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Assembly Halls, Edinburgh
06.03.2022

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Tangerine Dream have been a constant musical companion throughout my life, right back to being a nipper when electronic music first fascinated me, My siblings are a decade older than me, so was brought up on a diet of Pink Floyd, T Rex, David Bowie and Tangerine Dream, my big sister’s fella was a big Tangerine Dream fan. He taped me all the early albums, I became an avid collector of Tangerine Dream albums, My fave I think, is Logos (Live Dominion 1982.)

The only time I have seen them Live was at Bradford St Georges’s Hall back in 1986. Edgar Froese, Chris Franke, Paul Haslinger brought the music of Tangerine Dream Alive that night and it was awesome. So am deeply versed in the classic Retro music of Tangerine Dream The likes of Stratosphere, Rubycon, Phaedra, Live Miles, Tyger and Exit and of course my favourite Logos. The Music of Tangerine Dream has been a constant life companion. Then when Edgar Froese ascended and Klaus Schultz, retired, I thought that was it for Tangerine Dream live.

So when I got wind that a new incarnation of Tangerine Dream had evolved from the Electronic Ambient grandmasters, whose music had been passed on to a new generation to be reproduced in a contemporary style.

The new incarnation of Tangerine Dream are Thorsten Quaeschning, a young synth wizard and musical prodigy who began his Tangerine Dream Journey as part of the road crew for tours and the live Tangerine Dream Experience. becoming part of the band in 2005, Thorsten is the longest-serving member of TD and was gifted with the mantle of creative and musical director by The tangerine Dream Grandmaster Edgar Froese in 2013. just 2 years before Edgar would ascend to the Heavens leaving this Electronic Legacy in safe hands to be gifted to future generations of Synth lovers everywhere.

Hoshiko Yamane, is a Japanese Berlin-based classically trained violinist and composer. She has been a member of Tangerine Dream since 2011. The only lady musical genius to become a touring band member and musical collaborator in the bands long history of metamorphosis.

Ulrich Schnauss has been replaced by Paul Frick, & with such sterling musical influences, I think one could agree that it is the fresh young musical talent breathing new life into the classics that brought me here. Indeed keeping the (Tangerine) Dream Alive.

Having been getting more and more excited for tonight’s performance as the weekend progressed, I hadnae seen Ginga for ages, my poetic sparing wizard brother up from the Galloway to join me on tonight’s Tangerine Dream Mission. After a heartwarming dinner and catch up, We headed for the 26 bus into town on a cold and frosty March evening where we caught up with Raymond Speedie who was on photograph duties.

The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh I have always loved, my first time was March 1996 when I was working a Mind Body and Spirit event as a Clairvoyant and Spiritual Healer. I had some deep spiritual experiences and fell in love with marble pillars, sweeping staircases and diamante chandeliers. a building that is steeped in history and always filled with Angels. A venue just perfect for Tangerine Dream. I did think for a minute about how they would fit the full production into the Assembly Rooms. But the creative genius behind the show did a sterling job.

We found our seats and settled in for the experience that was unfolding, On a backdrop screen a rainstorm was being projected and a quadraphonic Soundsystem the sounds of the rainstorm (Enough to make anyone feel wet) As the venue began to fill up, I couldn’t help noticing that the audience were all old school Tangerine Dream fans. Brought up with the classic albums from the 70’s. It was a funny thing that the audience were older than the band members on stage and old enough to be their grandparents. How would they like the new psychedelic techno-infused take on The Grandmaster’s vast body of work released over a 51 year period?

I snapped up the new Tangerine Dream album. Raum at the merchandise table, & its playing as I write this (its awesome). Have a listen !

This new incarnation of Tangerine Dream took to a stage filled with analogue and digital synthesizers, as a large projection of the Stratosphere LP cover and an indication of the opening piece, the lightshow was fantastic and an excitement filled the Assembly Rooms. Our seats were had perfect stereo separation and The tangerine Dream Experience came into full effect. The Young Masters had their audience, in the palms of their hands.

I was particularly interested in how the Violin prodigy Hoshiko Yamane would fit in with what had previously been, before her arrival, an all-male band. Her electric violin and effects bound the musical chemistry together perfectly. Oh yes the Electro Synth Prodigy’s have made Tangerine Dream accessible to new generation of this amazing cannon of groundbreaking music.

There is an interesting moment of serendipity. As Tangerine Dream had been performing for about 20 minutes, I couldn’t help thinking how much The Electronic Ozrics and Silas And Saki were like the new incarnation of Tangerine Dream and how much they have in common, Just as I was thinking this, the Electronic Ozrics and Silas and Saki who had been the last band that I reviewed at Bannerman’s in Aulde Reekie a few weeks ago. came and sat in the empty seats next to me. Good Time Divine. A creative penny dropped and I could see how The Ozric Tentacles and Tangerine Dream were coming together for future collaborations. Oh yes a moment of Rock N Roll History taking place in the seats next to me.

The whole performance was wonderful visiting past lives and current incarnation edging closer to a dance enthused psi leanings. to enthuse a new generation with the ever-evolving Electronic Genius that is Tangerine Dream

After the gig I said to the Ozrics Leader, You Guys have a lot in common. then Silus Neptune smiled at me, Ozrics leader said indeed yes thats why we are here. I smiled a beaming smile. Another Divine Scoop. I cannae wait to see Tangerine Dream, The Ozrics, Silas and saki on the same festival lineup, Dancing free in a field, grass under my feet Oh yes I have a good feeling about this. Its coming ❤

Five Well Deserved Stars For A life-changing Performance.
Ladies And gentlemen, Tangerine Dream. Awesome Stuff.

Words: Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert
Photography: Raymond Speedie