It has never been a mistake to travel to Munich when Rod Stewart is on stage in the Bavarian Capital. The Olympiahalle is always sold out – well, almost sold out – and the audience is well known in Germany for a fantastic atmosphere and singing..
But this year something was different to the past shows in 2014 or 2016. We had the fantastic show in Cologne 4 weeks ago and this one was one of the best German shows ever. So everyone in Munich wondered: Can Rod deliver a better performance than he did in Cologne?
Well, it was definitely on the same level. Rod entered the stage right on time and opened that Wednesday night with INFATUATION and HAVING A PARTY. It was the start that the crowd needed. From that moment on it was a game on solid ground. Rod was on a top level, had fun, told jokes and announced 24 songs, two hours show and told the people to enjoy themselves.
A Munich newspaper commented the next day: Rod Stewart – a knight without any piece of rust. Punctual beginning, no break, no supporting act – that’s what we want.
The setlist: There were no hidden surprises, if you disregard HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN and BROKEN ARROW. YOUNG TURKS as the third song on the setlist pumped the people out of their seats. The girls performed a brilliant Donna Summer cover SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY and Emerson Swinford and Jimmy Roberts casted the audience under their spell by performing Dire Straits’ GOING HOME.
The whole show was „wonderfully cheerful“ Munich papers report. And so was ‘ joker Rod’ (Munich Merkur) on stage. “Are you all enjoying yourselves? I really do”, he said.
And left the stage after a very extended version of DA YA THINK I’M SEXY and the only encore BABY JANE.
This was the last German show of the current tour and we have to determine, yes, we had some brilliant performances over here this summer. Berlin, Hamburg, Mannheim, Cologne, Munich – all of them great nights. A few technical starting problems in Berlin as this was the very first show of the European tour, but then Rod Stewart at his very best in Europe and UK.
Setliste München
Infatuation
Having a party
Young Turks
Some guys
Tonight‘s the night
Forever Young
Rhythm
Maggie
Killing of Georgie
Tonight I‘m yours
People get ready
It takes two
Have your ever seen
Going Home (Emerson & Jimmy – Dire Straits)
Talk about it
First cut
Broken arrow
You‘re in my heart
Have I told you
She works hard for the money (Girls – Donna Summer)
Twistin
Sailing
Sexy
Encore: Baby Jane
Review By Martin Heidt
Photos By Roland Maute