Photo: Marie Chocolat
Masks, music and magic by the lake
It was one of those late summer evenings when the air is still warm on your skin, the light dances golden over the water, and you feel that the world is just right for a moment. On August 30, 2025, the north shore of the Baldeneysees was transformed at Seaside Beach Baldeney In Essen, CRO was immersed in a pulsating sea of beats, vocals, and emotions – he was „at the beach.“ And with him were 20,000 fans who had come to be part of a musical spectacle.
Even getting there was a bit of an adventure. The roads around the Baldeneysee were closed, shuttle buses ran from the Essen trade fair grounds, and bicycles were creatively parked between trees. Many concertgoers followed the travel recommendations, which were available, for example, via [website/platform name]. Baldeneysee.The word was spread around the Ruhr region, and people followed it. Those who were clever and had read the recommendation came by bicycle and walked the last few meters through the evening sun to the grounds. Entry began at 5 p.m., and although the bag checks were strict and the queue correspondingly long (it went all the way around the grounds, past the Südtiroler Stuben (After the official start of the event, the atmosphere was relaxed. You could feel it: Today things are really going to get wild here.).
CRO takes the stage – masked, mystical, captivating
As the sun slowly disappeared behind the hills, CRO's "CRONICLES OPEN AIR 2025" began. The stage was minimalist yet impressive, flanked by giant flat screens, while the masked artist played the opening bars. "Easy" was the opener, and it was immediately clear: this would be no ordinary concert, but something truly special. CRO played through old classics and new tracks, sometimes melancholic, sometimes ecstatic, always with his unmistakable blend of hip-hop, pop, and indie. On the T-shaped stage, the musician deliberately sought proximity to the audience, was accompanied by other musicians on some songs, and wore three different panda masks, each representing a distinct artistic era.
Between sand and sound – voices from the crowd
Between palm trees, sand, and the B-See lake, some people danced barefoot, lay on picnic blankets, or jumped to the beat of the music. CRO spoke directly to the audience: "You guys are amazing, Essen!" – and the crowd responded with a collective scream. The atmosphere was incredibly electric! Lisa (24) from Bielefeld summed up what the fans were feeling: "I've seen CRO three times before, but here at Baldeneysee – it's magical. The location makes everything more intense." Next to her stood Tom (31) from Dortmund, who was there for the first time: "I'm not really a fan, a friend dragged me along. And now? I'm completely hooked." The catchment area for the concert was large – Essen was the only venue in North Rhine-Westphalia. Even concertgoers from the Netherlands traveled to see Cro at Baldeneysee.
Photo: Marie Chocolat
When „Bye Bye“ silences the lake
The atmosphere became particularly emotional during "Bye Bye." CRO stood alone on stage, accompanied only by a piano. The crowd fell silent, many holding up their phones, others just their hands. On the water, sailboats anchored alongside inflatable boats, surfboards, and SUPs – atmospherically illuminated with colorful fairy lights. Absolutely unique and typical for concerts at Seaside Beach on Baldeneysee. It was one of those magical moments where music says everything words cannot. Pure goosebumps.
Finale with fireworks
The finale was a firework display – quite literally, an explosion of friendship and color. As CRO performed "Einmal um die Welt" (Around the World), colorful fireworks rose above the lake, reflected in the water, and bathed the scene in a surreal light. The crowd went wild, embracing each other, and CRO jumped into the audience (the security guards were surely frozen in shock).
The walk home with a pounding heart
After the concert, people slowly streamed towards shuttle buses or bicycles. The footpaths towards Essen-Werden The stands were closed, but that was clearly secondary. People talked about favorite songs, about the masks, about the moment when CRO briefly left the stage. It was as if they had shared a experience that would last a very long time. And so ended an evening that was more than just a concert. It was a feeling, a summer dream, a musical intoxication by the water. CRO didn't just play – he touched people. And those who were there will remember not only the music, but the feeling of having been part of something bigger.
