Berlin at the Electric Ballroom, Tempe AZ

review by Matt Bowers

On Sunday August 11, 1996 I attended the Berlin concert at the Electric Ballroom located in Tempe, Arizona. The Beat Angels opened for Berlin, but I'm not interested in them. At 10pm Berlin took the stage, opening with "Masquerade." I immediately noticed a different style in music from their albums. The music was based more on the electric guitars and drums with the familiar synthesizers playing in the background. My first thought was this was the great music of the "1980's Berlin," being played by the "1990's Berlin." Berlin continued to play with Terri Nunn's hauntingly seductive voice powering over the instruments. The next songs were "For All Tomorrow's Lies" and "Heartstrings." Then Terri Nunn dedicated "When We Make Love" to Val Kilmer. I always fantasized she was singing that to me. I was jealous. Berlin then played a new song entitled, "Gabriel." Terri explained that it was about an ex-boyfriend who was addicted to drugs. After performing one of their most popular songs, "The Metro," they played another new song entitled, "Medication," a song about people becoming hooked on prescription drugs. The eighth song they performed was "Pleasure Victim." Terri then took a short break and explained to the audience that a lot had happened since Berlin last toured. She had given up smoking, got fat and then got thin again, performed vocals on albums for other bands and came out with a solo album. She then introduced the members of the band, adding three things that turn each member on. The things that turn Terri Nunn on are performing for friends, shopping for clothes and submission. Berlin then picked up the pace again by playing "You're the Boss," a song by Elvis Presley. Terri Nunn then came out into the crowd while singing "You Don't Know." They followed this with "Touch," "No More Words," "Now It's My Turn" and "Sex." Berlin then left the stage. They returned for an encore and played two more new songs entitled, "Like a Man" and "Thirteen Men." Berlin then closed with a stunning version of "Take My Breath Away." Terri Nunn astonished the audience with her soaring angelic voice. I can only pray that it was recorded for a later album. Walking into the concert I was scared. I had such high expectations of Berlin; what if I was disappointed in their performance? I had waited ten years to see Berlin in concert and after the first song I knew I would not be disappointed. After the last song I was left breathless.