Assembly Roxy, Venue 139 – 5 to 30th August (not 19th, and 26th) at 21:20
Reviewed by Marcus Richardson
5*****
As soon as I saw this show on the review list I went giddy with excitement. Having seen them last minute at a fringe show a couple of years ago I was a fan of this German duo. Otto and Astrid are brother and sister band from Berlin, often dysfunctional, yet also punk rock in their own unique way.
The Stages Tour is their own take on a best hits of their previous albums, much like Taylor Swifts ‘Eras Tour’. There was my favourite song ‘Tasty Snack’, which I was loudly singing along to. This rock concert takes us on a story, much to Astrid’s disgust, through the siblings life. Otto schemes to find ways to get Astrid off the stage so he can perform his own emotional songs, and talk to the audience.
An Otto and Astrid show is something that masterfully blends comedy and musicianship. What really stands out is how good both of them are as artists, from Otto on guitar and Astrid on drums. At times its genuinely one of the coolest shows where both are 100 percent committed to the rock and roll, with really good songwriting. Then in the blink of an eye you’re laughing at the lyrics, or the dancing. The times between songs are rich with physical comedy, and audience interaction. You can see how hard both of them are committed to the show on stage, not only from the sweat of having to rock out in a hot room, but from how they strum and beat their instruments
I would hands down see them again, and again, and again. They constantly deliver on the laughs, the vocals, and the tunes. Both Otto and Astrid are fully embodied, sure of themselves, and hilariously entertaining. This rock duo will always bring me a laugh,
and is the perfect end to a fringe day.