Kraftklub are playing the headliner slot in Scheeßel for the first time – a look back at Hurricane Friday.
The Hurricane turns 30 years old – and Kraftklub will come full circle on Friday. As a school band, the Chemnitzers still played songs from The Offspring. Now they are standing on the Forest Stage at the festival’s anniversary, following their former role models, and taking over the most important slot of the day for the first time. But before that happens, the first hours of the festival show what has made Hurricane legendary over the past three decades. And the weather extremes shouldn’t be missing either.
Sweaty performance
At President, a practical question arises in the early evening: How hot does it actually get under a rubber mask? The singer of the mysterious bandwho also strolls across the stage in white gloves and a neatly fitting suit, at least gives little notice while the audience in front of the Mountain Stage is sweating in the blazing sun at 35 degrees and trying to cool down with soaked shirts, scarves and caps.
Royel Otis also relies on aloofness. The singer keeps his face largely hidden under his hair during his performance in Scheeßel. The Australians’ casual indie pop still works perfectly as preparation for the louder part of the evening – also because they unpack their popular cover version of “Murder on the Dance Floor”.
If the profession of a state-certified crowd mobilizer existed, Donots singer Ingo Knollmann would have passed with top marks: as a cheerleader, he climbs straight into the pit with the audience. Siegfried & Joy also have another show moment after their magical performance at the warm-up on Thursday with the punk rock radiation men. The Berlin social media magicians conjure up a piano for the band in the middle of the infield. Of course, it doesn’t just stop at being amazed: a circle pit forms around the instrument while the Donots direct the collective loss of control. It’s one of those exuberant picture-book moments that can’t be missed on the Hurricane.
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The Offspring cover Ozzy and Taylor Swift
The Offspring then take over the Forest Stage and deliver the expected but fun noughties nostalgia boost. In between, the band jokes about the supposedly gigantic crowd in front of the stage and puts it at exactly 1,315,006 visitors. When it comes to music, the Californians, on the other hand, take it less seriously and take it easy if not every song turns out perfectly. In addition to an Ozzy cover of “Crazy Train,” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” also ends up in the set – plus one of the biggest mosh pits of the day is created in front of the stage.
At the same time, things get physical with Ozzy’s close friend Yungblud on the River Stage: Fast hits like “Lovesick Lullaby” keep the energy high, and a fan is even allowed to accompany him on the guitar for “Fleabag”.
Yungblud creates the most emotional moment with “Changes”. The Black Sabbath cover has been a must at any of his concerts since last year. Yungblud dedicates the piece – of course – to his late friend and colleague. The musician met Osbourne when he made a guest appearance in the video for “The Funeral” in 2022. According to the artist, both immediately had the feeling of being labeled “too crazy” by the public. But no matter how intensively Yungblud creates the show, it cannot be overlooked that parts of the audience are already moving towards the Forest Stage to get a good look at the longed-for headliner of the evening.
From student band to Hurricane headliner
For Kraftklub from Chemnitz, the warm summer evening at Eichenring has a special meaning: it is their first festival show of the season and their first headliner show at Hurricane. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” sounds from the speakers before Kraftklub start their set with “Marlboro Mann” and the audience disappears in a lush load of white and red confetti. By the time “I don’t want to go to Berlin” is heard, the entire festival village is singing along at the top of their lungs. Singer Felix Kummer jumps into the audience, runs through the crowd with a camera and captures an up close moment with the fans during “Shut up and play”.
Every now and then the band looks enviously at the River Stage. Yungblud had already booked Kraftklub for their own Kosmonaut Festival in 2018. Kummer jokes that he would have liked to come on stage so freshly in a silver outfit. This evening, Kraftklub instead wear their signature look with red suspenders and make it very clear: “Under the polo shirts there are five ticks that have no interest in transphobia, homophobia or racism.”
After a well-rehearsed announcement from Deichkind’s Porky, the five musicians suddenly stand on a small B stage in the middle of the infield. “Throw your time out the window with me,” the five-piece band shouts to the back of the crowd before bringing their set to a close with “One Song is Enough” and “Songs for Liam.” If you want to continue dancing afterwards, you can enjoy Italian hits next door. Roy Bianco & The Abbrunzati Boys perform Dolce Vita late into the night with hits like “Quanto Costa” and “Brennerautobahn”. Because that’s what the Hurricane has been for visitors for 30 years – an exuberant midsummer night’s dream.