Attending Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra 50th Anniversary concert at Manchester’s Aviva Studios on 9th May 2025 was an emotional and electrifying experience. I’ve been a fan of the band ever since my uncle introduced me to Tangram as a teenager. Their sound—part cosmic voyage, part introspective dreamscape—has stuck with me ever since. Sharing this night with my brother Wayne made it all the more memorable.
As we approached the venue, we had a surreal moment: we spotted Thorsten Quaeschning outside. Calm and focused, he seemed to be taking in the atmosphere with a huge glass of wine before leading us into one of the most immersive shows I’ve ever seen.
The concert began with Thorsten on flute, performing “Sequent C” with a haunting delicacy that instantly transported us. From there, the first set unfolded like a reverent journey through Tangerine Dream’s past and present. Classic cuts like “Phaedra,” “Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares,” and “Movements of a Visionary” had the room spellbound.
Thorsten’s command of the modular synths was matched beautifully by Hoshiko Yamane’s graceful and at times fiery performance on the electric violin, particularly during “White Eagle,” where she added a lush new dimension to the familiar melody. Meanwhile, Paul Frick brought in a rhythmic edge with his live sequencing and piano textures, his playing especially vivid during “Betrayal (Sorcerer Theme)” and “Dolphin Dance.”
The second set shifted gears into higher energy territory. Tracks like “Continuum,” “Los Santos City Map” (from their Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack), and “Love on a Real Train” had a pulsing, hypnotic momentum that made it impossible not to nod along. The crowd really responded to “You're Always on Time” and “Sessions – Untitled,” which fused sequencer-driven grooves with spontaneous, fluid improvisations.
The chemistry between the trio was palpable. Each musician carved space within the soundscape, never crowding the other—just as Tangerine Dream’s music always has: expansive yet precise, intimate yet cosmic.
As the encore brought us “Raum,” a recent track that feels like a summation of the band’s 50-year journey, I found myself reflecting on how Tangerine Dream continues to evolve without losing their essence.
Leaving the venue with Wayne, we both agreed—it was more than a concert. It was a reminder of why this band continues to resonate across generations: they don’t just play music. They create worlds.
Comments