Matthias Renken is visibly moved. “It was very emotional,” says the manager of the Osterholz-Scharmbeck town hall. He is a little hoarse because he is doing what almost all of the 3,000 guests in the Osterholz-Scharmbeck town hall are doing: singing along loudly, clapping, dancing. This evening is not only emotional for Matthias Renken, but also for a large number of people who have flocked to the “home game” – the title of the evening – of the band Versengold.
Versengold was founded in 2003 by singer Malte Hoyer, among others. “We played our first concerts in the Kuz,” he calls out to the audience. Bassist Eike Otten is a child of the local music school. It's logical that old friends and the Hoyer family, with all their children, are at the open-air concert. “Heimspiel” even brings old family ties back together. “I met an aunt here who I haven't seen for 20 years,” says Sascha Hoyer cheerfully. He is a cousin of the singer.
In a good mood and with an excellent knowledge of the lyrics, the fans in front of the stage are carried away by the band's performance.
Later on stage, Malte Hoyer celebrates not only his mother, but all mothers. She “must be ashamed now,” adds the singer, before the band starts singing the song “Haut mir kein Stein” from the album “Funkenflug”. It is one of the evening's most thoughtful moments, which brings tears to the eyes of one or two people in the audience. In this piece, Malte Hoyer deals with a serious car accident that he survived years ago. When his parents met him at the airport afterwards, they had aged years.
But even the thoughtful pieces exude a certain happiness. And that's what this evening is all about: partying and having fun, not just on stage, but also in the audience. It's a mixture of family celebration and Wacken Open Air. Because Versengold doesn't just have fans among adults. The band has also played its way into the hearts of children. One girl has decorated her wheelchair entirely with Versengold and meets her idols backstage shortly before the concert. Other children dance the whole evening, most with their mother, sometimes with their father. They listen to the music muffled because their parents have thought of providing ear protection for them.
Fans who know the lyrics
Classics like “The day the gods got drunk”, “Thekenmädchen” or songs from the 2023 album like “Glimmer und Gloria” or “Flaschengeist”: everything the band brings is a sure-fire success. The visitors dance, lie in each other's arms and have a good time. There is not only the appropriate light show, but also a lot of pyrotechnics. It is clear that the people in front of the stage sing along. Take “Thekenmädchen”: When “nie, nie, nie” is sung, everyone raises their arms with their index finger outstretched and sings along to the lyrics. And not just die! Malte Hoyer has to admit, “that you know the lyrics better than I do.”
The fans had a chance to practice before Versengold's performance. The concert with the musical comedy duo “Reis Against The Spülmachine” from Oldenburg and Buxtehude starts at 7 p.m. Hits are given a completely new everyday meaning by Hanke Blendermann, stage name “Onkel Hanke”, and Philipp Kasburg, “Don Filippo”. The two are in the right place at this place as support for Versengold. Their motto: “We're here to piss you off.”
When Versengold enters the stage, it has long since become dark and the light and pyrotechnics show unfolds its full effect.
They turn José Feliciano's 1970 Christmas song “Feliz Navidad” into the craftsmen's anthem “Flies' mal das Bad”. Tenor: “We need two-component glue!” A song like this is a perfect start for the audience. Everyone sings along to the cover of Achim Reichel's “Aloha He” – although the two guys do it like this: “Ayurveda tea”. For the fans, it means sitting on the floor and rowing. This is even more fun for the audience.
This is topped by the second opening act of the evening: Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen from Osnabrück. The band has its own fan base. It is also clear that some are annoyed because of Mr. Hurley. Jan and Tina from Glinstedt, a district of Gnarrenburg, are also fans of Mr. Hurley and have been going to the festival for 20 years. But it is not just the die-hard Hurley fans who enjoy the opening act, the entire audience enjoys it. The folk-rock band sings about the life of a sailor and pirate. Their songs are accordingly about wine and song.
When Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen belt out songs like “Leuchtturm” and “Blau wie das Meer”, the die-hards can't hold back any longer – they do a polonaise and happily parade around the grounds. Even the children can join in. The chorus of “Leuchtturm” goes like this: “I've got the lights on, I'm a lighthouse.” You are so beautiful, I'll see you double.”
At exactly 9 p.m., “Versengold” takes the stage and the sextet opens their two-hour show with “Glimmer und Gloria” and pyrotechnics. Things are now really getting going all over the square and everyone is gripped by the atmosphere. It will be an emotional evening for everyone.
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