An Evening with Till Lindemann

After attending Rammstein’s 2024 tour shows in Dresden and Marseille, I received a message on Instagram from Alena Makeeva. She asked if I planned to attend more shows and whether I wanted to be added to the list for Fire Zone access. I agreed, and at the concert in Reggio Emilia, Italy, I was allowed in through the guest list. We spoke on the phone beforehand, got to know each other, and she also asked if I’d like to attend the afterparty, if one would happen. I said yes – even though I wasn’t sure. It was all very sudden, and just recently I had heard some rumors about these parties from friends in Germany.
However, I’m not someone who believes everything written in the media – and especially not rumors.
The thought that I might see Till with my own eyes – that was more than a dream. It was something I’d never even dared to wish for.

During the concert, I wasn’t on stage, but in the Fire Zone – as far as I know, that’s the closest spot one can get at a Rammstein concert.

After the show in Reggio Emilia, I went to the afterparty. There were only a few of us. Right after the concert, I and three other girls left with Till in his transfer to Parma, to the hotel where the party was.
That was the most unexpected and unforgettable moment!
Alena had written that she was organizing the transfer and that we just had to find the pick-up location.
When we got into the car – maybe seven minutes after the last song – Till entered and greeted everyone warmly.
The girls’ faces were in complete shock – no one expected that!
We didn’t even realize we were waiting for Till – or that we were now sitting in his car.
It was the happiest moment of my life.
During the whole drive, I couldn’t stop smiling. I looked at Till sitting next to me, listened to his jokes, and couldn’t believe this wasn’t a dream.

I want to say – he’s the most incredible person I’ve ever met.
I was afraid I would feel awkward or shy when meeting him, unsure how to act around him.
But it turned out to be so easy and natural – like I had known him forever.
He was constantly joking, telling stories – the whole ride was cheerful and relaxed.

When we arrived at the hotel and entered the room, Till went to freshen up after the performance.
When he returned, the first thing he did was make sure we got food.
We were all hungry, so he brought out some boxes with food, and we shared meat patties with bread.
When I said I didn’t want to finish my patty, he jokingly complained that I had to – I laughed and told him he reminded me of my grandmother.

We talked about everything, listened to music – from time to time, someone Till knew would stop by to say hi or take a photo.
The girls were drinking alcohol, and I joined them and Till for just one shot of tequila – to toast “to health,” in the Russian way.
I don’t like alcohol, and I especially didn’t want to ruin such a beautiful evening by getting drunk – I wanted to enjoy every second fully and consciously.

Some small details stood out to me and showed how attentive Till was.
I was sitting next to him and poured him a little tequila now and then. Mostly he drank energy drinks.
I enjoyed doing that for him, and I could tell he noticed.
At one point, the heavy cap of the Rammstein tequila bottle fell on the floor – it has a large metal band logo on it.
It fell between my chair and Till’s, and when I reached down for it, he immediately bent down to pick it up for me.
It was such a small gesture, but I really appreciated it.

He also poured wine for the girls himself.
When one of them reached for the bottle to refill her glass, he gently stopped her and said that a man should take care of the women at the table.
It was incredibly sweet.

He showed me a lot of great music too.
When I told him I was from Belarus, he even played a Belarusian band I had never heard of – even though they are apparently quite popular.
Till introduced me to many great musicians that night.

I was also really happy that I didn’t feel uncomfortable about the language barrier, even though I had told Alena that I was nervous about it.
My English isn’t great, and I don’t speak German at all – but with Till, I could talk about anything, and we understood each other perfectly.
I felt completely at ease – even at home, in a way.
He tried to speak Russian with me, and I was surprised at how well he knew it!
It was so fun speaking a mix of Russian and English – and he made a lot of jokes in Russian.
It was the best night of my life!!!

When we said goodbye, it was bittersweet – but I knew I wanted to experience an evening like that again.
As we parted, Till said to me in Russian: “всё будет хорошо” ("everything will be fine").
Given everything happening in his life and the person he really is, this hopeful phrase carried a bit of sadness.
Later, when I would read new attacks or accusations against him, I just wanted to hug him and say: “Everything will really be okay.”

Alena has the dream job – she makes so many people’s dreams come true.
And it breaks my heart that this magic is being tarnished.
My experience was the purest, most honest and emotional moment I’ve ever lived.
I’m so happy I didn’t let rumors scare me off – and that I had the best night of my life.

Now I’m really looking forward to TL’s fall tour.
I want to see the girls again that I met thanks to Alena in Italy, and with whom I’m still in touch.
I hope we can share that unforgettable experience again – and if I’m lucky, see Till again and hug him after the show.

Lastly, I want to say this:
Everyone is responsible for themselves.
If you have doubts, fear, or feel unsure – listen to yourself and do what feels right.
You can always say “no” if something doesn’t feel right.
If you know you can’t control yourself under alcohol or other substances, it likely won’t lead to a good experience.
If your intentions are selfish or manipulative – don’t come.
But if you come with a pure heart, ready to enjoy the moment, laugh, and live a real dream – that chance exists.
Thanks to Alena.