Iggy Pop in Munich: The Gasteig is on fire

Created: 08/01/2022, 00:18

By: Michael Schleicher

Iggy Pop: The jacket didn't stay on for long in Munich.

© MARISCAL/EPA

Iggy Pop in Munich: On Sunday, the "Godfather of Punk" played in the sold-out Isarphilharmonie.

Our criticism:

"Burn it!" wrote Leonard Bernstein blissfully in the Gasteig's 1985 family book.

And whatever the US composer was referring to exactly - his compatriot Iggy Pop came close to the request on Sunday evening (July 31, 2022).

damn close.

After these 90 minutes of concert, there really wasn't much missing - and the interim Gasteig HP8 in Sendling would have caught fire.

The energy that was in this appearance of the 75-year-old was so enormous.

Anyone who thought that the singer, whom they call the "Godfather of Punk", but who has long since shown that he can do so much more, would take it easy and casually manage his work, has not reckoned with James Newell "Jim" made Osterberg.

That's his name when he's not playing the stage animal Iggy Pop.

Iggy Pop in Munich: Nobody stays seated in the Isarphilharmonie

In any case, just because there are chairs in the hall doesn't mean you have to be seated.

The armchairs fold wonderfully out of the way by themselves - or are good to stand on.

So the only question that remains is why those responsible have not expanded it, which is easily possible.

The insane carousel of Iggy Pop could then have turned one lap more madly.

Doesn't matter.

Because less than ten seconds - oh what: it wasn't even five - after he entered the stage, they were all standing: in the stalls, in the stands.

without exception.

The Isarphilharmonie – sold out, of course.

For weeks.

What else?

In 2019, Iggy Pop presented the late work "Free".

It's no exaggeration to say that Pop and his seven-piece band delivered one of the best concerts in Munich this year.

And yes, there are still five months until New Year's Eve.

In 2016 he was in the city for the last time, back then as a headliner at the "Rockavaria" festival in the Olympic Stadium.

It was a very good performance - this one was better by classes.

This is also due to the band with which Iggy Pop recorded his fabulous album "Free" in 2019.

On Sunday, for example, you can hear "Loves missing", a wonderful number with a sharp-edged wind section for trumpet and trombone.

The record's touching title track is unfortunately only played to explode in 1973's "Gimme Danger" by Iggy Pop and The Stooges, but "James Bond" becomes an event and makes two things clear: First, how organic it is the new material fits into the work of this man, who was always a musical seeker with a good portion of experimentation.

On the other hand, how fruitful the collaboration of the 75-year-old is with the just 38-year-old guitarist Sarah Lipstate, stage name: Noveller.

She is the producer behind "Free",

But before you get the wrong impression – Noveller combines “virtuoso” with “brutal”, which is good for all songs.

She and her colleagues give the older pieces, which come from almost all creative phases, a fresh, sparkling, driving guise: "Lust for Life" of course and "The Passenger", in which the Isarphilharmonie becomes a big choir.

But also the crashing encore "Search and destroy" and the Stooges classic "I wanna be your dog".

Pop introduces him, in which he practices barking with the audience, only to then – confused and hectic searches at the security – disappear into the same and reappear somewhere between rows eight and nine.

A great fun.

also read

The new "Rheingold" at the Bayreuth Festival: Our night review

"Everyman" in Salzburg: the festival starts with Verena Altenberger and Lars Eidinger

Iggy Pop in Munich: right in the middle instead of just being there.

© Michael Schleicher/Münchner Merkur

In general, the American, whose family roots can also be found in Germany, is in a good mood in Munich: There are high fives, waves, boxing, kisses are thrown, the middle finger is stretched and people dance like a dervish - traditionally most of them time topless.

It's a celebration.

"Fucking thanks for coming out," Iggy Pop calls at some point into the raging, sweating, happy hall played against the wall.

And pushes - to make it clear how serious he is - "Fuck!" a few more times.

You can return this thank you in this form.

Or you put it like the visitor in her mid-50s who says when she leaves the Isarphilharmonie: "We've received presents." Yes, there's something to it.