JUNE | JULY news

A Journey Through the Web of Time – my last Rainbirds concert, July 2026

In July 2026 I will play my last concert with the Rainbirds anniversary band. Looking back on ten evenings that felt like a journey through so many years of music, I can say: it was intense, surprising and deeply moving.

The journey through the Rainbirds back catalogue left hardly any wishes unfulfilled; from the poppy „Not Exactly“ to the experimentally jazzy „Two Faces“, from the freely flowing „A Waltz for Jane“ to the timeless indie gem „No Greater Love“ and the epic „Sea of Time“. It was impressive to witness how broad the musical range of our ensemble has been!

At every one of our ten concerts we were received with so much warmth – by an audience that knew every chapter of this remarkable band. And that is exactly what this programme was: a portrait of all seven Rainbirds albums, from ballads to rock, from artful harmonies to reduced, sparse soundscapes. Always at the centre: the strikingly timely lyrics of singer and founder Katharina Franck. Proof that when pop is done well, it goes straight to the heart and that the songs of the Rainbirds have lost none of their relevance.

Together with the audience we soared and we all discovered that this music is still deeply in our bones. Playing this music live again felt like entering into a dialogue with my earlier self Playing this music live again felt like entering into a dialogue with my earlier self – and at the same time, it felt completely of this moment.

It was a thrilling and intense time. And it is not quite over yet: later this year a box set will be released: vinyl, history and the finest compositions from every era of the Rainbirds. Something for long-time fans and new listeners alike.

The Jubilee Band: Katharina Franck (vocals, g), Michael Beckmann (b), Wolfgang Glum (dr,perc), Rodrigo Gonzales (g), Werner Neumann (g), Dominique Gaga Ehlert (dr) and myself (pno, org).

Our wonderful crew: Anne Taegert (foh), Alexander Weisheit (monitor), Raquel Rosildete (light), Jennifer Schild & Nina Borkowski (tour manager)