Jan Böhmermann & RTO – Eisern Ehrenfeld 2025
Following 2023’s intergalactic journey, Jan Böhmermann and the Rundfunktanzorchester Ehrenfeld’s (RTO) 2025 tour took a completely different, politically charged turn. Titled „Eisern Ehrenfeld“ (Iron Ehrenfeld), the show was conceived as an antifascist song recital. Our brief was to develop a stage and lighting design that structurally supported this core message through deliberate visual provocation.
Production Design
The creative challenge was to establish a stark visual contrast to the antifascist program. We decided on a lighting and stage architecture that leaned unapologetically into the monumental, propagandistic aesthetics of the early 20th century. The goal was to expose and dismantle the mechanisms of fascist staging through sheer exaggeration.
Stage Architecture
The backdrop was dominated by a large-scale print that captured the diffuse texture and mood of the official tour poster. Positioned centrally in front of it was a 2.5 x 4-meter backlit crest bearing the tour motto „Eisern Ehrenfeld,“ serving as the show’s monolithic focal point.
The stage setup was dark, massive, and intimidating. In its geometry and tiered arrangement, the structure housing the orchestra evoked the feel of historic, authoritarian architecture. This design formed a cold, rigid framework from which the orchestra performed with musical brilliance and defiance.
Lighting Design
The lighting design was vital in completing the architecture’s oppressive, monumental atmosphere. Instead of colorful light plays, we focused on architectural harshness.
Lighting Programming & Direction
The visual highlight of the lighting setup consisted of three matrices positioned on the stage floor, each containing 9 extremely powerful beam fixtures. These 27 spotlights generated massive, vertical cones of light, conjuring the look of impenetrable pillars or a cathedral of light. This installation underscored the martial character of the set, creating an atmosphere of overwhelming presence.
Jan Böhmermann & RTO – Ehrenfeld Intergalactic Tour 2023
For Jan Böhmermann and the Rundfunktanzorchester Ehrenfeld’s 2023 tour, we were brought on board to design a visual universe that captured the show’s satirical edge while delivering an epic concert atmosphere. Operating under the title „Ehrenfeld Intergalactic,“ we took charge of the production design, lighting design, and overall stage architecture.
Production Design
Instead of relying solely on digital LED walls, we opted for a tangible, charming „lo-fi“ aesthetic—a direct homage to the pioneers of science fiction. Our design nodded to iconic productions like Star Trek, Raumpatrouille Orion, and Flash Gordon. We wanted to capture the spirit of an era when the future still looked like an adventure built on handmade special effects.
Stage Architecture
To lock in this specific look, we made extensive use of set paneling and stage backdrops with an aluminum foil texture. This material didn’t just deliver the desired retro charm; it also served as the perfect projection surface for our lighting design, breaking up reflections and light beams in unpredictable, organic ways.
We also hid a special highlight within the stage’s core structure, which became fully apparent to audience members in the balcony: the layout of the risers holding the musicians of the Rundfunktanzorchester was engineered to form the shape of a classic Space Invaders character when viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective. This geometric layout provided both optimal acoustic staging for the orchestra and served as our creative „signature move“ for the tour’s theme.
Lighting Programming & Direction
The lighting design acted as the ultimate bridge between the analog set structure and modern show dynamics. Thanks to the reflective surfaces of the „foil-shaped“ materials, we were able to play with harsh contrasts and rich colors, transforming the space from a cold spaceship interior into an expansive starfield in an instant.
