One of the most recognizable musical forces of the synth-pop era, the German band Alphaville, whose melodies defined the eighties of the last century and remain deeply etched in the collective consciousness of generations, is finally coming to the Croatian audience. Their premiere performance in Croatia is scheduled for September 5, 2025, and the stage that will host these musical legends will be Pavilion 9 of the Zagreb Fair. This event represents a unique opportunity for all fans to experience live the energy of the band that gave the world timeless hits like "Forever Young" and "Big in Japan", and who will play for the first time in Zagreb.

The euphoria and anticipation for the concert can also be felt in the words of the frontman himself, Marian Gold, who announced the arrival with immense enthusiasm. "We are incredibly excited to finally be coming to Zagreb and to have the opportunity to celebrate 41 years of Alphaville's existence together with our loyal audience. For this exceptional occasion, we have prepared and compiled a truly special program. It will be a kind of musical documentary, a journey that will encompass the entire sonic universe of Alphaville, from our very beginnings in 1984 all the way to recent projects in 2025," pointed out Gold, the vocalist and a constant member of the band since its founding back in 1982.

A Musical Sensation That Doesn't Fade

Alphaville is a band that has managed to transcend time frames and remain relevant for decades after their breakthrough onto the scene. Their music, imbued with nostalgic melodies and the futuristic sound of synthesizers, has left an indelible mark on the history of popular music. Proof of their enduring popularity is the incredible success of the song "Forever Young," which in 2024, four decades after its release, won 1st place on the prestigious TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart. The song became a viral phenomenon, used in more than a million different TikTok videos, thus introducing it to a whole new generation of listeners and confirming its status as a cultural icon. Their presence in the digital age is fascinating; on the Spotify platform alone, they have over 20 million monthly listeners. The single "Forever Young" itself has more than 950 million streams, while the total number of plays of their songs has surpassed an incredible 1.8 billion, testifying to the global reach and lasting appeal of their music.

A Journey Through the Sonic Universe of Alphaville

The special program that the band is preparing for the Zagreb concert promises a retrospective of a career that was rich in innovations and artistic transformations. The band was one of the pioneers in using the potential of synthesizers and electronic production. Their characteristic sound, which skillfully combined the melodiousness of pop songs with experimental and atmospheric electronic landscapes, became an inspiration for countless musicians who came after them. Although at the beginning of their career, as they themselves admit, they had limited formal experience with instruments, their raw creativity, innovation, and courage to explore new sonic territories resulted in one of the most successful and influential albums of the eighties.

In recent years, Alphaville has once again stirred up the music scene with the release of the album "Eternally Yours" (2022). This ambitious project brings 23 of their most famous songs in completely new arrangements, recorded in collaboration with the renowned German Film Orchestra Babelsberg. The symphonic treatment breathed new life into the classics, giving them a monumental and cinematic dimension. In addition, the compilation "Forever! Best of 40 years" (2024), which contains 40 remastered songs, has further solidified their status. The interesting thing about this compilation is that the fans themselves actively participated in the selection of songs, which shows the deep connection the band has with its audience.

The Birth of a Legend: The Story of "Big in Japan" and the Debut Album

Alphaville achieved worldwide fame and recognition practically overnight, with their very first single "Big in Japan". The song became a global hit, but the story of its origin is just as intriguing. Marian Gold got the idea for the title back in 1976, during his first visit to what was then West Berlin. Getting off at the Zoo station, a notorious gathering place for addicts, prostitutes, and the homeless, he immediately witnessed a scene that was etched into his memory. As he recalled, a young, handsome man approached him and asked: "I've never seen you here before, who are you?". Gold, taken aback and a bit confused, instinctively responded with a joke: "Well, you know, I'm big in Japan". The young man coolly replied: "Well then, welcome to West Berlin". This phrase, which describes someone who is unknown in their own environment but claims to be successful elsewhere, became a metaphor for the story of a couple trying to break their heroin addiction, dreaming of a world where they could be happy – "big in Japan".

The debut album "Forever Young" from 1984 was an instant commercial and critical success. In addition to the title track and "Big in Japan", the album also spawned hits like "Sounds Like a Melody", cementing Alphaville as leaders of the new wave and synth-pop movement. The album was not just a collection of hits, but a coherent work that perfectly captured the spirit of the time – a feeling of melancholy, hope, and the uncertainty of the Cold War era, packaged in innovative electronic production.

A Name Inspired by a Film and the Evolution of the Lineup

The band's name, Alphaville, is not a random choice. It was inspired by the cult sci-fi film noir by director Jean-Luc Godard from 1965. The film depicts a dystopian city of the future, Alphaville, ruled by a tyrannical computer, Alpha 60, where feelings and individuality are forbidden. This theme of alienation, technology, and the struggle for humanity perfectly matched the band's aesthetics and lyrics. The founding lineup consisted of Marian Gold (real name Hartwig Schierbaum), Bernhard Lloyd (Bernhard Gößling), and Frank Mertens (Frank Sorgatz). After the first years of dizzying success, Mertens left the band, and his place was taken by Ricky Echolette. Over the decades, the band went through various lineup changes, but Marian Gold remained the constant and the driving force. Their discography, which includes albums like "Catching Rays on Giant" (2010) and "Strange Attractor" (2017), shows a continuous desire to explore and develop their sound, proving that they are not just a one-album or one-decade band.

Their influence on the music scene is immeasurable. Not only have they inspired generations of musicians within the electronic genre, but their songs continue to live on through covers and remixes. In October 2024, electronic music superstars David Guetta and Ava Max released their version of the hit "Forever Young", with new lyrics and modern production, which once again confirmed the timeless quality of the original melody. Alphaville's live performances are known for their energy and their ability to transport the audience back to a time when their songs were the soundtrack of everyday life. The concert in Zagreb is expected to be just such an unforgettable experience – a musical spectacle that will combine nostalgia with modern production and celebrate a career spanning more than four decades.

Tickets for this long-awaited musical event are available through the Entrio system and can be secured via the following link: https://www.entrio.hr/event/alphaville-live-24171. This is an unmissable opportunity for all lovers of synth-pop and eighties music to hear live the legends who shaped the genre.