19 June 2025 (gig)
20 June 2025
In its 20th year, Spandau Citadel's open air festival season continues to draw crowds. Tonight is no exception, as fans of all ages pack the fortress courtyard for Iggy Pop, aka James Newell Osterberg Jr., the godfather of punk.
It's one of those balmy Berlin evenings, when acts come on stage long before sunset. Maybe for the best, given the time it takes to cross the moat out of this picturesque venue.
Highly captivating Berlin-based punk band Die Verlierer (The Losers) get the nod as support act - little surprise to BBC 6 Music radio show listeners, who will know how generous Iggy is with airplay for upcoming artists. Sleaford Mods, one of his most-plugged bands (check that viral nodding cockatoo video), get played by tonight's warm up DJ.
Iggy's equally as magnanimous with his audience, giving them minimal chat (a few short tales of his Berlin days) but maximum musical and theatrical impact. Flirting, skipping, cajoling, the 78-year-old is a riot in taut black trousers. When not in use, his microphone ends up in places only doctors dare visit.
With a fittingly summery brass section, Iggy's band, as tight as the skin on his tanned torso, race through a set including Nightclubbing, Gimme Danger and Raw Power, as well as singalongs The Passenger, Lust for Life and Real Wild Child (Wild One).
An elderly fan, Stooges t-shirt drenched in beer, leads her partner out of the venue's dusty moshpit as limbs head skyward for I Wanna Be Your Dog. The pounding set comes to a close with Funtime, from Bowie-produced 1977 solo debut, The Idiot.
From the topless septuagenarian, to the crowdsurfing pensioners, it's age-defying, lust for life stuff.