It’s going quite well for Dieter Bohlen and he makes no secret of it. The evening sun has just set behind the seating grandstands, on which some visitors just put their feet up for a moment. But the 68-year-old shines all the more. “I have a question,” says Bohlen to his audience. “Who is also happy that I’m back with DSDS?” Next up: cheers. Bohlen replies: “Yes, that’s awesome!”

DSDS is the abbreviation for the RTL casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar”. Bohlen, once the format’s chief juror, was not there last season, instead hit star Florian Silbereisen (41) acted as jury chairman. A few weeks ago, however, RTL announced that Bohlen would return to the upcoming and final season. Silbereisen, on the other hand, is not.

Bohlen wants to go on tour

Actually, that has nothing to do with that evening in Bonn, where Bohlen is performing at an open-air festival. But somehow also, not only because the so-called pop titan addresses the topic himself after just a few minutes. On the whole, it is clear: Here is someone who still has plans.

Because in addition to the announced return to the jury chair, Bohlen now also wants to go on a big tour – not as a producer in the background, but with his band. “It’s the greatest comeback of all time,” the announcement said. You can now get a foretaste in Bonn at the “Favorite Songs” festival, where Bohlen is the highlight of the evening after several hours of program full of hit stars.

What did he bring? Mainly hits from the Modern Talking era. The pop duo he formed with Thomas Anders used to be loved and hated, music fans were divided. Above all, it was very successful. Modern Talking was last on stage together in 2003, then the two parted a second time.

“Diedda! “Diedda! Die!”

The songs fit harmoniously into the general retro wave that is sweeping through the show industry. Among other things, Bohlen presents “You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul”, “Cheri Cheri Lady” and “Brother Louie”. He clenches his fist, kneels – and introduces the audience to the greatness of the song. “Once you’re in China,” he says before “Brother Louie,” “you’ll hardly come across a street where the following title isn’t playing.”

It obviously has traction. Ask a women’s group, a bachelorette party, getting married in two weeks. Why did they come? “Dieddä! “Dieddä! Dieddä!” You can hear. Vanessa Mai (30), Giovanni Zarrella (44) and Nino de Angelo (58), stars of the hit scene, appear in front of Bohlen. According to the organizer, around 15,000 visitors came, the focus is on the first one Impression in the age group over 35. “We are young at heart” is written on the shirts of a group, for example.One man wears the words “The Club of the Carried Along” on his back. We’re only here to drink.”

In fact, many also want to capture the moment when Bohlen brings back the 80s musically. Many mobile phones are pulled out, it is filmed. In the end, the pop titan also has a message: “Be happy,” he says. “There is only one life. Make the most of it.” And that sounds really serious at this moment.

Even if not all wishes come true that evening. In between, a fan calls out: “And now the other one is coming!” But that much comeback isn’t announced yet.