But Don't Worry, We are With You

I’d been waiting for this concert for over two years due to the pandemic, but in reality, I’ve been waiting for this show all my life. Rammstein doesn’t visit the US very often being an industrial metal band from Germany. In fact, the band has gone lengthy periods of 8-10 years without touring here. The last time Rammstein played a show in New York, it was back in 2017 for a one off performance at Jones Beach, which I sadly could not attend. Ironically, Rammstein was on the lineup on The Pledge of Allegiance tour with Slipknot and System of a Down in 2001, but left the tour before the NJ show that I attended back when I was teenager. So, Rammstein announcing their North American Stadium tour in 2020 was unprecedented. I was BEYOND excited. It was finally my chance to see Rammstein live at least once in my lifetime.

The day started off with moderate rain. Of all concerts for it to rain, it was of course for my first concert at an outdoor stadium with no roof cover. Thus, I was forced to stand in the perverse weather looking like a wet fish in Danny’s oversized yellow Coraline raincoat because I’m never prepared for New York weather despite living here all my life. Luckily, the rain slowed down as Rammstein took the stage. As the band is rather infamous for their live performances, their stage and set design was truly a sight to behold. When Rammstein hit the stage, they surely did not disappoint. You wanted fire, you say? There were massive towers spouting nonstop fire during songs, explosions erupting from the stage, and of course, flamethrowers. Rammstein performed a well-rounded set of both old and new material of 21 songs. I was in amazement that they took the stage for over two hours with the same energy and passion during each song, unwavering.

Some of the most noteworthy moments of their show was during the performance of their song “Puppe,” which is based off of frontman Till Lindemann’s poem entitled “When Mom Goes to Work Late.” The song details a boy’s mental state as he is locked in his room at night while his sister prostitutes herself next door with only a doll to soothe himself. During the night, the boy listens in as his sister is being murder by one of her customers. Obviously, this song is very dark in nature, so you can only imagine its performance. Rammstein brings out a large baby carriage on stage that eventually becomes engulfed in flames, and black confetti is spewed into the stadium all over the crowd. Many of their song deliveries are more like performance art than just a typical concert. My favorite moment was during the acoustic performance of “Engel.” After a small intermission, the band made their way to the stage by crowd surfing in inflatable boats. Also, leave it to Rammstein to have Lindermann mounted a dick-shapped cannon that sprayed the crowd with white confetti during the song “Pussy.” LOL.

This was a once in a lifetime show that I am beyond grateful to have finally experienced despite all of Covid’s setbacks. Words cannot express what a Rammstein performance is like. If I’m truly lucky, I’ll get to see Rammstein live once again someday until then, I can die happy.

Set List

1. Armee der Tristen

2. Zick Zack

3. Links 2-3-4

4. Sehnsucht

5. Zeig dich

6. Mein Herz brennt

7. Puppe

8. Heirate mich

9. Zeit

10. Deutschland

11. Radio

12. Mein Teil

13. Du hast

14. Sonne

1st Encore

15. Engel (piano version performed on B-stage with Duo Abélard)

16. Ausländer

17. Du riechst so gut

18. Pussy

2nd Encore

19. Rammstein

20. Ich Will

21. Adieu