Sister Siam’ and ‘Trash’ had the crowd moving in no time. The Live Special in Bonn was just one stop on their current tour that takes them throughout Europe and onto Australia to promote their freshly released album ‘X Marks Destination’.

Next up was the dynamic trio WHOMADEWHO, taking to the stage dressed as sheiks – one of the 15 or so on-stage costumes they choose from depending on their mood when they perform. Their fun and quirky attitudes and mix of festive-disco sounds pleased the crowd and added to the diverse line-up.

Many fans came to see their local favourites, Cologne-based Klee who were performing their first show in 2008. Dressed in a shimmering dress and silver sandals, lead singer Suzie Kerstgens didn’t show any of the nerves she had expressed earlier when she strutted on stage and passionately sang crowd-favourites such as ‘Gold’. The electro-pop group used the occasion to perform two songs from the upcoming new album for the first time, which judging by the crowd’s reaction will be hugely successful.

Transitioning from the DJ booth to the stage, the build-up for the Stereo MCs filled the air with anticipation. This year the group will release a new album in mid-July along with touring and DJing in the meantime. After almost 20 years on the scene, their music and on-stage presence never fails to energize the crowds. Hands raised high in adoration when they played their most famous single ‘Connected’.

And then came a band called MIA. The German electro-pop sensation had more than few fans in the room. They began their set with ‘Factory City’, which was their first ‘electronic’ song followed by other hits such as ‘Tanz der Molekuele’ and finished by performing for the first time brand new single ‘Mein Freund’ from their upcoming new album to be released this summer. During an interview with Electronic Beats TV before the show, founding band members Mieze and Andi revealed the title of the album will be ‘Wilkommen im Klub’. You heard it here first!

The line-up for the Electronic Beats Live Special Bonn was a great sample of advanced music and a good blend of different music styles. If you missed the action in Bonn, never fear, the next event is just around the corner. Tickets are now on sale for the Electronic Beats Festival @ springeight in Graz Austria on May 21st featuring The Streets, Roisin Murphy, Roni Size/Reprazent and Robyn – you won’t want to miss it!