Earlier this year the German progressive rock act RPWL went on tour to promote their brand new studio album Tales From Outer Space (see review). According to lead singer and keyboard player Yogi Lang it was a very successful series of concerts. Many people enjoyed what they did on stage. Probably a lot of people would have loved to have a sort of souvenir of those wonderful moments. Therefore the band decided to release the concert they recorded and filmed at Cultuurpodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer. The excellent performance played in the Netherlands was released on double CD, Blu-ray and DVD. They gave it the obvious title Live From Outer Space (see review). At the same time Lang also released his second solo album A Way Out Of Here, (see review), nine years after his debut No Decoder (see review). It was obvious that both releases needed some extra attention. So they set up a five day tour which would playthree times in their home country and twice in the Netherlands. Because I missed out the Zoetermeer show in April was I eager to go to one of the two Dutch concerts held in November. I certainly didn't want to miss RPWL again. Especially with special guests the Yogi Lang Band as their support. So, our team went out to the Cacaofabriek in Helmond to see one of the five exclusive release shows.
 

Yogi Lang

Yogi Lang (►more pics)

Eight years ago I witnessed a concert by RPWL's front man. At the time Yogi and his band played a concert at the iO Pages Festival in Zoetermeer to promote his first solo effort. During this concert (see review) the line up of his band was slightly different compared to the line up nowadays. Torsten Weber (guitar) and Markus Jehle (keyboards) are still present and are accompanied by Marc Turiaux (drums) and Kalle Warner (bass). So in a way it was a kind of different version of RPWL you could see on stage. Did I also mention that two lovely ladies were doing the backing vocals? I guess not. Caroline von Brünken and Bine Heller certainly did add something extra to this rather short concert with their moves, looks and vocal performance. Yes it was short compared to the concert Yogi's other band did after the break. Yogi certainly did find it an honour to be the support act of this band. Even if they only had the time to do four songs. Songs which all came

The ladies: Bine Heller and Caroline von Brünken (r) (►more pics)

from his second solo album. A solo album which has songs that deal with everyday themes such as fear, love and hope. Songs such as Move On, A Way Out Of Here, Shine On Me and I'll Be There For You in a way all deal about those themes. For example I'll Be There For You is all about Lang's own mother, as he explained before doing this tune. It has to be said that all of those compositions got fine live renditions, if you consider they probably didn't rehearse them that much as a band. Don't expect any heavy rock songs, you have to go to one of the concerts done by Kalle and his band Blind Ego. No for the more softer songs you are here at the right place as Yogi told his audience. This very enjoyable short concert was of course a perfect warm-up, because Yogi's music is not much different from RPWL, but is more accessible.
 

RPWL

RPWL on stage (►more pics)

As many people know, RPWL know how to entertain their public. They do it with large-scale multimedia productions, with a great sound, lots of variation and the use of many visuals. A stimulus for all your senses without any doubt. This time around it wasn't any different at all. Right from the start the audience was entertained on a very high level. First up some music coming out of the venue speakers which had hints to what the audience were going to see and hear in a short moment. Music related to the alien world subject. After that a short video message on the screen at the back of the stage. Somebody introducing the crowd that there is more beyond our own planet. Followed by an alien report near our stage that the musicians were going to climb on in a couple of minutes. Finally, it was show time when Yogi activated the concert with a remote control.

All musicians were dressed in moody black, like actors coming out of the movie Man In Black, and ready to go for an integral rendition of their Tales From Outer Space album. An album which has a collection of seven stories with science fiction as the connecting theme. Of course, it wasn't the first time the band had played this excellent album completely. They played it during the first leg of the tour earlier this year. Something which is also documented on their earlier mentioned live album. But now I could witness myself how strongly they can copy the music from their latest studio album. They not only copy it perfectly but also add a lot of extra energy, passion and live atmosphere to the songs. Songs which also get extra long solos and exiting instrumental breaks. Like you can hear on the album highlights A New World, Welcome To The Freak Show, Light Of The World and Give Birth To The Sun. Strong progressive rock tunes on which Kalle Wallner and Markus Jehle shine on the electric guitars and synthesizers. But also, songs on which the rhythm tandem Marc Turiaux and hired gun Sebastian Harnack from Sylvan, gave the music something extra with their strong parts played on the drums, bass and bass pedals. All songs from the new album were of course accompanied by amazing videos behind the musicians on a big screen.

Kalle Walner & Sebastian Harnack (r) (►more pics)

What to do, after giving their fans the whole new album in a live version? Highlights of their back catalogue? A best of the rest? Well the band certainly tried to do a varied second part of the show. Telling their fans from which album the songs were taken and what year they were released or composed. Of course, the song which introduced me to the band wasn't left out. Listening to the excellent Hole In The Sky always gives me goose bumps. But also, a song such as 3 Lights drives me crazy. Most of all the brilliant solos on the electric guitar and synthesizer really turns me on. The obvious songs on the set are as usual the catchy Roses, Trying to Kiss The Sun and the two encore songs Unchain The Earth (The Scientist) and Breathe In, Breathe Out. But some surprises as the earlier mentioned 3 Lights can be enjoyed several times. Such as Start The Fire and The Shadow. But most all the Bob Dylan cover Masters Of War was a real treat and unexpected, even though it also is featured on Live From Outer Space. The way the band transformed this song into a real progressive rock song, reminded me of the way Manfred Mann and his Earth Band reworked Dylan's composition into songs of their own. Giving them a real progressive rock flavour with lots of solos performed on guitars and keyboards. RPWL's version of Masters Of War made me in a way think of What Do You Want From Me. A song which Pink Floyd released on The Division Bell in 1994. The accompanying videos on the projection screen made this excellent song even more worth listening to. Seeing images of victims of war and politicians who think going into war is the same like taking your daily breakfast early in the morning. Which it isn't of course! Finally, I'll have to mention that the two beautiful backing singers returned to the stage when it was time to go through RPWL musical history. Both singers changed their outfits but kept their moves and high quality vocal performances intact. Even Bine got a short solo spot during The Shadow. Which she did with flying colours!

Anybody who came to this excellent concert certainly had a real good time. Seeing a band in great shape and must have realized that this band is one of the best live acts on the planet, maybe even beyond planet earth. Probably even some visitors from outer space might think the same way when they see this amazing band on a stage. Just out of this world!

Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith)