Old Career in an Old Town: Revisiting David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy

Experience the magic of David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy as the iconic D.A.M. Trio brings the legendary music back to where it all began.

A Night to Remember in Berlin’s Metropol

Imagine a crisp November evening in Berlin, the city pulsing with stories from its divided past. At the iconic Metropol, two of the original members of David Bowie’s Black American rhythm section step back into the spotlight. Guitarist Carlos Alomar and bass player George Murray take the stage, honoring their late bandmate Dennis Davis by reigniting the spirit of Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy—those groundbreaking albums Low, “Heroes”, and Lodger that reshaped music history.

The atmosphere hums with anticipation as Alomar introduces the band and they launch into a fierce, heartfelt rendition of “Joe the Lion,” a track born just 48 years earlier in the very heart of Berlin at Hansa Studios—an artistic sanctuary nestled near the notorious Wall and Checkpoint Charlie.

David Bowie electrifying the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin, 1978. (Photo by ARTCO-Berlin/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Berlin: A City of Shadows, Music, and Reinvention

Berlin in the late ’70s was nothing short of cinematic—a Cold War crucible where East met West in a tense standoff, an island of Western freedom surrounded by the grip of East Germany. It was a place teetering between the ghosts of Weimar-era expressionism and the modern spy thriller, where every street corner echoed with stories of espionage and artistic revolt.

A West Berlin couple communicates across the Wall to their East Berlin relatives. (Photo by Bettmann via Getty Images)

David Bowie was drawn to this unique, charged atmosphere. Alongside Iggy Pop—both seeking fresh starts away from the haze of drugs and the exhaustion of fame—they found in Berlin a crucible for transformation. Bowie himself admitted to barely remembering recording Station to Station in 1975, caught in a cocaine haze. Their move to Berlin marked a turning point, a creative resurrection fueled by the city’s raw energy and rich cultural tapestry.

David Bowie during his 1974 Diamond Dogs tour, before his transformative Berlin period. (Photo by Ron Pownall/Corbis via Getty Images)

A New Berlin—Then and Now

Fast forward nearly half a century and Berlin has morphed into a green, forward-thinking metropolis, brimming with solar panels and wind turbines, yet still bearing the scars and stories of its turbulent history. Museums, memorials, and preserved Wall sections serve as poignant reminders of the city’s divided past.

The albums Bowie created during his Berlin years—aptly dubbed the Berlin Trilogy, or more expansively, the Berlin Triptych—were the soundtrack of this era. They represented Bowie’s daring plunge into new musical territories, blending experimental sounds with his signature style, all anchored by the trusted rhythm section known as the D.A.M. Trio.

The D.A.M. Trio: The Heartbeat Behind Bowie’s Berlin Sound

Carlos Alomar, George Murray, and Dennis Davis—the D.A.M. Trio—first united in Los Angeles during the Station to Station sessions in 1975. This powerhouse lineup would go on to lay the rhythmic foundation for not just the Berlin Trilogy, but five pivotal Bowie albums spanning from Station to Station through Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).

Alomar’s role was more than just guitarist; he was band leader, adapting studio magic for the stage while encouraging each musician to bring their unique voice—not to mimic Bowie, but to complement his vision.

“I want you to play it like you wrote it, not play it like that guy wrote it. I don’t want you to be Bowie, I want you to be you.”
– Carlos Alomar

Gathering the Crew: The Berlin Trilogy Tour Band

For this special tour, Alomar has assembled a stellar lineup to recreate the magic:

• Michael Cunio, whose powerhouse vocals with Brass Against famed for Led Zeppelin covers, now channels Bowie’s crooner charm.
• Tal Bergman, filling in on drums, brings his experience with legends like Chaka Khan and Roger Daltrey. He honors Dennis Davis’ legacy by focusing on the music’s best interests rather than pressure.
• Lea-Lorien, Alomar’s daughter and three-time Grammy nominee, powers the backing vocals alongside her husband, Axel Tosca, on keyboards.
• Kevin Armstrong, a Bowie veteran from Live Aid to the Outside album, dazzles on lead guitar, capturing the essence of Robert Fripp’s iconic sound.

Michael Cunio performing at Berlin’s Metropol during the Berlin Trilogy Tour. (Photo by Jordan Rothacker)

The Setlist: A Journey Through the Berlin Years

The opening night’s setlist was a masterstroke—no slow jams, just the rockers and timeless tracks that defined the era. The songs flowed not chronologically but intuitively, blending the best cuts from Low, “Heroes”, Lodger, and other Bowie classics.

After a powerful stretch of “Joe the Lion,” “Blackout,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Look Back in Anger,” Alomar paused to pay homage to his late friends:

“This is for you Dennis, and David, we are still holding the line.”

The crowd witnessed soaring renditions of “Breaking Glass,” “Yassassin” (a joyous surprise for longtime fans), “Heroes,” and “Scary Monsters,” with Armstrong’s guitar echoing the spirit of Robert Fripp’s legendary playing.

A candid moment with Simon House, David Bowie, and Carlos Alomar at Earls Court Arena, London, 1978. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns via Getty Images)

The night didn’t just end with nostalgia; it was a vibrant celebration, with Cunio’s moves on “Golden Years” and “Fashion” getting everyone on their feet. The emotional “Ashes to Ashes” was highlighted by an exquisite piano solo from Tosca, rounding out a set that was as powerful as it was heartfelt.

Berlin’s Legacy Lives On

For those lucky enough to be in the crowd—and those of us living vicariously through these tales—this tour isn’t just about reliving old favorites. It’s about connecting with a place where some of the most transformative music of the 20th century was born.

Tomorrow’s pilgrimage to Hansa Studios, the Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie will be a walk through history itself. And perhaps, like the lovers Bowie immortalized, a kiss at the Wall will seal the moment—a nod to bravery, love, and artistic reinvention amid a divided world.

Setlist for Opening Night in Berlin

• “Joe the Lion” (Heroes)
• “Blackout” (Heroes)
• “Beauty and the Beast” (Heroes)
• “Look Back in Anger” (Lodger)
• “Breaking Glass” (Low)
• “DJ” (Lodger)
• “Repetition” (Lodger)
• “What In the World” (Low)
• “Boys Keep Swinging” (Lodger)
• “Yassassin” (Lodger)
• “Red Sails” (Lodger)
• “Sound + Vision” (Low)
• “Secret Life of Arabia” (Heroes)
• “Red Money” (Lodger)
• “Heroes” (Heroes)
• “Scary Monsters” (Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps))
• “Golden Years” (Station to Station)
• “Fashion” (Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps))
• “Ashes to Ashes” (Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps))
• “It’s No Game (No. 1)” (Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps))
• “Scream Like a Baby” (Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps))

FAQ

• Who are the members of the D.A.M. Trio?
  The trio consisted of Carlos Alomar (guitar), George Murray (bass), and Dennis Davis (drums).
• What albums make up David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy?
  The Berlin Trilogy consists of Low (1977), “Heroes” (1977), and Lodger (1979).
• Where were the Berlin Trilogy albums recorded?
  “Heroes” was recorded entirely in Berlin at Hansa Studios, while Low was recorded mostly in France and Lodger in Switzerland.
• Who played lead guitar on “Heroes”?
  Robert Fripp’s innovative guitar work defined the sound of “Heroes”.
• Is the Berlin Trilogy Tour performing all songs live?
  The tour focuses on the more rocking tracks from the albums, leaving out slower and ambient pieces to keep the energy high.

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