It’s been fifteen long years since Till Lindemann visited our country and his return has been well overdue and highly anticipated. This though is his first visit to Australia as a solo artist, with his own catalogue behind him. While every Rammstein fan waits with bated breath for their return, this show offered more than enough relief for those withdrawing and waiting until the next time we see them in Australia, if we ever do.
Kicking things off tonight were Melbourne’s own Melancolia who are supporting Lindemann on his entire run across the country. The band are a deep, darkened, blackened nu-metal band that cross boundaries and genres within that realm often and seamlessly, at times they manage blur the definition of their music. Now this is a good thing because I cannot directly say they are this or that, Melancolia are in fact their own identity. Knowing that the band has only been together for four years shows the dedication to their craft and performance.
There is an unhinged chaos about the band and frontman Alex Hill is an amazing frontman. From the moment he took the stage he demanded our attention; our participation and boy did he get it. Regardless of where you stood in the room, Hill felt like he was talking to YOU. That by no means is a small feat.
Musically the band are on point, dynamic and massive. Having the luxury of almost a full production Melancolia looked so at home on the big stage. The bands appeal is instant, while they may not have been the perfect fit musically for Lindemann, what they delivered and left on that stage certainly did. You couldn’t help but know you had seen something special.
If you are heading to the Adelaide or Perth shows, make sure you turn up early and catch Melancholia, engage and start your night right.
Melancolia Gallery
There are moments and shows that cross boundaries and Till Lindemann live is an experience. It’s art, its shock, it’s awe, it’s the feeling of not knowing what you will see and feel next.
PICA in Port Melbourne is quickly becoming one of my favourite live music venues period. From its industrial feel to the ability to put on an incredible show for Till Lindemann, this was the perfect venue for his performance tonight. For a site that is really nothing more than an industrial barn for the use of a lesser term it has charm and that element of artistic beauty that is inviting. A dwelling this raw should not sound this good.
The blue lit hazy stage pulsed building anticipation to a breaking point. The intro tape which included pre-recorded Lindemann vocals gliding through the PA provoked a great response from the crowd. When you talk about production building a mood, that is exactly what happened tonight. From the moment Lindemann and his band took to the stage there was a drama and intensity that washed over the room, every person on that stage commanded your attention, got it and held it for the next ninety minutes. It refused to let go. Lindemann is the ringmaster, the band providing the role of his muses creating a playground that had no boundaries. Nothing was off limits, the performance conveyed another dimension to the music, the imagery and themes that appeared on the screen completed the package making it impossible to look away.
Musically the band are simply incredible, tight, dynamic, powerful and deliver one hell of a show. Most notably tonight’s stand out contributor was drummer Joe Letz. Big, bold bombastic and such a treat to watch as he sledgehammered his way through grooves that give these songs so much life. Letz plays so many crucial roles in the theatrical side of the show too.
Keyboardist Brynn Route is simply incredible apart from her musical ability, her energy is limitless. When not at her instrument Route was delivering displays of intricate contortion, now that is some serious stage craft.
The guitar duo of Danny Lohner and Emily Ruvidich are tight as hell, Lohner is a showman of the highest calibre while Ruvidich is solid and seamlessly tight. Bassist Kristin Kaminski locks so well with Letz as the deliver that groove that simply makes you move.
It is so hard to review a show like this without feeling like you are handing out spoilers, however they are key moments in the chaos, shock and fun of this show. For fans or Rammstein and fans that are aware of Lindemann’s show there are some new tricks, all shameless and done in the way you would only expect Lindemann to do. It’s down and dirty adult fun. However if you are in the first fifteen or so rows of the front expect the unexpected as all kinds of things are projected from the stage from fish to cakes and a few other things that I wont mention. You have been warned, but like the crowd at PICA simply enjoy every moment of the ride.
The intensity and intent in which Lindemann performs is mind blowing. His voice is so damn special, the tenor he holds is just so unique in rock music. Giving everything he has on stage Lindemann is without a doubt one of the greatest frontmen of the last thirty-five years. His signature knee hammering was there; his intensity next level and his mere presence dripped of attitude and command. With a presence like this you didn’t need audience rev ups or banter. You got drama, energy, emotion and mystique.
This is industrial art, living, breathing and pulsing. A freaky fetish of the senses in many ways. It’s a side alley circus with a cast of freaks (and I mean that in the most respectful way) set under some incredible lighting. It’s vaudeville, erotica and simply captivating.
Lindemann entering the crowd and doing a walk-through of the audience was a classy touch, connective and personal. Lindemann is a class of his own entertainer, I don’t think I can say that enough.
By the time we reached the end of ‘Skills In Pills’ the last song of the main set, it’s safe to say we were all begging for more and that’s exactly what appeared on the screen, “Do you want more?”, PICA replied loudly. The four-song encore seemed to flash before your eyes with so much to take in and before we knew it the band assembled on the platform at the back of the stage and bid us farewell as the bowed and took in the incredible crowd response. Lindemann the last to leave the stage certainly took the time to take it all in. That was one heck of a show and one hell of a performance.
This is a must-see show, as my first shoot and review of the year the bar has been set incredibly high for the rest of 2026.
Setlist: Fat, Und die Enger Singen, Schweiss, Altes Fleisch, Golden Shower, Sport Frei, Tanzlehrerin, Blut, Allesfresser, Prostitution, Praise Abort, Plat Eins, Der hast kein Herz, Skills In Pills
Encore: Ubers Meer, Knebel, Fish On, Ich hasse Kinder, Home Sweet Home (through PA)
Til Lindemann Gallery
A massive thank you to Destroy all lines, Dallas Does PR & the team for the access.
All image credits Shot by Slaidins Photography
