Football, the European Championship, and music: This combination brings to mind fan chants, half-time music from stadium loudspeakers, or the national anthem being played before international games. Normally. But FC St. Pauli and Reeperbahn Festival brought these two worlds together in a completely new way.
The project "The Game" presented an exciting artistic connection between the dramaturgy of a football game and the creative process of a musical composition.
Specifically, the game between St. Pauli and VFL Osnabrück on 12 May 2024 in Hamburg's Millerntor Stadium was played simultaneously by two musical teams in the Laeiszhalle: The renowned Ensemble Resonanz and the band of well-known electronic artist Matthew Herbert. Under the direction of conductor Friederike Scheunchen, who followed the game live on a monitor, the music alternated between the band and the ensemble whenever the ball changed hands between the teams in the stadium. The "standards" (throw-in, free kick, corner kick) were highlighted via recurring sound images composed by Matthew Herbert, while the rest developed live from the dynamics of the game on the pitch.
Who was ahead after 90 minutes? It was FC St. Pauli!
In the EURO year 2024, FC St. Pauli and Reeperbahn Festival surprised you with an idea that is as original as it is fascinating. As part of the cultural programme for the European Championship 2024, we invited football fans with a taste for music as well as anyone looking for new cultural experiences. And finally, we cultivated something that is at least as important as team spirit on the pitch: good neighbourliness in the area. For holders of a ticket for Reeperbahn Festival 2024, there were reduced ticket prices for The Game.
We thank Sky Deutschland for their kind support of The Game. Experience more live sport and find your Sky Sportsbar or a hotel with Sky in your area here.
