By Isabel Pancake
Everything is looking at Rammstein: After the serious allegations made by several women against frontman Till Lindemann (60), the band played their first concert in Berlin on Saturday. In front of a sold-out audience in the Olympic Stadium – but without “Row Zero”.
The suspicion: Lindemann is said to have lured young women to his private after-show party. And made her sexually pliable with alcohol and even knockout drops.
The scam: Lindemann’s confidante Alena Makeeva is said to have meticulously selected and addressed the women for him. The women are said to have been placed in “Row Zero” directly in front of the stage – not knowing what that meant. During the song “Germany”, Lindemann is said to have always ordered one of the women to perform oral sex in an area below the stage.
The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has been investigating since the allegations became known in June.
The unrest surrounding the band was hardly noticeable at the concert. According to the police, around 250 people demonstrated against the performance in front of the stadium.
But in the stadium: relaxed atmosphere. Thousands of fans celebrated the metal band in black tour shirts. Some held signs in the air: “We stand behind you”, “We stick together, we remain loyal to you” or “We are loyal to you, we stand by it”. Expressed their solidarity with the band. Even before the concert began, dozens fell over in the summer heat (30 degrees) and had to be carried out by paramedics.
At 8.35 p.m. Rammstein entered the stage – with the “Rammlied”.
And delivered a mega show as usual: with flamethrowers, oversized prams and saucepans, confetti, light suits and, above all, loud bass. But without a penis cannon.
This time, too, guitarist Richard Kruspe (56) played his “Germany” remix. And Lindemann left the stage again for five minutes!
The last song for the evening: “Sonne”. After that, frontman Till Lindemann said goodbye with a loud “Berlin!” and the band got on their knees in front of their fans as usual.
Then the encore: in the midst of the fans on a pedestal in the midst of the fans they played their hit “Engel” together with the opening act – the French piano duo Abélard.
After the song “Adieu” the band got down on their knees again: “Here we are at home. Thank you, Berlin, thank you!” said Lindemann.
According to Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Iris Spranger (61), there shouldn’t be a controversial after-show party on Saturday and after the other performances (July 16 and July 18).
The SPD politician had said: “In Berlin there will be no after-show parties by the band Rammstein in the properties for which I am responsible. The investigations have to be awaited, but the allegations are so serious that the protection and safety of the women have absolute priority here.”