Music

Courtesy Photo / Duo Jatekok

Metal on the Ivories

The classical pianists of Duo Jatekok are ready to rock Rammstein’s San Antonio crowd

BY MIKE MCMAHAN

Mention the legendary German band Rammstein, and certain things spring to mind: the clang and pounding of metallic industrial music, live shows with scorching pyrotechnics and an almost gleeful a empt to shock and off end.

Classical music, though? Eh, not so much.

So why the hell would Rammstein bring along Duo Jatekok — a pair of classical pianists — to its Saturday, Sept. 17 show at the Alamodome?

As it turns out, Rammstein commissioned Duo Jatekok to arrange some of its songs for piano, and the acts have played together in Europe for more than 10 years. The recordings of the arrangements — an album titled Duo Jatekok Plays Rammstein — dropped earlier this year. Now, the pianists are opening shows on the raucous band’s North American tour.

Don’t accuse Rammstein of failing to challenge an audience.

“It’s our fi rst time playing in the USA,” Adélaïde Panaget said from the duo’s home base in France. She and her musical partner Naïri Badal spoke to the Current via Zoom prior to the tour.

To be sure, not many piano duos have faced such a literal baptism under fi re: making a stateside debut opening for a rock band’s pyrotechnics-heavy stadium tour. While Duo Jatekok will appear with Rammstein in Los Angeles and Mexico City, the San Antonio show will be its fi rst U.S. gig.

That said, Duo Jatekok isn’t new to stadium shows or to sharing a stage with Rammstein. Indeed, the pianists have performed with the headliner multiple times in Germany.

“It’s their [home turf], so they are really supported by their audience,” Badal said. “It’s family. In the United States they have something to prove and need to make a connection.”

Getting familiar

Duo Jatekok’s collaboration with the metal act didn’t happen overnight. They were introduced via mutual friends and a French producer who worked with Rammstein in the past. Neither of the pianists were metal fans beforehand.

“We had to get familiar with the music of Rammstein, to get inspired, to write for two pianos,” Badal said, explaining the eff ort that went into the arrangements. “We [frequently] chose the ballads. They fi t very well on piano.”

For her part, Panaget is enthusiastic about the duo’s arrangement of “Ausländer,” which she praised for its high energy level.

But don’t expect Duo Jatekok’s San Antonio set to be a career-spanning sampling of Rammstein’s greatest hits. The pianists coordinate their setlist with the headliner to avoid repetition, and Rammstein also asked the duo to avoid its newer songs.

“We had to choose the songs we like,” Badal said. “And, of course, we had to include their famous songs. But we also had to choose music that fi ts on piano. It’s not easy to transcribe the strength and energy of metal on piano.”

Going electric

Duo Jatekok had to overcome other challenges as well. While the album was recorded on acoustic pianos, the pair had to switch to electric instruments for tours. Weather and travel factors necessitated the change.

“It’s frustrating for us to do this on an electronic keyboard,” Panaget said. “We are really classical musicians, so it’s uncommon for us to play these kinds of instruments.” However, “in a stadium the sound is really diff erent. It’s hard for the sound engineer. With two grand pianos, it would be impossible.”

The two musicians said they want to return to the U.S. for a full tour highlighting their classical material. They have also discussed a future collaboration with jazz pianist and master improviser Brad Mehldau.

“We want to make bridges between [diff erent genres],” Badal said.

But, for now, it’s all Rammstein. And what should fans primed for distorted riff s, angry vocals and explosions expect from the two classical musicians?

“We are the calm before the tempest,” Badal said with a laugh. “The fans get into the music slowly, the show begins and ‘poof!’ It fi ts quite well.” $19.50-$144, 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, Alamodome, 100 Montana St., (210) 207-3663, alamodome.com.

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music listings

Wednesday, September 7

Bad Bunny, Diplo

Puerto Rican Latin trap megastar Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise from Soundcloud to the Super Bowl shows no sign of slowing, especially after the release of his latest album Un Verano Sin Ti. In between Corona commercials with Snoop Dogg and WWE wrestling appearances, he managed to garner two Grammy awards and rank as Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2020. Beyond that, Bad Bunny has been praised for his support of Puerto Rico’s LBGTQ+ community and its e orts to rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Expect the Alamodome to be shaking to the plumbing. $244-$6,000, 7 p.m., Alamodome, 100 Montana St., (210) 207-3663, alamodome.com. — Danny Cervantes

Thursday, September 8

Jenny and the Mexicats

In press materials, indie-rock act Jenny and the Mexicats describe themselves “multicultural,” which may be underselling things. The band members hail from places as far fl ung as Spain, Mexico and England. Jenny herself switches between deep, raspy vocal tones to soft airy melodies as she sings in Spanish, which isn’t even her native language. Not to mention, she plays a mean trumpet. $20-$145, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — Brianna

Espinoza Friday, September 9

Kany García

Kany García is considered the most successful non-winner of Puerto Rico’s televised singing contest Objetivo Fama. Although a car accident scrapped her chances of winning on the show, she has since won six Latin Grammy Awards and been nominated for three Grammy Awards. Slow, heartfelt songs fi ll out García’s catalog, and her emotive vocals ensure there’s not a dry eye in the audience. $34.50, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. – BE

Pitbull, Iggy Azalea

Grammy-winning rapper and singer Pitbull is best known for tracks such as “Timber,” “Time of Our Lives” and “Give Me Everything.” His dance fl oor domination is only matched by his commercial exploits. In addition to his numerous endorsements and his own Sirius XM Channel, he recently became co-owner of a NASCAR racing team. Iggy Azalea joins the global superstar on the pair’s second consecutive tour. The Australian rapper will, no doubt, get “Fancy.” $19.95-$780, 8 p.m., AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. — DC

Aleman, La Banda Baston

Though his music is en español, Aleman cites old school MCs including Notorious B.I.G., Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg as infl uences. A profi le of the artist in the magazine Forbes included three paragraphs about the size of the bong he was smoking during the interview. If that’s not a mark of success, we don’t know what is. And — get this shocker — he also considers B-Real from Cypress Hill a key infl uence. $20.25-$70, 8 p.m., Aztec Theater, 104 N. St. Mary’s, (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — Mike

McMahan Monday, September 12

The Iron Maidens

This all-woman tribute band brings the dynamics and energy of Iron Maiden to cozier venues. Made up of highly trained musicians — longtime Alice Cooper shredder Nita Strauss is an alum — the group covers material from all eras of Maiden’s repertoire and has been together with varying lineups for 21 years. $20-$150, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — EB

Wednesday, September 14

Daddy Yankee

Puerto Rican papi Daddy Yankee has been dubbed the King of Reggaetón for damn good reason. Not only did he coin the term reggaetón when the sound fi rst emerged in the mid-1990s, he’s racked up 184 awards from 484 nominations, including fi ve Latin Grammys, two Billboard Music Awards, 14 Billboard Latin Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award — and we could go on. If you haven’t yet experienced him live, best act fast, since this is purportedly his fi nal tour, although he’ll make one more Alamo City stop on Dec. 16. $181-$1,956, 8 p.m., AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. — EB

Thursday, September 15

Tesla

Though Tesla gets lumped in with the ’80s hair-metal scene, that association had more to do with the band’s stage attire than its sound. Had Tesla arrived fi ve years later, it might have been regarded as throwback rockers akin to the Black Crowes. After all, the band covered the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival on its LP Five Man Acoustical Jam, which also featured its hit cover of “Signs,” originally by Five Man Electrical Band. See what they did there? $35-$198, 8 p.m., Aztec Theater, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 8124355, theaztectheatre.com. — MM

The Bacon Brothers, Lauren Lucas

In July, actor Kevin Bacon — he of the six degrees — and his brother Michael dropped their 11th release as musical duo. The fi ve-song EP Erato is big on the Bacon Brothers’ signature sound of forosoco — an amalgam of folk, rock, soul and country that’s been their specialty for some 25 years. The duo’s short run of Texas dates is to promote the release. Opener Lauren Lucas is a South Carolina-based singer songwriter who specializes in a tender brand of country music. Sold out, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall. com. — Enrique Bonilla

The Mountain Goats, Sweeping Promises

Despite the pluralization of its name, singer-songwriter John Darnielle remains the anchor and only consistent member of indie-folk band the Mountain Goats. If you haven’t been keeping up with Darnielle since the Mountain Goats emerged during the ’90s, he’s guided the band away from its lo-fi origins to become a staple of the indie scene, even signing with Merge Records, the same label as drummer Jon Wurster’s other group, Superchunk. $29.50, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — DC

Palaye Royale

Palaye Royale has got a look that screams “former emo kids obsessed with old traveling circuses.” And its music matches the

Daddy Yankee

Courtesy Photo Daddy Yankee

look. Even so, the music carries less angst and more sadness than the emo origins might suggest. Also expect touches of modern pop not too far removed from Imagine Dragons. $29.50$104.50, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — BE

Friday, September 16

Emery, Norma Jean

Beloved metalcore acts Emery and Norma Jean are double headlining the Texas edition of the Labeled Fest 2022 tour. Expect a night of post-hardcore screams, clanging guitars and punishing breakdowns. Even though the band members are starting to go gray, we’re guessing they’ll bring it like it’s still 2003. $27.50-$30, 7 p.m., Vibes Event Center, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 772-1453, therockboxsa.com. — BE

Saturday, September 17

Why Bonnie

Though they describe themselves as “bedroom pop that’s moved to the couch,” the members of Why Bonnie might be selling themselves short not acknowledging they’ve moved to the garage. Despite the intimacy of singer-songwriter Blair Howerton’s voice, Why Bonnie o ers a full-band sound. Recommended for people who enjoy the stylings of Phoebe Bridgers but crave more straight-up rock and Americana vibes. $15, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — MM

Silverstein, the Amity A iction

Co-headlined tours seem to be all the rage lately, as evidenced by this one topped by a pair of post-hardcore mainstays. Silverstein is returning to San Antonio less than a year after its last packed show here. Meanwhile, the Amity A iction is fl ying high o its most recent EP Somewhere Beyond the Blue. $30-$35, 7 p.m., Vibes Event Center, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, facebook.com/vibeseventcenter. — BE

Michael Bublé

Canadian crooner Michael Bublé has built an empire on an easy-listening sound that evokes Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Which makes sense considering Bublé grew up in British Columbia listening to his grandfather’s jazz collection. His 2003 self-titled debut album featured a collection of standards that would become the linchpin of his success. The current tour is in support of his 2022 album Higher, which throws modern pop covers and Bublé originals into the mix. $49-$574, 8 p.m., AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com.

— DC

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