Tour Venue Twenty

The Neues Tempodrom, Möckernstraße 10, 10963 Berlin.

The Tempodrom was founded by Irene Moessinger and opened in 1980 next to the Berlin Wall on the west side of Potsdamer Platz (an important public square and traffic intersection in the centre of Berlin). It has changed location several times and is now permanently situated in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood.

Moessinger was a nurse when she came into an inheritance from her father. She used this to open the Tempodrom circus tent as a place for concerts. Her funds were quickly used up but the Berlin Senate agreed to contribute funds to keep it going.

The original location created noise complaints and in 1985 it moved to Tiergarten where it became famous for its concert and theatre programmes. In 1990 when the German Government moved to Berlin, it had to make way for the construction of the new German Chancellery and it was moved to a temporary site from 1999 to 2001.

In 2001, it was finally located on the old Anhalter Bahnhof railway terminus site that had been demolished in the 1960s but when built in 1880 was an important transport hub for travellers. A small section of the old station façade was retained, the entire train shed demolished and the Tempodrom built in the centre.

The architects were Von Garkan, Marg und Partners and they designed a building reminiscent of bold expressionist architecture of the 1920s. The floor plan is square that allows for three performance spaces along with a bistro, office, restrooms, underneath a wooden-floored terrace which has a beer garden along.

The two arenas are circular with the larger one centrally located and covered by a 37m (121 ft) steel and concrete panel roof that is intended to visually match the form of the tents of the original site. Capacity is 3,800 in the large arena and 400 in the smaller.

The third space is the "Liquidrom" thermal bath/spa. It features a 43 feet (13m) diameter salt water bath fitted with underwater speakers to provide a multi-sensory spa experience, 3 saunas ranging from 55, 80 and 90 celsius, a steam bath and massage services. The dimmed hall of the spa with warm salt water, moonlight shining through the round window and underwater colour and light effects combined with soothing sounds of classical and electronic music creates the feeling of weightlessness.

The building was completed in 2002 and at $34m was twice over budget! A State Senator resigned over the scandal of the overrun.

The Tempodrom Corporation was declared bankrupt in 2005 and Moessinger retired as a director. She and another director were tried for embezzlement but were acquitted in 2008.

The range of entertainment enjoyed at Tempodrom is diverse from ballet, theatre, classical, comedy, dance, opera, fashion shows, ice shows, sports, conferences, circus and of course, music.

Musical artists include: Paul Simon, Morrissey, Massive Attack, Bob Dylan, Dido, Keane, Jamie Cullum, Bryan Ferry, Chris Rea, The Dubliners, Nigel Kennedy Quintet, Chris Barber & Jazz & Blues Band, Van Morrison, Alanis Morissette, Lord of the Dance, Status Quo, Grace Jones, Tracey Chapman, Pet Shop Boys, Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, R Kelly, Chris Isaak, Jack Johnson, Katherine Jenkins, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Kim Wilde, Duran Duran, Ringo Starr, Janet Jackson, Nena, Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, James Taylor, Nicki Minaj, New Order, Leona Lewis, Jethro Tull, Katie Melua, Olly Murs, 5 Seconds of Summer, New Kids on the Block, John Legend, Patti Smith, Damien Rice, Spandau Ballet, Diana Krall, Simple Minds, Madness, The Lumineers, Bon Iver, Lorde, Zara Larsson, and Harry Styles!