12. September 2026
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Dirkschneider (10th September 2026, Wuppertal)

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

It is the first time since 43 years that I am back on stage at the Stadthalle. That’s sensational. It is the place where the global career of my former band Accept has started – at least internationally – before we went to America. That’s what Udo Dirkschneider told a local Wuppertal newspaper about his 10th September 2026 gig in his home town.

At the final show of his Balls to the Wall 40th Anniversary Tour, which I already featured in March 2025 in Frankfurt, he and his band was had two guest artist on stage. One of them was another global metal act with regional roots. The Queen of Metal, Doro, was part of this show at the Historische Stadthalle. I felt really gifted that I was able to share this show with you.

This posting comes with 655 major size pictures as part of the concert gallery.

 

Historische Stadthalle – About The Venue

The Historische Stadthalle (Historic Civic Center) is a centrally located venue in Wuppertal in the Bergisches Land region. The picturesque large hall, in which the concert was held, has a seated capacity of some 1,500 people and 1,800 standing capacity. On that evening, it was just not sold out. The venue is in walking distance from Wuppertal Main Station, commuter trains also stop at Wuppertal-Steinbeck. Alternatively, there are multiple buses stopping right in front of the it. The closest stop of the iconic Wuppertaler Schwebebahn (suspension railroad) is Ohligsmühle. If you are traveling in by car, there are several cark parks and parking garages around.

 

Dirkschneider – About The Artists

Udo Dirkschneider is a German metal singer, who was born on 6th April 1952 in Wuppertal. He is a founding member of Accept, of which he was part from 1976 to 1987, from 1992 to 1997 and in 2005. As a solo artist, he typically performed as U.D.O. and released 22 studio albums. In 2020, I reviewed his album We Are One, recorded with the German Armed Forces Concert Band.

On this night, Dirkschneider was joined by Doro (Dorothee Pesch). She was born on 3rd June 1964 in Düsseldorf. From 1982 to 1989, she lead the band Warlock, before she turned into a solo artist. After four Warlock albums, she released fifteen studio albums so far. I reviewed two albums, Forever Warriors // Forever United (2018) and the 2023 Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud.

 

Dirkschneider – The Show

A few minutes before the announced start at 20:00, the two hour evening kicked off with an intro song, before Dirkschneider and his bandmates stepped on stage right in time. Almost entirely, the setlist featured Accept songs, beginning with a seven song / thirty minute session with songs like opener Fast as a Shark or Metal Heart.

 

Balls To The Wall with Don Dieth and Doro

Thereafter the band took a brief break and an intro told the enthusiastic crowd that it was time for the main part of this evening. In the original order of the album, Dirkschneider and his bandmates shared all songs of the Balls To The Wall album, starting with the title track. You could not only feel the professionalism and skill, but also the joy of the band on stage. For Head Over Heels, Mathias Don Dieth took the role of an additional guitarist.

The crowd cheered for the special guest when Doro finally went on stage for the last song of Balls To The Wall, Winterdreams. In contrast to other shows, Dirkschneider and Doro played another song, the Judas Priest cover Breaking the Law. They did this song together for Doros 2004 Classic Diamonds album already. Another duet they had together in the past, Dancing with an Angel (2002), was not part of the setlist. The encore consisted of three additional songs of the Accept songbook. For the chucker-out Burning, Doro and Don Dieth went back on stage and closed this special evening in style.

 

 

Dirkschneider – The Gallery

Here are 655 major size pictures of the show. They are located in the concert gallery:

 

Dirkschneider – My View

An iconic venue, a great and enthusiastic band, one of the most influential albums in metal history and great special guests – this evening had it all. Many spectators had expected more stage time for Doro though. Apart from that, there were some technical issues at the beginning of the concert as well as during Doro’s performances on stage. Nonetheless, after two years, this impressing anniversary tour came to a memorable finale.

 

Reviews – German Hard Rock & Heavy Metal

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