At the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin , Kraftwerk once again proved why they remain one of the most influential live acts in modern music. Performing their acclaimed Multimedia Tour on 17 May 2026, the Düsseldorf pioneers delivered a meticulously crafted audio visual experience that felt both futuristic and nostalgic in equal measure.
There was no support act, nor was one needed. Kraftwerk’s performance ran for just over two hours and held the audience in complete focus from start to finish. Opening with the seamless sequence of “Numbers / Computer World / Computer World 2”, the band immediately immersed the theatre in pulsing rhythms, precise electronic beats and hypnotic visuals. The giant screen behind the group projected bold digital graphics and animations that transformed the concert into something closer to an interactive art installation than a traditional rock show.
As always with Kraftwerk, the visuals were every bit as important as the music itself. Every track was paired with carefully synchronised imagery, from retro-futuristic computer animations to abstract geometric patterns that perfectly complemented the band’s minimalist sound. The multimedia presentation gave familiar songs a renewed sense of energy and relevance.
Classic tracks such as “The Man-Machine”, “The Model” and “Tour de France” were greeted enthusiastically by the Dublin crowd, their timeless melodies and robotic grooves sounding as fresh as ever. One of the evening’s most moving moments came with the performance of “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence”, Kraftwerk’s tribute to the late Ryūichi Sakamoto. The haunting beauty of the piece added an unexpected emotional depth to the set.
Despite their famously restrained stage presence, Kraftwerk commanded the theatre effortlessly. The Multimedia Tour was not simply a concert, but an immersive celebration of sound, technology and innovation from a band still decades ahead of their time.
Kraftwerk photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Numbers / Computer World / Computer World 2
Home Computer / It’s More Fun to Compute
Spacelab
Airwaves / Tango
Autobahn
The Man-Machine
Electric Café
Computer Love
The Model
Neon Lights
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Ryūichi Sakamoto cover)
Geiger Counter / Radioactivity
Tour de France
Trans-Europe Express / Abzug / Metal on Metal
La Forme
Planet of Visions
Boing Boom Tschak / Techno Pop / Musique Non Stop
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The Robots
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic
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