Courierpost - Tokio Hotel: Internationally known

I have a lot of great stuff for you this week. You can all thank me later.

Tokio Hotel is a band so massive the guys can actually fondly recall what it was like to reach their first million “likes” on Facebook while comfortably clocking in around 3.4 million at the moment.

Now that is international stardom in the modern era personified.

I connected with lead singer Bill Kaulitz, who is incredibly forthcoming, earnest and ready to show his fans a great time while embarking on a huge tour global tour.

Can you tell me a little about the current tour? What can fans expect when they come out to see the band?

They can definitely expect a “show.” We don’t come out and just bring our amps and instruments. We really put on a show and always try to give our fans something new and unexpected. There is so much going on on stage that it’s hard to describe. We have different sections in the show and also play some of our favorites from the old albums, but the concept of the show is mainly about the new album, “Kings of Suburbua.” It’s very electronic and we tried things we’ve never done before. Everyone stepped out of their comfort zone to make the songs come alive on stage. The guys play drums, piano and synths — it’s a big electronic party with snow, lights, costumes, air guns and more.

What are some of the biggest differences between playing to European and American audiences?

We feel like the fans have been waiting so long for us to come to the U.S. that they really appreciate that we are back on the road. We see so many different types of people and it feels like our audience here is more mixed than in other countries. From super young girls to older guys and everything in between, and that is great. I love that! That’s what music does. It unites all ages and genders. Nothing matters but the music and the experience. The energy we get back in America is overwhelming. We love it.

Social media enables a conversation with artists and fans in real-time. Do you enjoy getting feedback and engaging with people who enjoy your music in that type of capacity?

Oh yes! That’s what this whole tour is about. That’s why we are doing it: to connect and engage with our fans. So social media is one thing, but really seeing the people and meet them is the best experience ever. On this tour we offer different packages where people get all kind of different experiences. It’s all about that ”once in a lifetime” feel. We want to create the best day ever for them, something they never forget.

Do you think of your band and your music in a forward-looking sense, or do you strictly focus on the present? Like do you imagine what type of music and what sort of creative projects you’ll all be involved with in 5 years?

A forward-looking sense for sure. Being in the present is the most difficult thing for me even though it’s very important. I work on that because for me it’s always about what’s next. I think about the next big melody and song, what I can do better, how the next show should improve. I’m never satisfied. I constantly think about the next step, which is what keeps me going.

True or false: pizza is the greatest food on the planet.

So true!