Kraftwerk in Düsseldorf: A moving tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto

Kraftwerk in Düsseldorf: A moving tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto

On December 23, 2025, the Mitsubishi Electric Hall in Oberbilk was the scene of a memorable evening. The legendary band Kraftwerk, which has shaped the electronic music landscape for over 55 years, took their fans on a journey through their musical history - and in a very special way. Ralf Hütter, the heart of the band, remembered his friend Ryūichi Sakamoto, who died in March 2023, in a touching speech. The first contact between Hütter and Sakamoto dates back to a concert in Tokyo in 1981, and since then the two have shared a deep friendship and musical bond. As the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports, Hütter said during the concert: "We are friends forever" as he announced Sakamoto's composition "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence."

This performance was not only a tribute to Sakamoto, but also the first cover version in Kraftwerk's long history. The piece comes from the 1983 film of the same name, in which Sakamoto also starred and is considered part of his soundtrack debut. In Düsseldorf the band played the composition in front of an enthusiastic audience. The concert lasted two and a quarter hours and featured a combination of historical and futuristic sounds that characterize Kraftwerk's distinctive style.

A new musical approach

The evening also had a few surprises in store. Kraftwerk ended their familiar 3D presentation and returned to ultra HD visualization instead. Hütter noted that the old films would lose their impact in high resolution, but this gave the band the freedom to spectacularly redesign the abstract imagery. A courageous step for the band, which continually reinvents itself while honoring the roots of its innovative strength.

In the same issue of the Stadt-Anzeiger it is noted that the group is also planning a change in the line-up and will include the piece “Tango” in their set list. This shows that Kraftwerk not only reminisces, but is also willing to develop further and explore new musical paths. The combination of nostalgic sounds and fresh ideas reflects the optimistic, efficient vision of the future that Kraftwerk has always embodied.

Another unforgettable tribute

Kraftwerk also attracted international attention with a tribute to Ryūichi Sakamoto at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. The band announced the piece with warm words and let the fans reminisce. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” was performed there with great enthusiasm, and many were moved by this special tribute, which demonstrated the musicians' close bonds over the years. Sakamoto, who died at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer, left behind a great legacy of compositions that will also be honored posthumously with the upcoming album “Opus”. This album will be based on a final, private piano concert and is expected to include some of Sakamoto's classics.

Kraftwerk's journey is more than just the story of a band. They are innovators and pioneers of a style of music that has simultaneously served as a source of inspiration for many artists and fans across generations. Their tributes to Ryūichi Sakamoto, which took place both in Düsseldorf and at the Fuji Rock Festival, show that music can build bridges that last across borders and generations.