On Stage: Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project

There were two distinct audience groups on the opening night of Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project.

There were those who were obvious fans of ‘Berlin’s prince and princess of art rock and Europop and self-proclaimed Best Band in the World’. And then there were people like my companion and me who knew little about Otto & Astrid.

Given the crowd’s participation during their 60-minute Melbourne International Comedy Festival show and the applause at the end, the duo’s new offering is sure to be as popular as their previous shows.

For the uninitiated Otto & Astrid have been performing their part theatre, part live rock concert and part physical comedy shows at festivals for a number of years, winning numerous Australian and international awards and attracting a large cult following.

The bio for these two talented performers tells us this about their personas: “Tragically orphaned as children, the brother and sister duo ran away from their small rural hometown and ordinary childhood, to Berlin, and knew instantly they had found a place among the counterculture, a home in a squat – and the solace and saviour of the  Rock’N’Roll music. Die Roten Punkte was soon born. The band experienced a lightning speed rise to stardom performing sold out concerts to seas of fans and performing alongside some of the Rock Music’s biggest names.”

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project is based on the inability of the two to agree on which songs should appear on their much-anticipated fifth Die Roten Punkte album.

When the pandemic hit, Otto desperately wanted to isolate with Astrid, but she couldn’t think of anything worse. Alone and worried about the world, Otto began writing his first solo album. Not wanting to be outdone, Astrid quickly began writing her own.

When they’d finished, they decided to tour separately… but after months of searching for their own musicians it became quite evident nobody else wanted to play with them, and now they’re stuck being each other’s backing band in a Joint Solo Project.

As well as some new and very funny songs, Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project also brilliantly showcases the duo’s theatrical and comic skills. It’s this combination that won over fans and newbies on opening night.

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project is playing at the Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street Southbank until April 23.  For further information and tickets visit the Melbourne International Comedy Festival site or Otto and Astrid’s web page.

*Photo credit: Aaron Walker Photography

Jenny Burns attended the opening night of Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project as a guest of the producers.