We caught up with Danish band WhoMadeWho, comprised of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod and Jeppe Kjellberg, following their epic Berlin show last month marking their first live show since the release of their highly anticipated 8th studio LP Kiss & Forget. We got the first peek at their bomber collab with artist Mago for their Kiss & Forget tour along with a look at their new setlist before their unforgettable show at the iconic Tempodrom. The trio continued to deliver with a hybrid performance of a band tailored to a club full of contagious positive energy that saw the crowd dancing as they literally opened with stabs of flames to Saturday Pt. 1 until the final roaring flame in Closer.
The whole experience reminded me of why I love seeing music live, the feeling of being present with ourselves and others in a shared experience, and why they are widely recognized as one of the most influential underground bands of their time. Within every catchy melody, there is an equal amount of depth met in their songwriting. Their ability to bring us into their sonic universe that is emotive and electrifying has resonated with audiences around the globe which saw them take home the “Best Organic House” title at the DJ Awards & “Best Live Performer” at the 2024 Beatport Awards.
You have played so many exciting places from Abu Simbel to Burning Man. Looking back, do you have a favorite concert? And what makes Berlin special to you?
Our favorite concert was perhaps earlier this year in Copenhagen at Forum. It was a big moment for us—we hadn’t played in our home city for many years, so coming back as a bigger band with a much larger venue and stage design was incredibly heartfelt. It was special to show our home country where we are now, especially since we’ve become more international over the years. Returning to Denmark and performing for our community was a deeply emotional experience. As for Berlin, it’s a city that feels alive with creativity and freedom. It’s a place where boundaries blur, and people come together to experience art and music as a lifestyle. Berlin’s rawness and authenticity continually inspire us, both as performers and individuals.
You worked with Berlin-based design studio flora&faunavisions and renowned architecture group BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) on a collaborative stage piece. How did you approach the creative process, and was it something you enjoyed outside of music?
Working with BIG and flora&faunavisions was an incredible experience. The stage design, centered around a massive inflatable sphere, became a dynamic focal point. It wasn’t just a set piece but an interactive canvas for 3D video projections that responded in real time to our music. Combining technology, architecture, and art brought the performance to life in a way we’d never done before.
The sphere, paired with immersive visuals created by the EyeMix studio and animator Christopher Mulligan, reflected the energy of the music and the audience. Below it, our individual silver pods gave the stage a futuristic feel, while the LED screen framed the entire experience. It was a collaboration where innovation met storytelling, enhancing the emotional and visual connection with the audience. This process of blending music with experimental design was incredibly rewarding. It allowed us to expand our creative horizons and explore new ways of expressing our art, making every performance a unique sensory experience.
We love your tour merch in collaboration with the artist MAGO. Being on stage, performing live, what role does design play for you from the sets to the clothes you wear?
What do you like to express? Design is essential—it creates the visual and emotional framework for the entire performance. Each of us has our own character, and we wear something that expresses our style, vibe, and personality. We don’t wear anything that doesn’t feel authentically “us.”
That said, our looks are also curated to work together as a cohesive story. With the help of our stylist, we carefully select outfits that reflect our individuality while blending harmoniously as a group. This storytelling through clothing adds another layer to the performance, creating a visual connection that complements the music and stage design.
How has your experience on the Kiss and Forget Tour stood out from other tours in the past?
This tour has stood out due to the scale of our growth and the much bigger setup we now have. Everything—from the stage design and visuals to the production and lighting—has been elevated. We have more people involved than ever before, and working with such a talented and creative team around us has been a game changer. Their expertise helps us grow, try new things, and push the boundaries of what we can do. This tour feels like a true collaboration with people who understand our vision and help us take it to the next level. It’s a powerful feeling to have such a great team supporting us in creating something truly unique.
And finally, what song are you most excited to play? And what city are you looking forward to playing?
We’re really excited about performing our intro, which is made up of “Saturday Pt. 1” and “Saturday Pt. 2” from the Kiss and Forget album. The energy of these two songs is absolutely mind-blowing, and we get goosebumps every time we play them live, especially with the intense setup and fire on stage. It’s one of the highlights of our performance.
As for cities, we’re really looking forward to our next show in Paris at the Olympia on April 18, 2025. There’s always an electric atmosphere there, and we can’t wait to share the experience with the Parisian crowd.
Hope to see you on the road!
WhoMadeWho Upcoming Dates:
