After a break – since 2020 – the C2C Festival was back in Germany, back in Berlin.
To get into the right mood for the upcoming festival weekend, the legendary Bluebird Cafe from Nashville, Tennessee once again hosted the famous songwriter round in a very special location. While the German premiere of In The Round in 2020 took place on a boat on the Spree, this year we found ourselves in the Passionskirche in Berlin-Kreuzberg. This beautiful location fitted perfectly to represent the magic of the Bluebird.
After the warm welcome and introduction by the president of the Bluebird Cafe Nashville, Erika Nichols, we were entertained by singer-songwriters Alana Springsteen, Rita Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. in the sold-out location on Friday evening, March 1, 2024.
In the Round – Let the magic happen
It is not only the acoustic performance of the songs that makes these songwriter rounds so special. The focus here is also on the creation of the work – the stories behind the songs.
In this intimate atmosphere, the three artists gave us very personal insights and shared one or another anecdote about their lives with us. These special evenings are touching.
Alana Springsteen – a powerful performance
Alana Springsteen touched the audience deeply with a piano version of her song Amen, which took on even more depth in this special location. You could hear a pin drop, the cell phone lights illuminated the church – no one could escape this goosebump moment.
Maybe I’ma break hearts being selfish‘Cause I’ll know when I knowI don’t need a happy endingAmen.
And I’m sorry to my mamaBut I’ma live the way I wannaSo I know this life was mine in the endAnd I give myself permissionTo go and make some bad decisions‘Cause I’m only tryna find out who I am.Amen, mmAmen.
Alana Springsteen Amen
Stephen Wilson Jr. – lyrics with depth
Stephen Wilson Jr. – spelled with a ph, not like Steven Tyler with a v – as he explained to the audience, made not only his colleagues laugh with his comments. The singer and songwriter also delighted the audience the blink of an eye.
He also moved everyone visibly – both, on and off stage – to tears. He introduced himself as “I’m my Father’s Son” and shared his memories of his deceased father. Grief Is Only Love is an emotional journey through your feelings when you have lost someone you love.
I don’t feel like crying
But I just keep crying
For the ones above to guide me down the road
Yeah, grief is only love that’s got no place to go.So hang onto the hurting
And let it grab a hold
Yeah, the only thing’s for certain
Is it’s out of my control.And, grief is only love that’s got no place to go
Yeah, grief is only love that’s got no place to go
Yeah, grief is only love
Grief is only love
Stephen Wilson Jr. Grief Is Only Love
special guest of the night: Hannah Ellis
The evening was complemented with a surprise appearance by Hannah Ellis and her guitarist and husband Nick Wayne. She delighted the guests in the Passionskirche with her songs Us and Too much and not enough from her current album That Girl.
Rita Wilson with a message to everyone
Rita Wilson used the end of this wonderful evening to appeal to the importance of consciously living, of enjoying every single moment. She talked about the cancer she has recovered meanwhile and about the thoughts that came with it: the awareness of your mortality and the reminder to enjoy your life.
So I wrote these chords, wrote this song – to remind me I want to laugh before I’m gone …
Rita Wilson – Laugh before I’m gone
With this song, Laugh before I’m gone, the charming artist encouraged the audience to sing and clap along. This request was honored – and all around you looked into moved but smiling faces.
A successful kick-off to the C2C-Festival
After almost 2 hours a wonderful and moving evening came to an end and an inspired audience made their way home. Once again it became clear: music not only touch your heart and soul, music also connects.
This night had set the right mood for the upcoming two days of the Country to Country Festival.
How we experienced the festival, what we liked or didn’t like so much, who surprised us and so on, you will soon read on MUSICSPOTS.
Fotocredits: Jennifer Ploog
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