It has become a true tradition that DIE HAPPY plays some warm-up gigs at the end of December for the shows or tours of the following years. A fixed location in the program is Stuttgart, and this time again it’s to be taking place at Im Wizemann.

In this round, it’s the ‘Pre-Anniversary Shows 2023’, preparing for the upcoming anniversary tour in 2024. DIE HAPPY is celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band, and founding members Marta Jandova (vocals) and Thorsten Mewes (guitar) are still part of it. The quartet is complemented by Jürgen Stiehle (drums) and Ralph Rieker (bass).

On this evening, DIE HAPPY proves that they haven’t lost any of their drive and power. The quartet delivers an energy-loaded show that captivates the entire audience from the start. Even if the sound is not quite perfect yet and there’s a bit of a vocal hiccup, especially at the beginning, you can sense the professionalism of 30 years of stage experience and well over a thousand gigs. Marta has the audience in control from the first second, and everyone willingly follows her. The longer the show goes on, the better it gets. Light and sound fit perfectly with the arrangements of the songs.

One can definitely look forward to the upcoming tour and be curious about the surprises the band will bring to the stage. The only thing missing is a new album, considering that the last long player ‘Guess What’ was already released in 2020.

As support and opening act Templemind warmed up, the crowd. It is the new alternative rock project by Philipp Schardt. Combining alternative rock with healing frequencies to inspire people. His one-man show was undoubtedly something unusual to experience: in a good way.