‘Night Grooves:’ DW's new music show with international cast

Stars from both the German and the international music industry get together for DW’s new music and talk show, “Night Grooves.” The TV program starts November 3 and will also be made available online at dw.com/music. The show is part of a co-production with Germany’s regional broadcaster Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR).

The line-up of stars includes Anastacia, Conchita Wurst, Johnny Logan and Albrecht Meyer. They will all perform “private concerts” – unplugged performances filmed at Haus Schminke in Löbau, Saxony. The building dates back to 1933, when it was designed by famous architect Hans Scharoun. It has become a global icon for the “New Objectivity” movement in architecture. Much like the new DW program itself, the building also represents cosmopolitan values and intercultural dialogue.

Hosts Kim Fisher and Wigald Boning not only present the show but also participate musically, with Kim Fisher lending her vocals and Wigald Boning helping out with accompaniments. “Night Grooves” project manager Rolf Rische described the new format as a “modern interpretation of a house concert.”

“The show offers a highly gregarious brand of entertainment as well as fascinating and frank conversations. And there are lots of magical moments, both within the music but also among the guests,” Rische said.

Every show features two to three solo artists or music bands jamming together while transcending cultural, musical and physical boundaries, creating countless special moments. One of these unique instants happened when British singer Marlon Roudette (“When the Beat Drops Out”) met East Germany’s legendary band Silly. “It is a great honor to be together with Silly,” Roudette said. “As British musicians we have a romantic connection with bands from the former GDR because we know that music played such a great role in people’s lives there.”

Hans Sharoun designed not only Haus Schminke with musical performances in mind. He is also responsible for the design of the Berlin Philharmonic. Haus Schminke attracts architecture fans from around the world to the little village located in the Oberlausitz region. The intimate nature of the building also plays a key role in the DW program: the atmosphere allows such distinct concerts and inimitable moments to take place. Pop meets jazz and rap meet classical music – this is the nature of “Night Grooves.”

Other guests taking part in the new show include rock and jazz singer Helen Schneider, Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avial, German rock band Karat, jazz pianist Julia Hülsmann, Scottish singer Midge Ure, coloratura soprano vocalist Simone Kermes, rapper Eko Fresh and pop legend Nik Kershaw.

The first episode, which will be aired November 3 on DW, headlines Anastacia and Eurovision Song Contest Winner Conchita Wurst. Their joint interpretation of Cher’s hit “Believe” is one of many intimate moments bound to give viewers goosebumps. American singer Anastacia said she loved the concept: “This show makes me feel at home. It’s like being with friends – except for the fact that there are a couple of large cameras standing around here.”

Uwe Hassbecker from Silly also underlined the importance of the friendly atmosphere: “The show gets very close to us, we have to open ourselves up and do things that ordinarily we wouldn’t do on a TV show. You don’t just burst out in song with someone else in everyday life. That’s why this truly is such a cordial get-together.” 

The band “The Ruffcats” is also part of the 45-minute program and accompanies the guests live and unplugged.