Live: Nina Hagen @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London.

Nina Hagen hasn’t played in the UK for a full 14 years, apparently, so there is tangible anticipation amongst the crowd tonight for this rarely seen and curious artist.
Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Trying to pinpoint Nina Hagen’s role and legacy in the musical vista, on this, her 45th anniversary tour, is something of a conundrum. Descriptions of Nina span the spectrum from the whispered reverence devoted to the iconic Godmother of Punk, to opera singer with a spiritual message, to teenage actress turned controversially opinionated cult celebrity. Whether it’s her startling fashion style or her musical talent, her genre-traversing career or her distinctive humour, there’s much to be intrigued by as we await her arrival on stage.

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

When she appears, she’s glamorous and animated, switching between playing her guitar whilst perched on a stool and dancing at the microphone. A melting pot of covers, classics and tributes tumble out through the night. The set list, which I’d been lucky enough to take a peek at before the show, turned out to be more of a meandering general guide. The songs appeared in a completely different order, peppered with tantalising omissions and additions – although with some songs barely touched upon for more than a couple of lines, and others abandoned part way through due to her dissatisfaction, it wasn’t always easy to tell.

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina’s social/political views were, as ever, transparent throughout. Early 80s single Smack Jack reminds us of her anti-drugs stance, whilst many of the covers veer towards her religious and philosophical position. Bob Dylan’s Gotta Serve Somebody (and a quick gasp of Blowin’ In The Wind), the protest song We Shall Overcome (sung in honour of those killed in last year’s Paris terrorist attacks which, she tells us, happened a week after her French tour), Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky and folk standard All My Trials.

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Special guest Lene Lovich was called to the stage for three songs, including their mid-80s collaboration, the vegetarian-supporting Don’t Kill The Animals, and a Rammstein cover. There seemed a genuine warmth of friendship between the two in the way they interacted on stage, Nina’s insistence on drawing out details of Lene’s next solo show to encourage attendance and a kiss from Nina on the cheek whilst singing.

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina chatted informally and at length between songs, which was welcomed by the crowd, who frequently greeted these musical pauses with declarations of love for the singer. Her stories include how Frank Zappa convinced her to sing in English, how Ari Up of The Slits showed her around Shepherd’s Bush’s basement reggae parties and how a UFO sighting was, she now realises, something to do with mermaids (yes, I know, but this what it sounded like to me!). She also hints heavily, but mysteriously, at an ongoing legal case that has consumed her last three years and will soon be made public.

 

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

The evening’s ramble through punk, rock and roll, country, big band, folk and a distinctly cabaret feel to some elements of the show, kept the performance unpredictable and enjoyable.

Woody Guthrie’s All You Fascists Bound To Lose and Gershwin’s Summertime were rolled out later in the show, before an encore with second special guest of the evening Adamski for a rendition of his track Killer.

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

Nina Hagen at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 24 September 2016. (Imelda Michalczyk)

By the end of the show she was still energetic yet relaxed. She thanked London for the invitation to perform and told us she hopes she’ll see us in Berlin soon – hopefully not a sign of another 14 year wait until her next UK appearance!

One of the songs on her set list tonight that didn’t get an airing in the end was her version of My Way. It would have been good to hear but, regardless, she certainly did it her way tonight.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000zeh74UcqsyM” g_name=”Nina-Hagen” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_smooth=”t” f_up=”t” f_topbar=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”740″ height=”555″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” target=”_self” ]

Nina Hagen @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London on September 24, 2016
Photography & Words by Imelda Michalczyk

Imelda has her own website here: www.rebeladelica.com

Andrew Cushin (Tom Hill)

Newcastle’s Andrew Cushin Is Waiting For The Rain

The north-east’s next breaking star Andrew Cushin has dropped  his eagerly anticipated debut album Waiting For The...
Herkedal (Press)

Herkedal Shares Wild Raspberries & Plum Trees EP

Herkedal is a young artist with a veteran soul. His songs are rich with evocative nostalgia and timeless musicianship,...
Karen Harding (Press)

Karen Harding Drops Debut LP Take Me Somewhere

Karen Harding has released her debut album Take Me Somewhere via Ultra Records today. Marking the release Karen has...
Shawn Colvin @ Union Chapel (Kalpesh Patel)

Shawn Colvin Charms At Union Chapel

Shawn Colvin has been to the UK many times. In fact, she regales us with tales of how her early days of playing and...
ØXN (Megan Doherty)

ØXN Drop Nine Minute Cruel Mother Ahead Of Album Release

ØXN, the experimental doom folk band comprising Radie Peat, Katie Kim, John ‘Spud’ Murphy and Eleanor Myler, have...
Jamie Miller (Press Photo)

Jamie Miller Leaves Nothing Unsaid In Empty Room

Having come from humble beginnings in working class Wales, L.A.-based artist Jamie Miller has become a breakthrough...
Sisters Of Mercy @ Roundhouse (Adrian Hextall)

The Sisters Of Mercy Kick Off UK & European Tour In Tumultuous Style

This was the first of two shows The Sisters Of Mercy were playing at Camden's famous Roundhouse venue at the start of...
Dexys (Sandra Vijandi)

Oh Geno! Dexys Divide The Crowd At The London Palladium

With the promise of a full performance of their first album in seven years, it’s easy to see why the long-standing...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing