Helene Fischer at Schalke: A sight that has become something of a cherished tradition in recent years. This marks her fourth appearance at the Donnerhalle. This time, she’s bringing a top-notch show that sets entirely new standards.
The moment you step into the arena, it catches everyone’s eye: the gigantic 360° stage on which Helene Fischer will celebrate her 20th anniversary in style. Helene has already proven in the past that she’s known for her visual spectacles.
But with this tour, she’s outdone everything: Behind the scenes, setting up the 288-metric-ton structure is a logistical masterpiece. For five days, nearly 150 technicians work around the clock to unload the equipment from 17 stage trucks and 48 production trucks. The result is a highly complex stage set that brings fans at the VELTINS-Arena face-to-face with their big star.
Before the show can begin, however, final checks and rehearsals take place shortly before the doors open. In particular, the rigging system—which will later allow Helene to float through the air—is thoroughly tested. A total of 246 chain hoists run across the arena. After that, everything is set for a spectacular concert evening in front of 53,000 spectators—
Shortly before 4 p.m., there’s already plenty of activity around the VELTINS-Arena: Many fans are dressed in colorful outfits and have crafted all sorts of fan paraphernalia. From “Helene Fischer Ultra” T-shirts to caps, there’s a little bit of everything here. But there’s one thing in particularly high demand before the show: shade. The weather is being a bit too generous with the fans—the thermometer reads 30 degrees.
Around 6 p.m., the arena began to fill up. DJane Kobragypsy got the crowd fired up with a colorful mix of music. The Kiss Cam also provided plenty of fun moments for young and old alike. The interior resembled a sea of pink and white. Here and there, a royal blue top stood out.
Then the moment arrives: Helene Fischer opens her spectacular show with a dramatic aerial entrance across the stadium. Amid thunderous applause, she is welcomed on stage by her 20 dancers. And then she gets started: The setlist features a mix of her best songs from the past 20 years. Another major highlight is the medleys, in which the 41-year-old singer combines various songs.
In addition to classics like “Atemlos durch die Nacht” and “Mit keinem anderen,” she delivered one goosebump-inducing moment after another. For the song “An meiner Seite,” she invited her partner and acrobat Thomas Seitel onto the stage. With the help of the rigging system, the two take flight. Together, they float above the audience’s heads through the arena, performing a unique choreography. For many fans, this is the highlight of the evening.
This emotional spectacle will be accompanied by a technical production that is second to none. The numbers behind the show are literally breathtaking: a total of over 840 LED panels will create visuals across a total area of 780 square meters. The action is also displayed in a unique style on the many screens surrounding the stage. Over 1,200 spotlights provide the perfect lighting, bathing the arena in spectacular light—especially in the late evening hours. The songs are also repeatedly accompanied by special effects: 36 flame throwers and 200 kilograms of confetti, complemented by 1,000 pyrotechnic effects, put the finishing touch on the show.
At 10:32 p.m., the lights in the arena go out. The audience loudly demands an encore. And what an encore it is: A brief look back at the last 20 years kicks off the finale. Then, with her new single “Heute Nacht,” Helene brings the house down one last time.
As she took her leave, she addressed the audience with some final words and thanked them for the amazing atmosphere: “I think these are the moments that will stay with us for a very long time! Gelsenkirchen, you were amazing.”
While the stage and technical equipment are already being dismantled, Helene Fischer and her team are heading to their next stop in Cologne. What remains are memories of a special evening at the VELTINS-Arena.
