My Berlin Moment – A spontaneous trip to a concert
A spontaneous trip to a concert
Windowless walls, plastered from top to bottom with colourful posters. In front of them: people, young and old, an equally colourful crowd. The whole scene in Kreuzberg’s Wrangelkiez is bathed in the light of the setting sun.
The building was probably once a cinema, if the display board with its large red letters is to be believed. But these don’t announce a blockbuster, rather a band with a name that seems cryptic to me at first. Yet it piques my curiosity. We’re drawn inside.
Last-minute tickets – no problem at all. A quick stamp on the hand, and before we know it we find ourselves in a dimly lit concert hall. Between two chandeliers hangs a huge disco ball, the stage framed by a thick red velvet curtain: I feel as though I’ve travelled back in time.
We order a drink and have a brief exchange with the barman – though ‘exchange’ is an exaggeration, as the music starts right then and there, so we resort to sign language. We watch the support act from the bar stools and, during the interval, strike up a conversation with our neighbours, who’ve ended up here just as spontaneously as we have.
Then the main act of the evening: four people in garish opera costumes take to the stage. What they’re performing is probably punk rock – experimental, yet melodic and rousing. Someone from our group takes the lead, dragging the other two along, and we find ourselves back in the fray on the dance floor.
Although ‘dancing’ is perhaps a bit of an exaggeration: people are jumping about, bumping into one another. It’s intense, but it feels brilliant, liberating. We’re exhausted by the time the final encore fades away, but we’re happy.
Ready for your own Berlin moment?
Every year, thousands of events bring Berlin’s stages, museums, clubs, parks and street corners to life. From major concerts and international festivals to small exhibitions, theatre evenings and spontaneous neighbourhood events, there’s always a new reason to get out and about.
As it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of everything, our events calendar keeps you up to date.
Our tip
To let Berlin surprise you, all you need to do is keep your eyes peeled. Amongst the thousands of flyers and posters on building walls, in bars and cafés, or on lampposts, you’ll find exciting events and unique experiences off the beaten track.