Nena inspires 4,500 fans at the spectacular Coast in Concert finale!

Nena inspires 4,500 fans at the spectacular Coast in Concert finale!

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the legendary Nena made a great statement at the “Coast in Concert” festival at the Döser Messeplatz. In wonderful summer weather, around 4,500 fans flocked to the grounds to experience the Neue Deutsche Welle icon live. The 65-year-old singer, who has been in the music business for over 40 years, delivered a two-hour performance packed with hits that left fans buzzing. CNV Media reports that Nena captivated the audience with her energetic performance and, despite her long career, always managed to provide fresh impulses.

The evening started with the Hamburg indie singer Dennis Kiss, who presented his debut album “Norddeich Mole”. As moderators, Elke Wiswedel and Jens Mahrhold from NDR2 led through the program and ensured a pleasant atmosphere. Nena herself was in top form: she sang classics like “Love is” and presented “Wunder” only with piano accompaniment. The highlight of her performance, however, was the unforgettable moment when she signed an oversized balloon copy of “99 Luftballons” and threw it into the audience.

A look back at Nena's career

Nena, whose real name is Susanne Gabriele Kerner, was born on March 24, 1960 in Hagen. She dropped out of school as a teenager to pursue her passion for music. The musical journey began in a band called “The Stripes”. She became a star in 1982 with her hit “Only Dreamed”. A little later, her best-known title “99 Luftballons” followed, which helped the Neue Deutsche Welle become known worldwide. Interestingly, the song's lyrics have a strong political message, warning of a military-industrial complex and addressing the fear of conflict. NDR highlights how successful the song was internationally and how important Nena still is in the music scene.

Nena's career wasn't always linear; After a breakup with her band in 1987, she also turned to children's songs and new projects. From 2002 onwards she presented her hits in new versions, which brought her a new generation of fans. She was also active on social media during the corona pandemic and expressed polarizing views. Despite all the controversy, Nena remains a fixture in the music landscape.

An unforgettable evening

For the encore, Nena impressively sang “Somehow, somewhere, sometime”, “Together” and “Everything new”. As the audience sang along to their classic hits, fans enthusiastically waved their cell phones in time to the music. The evening was not only a complete success for Nena, but also offered the audience a great opportunity to reminisce and enjoy the unique atmosphere of live music. Resources for Life describes the intensity and emotions that such performances bring and wonders how long the music legend will be with us.

The evening ended as it began: with a feeling of community, enthusiasm and the certainty that music really connects. Nena has once again proven that she is a true star whose zeitgeist radiates for decades.