đŸ“ș Kraftwerk’s Multimedia Tour 2025: First Show & A Day in Philadelphia



đŸ“ș Kraftwerk’s Multimedia Tour 2025 Philadelphia, First Show of the Tour


(1) KraftwerkđŸ€–

I first discovered Kraftwerk in my senior year of college, around the same time I got into Yellow Magic Orchestra. Both groups emerged in the ’70s, and while I was listening to a lot of Dash Berlin and Avicii back then, exploring Kraftwerk felt like tracing electronic music back to its origins. If you’re unfamiliar with them, Kraftwerk are German electronic pioneers from DĂŒsseldorf, active since the 1970s. Their music is distinctly robotic and meticulously engineered—heavily driven by synthesizers and mechanical precision. I’m no expert in music theory, but their influence is undeniable.


A visitor stands in front of Nam June Paik’s multi-screen video installation at the Whitney Museum, observing animated visuals of a red human figure displayed across dozens of CRT monitors.

I was also surprised to come across their work in Programmed: Rules, Codes, and Choreographies in Art, 1965–2018, an exhibition at the Whitney Museum in 2019. One of the highlights was Nam June Paik’s video works, where Kraftwerk’s influence was unmistakable. The show featured animations from Musique Non Stop (1986), one of Kraftwerk’s early ventures into computer-generated visuals, created by artist Rebecca Allen. As art critic Roberta Smith noted, the video’s mechanized sound and distorted voices, along with its animation, perfectly align with Kraftwerk’s robotic aesthetic. Seeing their presence in an art context, beyond just music, reaffirmed how ahead of their time they really were.

It’s fascinating how they envisioned themes like robots, computer dating, and AI friendships long before any of it became reality. My personal favorites are “Computer Love” and “The Man-Machine,” which have also been sampled by Coldplay’s “Talk” (2005) and Jay-Z’s “Sunshine” (1997). Apart from their music, I’m really drawn to their album cover art. I’d always wanted to catch them live, so when I heard they were coming to Philadelphia for the first night of their Multimedia Tour 2025, I knew I had to go. 
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A combined image of three iconic Kraftwerk album covers: Autobahn (1974) on the left, featuring a stylized highway illustration; Radio-Activity (1975) in the center, with a minimalist black-and-white Geiger counter design; and Trans-Europe Express (1977) on the right, showing a sepia-toned portrait of the band members in formal attire. These albums define Kraftwerk’s pioneering role in electronic music.

From left: Some of my favorite covers are Emil Schult’s work on 
Autobahn (1974), Radio-Activity (1975), and Trans-Europe Express (1977).


Cover of Kraftwerk’s The Man-Machine (1978), featuring the band members dressed in red shirts and black ties, posed against a bold red and black background. The album’s design is heavily inspired by Russian Avant-Garde aesthetics, reinforcing the robotic, futuristic themes of their music.
The Man-Machine (1978) features an iconic red-and-black design inspired by Russian Avant-Garde art. 

     Kraftwerk seems to have been touring globally without pause, yet I never managed to see them until now. This show was the first of their Multimedia Tour 2025, and I paid $133.72 (including tax and service fees) for two tickets. They’ll be in New York City in two weeks for two nights—one in the Upper West Side and another in Brooklyn. I’m curious about how those venues will compare to Franklin Music Hall here in Philadelphia. Despite travel costs, the ticket price in Philly was significantly lower, and it gave me a perfect excuse to explore the city since I’d never really toured it before.

(2) Exploring Philadelphia đŸ„š 

Close-up of a classic Philly cheesesteak from Joe’s Steaks & Soda Shop in Philadelphia, featuring thinly sliced beef and melted cheese on a fresh hoagie roll. Served with a side of caramelized onions, pickles, and extra cheese sauce, this iconic sandwich is a must-try for any food lover visiting Philly.
Inside Joe’s Steaks & Soda Shop in Philadelphia, a classic diner-style cheesesteak spot with a retro design. A cook prepares fresh cheesesteaks behind the counter, with vintage signage advertising sodas, burgers, and hot dogs, adding to the nostalgic charm of this iconic eatery

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 Before diving into the concert details, here’s how I spent my time in Philadelphia. I wandered around Reading Terminal Market and Fishtown, where I had a phenomenal Philly cheesesteak. My immediate impression of people in Philly was that they were incredibly hospitable. 

It got me thinking—are people just friendlier outside New York City?


A shopper browsing fresh produce at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, selecting bell peppers while using a phone. The colorful vegetable stalls and market vendor in the background capture the essence of a bustling local market


     Reading Terminal Market quickly became my favorite part of this short trip. Our Uber driver advised us to take a stroll first and scope out the options because there would be a lot to choose from. He was spot on. The moment I stepped inside, I was practically bombarded by vivid displays of food and tantalizing aromas coming from every direction. I couldn’t decide what to eat; I love markets like this because it’s such a feast for the senses.


People gathering at a small seating area inside Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, enjoying casual conversations in a lively indoor setting.A couple enjoying a meal at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, surrounded by the lively atmosphere of one of the city's most famous food destinations. The market's vibrant energy and diverse food offerings make it a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.


     On my way to the concert, I noticed a Macy’s store in the process of closing down. Literally everything inside was on sale. There were only a handful of employees left, and some people were rummaging for final deals. It felt like the end of an era—seeing a massive department store shutter like that reminded me of when Barneys New York and Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue closed their doors.


Entrance of a historic Macy’s department store in Philadelphia covered with ‘SALE’ and ‘CLOSING’ signs, reflecting the decline of traditional retail shopping.

A woman inside the historic Macy’s Philadelphia gazes at the grand Wanamaker Organ, surrounded by towering white neoclassical columns in a nearly empty retail space.


(3) The Concert: Franklin Music Hall 🎧

Nighttime view of Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia with concertgoers arriving for Kraftwerk’s Multimedia Tour 2025. The venue's industrial-style brick exterior and dimly lit urban surroundings set the scene for the legendary electronic music pioneers' performance.

     The show was held at Franklin Music Hall, located conveniently near Chinatown. It also happened to be the 50th anniversary of Kraftwerk’s first U.S. tour in 1975—an incredible milestone, considering these tracks have been around for half a century. 

     The audience spanned multiple generations; some people even brought their parents, which was heartwarming. I also noticed very few phones in the air—usually, when I take pictures at a concert, I see a sea of screens. It was refreshing to see everyone simply being in the moment.

     I didn’t have any concrete expectations for the performance, aside from hearing that at one past show, they had the audience wear colored 3D glasses. They didn’t do that here, but the visuals were still pretty cool—reminding me of early 3D computer animation mixed with a bit of The Matrix.

     One of the members, Ralf HĂŒtter (far left in the image below), was actually singing the entire time, but I didn’t even realize it until halfway through the show. The robotic, synthesized vocal is almost like another instrument.

     Their songs explore dehumanization, man-machine dynamics, and robotic themes, so the effect was fitting. The neon-striped suits synchronized with the stage lighting, making them look like an extension of the set itself—almost as if they were part of the machine


Kraftwerk performing live at Franklin Music Hall, illuminated in neon green visuals, showcasing their signature robotic aestheticKraftwerk's stage design at their Multimedia Tour 2025, with futuristic neon effects and ‘LOVE’ displayed on the LED screen behind them.

     Other than that, the stage featured four identical setups—one for each member—and a simple backdrop. While it worked well enough, I feel a more immersive or high-tech stage design could have enhanced their futuristic vibe. Given how captivating Kraftwerk’s music and graphics are, a laser show would have been brilliant.

  
Set List

Numbers / Computer World / Computer World 2
Home Computer / It’s More Fun to Compute
Spacelab
Airwaves
Tango
The Man-Machine
Electric Café
Autobahn
Computer Love
The Model
Neon Lights
Geiger Counter
Radioactivity

Audience watching Kraftwerk’s Multimedia Tour 2025 at Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia. The stage features a vivid red digital backdrop of robotic figures, enhancing the band’s signature futuristic aesthetic.

     For the encore, they played “The Robots,” “Boing Boom Tschak,” and one other track I didn’t recognize. I only expected a single encore, so we ended up taking a later bus back to NYC. The sound throughout the show was consistently crisp and loud. Concert souvenir T-shirts seem to get more expensive every year, but I still treated myself to one. đŸ€Ą

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     There wasn’t any dramatic stage antic—just a genuinely good vibe and courteous audience. In a way, it was like a trip to the deli. One thing I really appreciated was that they started exactly on time. The ticket said 8 PM, and at 8 PM sharp, the show began. This is rare—most concerts I’ve been to tend to start 30 to 60 minutes late, sometimes dragging on with an opening act that plays way too long before the main artist even comes on. Standing around, waiting in a packed venue, gets exhausting fast. So, the punctuality was definitely appreciated. (Sorry if this sounds boring, but it really matters!) Is it because they’re German?


     All in all, this Multimedia Tour 2025 performance proved that Kraftwerk’s music remains ageless. Between the futuristic visuals, classic tracks, and multi-generational fans, they still stand tall as pioneers of electronic music.


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