Won’t Forget These Days: Fury in the Slaughterhouse Close Kieler Woche with Rock and Resistance
On the final night of Kieler Woche, which ran from June 20 to 28, the Radio BOB! Rockcamp was filled far beyond comfort as fans waited for Fury in the Slaughterhouse to bring ten days of music and celebration to a close. The audience spanned generations, from those who had followed the Hannover rock band since its early years to younger visitors discovering its music live for the first time.
Against the lingering heat of an exceptionally warm summer day, the band opened with “Changes”, the title track of their newly released album, before moving into “9 Lives” and “Milk and Honey”. The musicians frequently switched between guitars as the set traveled between newer material and songs that have accompanied fans for decades. Before playing “Letter to Myself”, the band threw buckets of water towards the crowd that was melting in the summer heat.
The first unmistakable fan favorite arrived with “Radio Orchid”. Phones immediately rose above the audience, capturing a song that has long become part of Fury in the Slaughterhouse’s history.
While introducing “Lost and Found” from Changes, the band spoke about their long history together and jokingly presented themselves as a young newcomer act. Moments later, a disconnected guitar and further technical and communication problems forced them to restart the song - not once, but several times. With every new attempt, the crowd clapped along more enthusiastically, turning what could have been an awkward interruption into one of the evening’s most charming moments.
The band embraced the chaos with humor, joking that the repeated attempts were useful because they otherwise might not have been able to fill their allocated stage time. Once the song had finally been completed, lead singer Kai Wingenfelder offered another possible explanation for the earlier difficulties: he simply had not had a beer yet.
That relaxed humor was balanced by moments of reflection. The band recalled how radio airplay had helped establish their career, particularly when Radio ffn played their music several times a day, and expressed their appreciation that stations such as Radio BOB! continue to play their songs today. A quieter acoustic section followed with “Sorrowland”, dedicated to a tree near Hannover’s Ihme-Zentrum. Stripped back from the large guitar arrangements surrounding it, the song offered one of the evening’s most intimate moments.
“When I’m Dead and Gone” brought the audience’s hands back into the air, before “Viva La Revolution” gave the concert an open political edge. The band dedicated the song to Mark Zuckerberg after, according to their introduction, their social-media accounts had been blocked. Their declaration of “Fuck Trump, fuck ICE” was met with loud approval from the crowd, underlining that Fury in the Slaughterhouse were not interested in separating their music from their convictions. “Every Generation Got Its Own Disease” continued that sense of urgency, sounding no less relevant decades after its original release.
However, the conditions surrounding the performance became increasingly difficult to ignore. The festival grounds were so overcrowded that moving through the crowd or reaching a drink stand became nearly impossible. Several people fainted during the concert, and medical teams visibly struggled to reach those requiring assistance through the tightly packed crowd. On such a hot day, the lack of space and access to water made for a concerning situation that inevitably distracted from parts of the show.
Still, Fury in the Slaughterhouse closed the night with the songs many had been waiting for. During “Time to Wonder” and “Won’t Forget These Days”, the audience took over large sections of the vocals, their voices traveling across the Reventlouwiese. After technical mishaps, political statements, and almost four decades of shared history, the final songs revealed why the band continues to attract listeners of every age.
The evening may not have unfolded perfectly, but perhaps that was part of its appeal. Fury in the Slaughterhouse delivered a performance that was humorous and outspoken, held together by the connection between the band and an audience that knew exactly when to take over. Delivering a day that their fans clearly won't forget.
CHECK OUT FURY IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE HERE:
WRITTEN BY
Michelle
I write about the stories and emotions that shape music, culture and conversations. While exploring the impact of media and pop culture, I like to put a particular focus on the voices of women and their evolving place in the industry. I am especially drawn to interviews that go beyond the surface, uncovering the perspectives and personalities behind the work.
