DJ Bobo's "Mystorial" tour: time travel to the nineties

Swiss hitmaker DJ Bobo has been on stage for a quarter of a century. His audiences still sing along to his entire repertoire today. We attended the world premiere of his new "Mystorial" tour at Europa-Park in Rust (Germany).

It was January 13, 2017 and the popular theme park opened its gates a week after its winter season for the Swiss singer's three concerts - after all, it was not only the premiere of his tour, but also the opening day of the newly built Europapark Arena.

DJ Bobo has been on stage since 1992, but this is not supposed to be a pure anniversary tour, says René Baumann, DJ Bobo's real name, at a press conference. "That always sounds like quitting," he says.

Time travel: DJ Bobo also visits 19th century Paris on "Mystorial".

But the show is still a journey through time: The centerpiece is a time machine. DJ Bobo and his 35 fellow performers on stage travel back to the Stone Age, to the ancient Egyptians and into the future. The audience claps, sings and dances to the songs that used to be played up and down the radio. The show ends in the nineties, with a retro feeling.

The morning after the first show, we meet DJ Bobo for an interview. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. sharp, first DJ Bobo has to devote himself to analyzing the video from the previous day so that changes for the concert in the evening can be implemented as quickly as possible. He arrives in the interview room around two hours later.

event: Congratulations on yesterday's tour premiere! How satisfied are you?
DJ Bobo: It goes like this. Dramaturgically, not so much was right yet, but that's normal. We've now done a video analysis to improve that.

The "Mystorial" tour is also your anniversary tour. What is the concept behind "Mystorial"?
It's a journey through the history of mankind. From the Stone Age to the future. The difficulty is that we always have to change the costumes and the stage setting at the same time. We play about 8 new songs and 22 older ones. But the ratio is always roughly the same on my tours.

What is important to you when designing a tour?
The overall experience. I wouldn't call what I do a concert. It's a mixture of an entertainment evening, impressive images, intimate moments and old hits with new influences. It's important to me to always try out new things anyway. New technologies, for example.

Meeting with "DSDS" winner Aneta Sablik: DJ Bobo arranges everything himself at the shows.

The "DSDS" winner Aneta Sablik and "DSDS" participant Jesse Ritch will accompany you on tour and support your singing. When did this concept come about?
We've always had it. The Backstreet Boys or N'Sync with Justin Timberlake used to be part of it. The fact that the acts are integrated into the show has evolved over the last ten years. It's fun to work with new and young artists.

The nineties are in vogue. Do you feel that in your work?
Not massively. But I notice that the younger generation is discovering this time as a fun, colorful world. And this generation also likes my songs from the nineties.

How do your children feel about your music?
Very open, I always play the new music to them. My 14-year-old son Jamiro tends to listen to Tupac, Twenty One Pilots and Eminem, while my 10-year-old daughter Kayley listens to Justin Bieber. They watch my shows and give me feedback.

Is there anything you always have to have with you on tour?
No. I don't have any rituals or lucky charms.

25 years of DJ Bobo: What was the best moment?
There are many. I always loved the concerts in unusual regions, for example in Mongolia or my first concert in South America. You've never been there yourself, but the music has already arrived - and people can sing along to everything.

Showman: Even after 25 years, DJ Bobo is still regularly on stage.

Do you still have stage fright after 25 years?
Yes, I do. Yesterday at the premiere, I thought I was relaxed. But then I suddenly had a shaky voice when I was singing and presenting. My body language was also strange. Obviously I can never completely get rid of stage fright.

Is that also the attraction?
I've certainly become a bit more relaxed. I don't go on stage with any fear and hope that it will be a good show. I tend to think: "I've brought you something great.

How do you deal with breakdowns?
Very relaxed, yesterday the elevator didn't work, for example. That's just part of it when around a hundred people are working on something together. However, I once got stuck on the ceiling during a flight, so the fire department had to get me down from the ceiling, and the audience really enjoyed it. Fortunately, there were no cell phone cameras back then.

You also work with Andrea Berg.
Exactly. I'm her creative director, we also did some songs together on her album. It's very creative work, I'm involved from the development to the execution of her shows. It's a lot of fun.

How often are you still at home?
Quite often. I haven't been on the road for two and a half years now. So I'm actually at home a lot.

2017 also marks ten years since you took part in the Eurovision Song Contest. How do you look back on that time today?
It was a lesson for me. I wanted to put my head through the wall, although I actually knew from the start that this act would go wrong. I was very ashamed back then when I didn't make it to the final.

Looking back, would you still take part again?
No, never. I think the event is great, but I didn't choose the right conditions. That was my mistake.

The tour premiere took place at Europapark in Rust. How deep does this collaboration go?
Very deep. We developed "Mystorial" together and the show will live on here in the park after the tour, just without me. But I can't yet say exactly what form it will take.

Where do you see yourself in ten years' time?
I'm relaxed about it and don't have any plans yet. What comes, comes. As long as I can be creative, I'll be happy - be it with productions or shows. But how and where, I don't know.

DJ BOBO - MYSTORIAL
3.6.17 Postfinance Arena Bern
4.6.17 Hallenstadion Zurich
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