BAP | The Rock Online

In the midst of a massive heat wave, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, I drove my car to the always lively De Bosuil in Weert.
Why? Because BAP, one of Germany’s legendary acts, had booked a club show there as a prelude to their 50th-anniversary stadium shows.

A “warm-up” show

A “warm-up” show has a double meaning in these temperatures, of course—it’s already hot enough—but don’t worry: fortunately, the venue is equipped with air conditioning, although I have to say that despite that, it was still sweltering during this sold-out show. And, of course, there were plenty of German license plates in the packed parking lot.

The party with these Kölsche Jungs started at 7:30 p.m. These days, BAP is really just original singer Wolfgang Niedecken and the band. Although the other band members have been part of the group for quite a few years now. It probably won’t matter much to fans of BAP’s music, because it’s Niedecken’s voice that makes the songs so recognizable as those of the iconic Kölsche band.

And those fans are, on average, a bit older than at most of the shows I attend. But they’re happy to come out of their air-conditioned homes for BAP—even in this heat.

center stage

And what could we expect musically? Well, a journey through the band’s entire discography. With five songs, the 1981 album ‘Für Usszeschnigge!’ took center stage. But their very first record from 1979, ‘BAP Rockt Andere Kölsche Leeder’, was also represented in the set with the song “Wahnsinn.”

Later work, such as ‘Volles Programm’ [2011] or ‘Radio Pandora’ [2008], were also featured. And while Niedecken may have reached the respectable age of 75, that doesn’t stop him and the rest of the band from putting on a show that clocks in at 3 hours. And that’s quite a bit different from what we’re used to from most acts these days. These days, you’re lucky if they even hit the 2-hour mark. So I tip my proverbial hat to BAP.

supurb

The sound and lighting were superb—which is quite a feat when you have a band consisting of nine people, three of whom make up the brass section. And the woman in the group [Anne de Wolff] turned out to be the band’s multi-instrumentalist: violin, viola, cello, percussion, guitar, trombone, and background vocals. The stage was certainly packed with equipment.

During the “semi-acoustic” songs, it was pretty quiet in the venue—which isn’t always the case—but it was clear that people were there to enjoy their favorite artist and not just for a fun night of drinking and catching up. Which was also great.

During their biggest hits, “Kristallnach” and “Verdamp Lang Her,” there was a breathtaking atmosphere in the venue. It’s no surprise that both songs are featured in the Top 2000.

In any case, BAP 2026 is set to kick off an amazing 50th-anniversary stadium tour with an incredible lineup and setlist. The band’s fans will certainly not be disappointed, and I was one of the few lucky enough to attend one of the warm-up shows.

Setlist:Setlist:
Hück ess sing Band en der Stadt
Nemm mich met
Nix wie bessher
Jenau jesaat: Op Odyssee
Alexandra, nit nur do
Müsli Män
Müngersdorfer Stadion
Aff un zo
Leopardefellhoot
Rita, mir zwei
Für ‘ne Moment
Wahnsinn
Waschsalon
Ne schöne Jrooß
Musik, die nit stührt
Widderlich
Kristallnaach
Ruhe vor’m Sturm
Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander
Helfe kann dir keiner
Paar Daach fröher
Do kanns zaubere
Psycho-Rodeo
Verdamp lang her
Frau, ich freu mich