Concert Review: Electric Callboy – Neptune Theater, Seattle WA

After the cancellation of their 2022 U.S. Tour dates including the esteemed Blue Ridge Rock Festival due to ear infections and medical issues that plagued Frontman Nico Sallach, Electric Callboy was back in full force on their second stop of the nearly sold out 2023 U.S. Tekkno Tour at the Neptune Theater in Seattle. “We need Nico. Nico needs his ears. His ears need some time off”, the band reported. “Believe us: We can’t wait to cross the Atlantic and come back next year. That’s a promise.” And they surely delivered. 

With the risk to permanent ear damage aside, they took to the Seattle venue and waited their turn to take the stage, headlining for bands Solence, a metal/electronic band based out of Stockholm, Sweden, and Conquer Divide, an all-female US/Canadian and British band whose lead singer “Kia” Castillo is featured on “Fuckboi” the 2022 Electric Callboy single. 

The 100+ Year Old Neptune Theatre had its walls filled with the sound of metal screams, eager fans, and an electric energy that was present before the first group even took the stage. Nearly 1000 Attendees filed in, adorned in their best spandex, track suits, fake moustaches, headbands, booty shorts and band tees, eagerly awaiting what had been put off for more than a year. And, true to Seattle Theater Group venues, the Neptune offered an intimate show (albeit packed and sweaty), up close and personal with all of the bands. An experience with a stark contrast to their 2022 and 2023 European tour dates like Hellfest (Rue du Champ Louet, Clisson, France) that amassed over 420,000 festival goers. 

The show was one hit after another, with fans dancing, singing, and headbanging. A concert experience that is atypical of the crushing “all mosh pit, all the time” shows experienced by fans with many hard rock and metal band tours. Now, don’t be misled. It was hot. And sweaty. But, with lots of smiles, singing, positive energy, and very little scuffling amongst fans. They uniquely combine feelings of catchy techno nostalgia with the top tier production quality of the best metalcore bands around, combined for an experience like no other. On top of that, they have an amazing on-stage presence and confidence, and were unafraid to approach fans in the front row to engage with them as they sang.

This tour’s setlist featured a wide variety of the band’s songs from their biggest hits, “We’ve Got The Moves”, “Hypa Hypa”, and their feature cover of Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch” that have amassed over 150-million video views on YouTube, to the more hardcore songs that hooked their early listeners. Half way through the set, they brought out a piano to sing acoustic versions of  “Let It Go” from Frozen, and “I Want It That Way” from the Backstreet Boys, and with songs like that woven into the setlist, as a fan, you just can’t take yourself all too seriously. Mysteriously, the most “hardcore” of fans always seem to know the least “hardcore” of songs….interesting.

The Tekkno tour show was an unforgettable experience with very intentional design from set design, sound, lighting, interchanging outfits, and overall atmosphere, and it was 100% worth the wait. If German techno-metal-party music sounds like a good time, grab up the rest of the tour tickets if and when you can, and pray that resale tickets won’t murder your wallet if you’ve not done so already. Electric Callboy and crew have upcoming dates in California, Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, and the Northeast U.S. with New York having the only remaining non-resale tickets.

We want to wish Nico and all the Tekkno Tour artists the best of health as they continue their U.S. and European dates.

TEKKNO is brought to you by Century Media Records, available now.

Band Members:

Kevin – Vocals, Keyboard

Nico – Vocals

Daniel – Guitar

Pascal – Guitar

Daniel – Bass

David – Drums

Supporting Acts: Conquer Divide, Solence

Stay tuned to Stereofade for more concert reviews and music news, including a review of a concert performed by viral sensation and recording artist Toosii.