Credit: Helen O'Mahony/Chronicle.lu
On the evening of Saturday 9 November 2024, Luxembourgish folk punk band, Schëppe Siwen, stormed the stage at den Atelier in Luxembourg-Gare, to launch their new album Richtung Fräiheet (Towards Freedom).
Renowned for their electrifying live shows and described as a vibrant force on the European music scene, combining the raw energy and rebellious spirit of punk with the rich diversity of folk traditions, the band, who were formed in December 2009, did not disappoint in their sold-out debut performance in den Atelier.
The evening kicked off with a stunningly energetic performance from fellow Luxembourgish band Dream Catcher who got the audience dancing and rocking for 45 minutes before the main act took to the stage.
A trio of bagpipers from the Luxembourg Pipe Band heralded the arrival on stage of the ten-member band. For the following 100 minutes, den Atelier vibrated and pulsed as the captivated audience sang and danced the night away to classics such as "Danzen", "Wat Bleif", "Fraleit"and "Jonk a Fräi", as well as songs from the new album which include the tracks "Ënner Deck", "Op Lech" and "D'Welt Brennt". "D'Welt Brennt" (The World is Burning) is a collaboration between the band and Greenpeace Luxembourg who had an information stand at the concert.
The contagious energy continued all evening and saw lead vocalist Jojo running to the upper balcony to sing amongst the fans. Backing vocal and guitarist Lio crowdsurfed in a rubber dinghy as the audience went wild. Two of Dream Catcher's band members including frontman John Rech were invited back on stage to perform with Schëppe Siwen in a mesmerising routine. A second performance from the upper gallery by the Luxembourg Pipe Band was enthusiastically welcomed.
Schëppe Siwen's appeal to all ages was evident on the evening with quite a few multi-generational families from pre-teens to retirees captivated by the thrilling, high energy performance.
