Cologne's concert insight: A world without Rod Stewart is unimaginable

They know how to party on the Rhine, especially in Cologne. And not just when it comes to football or carnival season. Around 14,000 spectators proved this once again yesterday evening at the concert of music legend Rod Stewart.
Following performances in Hamburg, Leipzig and Mannheim, the 80-year-old Brit presented his fourth show in Germany this autumn in the cathedral city, having already performed in Dortmund and Bremen in the spring.
Under the slogan ‘One More Time’, Sir Rod presented his greatest hits from around 60 years in the Lanxess Arena, which was sold out except for a few seats. Starting with the opener ‘Infatuation’ through ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’ and ‘Tonight's The Night’ to ‘Maggie May’, ‘I Don't Want To Talk About It’ and ‘Sailing’ – the man with the stubbly hair and distinctive raspy voice had the arena and his fans in the palm of his hand from the very first beat. The great atmosphere in front of the stage and in the stands spread to the stage, where Sir Rod – supported by his fantastic band – was in high spirits and turned the evening into a real happening with his powerful performances.

Stewart, who arrived in the cathedral city from London in the afternoon, conveyed in Cologne that he enjoys what he does immensely, and as a true entertainer, he knows how to convey that to his audience. Not every note hits the mark anymore, his voice is no longer what it was 10 or 20 years ago, and his movements are now more dignified and age-appropriate. But Sir Rod glosses over the minor hiccups during the two-hour show with his well-known charm and a good dose of humour. A single blown kiss, a quick wave, a wiggle of the hips, and his fans cheer him on enthusiastically. Sir Rod has always been able to rely on his stage presence and his great entertainment skills.

When announcing his song ‘I Don't Want To Talk About It’, Rod told the audience: ‘I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow’ and emphasised how good singing is for the heart, lungs and soul, asking the fans to join in loudly. ‘Come on Cologne, let me hear you sing!’

And the people of Cologne did not disappoint him. With great fervour, the 14,000-strong choir belted out the chorus throughout the arena, which is known in Cologne as the ‘Henkelmännchen’ (little man with a handle) because of the semicircular arch on the roof that is visible from afar. It gave everyone goose bumps.

The unique atmosphere in the arena did not go unnoticed by the journalists present. The writers rated Stewart's performance in the cathedral city as top notch (if there is such a thing) and were full of praise for the two hours from ‘Infatuation’ to ‘Love Train’.

The Aachener Zeitung, for example, ran the headline: ‘Full throttle in Dolce and Gabbana’, the WAZ from Essen attested that Sir Rod was ‘in dazzling form’ and the Rheinische Post from Düsseldorf made it clear in its concert review: ‘A world without Rod Stewart concerts is unimaginable’.

The latter statement in particular is likely to be agreed with wholeheartedly by the numerous fans who made their way home late on Tuesday evening, still inspired and with the sounds of ‘Sailing’ ringing in their ears, or who ended the evening in one of the many pubs in the old town.

A world without Rod Stewart and his inspiring shows is basically unimaginable, and so many of the visitors wished that the singer, who floated away into the dark night shortly after midnight from Cologne/Bonn Airport towards London, would come back again. One More Time, in fact.

Setlist:

• Infatuation

• Tonight I'm Yours

• Twistin' The Night Away

• It Takes Two

• This Old Heart Of Mine

• The First Cut is The Deepest

• Tonight's The Night

• Forever Young

• Baby Jane

• Young Turks

• Maggie May

• I'd Rather Go Blind

• Downtown Train

• I'm So Excited (Band only)

• I Don't Want To Talk About It

• You're In My Heart

• People Get Ready

• Have I Told You Lately

• Proud Mary (Band only)

• Da Ya Think I'm Sexy

• Some Guys Have All The Luck

• Hot Legs

• Sailing

• Love Train