Junges Späti Braunschweig: A love song for a vampire
On December 6, 2024, it all started with “Devilishly Beautiful Christmas.” I mean, the relationship between the “Young Späti” and me. Well, to be honest, it’s quite one-sided. They don’t even know who I am. So, on that day, I discovered “Young Späti,” back then the Christmas show by “Roy & Roy,” and I was simply thrilled. A creative group in often artistically predictable Braunschweig? Phenomenal. And luckily, the group performs more often. Last Thursday, it was happening again. This time, the “Love Song for a Vampire” was on the agenda.
A church as the venue
At first, I was surprised by the choice of venue. But of course, a church as a location makes perfect sense for vampire stories. And when we arrived on that dreadful rainy day in January, we were not disappointed. With light and decor effects, we were quickly immersed in the spooky tales.
The start of the evening was a bit bumpy. A performer initially read a lot of text. However, the performance quickly picked up pace. A whole variety of approaches were used: music, literature, true crime podcasts, slideshows, video games—everything was included.
I particularly enjoyed the whimsical slideshow that took us through the development of the series The Walking Dead and its spin-offs. It was breathtaking how quickly and nonchalantly the artist presented his performance.
Something for the mind
It’s remarkable how much we learned about horror stories, Frankenstein, vampires, and their origins that evening. The soirée was not only a visual delight, but it also educated us! This was likely the intention behind a pop-up format. But what exactly is that? According to the definition, it refers to a short-lived event that is extremely effective at grabbing the audience’s attention. It is also an ideal way to build a personal connection with the viewer.
A unique and limited experience
This type of event is meant to offer a unique and limited experience. That’s why these performances often take place in unusual locations, such as warehouses, rooftops, or churches. And it worked. I can confirm that.
I also loved the idea of the “Haunted Real Estate Agency.” Here, an auction is portrayed where haunted houses are up for sale, some of which are known from “radio and TV.” Wonderful glimpses into the interiors of these properties are shown; torture chambers included. Of course.
A love song for a vampire
It became emotional—at least for me—when Annie Lennox’s “Love Song for a Vampire” was played at the end. The song was released in 1992 as part of the soundtrack for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Lennox’s expressive voice sent shivers down my spine. So, mission accomplished.
Before the evening ended, four volunteers were invited to the stage. Along with a performer, they presented texts from various horror books so skillfully that the different passages came together into a coherent text. Respect!
We left the event feeling wonderfully relaxed and in great spirits. Glad we ventured into the vampire’s lair despite the terrible weather conditions.
P.S.: The next performance by Young Späti will take place on February 27.