When Kraftwerk played the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on April 18, 2025, it was a crystalline reminder of why they remain the architects of electronic music’s DNA. Under the open sky of one of California’s most storied venues, the night was a precise microchip and as alive as the humming bodies on the floor.
Built in 1903 and modeled after ancient Greek amphitheaters, the Greek Theatre has hosted everything from political rallies to The Grateful Dead. But on this night, its historic arches became the perfect frame for Kraftwerk’s futuristic projections and minimalist stagecraft. The general admission floor was seated, but that didn’t stop the energy—within minutes, clusters of 60- to 80-year-old Europeans were up and dancing, turning the front into a low-key, late-night Euro rave. They stood joyfully dancing in front of their seats, one hundred percent authenticity and adoration for most of the set.
Kraftwerk’s current lineup includes founding member Ralf Hütter, the sole remaining original robot, alongside longtime collaborators Falk Grieffenhagen, Henning Schmitz, and Georg Bongartz. Together, they delivered a historically grounded and immaculately forward-facing set, leaning into classics like The Model, Tour de France, Numbers, and Radioactivity. Every beat, blip, and vocoder phrase was deliberate, with a sound mix so clean and well-balanced you could hear every analog nuance.
Visually, the performance was mesmerizing. A massive screen behind the band cycled through archival pre-MTV footage, vintage computer graphics, and surreal ’80s-era music video montages—each scene perfectly synced to the rhythmic pulse of the songs. The four band members stood at glowing workstations that doubled as instruments and light sculptures, with color-shifting LED panels that sometimes made them look like they were operating inside a giant Lite-Brite. The visual design was as integral to the experience as the sound itself.
One moment that stuck with me wasn’t even on stage—it was up by the soundboard. As photographers were ushered into a tight cluster to shoot the performance, we found ourselves crouching, crawling, and navigating among the Kraftwerk crew. The team working sound and visuals were total gentle souls—kind, patient, and welcoming amidst the chaos. Their calm energy mirrored the precision of the show, and their generosity didn’t go unnoticed.
Even the merchandise was deeply Kraftwerkian—super subtle, minimal, and quietly iconic. I couldn’t help myself. I bought a tote bag—functional, sleek, and just nerdy enough.
The crowd itself was part of the magic—a kind-hearted, cross-generational assembly radiating deep appreciation and deep groove. It was a masterclass in subtlety, movement, and timing from a group that built the foundations of so many genres and continues, decades on, to refine the pulse of the machine.
As a concertgoer, this night set the tone for the season. With Stern Grove and Outside Lands just around the corner, I’m excited to see what the Bay Area’s music scene has in store. If Kraftwerk reminded us that the future is always humming beneath the surface, this summer promises to increase volume.
