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Iggy Pop at Stimmen-Festival - 14 July 2019
He's 72 years old, but he came storming out on stage like a man a third his age, launched right into "I Wanna Be Your Dog", and didn't let up for the next 90 minutes: Iggy Pop, legendary godfather of punk, proved at Lörrach's Stimmen-Festival that he's still one of the most thrilling performers out there.
Pop stuck to his trademark shirtless look, strutting around on stage and in the pit, triggering the occasional frenzy as beer got thrown around, people were pulled out of the crowd, and dramas played out in the front row. And this on a Sunday evening in the rain!
The one-two punch of "The Passenger" and "Lust For Life" came early, with fans singing along to every note. The Stooges songs "Search And Destroy" and "1969" still sounded as urgent and vital as ever, while Pop's solo work from "The Idiot" had a wonderfully heavy, drawn-out rock-disco edge.
Pop gave a welcome nod to Bowie with a cover of "The Jean Genie", and one to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with closer "Red Right Hand".
"Real Wild Child (Wild One)" prompted another round of enthusiastic audience responses, which Pop seemed touched by. "You've made me very happy", he said at the end of the concert, signing off with hilariously expletive-ridden thank yous. An absolute blast from start to finish.
Argentine folk and fusion trio Fémina were the support; gorgeous music in and of itself, but a completely different genre to Iggy Pop. The audience was slightly bewildered by the contrast, but the trio was nevertheless well-received.
- Anna Wirz