Picture book: A lot of news at a secret concert in Vienna

At around 11 p.m. on Friday night, the area before the Flex venue along Vienna’s Danube Canal was unusually crowded. Though the secret concert by Bilderbuch was open only to invited guests and competition winners, fans gathered eagerly outside, waiting for leftover tickets that had not been collected. For Bilderbuch and their followers, the “official rehearsals”, with another one scheduled for September 11, are a major milestone. With them, they will unveil their upcoming album ∞+1, set for release on October 9, and introduce their new guitarist, Uche Yara. Born as Uchenna Yara Katzmayr in Linz, the musician replaces Michael Krammer, who left after 18 years with the band. His departure was due to personal reasons including inner turmoil, health issues, and existential crisis, though primarily because his life base has shifted to South America. It was no surprise that Yara took over, having already performed in the “Gelb ist das Feld” tour as part of Bilderbuch’s opening act and supporting the band during two shows at the Ernst-Happel Stadium, one as part of the Rolling Stones’ warm-up and another as a charity concert for Ukraine. As a solo artist, Yara plays drums and guitar, sings, and writes her own songs that clearly reflect her Nigerian roots. At the Flex, however, she steps into the role of rock guitarist, appearing with a cap and flowing hair reminiscent of a slender, tall Slash. The performance kicks off with new tracks “Unterwasser” and “Irgendwo,” where rapid drumming and powerful guitar riffs blend seamlessly with Ernsts melodic vocals. Yara quickly becomes a favorite among the audience. Every time she takes the stage, whether playing old hits like “Softpower” or “Bungalow,” or the new track “Push Reality”, which fuses techno beats with rock energy, she receives enthusiastic applause. Midway through the show, Yara and Ernst engage in a ten-minute duel at the guitars, unable to stop themselves from continuing. The highlight of the evening comes with the iconic hit “Maschin,” but the newly composed tracks such as “Baby Junkie,” “Wahrscheinlich war es der Lippenstift,” and “Finstere Erleuchtung” also impress, showcasing how Bilderbuch continues to master diverse styles and craft catchy refrains. The repeated performance of “Push Reality” towards the end confirms that Yara has become a worthy replacement for Krammer, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the band. As the crowd leaves, the atmosphere remains electric, reflecting both the legacy of the previous lineup and the promise of the new direction.