Open-Air Summer at the Glockenspitze:

You can’t believe your own eyes and ears when lead singer Dominik Feist from the tribute band “Der Udonaut & die Paniker” takes the stage. Is that really Udo Lindenberg? The rich, slightly nasal tone of his voice, his relaxed and casual gestures and facial expressions—even the colors of his socks and wristbands—match the original to a T. And just as Lindenberg always puts on a fantastic show with his Panikorchester, “Der Udonaut & die Paniker” quickly get the crowd at the Glockenspitze in Altenkirchen fired up. During a nearly three-hour performance, the band from Hamburg takes the audience on a musical journey through time with the greatest hits from the Lindenberg era.

The setlist includes both rock-inspired songs like “Bunte Republik Deutschland” and softer classics like “Cello.” Audience members of all ages witness a fiery rock music spectacle that evening. The band is also thrilled by the great atmosphere at their first live concert after the COVID-19 hiatus: “Things are really heating up in Altenkirchen,” croons “Udonaut” in Lindenberg’s signature washed-out, egg-liqueur-soaked voice. It’s clear to everyone present—the band, the audience, and the organizers of the open-air summer festival put together by Haus Felsenkeller—just how happy they are to finally be able to experience concerts again. With each song, every member of Die Paniker showcases their talent.

For example, pianist Jens Pape showcases his incredible dexterity at the piano, while bassist Christian Hähnel, Roland “Richie” Milke on the ukulele, and guitarist Oliver Schröder demonstrate their skills in perfectly coordinated instrumental sequences. “Udonaut” Dominik Feist and Jasmin Antic captivate the audience with their particularly rich and powerful voices.

Between songs, Feist also likes to chat with the audience, spouting many of Lindenberg’s classic catchphrases, which draws quite a few laughs.
Drummer Julien Kravetz keeps the beat, and organist Chris Hartel plays the accordion on “Goodbye Sailor.” Dominik Feist loves stepping into Lindenberg’s shoes. “I’ve always been a show-off, and I live and breathe the role of Udo,” says Feist. As a member of the audience, you can really sense the band’s love for the songs and their enthusiasm for Udo Lindenberg. The epic encore at the end speaks for itself.

By Lina Sophie Schmidt, July 6, 2021, 1:36 p.m.