High-energy music events with captivating spectacles and visual displays
The Münster Mittendrin city festival came to a spirited close on Sunday, with the Domplatz stage hosting tribute bands for Queen and AC/DC.
The evening kicked off with the London-based five-piece band, We Salute You, paying homage to AC/DC. The band's authentic sound and visuals, including iconic elements like a giant hell's bell, a Marshall amp wall, and pyrotechnics featuring up to 21 cannons, resonated strongly with fans, generating immense energy and crowd engagement.
Lead singer Grant Foster, adopting a style more akin to Brian Johnson than Bon Scott, led the band through a faithful recreation of AC/DC's music, creating a vibrant stadium rock atmosphere that delighted the audience.
Following We Salute You, Italian band Break Free took the stage, embodying Queen's legendary concerts. Lead singer Giuseppe Malinconico notably channeled Freddie Mercury not only vocally but also in gestures, costumes (including Mercury's signature mustache), and dynamic stage presence. This generated enthusiastic audience sing-alongs to classics like "Radio Gaga" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." Malinconico's interactive performance, including call-and-response singing, further enhanced the immersive experience.
The overall show was recognized for combining musical accuracy with theatrical flair, successfully reviving the spirit of Queen's original gigs.
Audience response was very positive, with many attendees singing along to well-known anthems spanning decades and praising the high level of professionalism and authenticity of both tribute acts. The event closed the three-day festival on a spirited and uplifting note, firmly connecting generations of rock fans through familiar and beloved songs.
In a different part of the city, the exhibition "Liberty" in the House of the Netherlands in the Krameramtshaus showcased originals from Jörg Hartmann's current comic. An interview with illustrator Jörg Hartmann about the exhibition was published.
The organizers found it challenging to draw as much audience for the closing evening as Roland Kaiser did a few years ago. Despite this, the festival was a resounding success, with the tribute bands providing a fitting finale to the event.
As the Kulturwiesen 2025 festival approaches, starting from August 21, the anticipation for next year's lineup is already building. The two finalists of the "Voice of Münsterland" competition may one day become musical highlights, adding to the rich tapestry of talent that the city has to offer.
References: 1. Article about We Salute You's performance 2. Article about Break Free's performance 3. Article about the exhibition "Liberty" 4. Article about the audience response 5. Interview with Jörg Hartmann about the exhibition
Music and entertainment continued to fill the air during the closing night of the Münster Mittendrin city festival, as tribute bands We Salute You and Break Free paid homage to AC/DC and Queen respectively. The London-based We Salute You kicked off the evening with an authentic rendition of AC/DC's songs, complete with pyrotechnics, costume, and impressive crowd engagement, while Break Free captured the essence of Queen's legendary concerts with their lead singer's vocal and theatrical prowess. The festival closed on a spirited and uplifting note, connecting generations of rock fans through familiar and beloved songs.
