At short notice I won the day before tickets for a special DJ Bobo “Live & Unplugged” concert at Pathé Westside Bern. I hadn’t seen DJ Bobo live in ages – Dancing Las Vegas, the tour before last, was the last one – and so I was very much looking forward to this small event.
In 2017 DJ Bobo will celebrate with the Mystorial Tour his 25 years anniversary. That’s why they made an extra break for 2,5 years. It’s normal that they take longer breaks between each tour though. After all such a huge show needs a lot of planning. Songwriting, stage setting, costume design… the first songs for the upcoming “Mystorial Tour” were written eg. already in November 2014. Back then they didn’t eve know yet, what will be made out of it in the end. And now they play this month various special “Live & Unplugged” Shows to give people a taste of the new tour. Tickets you only can or could win and I was the lucky one, to get some at short notice for the Westside Bern show.
From 6.45 pm there was a great aperitif at the foyer of Pathé cinema. Veggie dip, figs wrapped into bacon (I think it was figs), tomato muffins, srping rolls, cheese tarts, bread rolls, small sandwiches and of course various drinks got served. Really delicious! Good I didn’t eat anything before.
With general seating I got a seat in front row. After a short welcome of the centre CEO, René Baumann aka DJ Bobo appeared and got his band on stage one after the other. TJ Gyger at keys, Alex Vesper on drums, Ändu Sigrist on guitar and the three background singers Jesse Ritch, Bobo’s wife Nancy as well as Kate Matl played with him this speical showcase. A small but nice concert without any bric-a-brac and show. Just he and his band, the songs with a few simple dance choreos, where the audience could join in. Already back then during the DJ Bobo & friends concert in Engelberg in 2009 I just loved this simple show.
He introduced three new songs of the new “Mystorial” album, which will be released on 23 September. My favourite of the three songs was immediatel “Never Stop Dreaming”. And they played also some older titles. Thereby he had to keep checking the lyrics at Jesse’s lyrics folder. He was never good with remebering lyrics, it always took a while, til he got it. Though he was good at difficult raps, he didn’t know why though. According to the setlist they had prepared many more songs, but because they did a q& a inbeetween the songs, questions & answers, they soon lost track. The audience spontaniously could ask questions. There were many questions about his career, but also private ones.
The following questions got asked:
After so many years, very successful years, having reached so much, do you still have dreams and goals at all?
- Musician are dreamer and generally a little crazy. That’s why you always got dreams. You of course keep trying to grow. And a goal/dream of DJ Bobo is e.g. to play a concert in Iran, because he knows that he got fans there. Politically it never was possible so far.
How do you organize family and school with touring? Are the children visiting public or private schools?
- Nancy told, the children were going to a normal public school and the daughter’s still. Son Jamiro changed to a private school. But more cos of what he wants to become. They also got asked if they wanted to go on tour. They prefered to stay at home with friends and going to school. So during tour the grandparents were staying with the children at home, looking after them. Since the grandma died, only their grandpa is looking after them. But since they became older as well (Jamiro 14 and Kayley 9). So it works out great. Bobo and Nacy also keep flying home inbetween the concert weekends.
Do the kids want to do something with music too?
- That’s not so clear yet, but at the moment rather not. Jamiro is musically very talented, but isn’t admiting it. And Keyley is rather shy and not so much a “stage hog”.
How was it to be at “die grössten Schweizer Talente”?
- He found it interesting to take part during the three seasons. When he was asked for, the concept would have sorted out the candidates beforehand and the judges answeres instructed. He only took part with the conditions that he could spontaniously say what he wanted. After three seasons it was enough though and with the tour preparations it would have become to much.
Since when is Jesse Ritch part of and will he be part of the next tour?
- Jesse told, that he is part since the last tour and is looking forward to be in the new tour as well.
If the clothes on that evening are selfmade?
- No, the clothes for the showcase were bought. But on tour all the constumes are specially manufactured. It showed over the years that bought clothes are not sturdy enough to last a whole tour. The manufactured clothes have more seams so they really last.
What was he doing differently or even better to everyone else, so after 25 years he’s still successful?
- He doesn’t really know. Possibly that he always try to grow and develope, tries to give something new to the audience and not stood still.
If he’d take part in a DJ championship again, would he have still a chance?
- He doesn’t think he still got a chance as everything techically changed way too much.
I can’t exactly remember all the questions. Like during earlier concerts and meetings I’ve seen Bobo and the whole band as totally down-to-earth, very likable and very open. He told a lot about his background and how he came from break dancing, to DJing, from baker/confectionr to his stage show. A great, musical and informative evening. Totally funny and entertaining. And with the few hints of a time machine in his basement, he of course made everyone curious about the new show.
I would love to go again. The shows were always great. Though, the last two tours I had won tickets. I wouldn’t probably have been there otherwise. I am not too happy about the seat and price concept and couldn’t decide yet for any seats or even concert location. But tickets you can get on Ticketcorner or Starticket. Best you get them soon, otherwise the good seats might be gone.
Further information about DJ Bobo you get on the official website
