The German band return with a new electro-pop identity on their hard-won magnum opus, ‘Dream Machine’.
IT’S EASY TO FORGET THAT TOKIO Hotel are somewhat of a veteran band. The German pop-rock quartet’s looks belie their experience of 16 years and 10 million records sold worldwide. Currently on tour to support their fifth studio album Dream Machine, the band’s schedule is tight but they are thrilled to be back on the road.
“The tour has been great so far. It was the 22nd show today—and no major fuck-ups,” says frontman Bill Kaulitz with a smile over Skype from Warsaw, Poland. The band are in the European leg of the tour and will head to Russia the next day. “We had so much fun. I think we’ve never been happier onstage.” Bill’s twin brother and the band’s lead guitarist Tom sits beside him while bassist Georg Listing is a silent but cheerful presence nearby. Drummer Gustav Schäfer stays out of the frame save for a quick ‘Thank you!’ when we congratulate him on the birth of his daughter.
Tokio Hotel’s shows on this tour are more intimate and artistic, designed to match the band’s new retro-synth sound on Dream Machine and help them connect more with the audience. However, as the conversation progresses, it becomes clear that the excitement around the record and touring was hard won; “With Humanoid and the last period of that time, we just weren’t engaged with what we did,” Kaulitz recalls about the exhausting tour for 2009’s Humanoid album.
This story is from the May 2017 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
UNCOVERING THE RELEVANCE OF BIBIMBAP IN THE KOREAN WAVE
A SYMBOL OF KOREAN SOLIDARITY AND PLURALITY, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY OF FOOD TO SERVE AS A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR, BIBIMBAP IS BEING CONSUMED ACROSS COUNTRIES AS THE KOREAN WAVE ADVANCES
Anitta's Funk Revolution
After a major health scare, the Brazilian star learned to let go and got back to her roots
THE LEGEND AND HIS RHYTHM, IN FIVE TABLA MOVEMENTS
He will turn 73 this month and he has just won three Grammys. But that is not going to slow down the maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain is as busy with his Hindustani classical and fusion projects as he was when he started his career nearly six decades ago
BLACKSWAN in CONVERSATION
BLACKSWAN REVEALS THEIR EXCITEMENT ABOUT COMING BACK TO INDIA, NOTABLY PERFORMING FOR THE K-TOWN FESTIVAL IN MUMBAI, AND MORE CANDID THOUGHTS IN THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW
K-DRAMA FLASHBACK: ITAEWON CLASS
With Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi taking center stage, the drama is his journey of revenge, growth, and love, but it also questions prejudice, promotes inclusivity, and celebrates diversity with other unique characters
ALAN WALKER ON AI, GAMING NEW MUSIC AND INDIA PLANS
The Norwegian DJ-producer speaks with us about revisiting core memories for the music video to his latest song \"Who I Am,\" building a virtual theme park-like Walkerworld and more
Tyla
The South African pop star on staying true to herself; dancing all night, and her Belieber past
Varijashree Venugopal Signs to GroundUp Music Label by Snarky Puppy's Michael League
The Bengaluru vocalist, composer and flautist’s debut album Vari’ will arrive in May 2024
Echoes of Earth Goa Included Intriguing Installations, Manic Music and Vivacious Vibes
India’s renowned eco-conscious celebration made its debut in the vibrant state of Goa from February 2nd to 4th, 2024
Dana Fuchs: ‘I Think There Is Power In Vulnerability
The American artist performed at this year's Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai