EMS-HALLE

switch on the big light

It is the portafilter machine among the programmes: Pressure, steam, shine, flavour - it's all there! Plus the big questions of life, which are: How do I lead a good life? What comes next? What are the best six of the four great mathematical rules? Let's shed light on everything, following the tried and tested pattern: too silly for cabaret, but quite clever for comedy, a nice, arching evening, coffee, stories ... until I lose the thread and then we'll see.

I look forward to seeing you.

Yours, Torsten Sträter

An epic concert experience brimming with imagination, emotion and an irrepressible thirst for discovery.

Following a completely sold-out tour in 2025, the greenbeats are continuing their journey and taking you on a musical adventure to the primal sound – the origin of all rhythms and the source of boundless inspiration. Thrilling drum performances, breathtaking stage effects and unique custom-built instruments merge into a production unlike anything the greenbeats have ever presented before – multidimensional and full of surprises.

United in friendship and music, the musicians journey to entirely new sonic shores, without forgetting their roots. They brave storms and monsters, resist the temptations of supposedly safe harbours, and breathe new musical life into the rhythm of all existence.

Come aboard and become part of this unique adventure!

It is common knowledge that a intellectual giant like Olaf Schubert has an answer to every question. But now Schubert is taking the next big step.

He’s asking questions. Important questions, such as this one – ‘Jetzt oder now?’. In other words, a question that raises further questions. The fact that this is a case of the tail biting its own face is the artist’s very own concern.

Almost as an afterthought, he’s used this question to create a programme title with an international ring to it.

From this we can see that Schubert has now become multilingual – if not actually bilingual. Having reached the very tip of the iceberg of globalisation, the world is now his oyster. The whole world. Yet this exceptional artist remains true to us, for he also gives concerts in Germany – not many, but still around 745. This shows that he has achieved what few manage: remaining down-to-earth despite his enormous success.

He wants to be an Olaf the public can relate to. Unfortunately, however, hardly anyone does, as he recently admitted to a major news magazine. On stage, Schubert reinvents himself completely once again, and that is precisely why he remains true to himself. He consistently follows his own path, but is not one to cross red lines. No – he undermines them. Yellow lines, on the other hand, he jumps over. This enables him to push boundaries – even invisible ones – in all directions at once. He probably doesn’t even know himself how he manages it.

Yet being allowed to watch him do this during his show is a truly fascinating experience, for even the odd bit of nonsense gets fired off in the process. That’s why almost everyone (even his granny) who has ever had the chance to see him live is simply deeply moved: Thank you, Olaf!

His friends Jochen M. Barkas and Mr Stephan are, of course, there as always.

Fäaschtbänkler – that’s not just a band name, it’s a promise: five Swiss lads who, with their wind instruments and thumping bass, get the crowd dancing, yodelling and going wild. And they do it with such ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

They come from a world where cowbells are part of everyday life and the nearest club is 48 kilometres away – and yet they party harder than any Berlin rooftop bar. No cast boy band, no polished influencers – just five genuine musicians and friends who, amidst mountain air, wind instruments and techno clubs, have found their very own form of entertainment: original, honest and incredibly entertaining.

Since 2008, they’ve been taking Europe’s stages by storm, having now played over 1,000 concerts. They have over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and have thus firmly established themselves in the German-speaking music scene.

Their music? A dazzling mix of pop, brass band music, electro, techno and Oberkrainer. The instrumentation? As versatile as a Swiss Army knife: vocals, trumpet, baritone, accordion, guitar, drums, clarinet, saxophone, Styrian accordion, alphorn, piano, electric bass – anything goes, as long as it’s fun.

With gold and platinum hits such as “ALL IN”, “Glück”, “Humpa Humpa”, “Partyplanet” and “Can You English Please”, they have long since proven that this band doesn’t just play music – they live it. And anyone who’s seen them perform knows this: there’s no getting round the Fäaschtbänkler.

Loud, lovingly mad – and with a whole lot of heart. That’s the Fäaschtbänklern

MASSACHUSETTS – THE BEE GEES MUSICAL takes its audience on a thrilling musical and biographical journey, featuring original Bee Gees musicians performing live concerts that trace the key milestones in this exceptional band’s history – from the early days of their first single release almost 60 years ago, through ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘Massachusetts’, the heyday of *Saturday Night Fever*, right up to their last major album, *You Win Again*, in the late 1980s.

‘The most successful family band of all time’, as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records! The Gibb brothers, originally from England, formed as a pop band in Australia in 1958 and scored their first hits. In 1966, they returned together to the UK – the teen stars were already hugely popular. But that was just the beginning: in the 1970s, one global hit followed another. In 1978, the Bee Gees had five songs in the US Top Ten at the same time. The musical ‘Massachusetts’ is musically authentic and, both visually and emotionally, stays very true to the original – because the singers are also three brothers. All their greatest hits will be performed, from their early songs right through to their later ones.

The musical part is performed by THE ITALIAN BEE GEES, known from the major TV documentary ‘50 Years of the Bee Gees’. The ambitious Italian Egiziano brothers are in close contact with the Gibb family and have been following in the footsteps of their great role models for years. They have already built up a devoted fan base worldwide through their singing and playing, and have the exclusive authorisation from the Gibb brothers to represent the name and musical legacy. As a result, the trio were able to win over Mr Blue Weaver – the Bee Gees’ original producer and keyboardist from 1975 to 1982 – for the musical and, of course, secure his involvement in these live performances, drawing on all his knowledge of the original arrangements and behind-the-scenes stories. They are joined by founding member Vince Melouney, guitarist and permanent member of the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969. Both are also part of the line-up for the live tour.

MASSACHUSETTS tells the story and shares anecdotes: short dramatised scenes, interviews and video clips take the audience through the Gibb brothers’ career. The dance scenes, of course, bring the disco era back to life in particular. Two additional singers perform the fascinating songs that the Bee Gees composed throughout their career for major female artists such as Barbra Streisand and Dionne Warwick.

Authentic Celtic magic and Scottish zest for life – audiences can experience this once again when the “SCOTTISH MUSIC PARADE” – the original from Edinburgh – returns to the EMS-Halle in Emsdetten on Monday 26 April at 8.00 pm with its new programme

‘Now and Then’ to the EMS-Halle in Emsdetten on Monday 26 April at 8 pm.

Bagpipers, drummers, musicians, singers and dancers, all flown in directly from Scotland, will take the audience on a night-long musical journey that is as rousing, exciting and varied as it is captivating.

Against a backdrop of a castle with towers and battlements – a replica of a Scottish castle – the artists present ever-changing facets of Scottish culture. One moment, the impressive sound of bagpipes and drums is reverberating through the hall, captivating the audience in the stands; the next, soulful ballads full of longing and vastness create an intoxicating atmosphere in the hall.

The performers are among the very best Scotland has to offer. Almost all of the participants are regulars at the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo. The bagpipers and drummers include many winners of international competitions and world champions on their instruments.

Even the combination of traditional bagpipe music and modern rock music – from Simon & Garfunkel to Phil Collins – works a treat. For when the guitarists ‘turn it up to the max’ on their electric guitars and the entire ensemble, with its traditional instruments, gradually joins in – for example, on Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Scarborough Fair’, Phil Collins’ ‘We Wait and We Wonder’, Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ or Coldplay’s ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’, goosebumps are guaranteed.

Finally, the regiment of drummers brings the hall to a proper boil with their ‘drumming fireworks’.

Scotland’s cheerful and energetic dances exude spirit and a exuberant festive atmosphere. In ever-changing formations, wearing magnificent traditional dress and costumes, the performers take to the stage and inspire one another with their immense joy in music and dance.

Then, as the mist billows following an authentic cannon salute, one of Scotland’s unofficial national anthems such as ‘Flower of Scotland’ or ‘Highland Cathedral’ rings out from the mist, and the bagpipers and drummers in their uniforms make their way through the aisles right past the audience, a real Highland atmosphere sweeps through the hall!

An early-bird discount of 15 per cent on ticket prices is available to readers until 12 October only

A harmless child’s joke cost Lisa Eckhart her home and farm, her family and her fans. She has nothing left to lose. Not even her sanity. Now, more than ever, she can do and say whatever she likes. In fact, she has to. Because even a bad reputation comes with its own obligations.

"Everything’s got to go. Me, for a start. This time it’s about travelling in the broadest sense. I’m pretty sure of that. I do get about an incredible amount. With you, but also around the world – or rather, up there, cue: the crust. I’m sure you’ll understand that I have to be a bit vague here. Let me put it this way: ‘A beige man in black sees red on the road.’ Will there be any highbrow language? Play-dough? Even animals? Cooked animals?

Certainly. I see it as my educational mission – and *The Cyclops of Saint-Tropez* is exactly that: educational material at its finest.

Probably.

All the best. Torsten Sträter"