HVOB @ Funkhaus in Berlin
In a Berlin more empty than usual because of Easter, the electronic duo HVOB announced Sold Out not once but twice in their two scheduled concerts at Funkhaus Berlin. And after attending on Saturday April 21st, I can only say it certainly was a great event, perfectly organized in a unique venue with a duo whose Live Show has been ranked (De:Bug) before others from artists like Nicolas Jaar or Disclosure.
Although quite remote from the city, Funkhaus Nalepastraße is one of those countless treasures that Berlin hides. Located next to the Spree in Berlin Treptow-Köpenick, between 1956 and 1990 it happened to be the headquarters of the GDR radio station. After the German unification it was renamed as Funkhaus Berlin and today it hosts cultural events of all kinds (Red Bull Music Academy, Tech Open Air, etc..) and no matter what goes on there, it's always worth a visit (especially with good weather).
Main studio at Funkhaus Berlin
HVOB (Her Voice Over Boys), is a Viennese duo of minimalist electronic music consisting of Anna Müller and Paul Wallner, whom were discovered by German Producer Oliver Koletzki (Stil for Talent) after releasing their music on SoundCloud in 2012.
Right after finishing a tour through clubs across Europe, and coinciding with the release of their third album (Rocco), HVOB began in March a tour that is taking their electronic music to bigger venues around the world. It was my turn to see them this last weekend, when the Austrian duo accompanied on stage by drummer Frank Schachinger, shook the audience for almost two hours. After a beginning focused on the tracks of their recent album Rocco, it was when they played songs from their previous albums when the audience started to acclaim them (Jack, Azrael, The Blame Game, etc..).
As a constant in their music, with an at times very high volume and aggressive and well-marked bass sounds that got us all stirring and dancing, the soft and melancholic voice of Anna Müller served as a perfect counterbalance to calm the audience down taking us back to a state of quiet high.
HVOB playing at Funkhaus Berlin on Saturday April 20th
But not only of beats and whispers lives HVOB, because although it was a powerful show for the listening, the show of lights they brought with them complemented the experience perfectly, delighting the sense of sight too. And when the concert was coming to an end, we could see for the first time a visibly moved Anna Müller thanking an audience (with a well educated ear for the electronic scene) for the warm response.
To sum up, an impeccable show that in its more concentrated version will surely be a must see act for all festival goers this next Summer.
Setlist HVOB at Funkhaus Berlin on April 20th, 2019:
2nd World
Jack
Panama
Tender Skin
Bloom
Cool Melt
Sync
Hold Your Horses
The Blame Game
Azrael
Butter
Window (Encore)
A List (Encore)
Cover photograph by Andreas Jakwerth
