The Electronic Entity Collectively Known As Kraftwerk, Brought Its Multimedia Show To Chicago And Celebrated 50 Years Of Autobahn

Mar 31, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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Kraftwerk Live in Chicago: A Celebration of 50 Years of Autobahn at the Auditorium Theatre (March 29, 2025)

By James Currie

Seeing Kraftwerk live, is like watching a live action sci-fi movie unfold in front of you. Kraftwerk is on tour of the 50th anniversary of their iconic album Autobahn and it was nothing short of a sonic and visual spectacle when they took the stage at the Auditorium Theatre Saturday night. As the electronic music pioneers were transitioning from their early roots as a krautrock band, the German group once again proved why they are legends in the world of music, technology, and performance art.

From the moment they took the stage, they commanded the great hall. The band, standing front and center behind their signature podiums, nee, digital pulpits, dressed in Tron-esque inspired light suits, flanked by an enormous LED video wall, which was not just a backdrop but an integral part of the performance. The wall pulsed with life, seamlessly blending with the music to create an immersive experience. The sharp, minimalist aesthetic of the stage design perfectly echoed Kraftwerk’s commitment to futuristic sounds, blending art and technology in ways that few bands have ever dared to do.

The set was an audible and visual journey through Kraftwerk’s groundbreaking career, with a special emphasis on Autobahn (shockingly the bands 4th release), the album that first introduced the world to their now signature blend of robotic precision and electronic innovation. The audience was treated to live renditions of tracks from Autobahn, including the title track itself, which remains as bold and visionary as it was when it was first released. What was truly stunning, however, was how the visuals on the video wall matched the themes of the songs, reflecting Kraftwerk’s deep connection to technology, science, and innovation as a virtual highway rolled behind them showing off different German automobiles driving by like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagens with license plates displaying initials of the band and it’s release.

One standout moment came during “Space Lab,” a track that has always resonated with fans for its exploration of science fiction and outer space. As the song unfolded, the video wall displayed breathtaking visuals that placed Kraftwerk inside a space station orbiting Earth. The imagery was so striking, it felt as though the band had left the confines of the Auditorium Theatre and were, in fact, in space. But the surrealism didn’t end there. As the track reached its zenith, a UFO appeared on screen, swooping down toward Chicago. The visuals showed the UFO zeroing in on the city before it landed just outside the venue on Michigan Avenue. It was an audacious, playful moment that further cemented Kraftwerk’s role as pioneers not just of electronic music but of creative expression in the live music setting.

Beyond the visuals, Kraftwerk’s use of technology to shape their sound cannot be overstated. As the originators of drum machines, vocoders, and synthesizers, they’ve always been at the cutting edge of what was possible musically. On stage, the four members (Ralf Hütter- the only remaining original member, Georg Bongartz, Henning Schmitz, and Falk Grieffenhagen) stood behind their individual control center podiums, each manipulating their own collection of futuristic instruments and machines. These machines hummed and whirred, giving a nod to their historic role in the development of electronic music, while the vocals—delivered via vocoder and electronic manipulation—remained as robotic and eerie as ever, a reminder of their pioneering sound.

The energy in the Auditorium Theatre was palpable, with an audience that spanned generations. The younger crowd, who may have discovered Kraftwerk through their influence on contemporary electronic artists, stood alongside those who had witnessed the band’s early days. All of them were united by the singular experience of hearing Kraftwerk in action, celebrating 50 years of an album that changed the course of music history. And this after they all stood in line that wrapped around the block on a misty, cool spring night.

As the show wrapped up, so did the band. Each member conducting their own digital solo, then leaving their pulpit, bowing to the crowd and exiting the stage. The final solo and bow came from the man who co started it all 5 decades ago, Ralf Hütter, walked to the edge of the platform and thanked the audience while he left his digital thank you looping in multiple languages behind him and the screen goes black.

As always, Kraftwerk’s mastery of stagecraft made the night not just a concert, but a performance that blurred the lines between music, art, and technology. They are a living, traveling, live art exhibit. The images, video clips and symbols displaying on the giant LED screen behind them—shapes, colors, and symbols—added another layer to the show, turning the entire performance into a multimedia spectacle. Each song seemed to have its own unique visual world, a world where technology and music merged into something both futuristic and timeless.

In many ways, Kraftwerk’s performance in Chicago felt like a celebration of everything they have achieved over the past five decades. Their contributions to music, technology, and performance are immeasurable. As the lights dimmed and the final notes of “Musique Non Stop” echoed through the venue, there was a sense of awe. The sound from this performance was incredibly crisp and clear with deep bass that you could feel in your soul. Kraftwerk may be celebrating their past, but they continue to define the future.

The night was an unforgettable experience, a testament to the enduring legacy of a band that revolutionized not just the sound of music but how we interact with it. Kraftwerk’s live performance was more than just a concert; it was a time capsule, a glimpse into the future, and a fitting tribute to 50 years of Autobahn and beyond.

For more on Kraftwerk, click here

For photos from the show at Auditorium Theatre, click here

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Setlist: Kraftwerk, live in Chicago at Auditorium Theatre, March 29th, 2025

1. Numbers / Computer World
2. Home Computer
3. Spacelab
4. Airwaves
5. Tango
6. The Man Machine
7. Electric Cafe
8. Autobahn
9. Computer Love
10. The Model
11. Neon Lights
12. Geiger Counter
13. Radioactivity
14. Tour de France
15. La Forme
16. Trans-Europe Express
17. The Robots
18. Planet of Visions
19. Boing Boom Tschak / Music Non Stop

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• Auditorium Theatre, autobahn, Chicago, electronic music, German electronic music, kraftwerk, krautrock, live, Ralf Hütter, Tour 2025, US Tour

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