Wendler at Ballermann: Booing, Fans' chants, and a brief comeback at Megapark

Comeback after a Break: An Evening of Mixed Feelings

Last night around 10:15 p.m., the plaza in front of Megapark filled up faster than I expected. About 4,000 people, say organizers and residents, were on site. Some wore glowing schlager T-shirts, others looked skeptical. And in the middle: Michael Wendler, back on the Ballermann stage after several years of abstinence.

Loud Reactions — Booing or Singing Along?

The mix of boos and fan chants was the defining sound of the evening. Time and again you could hear: a whistle here, a "Wendler!" chorus there. The mood shifted in a split second. At times it almost looked like a dance between rejection and nostalgia. I stood next to a couple from Bochum; they were clapping, he shook his head. Such evenings are rarely clear-cut.

The Set lasted just under 40 minutes. Classics like "She Loves the DJ" appeared, along with a few announcements that recalled earlier times. Musically it was all in the usual danceable schlager range — no experiments, no retreat. Wendler himself seemed tense, but not lost. After the performance he posted a brief thank-you to the Megapark on his social-media page.

A Shadow of the Past

Of course his controversial reputation remained a topic. Many guests recalled his statements from the pandemic period, which had drawn sharp criticism at the time. For some in the audience that was a reason for outrage. Others said: "Music should be kept separate from the person; that's not always possible, but today it is." Such conversations could be heard at the bar, at the taps, and on the way back to the bus stop.

The security on site was present but relaxed — as one would expect here: a handful of stewards in yellow vests, two patrol cars in sight. No major incidents, no scuffles. The audience dispersed later into groups; many headed to the surrounding venues, others went directly to the hotel.

A Short Look Ahead

Wendler apparently still has dates; the next stop is Reutlingen. Whether the comeback will last remains to be seen. In Mallorca, anyway, the evening ensured that people talk about him again — loud, contradictory, and with typical Mallorcan night noise in the background. I, for my part, was glad to have been there. Not because I approve of every action, but because such evenings tell what the island is currently occupied with: the past, mood, and a bit of stubbornness.

Info: Event at Megapark, Palma de Mallorca — estimated attendance 4,000, duration about 40 minutes.