Friday The history of Amphi has gone on for a seven years, though still considered quite a young festival. Though within this time it has become sold out in succession for 4 years, and it continues to show why. Indeed the festival as like many, do not come cheap, though Amphi provides what many don’t. The festival began Friday at the Alter Wartesaal, as tradition goes. The discounted Depeche mode pre party for Amphi Ticket holders has kicked off underneath the depths of Köln Hbf. So as the crowd packs its beat to the two different music rooms, Heavy and light; the weekend of Köln’s darkest summer weekend of the year begins.

Saturday The Saturday began off with a whisper, for the people who have yet to redeem their tickets for wristbands, the queue is a little longer, but within 2 minutes you’re in! As your boots find their way around on the new Amphi map programme, the bands have yet to kick off for a few more hours; thus in the meantime you can check out the daytime exhibitions and talks that wait in the Amphi Theatre up until late afternoon. The Tanzbrunnen provides enough space for a number of stalls. From armoured rings to corsets, or take it easy at the artificial beach and gaze at the stunning views of Köln and the Rhine, as it still remains part of the sunscreen Goth weekend.


The map layout of the festival has been changed this year; this may be an act by ‘Protain’ to control the flow of the attendees, as the Staatenhaus can become full quickly if rain arises or a popular act comes on. Met remains expensive at €6 a cup, though festivals that remains the norm. Along with the new map another café has been opened and the autograph stand has been moved to within the Staatenhaus as again possibly to reduce congestion at the entrance to the festival. One characteristic which Amphi should be recognised for is its family friendliness and access for the disabled. At all three stages there is perfect viewing for the disabled on an elevated platform close to the stage. Köln Born ‘X-RX’ smeared in blood took centre stage as their youthful looks rendered the brothers with a deserved audience as they showed off their material and maintained a good connection to the crowd, with their yells and sonic dancing.


Frozen Plasma lifted the roof high in the Staatenhaus as the echo in his voice and electronic synth to white hands of black fabric ignites the fuel that synchronises the spectator. ‘Grendel’ saw the rage hit back with their chemicals and circuitry changing the diorama melodies to the essences of military industrialisation.‘Suicide Commando’ returned. Another Amphi Veteran from 2008, after his release of the ‘Suicide Sessions’ on Friday, his implement of hell came from a sound, that gathered from within him and told the crowd to “Come on and hate me!”. Now left for dead it was time to see gluttony with a cup of met and a meal at the Amphi Café. Within the main stage’s offerings, the sight of ‘Deine Lakaien’ sent the closing to piano keys and the strings being struck on violin and cello. The crowd in solace and joy with some an end to their Saturday, could be summed up with the flight of flowers to the stage. ‘Rome’s’ Jerome Reuter, with his acoustic project showed their music off at their first Amphi Festival. The crowd listened to the calm voice as they were also played two new songs in the upcoming new album from the Amphi-Theatre. Hocico from Mexico did not falter; living up to their last act at Amphi 2009 their display shook the roof to ‘The Day the World Stopped’. Slathered in sweat from that last viewing inside, the majority leave, though for some the night continues on as the after show party DJs kick it off inside the Amphi-Theatre.

Sunday Sunday saw a busier start as many embanked from work to the Cologne’s festival of summer darkness. Emerged ‘Die Funkhausgruppe’ showed off their twelve member set, with monopoly money blinding the crowd. ‘Agonoize’ returned to Amphi, showing their crowd how they too could be brought to what Chris. L’s calls Paradise; as he dangled in a strait jacket from the ceiling. The Gothic Family tent is met by friendly ‘Die Funkhausgruppe’ after an autograph signing. Afterwards they go around the back of the tent to the playground where Honey (Welle: Erdball) and Ferdinand (Sonne Brandt) have a game with the kids. ‘Feindflug’ returned to the Staatenhaus that they had destroyed last time as the ceiling had crumbled onto one of the speakers. Even with this, they didn’t hold back on testing the resistance of bass and resonance the new plaster could handle.


Main stage saw ‘Subway to Sally’ show off their stage performances, singing their well-known hits and using as much flames and explosions they thought was adequate enough for the roaring crowd. ‘Covenant’ the one was chosen to bring to an end the seventh Amphi festival. Being swept in with the crowd within the now humid Staatenhaus, a late beginning was guaranteed. Daniel Myer took hands to the keys, soon after 20Hz enveloped and then ritual noise came to life. With the sounds from old and new work, the festival had its curtains drawn with Dead Stars and showing their power a circle of dancing emerged in the centre and with a close of Swedish electronic frequency another year had come to a close.

2012 Already 2012 is being put together. Ten artists straight after the festival were announced, ranging from Amphi veterans such as ‘Sisters of Mercy’, ‘DAF’ and ‘Coppelius’ to ‘Seabound’ who for them, this is the first announcement that they are still alive. There are many festivals within the summer of alternative, though there are few which hold the convenience, style and music range that Amphi does.