Wednesday evening, September 11th, 2024—a date that carries a heavy history. It’s one that invites reflection, whether we’re caught in the rush of daily life or taking a moment to remember. But while such memories can linger, it’s in our hands to decide what we do with them. Do we let them haunt us, or do we transform them into something meaningful? Art, in all its forms, often offers the perfect medium for this transformation, allowing us to reframe our perspectives and move forward. With this in mind, we attended HAKEN‘s concert in Hamburg, seeking both solace and inspiration in their music. Their An Evening with Haken performance that evening provided exactly that—a momentary escape and a powerful reminder of art’s ability to help us move forward.
Hosted by Hamburg Konzerte, the show took place at Uebel & Gefaehrlich, where HAKEN would perform their latest full-length album, “Fauna,” in its entirety, followed by a second set of career-spanning favorites. If you ever plan to attend a concert here, we recommend arriving early to explore the surroundings. The venue itself has a rich history, inadvertently serving as an example of how we can make something positive out of darker times and unpleasant events. Its existence makes a statement, reminding us of the crucial role cultural development and art play in helping us overcome life’s challenges and dark experiences as a society and species.
We arrived half an hour before the scheduled entry time and found two lines of people already waiting. Later that evening, we discovered it was a sold-out show, and with good reason. This time, Uebel & Gefaehrlich looked slightly different, with chairs set up in rows for a seated concert, while the front area near the bar was kept clear for those who preferred standing.
HAKEN took the stage to greet a cheering crowd. Though the seated arrangement limited physical movement, the energy saved by sitting was channeled into clapping and cheering in support of the band. Since the release of “Fauna,” we’ve had a few opportunities to see the band live and experience some of the songs from this album. However, nothing could have prepared us for the overwhelming sensation of hearing the entire album performed live.
First, we must commend the efforts of their lighting and sound engineers. The sound was crystal clear, and the lighting was expressive yet elegant throughout the evening. Given their nearly three-hour playtime, we won’t dive into every song, but we’ll highlight some standout moments.
For instance, “Nightingale” was an incredible piece live. Of course, we’ve known this since “Fauna” was first released, and it’s been on our playlists from the start. However, hearing it live is something else entirely. The final minute, where the last chorus repetition features a slower, more deliberate pace, allows the audience to truly appreciate the catchy melody and its clever instrumental accents. This moment hits differently when experienced live at full volume. In the front rows, it was clear that most people were singing along, moving whatever part of their body was free from the restraints of their chairs.
We’re probably not the first to make this claim, but “The Alphabet of Me” deserves recognition as one of the best prog-bops of the last decade. That said, we might hold an unpopular opinion in preferring the record version over the live one. Understandably so, considering the song’s vocal demands seem comparable to what an athlete might face at the Olympics, which makes vocalist Ross Jennings’ slight variance on stage perfectly human.
Not only did more accessible songs like “Lovebite” stand out, but the longer, more complex tracks captivated us even more live than on record. “Sempiternal Beings” and “Elephants Never Forget” were particularly spellbinding. That said, the unmentioned tracks were no less compelling.
As if the evening wasn’t spectacular enough already, an older, wilder composition made a surprise appearance at the end of the first set. HAKEN took us back to 2014 with “Crystallised” from their EP “Restoration.” At first, it was difficult to recognize in the context of “Fauna,” but past minute nine, when the song’s more psychedelic segment starts, it blew us away live. This was mostly thanks to the band members’ vocal efforts, bringing the song to life. The crowd loudly celebrated this 20-minute track, which, live, felt like a fast and entertaining ride.
Hearing “Fauna” live in its entirety felt like the band had just released an entirely new album—and it was the best they’d ever done. Even though we experienced this same feeling when the album first dropped in early 2023, the description still holds true. “Fauna” is the gift that keeps on giving, and it’s a thrill to witness its offerings live.
After the first set, Ross Jennings announced a 15-minute break. The lights came on, and the audience mingled, greeted friends, and grabbed drinks. As the break went on, the crowd gradually noticed the background music: Disney hits like “The Bare Necessities” and songs from Phil Collins’ Tarzan soundtrack, among others. What started as background music soon turned into a singalong and dance session for some.
When HAKEN returned for the second set, they kicked things off with the high-energy track “Puzzle Box” from “The Mountain.” Next came a personal favorite: “Earthrise” from “Affinity.” The uplifting nature of this composition, combined with its stunning live rendition, felt like the musical equivalent of a motivational speech—except much better, with incredible instrumentation. The night continued with hits like “Cockroach King,” “1985,” and “Canary Yellow,” among others.
Speaking of instrumentation, all the members of HAKEN are masters of their craft. The level of energy this concert demanded to keep their performance at peak level throughout nearly three hours of playtime—especially considering the complexity of their genre—was impressive. That, combined with HAKEN’s unique ability to express emotion with technical mastery, makes this band’s music so special. This tour, in particular, is one for the books.
Text and Photos by Michelle R.
