Schröders Garten: 25 Jahre Achtung Baby

25 years of *Achtung Baby*—it’s hard to believe.

“If someone had told me back when we started that 25 years later we’d still be touring all over Germany and in neighboring countries with *Achtung Baby*—I wouldn’t have thought it possible. The idea came about in the summer of 2001; we’d all just come off a two-year musical hiatus after our record contracts had expired and our former bands had broken up. We remembered our musical beginnings in a band—we used to cover songs by our favorite bands, including a lot of U2. We didn’t set any big goals for Achtung Baby when we played our first shows in 2002. But it didn’t take even two years before we were already booked all over the country. What a great story: The band has seen, experienced, and been through a lot—we’re very happy with our current lineup and are looking forward to what’s next for Achtung Baby in the coming years.” Andreas (band founder)

Achtung Baby—the ultimate tribute to U2! U2’s last tour in Germany was eight, almost nine years ago, and for many fans, attending the 40 shows in Las Vegas required a lot of effort. Rumors of a new album or tour have been circulating for two years, but it still feels like they’re a long way off—so what can you do if you love the music of the four Irishmen? No problem: Achtung Baby, arguably the most renowned U2 tribute band in our country, has been performing on local stages for 25 years now, celebrating the songs of the Irish superband.

Inspired by the massive multimedia show that earned U2 the top spot as the world’s most successful band on the concert circuit, Achtung Baby is also occasionally supported by a specially created video show. They presented this show, for example, during performances for Germany’s largest online fan portal, u2Tour.de, in 2005; at the Nokia New Year’s Eve 2006 event; and at Universal Music’s official release party for the new U2 album on February 26, 2009. However, this show isn’t reserved solely for larger stages; it can also be experienced firsthand in live music clubs.

The primary goal of the four musicians—all of whom grew up with the sound of U2—is and remains to convey the feeling, the sound, and the soul of the four Irishmen’s music—from their New Wave- and punk-influenced beginnings in the late 1970s, as heard in “I Will Follow” or “Out Of Control,” through the era of upheaval and political activism in the 1980s—which culminated in what was then the largest rock festival in history, the 1985 Live Aid Festival, with songs like “Bad” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” all the way to the 360-degree multimedia show—which seems colossal by today’s standards—featuring songs like “Beautiful Day” and “Magnificent.”

Of course, concertgoers will also be treated to many other great hits—from “One” to “Where the Streets Have No Name” to “With or Without You”—performed with emotion and up close. Die-hard U2 fans will feel right at home at the concert, and those who’ve mainly known the hits from radio and TV so far will discover many new facets of the music by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen—and perhaps become a future U2 or Achtung Baby fan. So: Achtung Baby!

Achtung Baby consists of: Sascha Bandt (vocals), Carsten Stiehr (guitar), Andreas Hellwig (bass), and Andrea Bucco (drums).