AMPHI FESTIVAL, Cologne, Germany
29 – 30 July 2023
Festival Preview
by Malice F.
A date we all dark people are longing for each year! Near the end of July, Cologne and Tanzbrunnen venues by Rhein river will once again be painted black and host a fabulous goth and alternative music celebration and gathering.
Amphi festival started back in 2005 as The Orkus open air, a two-day music event in Gelsenkirchen, before settling down the next year in beautiful Cologne and Tanzbrunnen. We as Electrowelt.com had the privilege and joy to be part of this wonderful Amphi journey since 2008, we have been part of the celebrations with our dj sets and enjoyed all bands performing, having the opportunity to check out big names of the scene, as well as newcomers who they have become well-known since then.
An awesome and killer line-up this year too! Organizers never seize to amaze us with the bands announced each year and the surprises they prepare for us. Headliners for 2023 are the legendary electronic band formed in England back in 1978, OMD and the romantic, classical German duo of Deine Lakaien. OMD, with their unique pioneering synth sound and songs, they have influenced many artists and musicians in our scene, it’s definitely a privilege to have the chance to see them live and at the same time a guarantee for a terrific party time at Amphi. I believe we all remember their performance in 2018 and what happened then with their anthems “Electricity”, “Enola gay” and my favorite “If you Leave” the movie soundtrack of Pretty in Pink.
Deine Lakaien, the dark wave project with wonderful lyrics and music, founded back in 1985 by Alexander Veljanov and Ernst Horn, is an absolut favorite of the dark goth fans. I cant wait to listen to “Dark Star”, “Over and Done” or “Love me to the End”.
And a dream comes true this year, at least for me: Calva Y Nada! I never thought that I would be lucky enough to see them live and in such great festival conditions, like Amphi provides. All this thanks to Amphi! I can’t wait to witness this much anticipated old school EBM gig in years. Calva Y Nada will perform their first live gig since 1998, so folks it should be rather interesting and great. I would definitely travel just to see them, since we are talking about a rare appearance by a band.
And of course, once again, many first time Amphi performances too, as well as big names are part of the festival’s roster, as you will see. Here are the confirmed artists and bands for the Amphi Festival 2023 in alphabetical order, for each festival day, the bands marked with a small star {*} are performing for the first time at Amphi Festival:
Saturday, 29th of July 2023:
A LIFE DIVIDED – BIANCA STÜCKER & MARK BENECKE * – CALVA Y NADA * – CENTHRON – CLAN OF XYMOX – COVENANT – DAS ICH – DEINE LAKAIEN – DIORAMA – FRONT 242 – FUTURE LIED TO US – LEBANON HANOVER – RABENGOTT * – SELOFAN * – S.P.O.C.K – SYNTHATTACK – VANGUARD * – WELLE:ERDBALL – WESSELSKY – WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW – XOTOX – ZERAPHINE
Sunday, 30th of July 2023:
ACTORS * – BLITZ UNION * – COMBICHRIST – COPPELIUS – FÏX8:SËD8 – KITE – L’ÂME IMMORTELLE – LORD OF THE LOST – NNHMN * – OBERER TOTPUNKT * – OMD – POTOCHKINE * – QNTAL – RUE OBERKAMPF * – SCARLET DORN * – SCHÖNGEIST – SOLITARY EXPERIMENTS – THE JOKE JAY * – TRAITRS * – UNZUCHT – WHISPERING SONS *
Now let’s share some inside experience info for the newcomers, to help decide on definitely visiting Amphi this year: Amphi is held at a wonderful location by the river in summertime, Performances take place at two stages, we have the amphitheatrical Main Stage, the indoor venue of Theater, where pre-festival and after parties are also being held there, and during recent years, we also have the additional great party and concert onboard choice of RheinEnergie. During the festivities, visitors have the chance to hand at the beach club KM 689 and enjoy a cold beer, a drink or food looking over a breathtaking view of the river and the Cologne cathedral, a really fantastic way to get some rest and continue with the gigs. You can also explore the beautiful city of Cologne and its landmarks. For all of you who like to indulge in some goth shopping, don’t worry, organizers have taken that care too! Many gothic stores, a super outdoor and indoor, under a tent, stores.
After arriving on Friday, first job we have is to get our wristbands, so we head to the amphi stands at the main entrance to do so and after that, with the party ticket at hand, we dive in to the opening events!
The special opening concert of “Call The Ship To Port” is taking place for the eighth time this year. On Friday July 28, the MS RheinEnergie, will take 1,333 festival goers on a boat trip across the Rhine and on stage three exclusive power live-acts will set the pulse and give the best send off for the Amphi-weekend: DIARY OF DREAMS, [:SITD:] and RROYCE. The event of 2023, as we have been informed, is already sold out, so hopefully you have bought your tickets.
Afterwards, if you are up to it, it’s time again for the official Amphi Pre-Party at the Theater am Tanzbrunnen, that starts at 10pm. This year AND ONE’s Steve Naghavi, Bruno Kramm from DAS ICH, Cologne DJ Elvis (The Memphis) and MSTH (ElectronicDanceArt) will be starting off the festivities in the best way possible with electro, ebm, synth pop timeless dancefloor hits!
Tickets for the official Amphi Pre-Party 2023 (pre-sale 11 €) are, as always, required in addition to the festival ticket and are available at the AMPHI SHOP at www.amphi-shop.de as well as at www.eventim.de and at all known CTS/EVENTIM advance booking offices.
We would also like to take a minute to mention a great initiative, the Amphi community playlist. The popular AMPHI COMMUNITY PLAYLIST goes into the 4th round on SPOTIFY. You can join from now on and add PER PERSON up to 4 SONGS of choice to the list!
Follow the link as always and click on the like icon (heart) for the April playlist. Then add your 4 favorite songs via Spotify search.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pPNXqXDBeBAR57hiX0OhV?si=b8a578625d8e45b9
As Amphi informs us, everything that fits to our scene or borders on it is allowed – no matter if it’s a brand new song, an exciting insider tip or a timeless classic – Synth-Pop, EBM, Industrial, Post-Punk, Gothrock, Darkrock, Folkrock & Mediaeval tunes, NDH, Symphonic-Metal or even a nice 80s song – feel free to throw it all into the mix!
With diversity you bring the list to life, inspire others and invite to dance, revel and discover.
We are looking forward to your contributions to the “Amphi Community-Playlist 04-2023”. Fire away!
Tickets:
Weekend tickets are available for 115.00€ (plus shipping cost) at www.amphi-shop.de (worldwide shipping). All tickets are also available at all nationwide CTS/EVENTIM box-offices, online at Eventim, www.oeticket.com , www.ticketcorner.ch and as PRINT@HOME edition.
Day tickets are available as well for 76.00€ per day.
General Info:
Doors open: 10:00 am
Beginning: 11:00 am
Festival websites: www.amphi-festival.de
Facebook Event Amphi Festival 2023: https://www.facebook.com/events/721669245594891/
◊ You can check the amphi website (https://www.amphi-festival.de/home.html ), We will be publishing further news and updates at Electrowelt.com too.
◊ You will also find tips for reaching Cologne and the venue, as well as finding accommodation, general conditions and many more.
♦ See you all at Amphi Festival in Cologne for a unique dark concert and festival experience for 2023 too!
Bands / Running order
Saturday, 29th of July 2023
MAIN STAGE
| Doors open | 10:00 |
| SYNTHATTACK | 11:00 – 11:40 |
| A LIFE DIVIDED | 12:10 – 12:55 |
| WESSELSKY | 13:25 – 14:15 |
| S.P.O.C.K | 14:50 – 15:40 |
| DAS ICH | 16:10 – 17:05 |
| COVENANT | 17:35 – 18:35 |
| FRONT 242 | 19:05 – 20:05 |
| DEINE LAKAIEN | 20:40 – 21:55 |
THEATRE STAGE
| Doors open | 12:30 |
| XOTOX | 12:55 – 13:35 |
| VANGUARD | 14:05 – 14:50 |
| FUTURE LIED TO US | 15:20 – 16:10 |
| CENTHRON | 16:40 – 17:30 |
| CALVA Y NADA | 18:00 – 18:50 |
| ZERAPHINE | 19:20 – 20:15 |
| WELLE:ERDBALL | 20:45 – 21:55 |
ORBIT STAGE
| Doors open | 13:00 |
| RABENGOTT | 13:45 – 14:30 |
| WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW | 15:05 – 15:50 |
| SELOFAN | 16:25 – 17:10 |
| CLAN OF XYMOX | 17:45 – 18:40 |
| LEBANON HANOVER | 19:15 – 20:10 |
| DIORAMA | 20:45 – 21:55 |
| BIANCA STüCKER & MARK BENECKE | 22:30 – 23:00 |
ORBIT STAGE AFTERSHOW |
|
| SVEN FRIEDRICH (Solar Fake) | 23:00 – 00:00 |
| OLIVER KLEIN (Amphi Festival) | 00:00 – 02:00 |
| GOTH CLASSIXX & 80s VOL. 4 | |
THEATRE STAGE AFTERSHOWS
| Doors open | 22:00 |
| ANDTRAX (Nachtwerk | Karlsruhe) HADES (Dark-Malta) |
22:00 – 00:00 |
| DIE ELSTER (Eloria | Bottrop) DALECOOPER (Shadow | Leverkusen) |
00:00 – 02:00 |
| MD75 & THE LECTER (Super Schwarzes Mannheim) |
02:00 – 04:00 |
Gogos – Theater Stage |
|
Sunday 30th of July 2023
MAIN STAGE
| Doors open | 10:00 |
| SCHöNGEIST | 11:00 – 11:40 |
| WIEGAND | 12:10 – 12:55 |
| QNTAL | 13:25 – 14:15 |
| SOLITARY EXPERIMENTS | 14:50 – 15:40 |
| UNZUCHT | 16:10 – 17:05 |
| COMBICHRIST | 17:35 – 18:35 |
| LORD OF THE LOST | 19:05 – 20:05 |
| OMD | 20:40 – 21:55 |
THEATRE STAGE
| Doors open | 12:30 |
| BLITZ UNION | 12:55 – 13:35 |
| TRAITRS | 14:05 – 14:50 |
| SCARLET DORN | 15:20 – 16:10 |
| WHISPERING SONS | 16:40 – 17:30 |
| COPPELIUS | 18:00 – 18:50 |
| KITE | 19:20 – 20:15 |
| ACTORS | 20:45 – 21:55 |
ORBIT STAGE
| Doors open | 13:00 |
| OBERER TOTPUNKT | 13:45 – 14:30 |
| POTOCHKINE | 15:05 – 15:50 |
| FïX8:SëD8 | 16:25 – 17:10 |
| RUE OBERKAMPF | 17:45 – 18:40 |
| NNHMN | 19:15 – 20:10 |
| L’ÂME IMMORTELLE | 20:45 – 21:55 |
THEATRE STAGE AFTERSHOWS
| Doors open | 22:00 |
| DONLEVI (Aeon of Shades) RAPHA HELL (darkTunes Music Group) |
22:00 – 00:00 |
| DANCEFLOOR GLADIATORZ | 00:00 – 01:00 |
| JEANNY (Amphi Festival) SCHWEDLER (Black Opera | München) |
01:00 – 03:00 |
Gogos – Theater Stage |
|
The times for the autograph sessions can be found here
Signing Sessions 2023
Saturday, 29.7.2023
| ZERAPHINE | 13:00 – 13:50 |
| CALVA Y NADA | 14:00 – 14:50 |
| WESSELSKY | 15:00 – 15:50 |
| A LIFE DIVIDED | 16:00 – 16:50 |
| WELLE:ERDBALL | 17:00 – 17:50 |
| DAS ICH | 18:00 – 18:50 |
| CELENE NOX (Meet & Greet) | 19:00 – 19:50 |
Sunday, 30.7.2023
| LORD OF THE LOST | 14:00 – 14:50 |
| BLITZ UNION | 15:00 – 15:50 |
| SCARLET DORN | 17:00 – 17:50 |
| UNZUCHT | 18:00 – 18:50 |
| SOLITARY EXPERIMENTS | 19:00 – 19:50 |
| COPPELIUS | 20:00 – 20:50 |
*times subject to change!