Chubby perfection, anecdotes of a sheltered childhood and a somber memory that changed everything: The fifth “barter concert” evening begins as usual, but ends in a dark hole from which those present can only free themselves as a community.
Despite all the depth, the “barter concert” evenings usually outline an emotional overall picture under the banner of positivity. Tearful moments go hand in hand with moments of pure ecstasy and bliss. Only very rarely does the format community sink into a deep emotional hole from which it is difficult to free oneself. The evening, on which the tender Lotte is the focus of the action, takes the group around host Johannes Oerding on a journey that at some point makes a stopover exactly where it hurts the most.
But before heads lower and glassy pairs of eyes freeze with helplessness and sadness, everything takes its usual course. The “star of the evening” grants a few intimate insights into the private archive. In Lotte’s case, that means: “I grew up with ballet, a violin, some equestrianism and a lot of Tokio Hotel,” says the singer from Ravensburg. Lotte was “a nerd”, grew up in a “sheltered family nest” and only after a year abroad in America was she able to separate her own self from what others expected of her.
The private talk about the life of “Billie Eilish vom Bodensee” (O-Ton Johannes Oerding) is accompanied by sound art that oscillates between dance floor German pop (Kelvin Jones), Rammstein metal (Floor Jansen) and synth-heavy charts fare (Clueso). touched to the usual extent and aroused great joy in all those present.
However, the tide turns after Elif’s hip-pop knee-jerk “On Both Legs”. Now Lotte can present one of her new songs. Everyone is excited. Johannes wants to know what the song “So wie ich” is about. Two minutes later, a feeling of shock takes over. Lotte tearfully reports about sexual violence she has experienced herself. It is the moment when the singer, who has just been self-confident and mature, turns into a helpless creature who questions everything and everyone.
Memories come up that tear wounds and cause pain – and not only for the originator. After the balladesque performance, all candidates sit bent and lost in themselves on the couch. Floor Jansen tearfully speaks: “I am so fucking angry!” the Nightwish singer sobbed with an aggressive undertone.
Sensitive and cautious, but also determined and clear, the attempt is made to approach a topic that is still all too often hushed up today. Lotte doesn’t go into detail. But that’s not necessary to understand how much damage a sexually motivated physical assault can do. Lotte needed a lot of time to process the darkest moment of her life. Self-doubt and fears eventually lead to therapy.
Alexis joins in. The SDP singer also walked the wrong paths of the ailing psyche for a long time: “I was in a slap all week, at the weekend I stood in front of 18,000 fans in the forest stage. We’re all kind of sitting on the couch,” sighs the Berliner . Under the bright South African moon, all the protagonists hug each other. Cohesion is very important – especially in moments like this.
Alexis and Vincent briefly let the NDW pig out (“Fuck Baby I’m In Love”) before drama prince Johannes ignites the greatest possible emotional firework of the evening (“Dunkelrot zu schwarz”). The blossoming protea for the “song of the evening” this time flies in the direction of the backing band. Everyone is happy with that, including Lotte, who can’t help but smile liberatingly after a turbulent evening.
