Entrance:
Hamburg was cold and the wind that whipped round the arena did not help with that. The queues around the stadium were quite long when I arrived and I had to find my way to ‘Will Call’ to get my ticket and wrist band. When I found where I had to go, the doors were opening and people were starting to filter in. However, there was a delay for the people around Will Call due to the venue not having the guest list immediately to hand. This was soon alleviated and we filtered into the venue.

Place/seat and view:
This was my first time in the Barclays Arena, and it didn’t disappoint. The venue itself is good and there was plenty of space to move around and everything was well signposted. I took my position on the floor, to the right of the stage, in front of Emily, to get the best shots I could. The floor was full but I was not pushed or shoved, which was a nice change from many shows I have been to in the past, and I was able to see all of the show from my position. Although Emily and Brynn were slightly obscured by the large speaker stack on the floor at that side of the stage.

Opener:
Aesthetic Perfection opened the show and did not disappoint. As always this band delivered a fantastic performance. This was my first time seeing them as the four piece, and they were absolutely brilliant. Highlights of this band for me were S E X, Into the Void and Gods and Gold. These are my three favourite songs of theirs and hearing them live was just amazing.

Band:
This was the first show I could get to on this tour and it was really clear the band have gelled well. The interactions on stage were very good with plenty of linking up between Emily Ruvidich, Danny Lohner and Kristin Kaminski. Till seemed to be enjoying every minute as he strode from side to side, climbing onto the floor speakers to sing down into the crowd at the sides.

The overall feel of the band was very good. Having seen them in the 2023 European tour and watched plenty of footage from the festivals in 2025, plus avidly watching every incarnation of the band over the last few years, I have to say, that this line up seems to be the best for interactions and overall performance. Seeing Brynn Route contort herself round the pole and her keyboards, and at one point, climbing it to the very top before sliding down to land in the splits was something else. Several of the ladies in the audience around me visibly winced at that.

I manged to avoid being hit with the cake this time. Unlike last time, in Stockholm, where Emily spotted me, grinned then launched it at me and I got covered. This time, she saw me and walked towards my area of the crowd, but veered off and launched at the middle instead, was the closest I came to being caked again.

Music:
For me, there isn’t a song that I don’t like. There are some I like better than others, but overall, I like everything. What made this set list great for me was that it had plenty of my favourite songs in. It was fantastic to hear some of the new stuff played live.

There was only one issue during the entire show, and that was at the start, during Aesthetic Perfections set, the drop speakers on the right went out. Only briefly, but no vocals were heard for a good 20 seconds. The issue was remedied quickly, however, during Till’s set, the issue reappeared. Again, it was remedied quickly and was only one moment, but this did put a small dent in the evening.

I have to say though, being a hobby guitarist and a bit of a guitar nerd. Emily’s guitar tone was totally epic. I so want those settings for my guitar and amp. On the heavier songs, she was coming across loud, clear and very heavy. During Ich hasse Kinder, she showed how versatile she is by going from a nice heavy tone to a beautiful clean tone for the breakdown and she also seemed to be in her element during Praise Abort, being raised up high above the crowd on the platform at the front of the stage, where she tossed guitar picks into the crowd and tore into the song with that absolutely incredible tone.

Favorite moment:
Seeing Emily play live is always a favourite moment for me (I may be a bit biased), and the whole show was certainly memorable. The new songs are great and the whole show has a much ‘bigger’ feel to it. From Joe Letz‘s insane looking drum kit, to the drums and the keyboards going up on platforms, the dancers, the costumes and the hilarious nuns at the start for Fat, made this one of the best shows I have been to in 2025 (again, I may be biased). My only regret is I am unable to get to any more in Europe on this run.

Total experience:
This was my first, and unfortunately only time I am able to see them on this tour so my total experience is based solely on the one show. For me, I always love seeing the band live. My highlights are always watching Emily play. (I know, biased), but this time, the entire feel was enhanced. They all played together so well, the performance and look was so polished and raw all at the same time. The show gave me all the highs and emotions I have come to expect from Till. The only down point, was the sound dropping out briefly on the right of the stage. All in all, another amazing show from my favourite band.