Schedule-

5:30-6:30 pm- Sam will play a musical leadup playlist of artists that inspired or have been inspired by Kraftwerk, including David Bowie, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, Can, Brian Eno, and more! Free Sam-made Lemonade and Dark Matter Coffee coffee is available to attendees. It's also BYOB.



6:35 pm- Sam gives presentation on Trans-Europe Express, detailing its recording process and lyrical content



6:45 pm- Sam drops the needle on Trans-Europe Express



Classic Album Sundays, the most popular and respected classic album listening event in the world, is setting up shop in Chicago to expose your ears to a spiritually-charged musical experience like no other. Saturday Audio Exchange, CHIRP Radio, Dark Matter Coffee, and event organizer Sam Willett will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Kraftwerk's genre-defining, electronic time capsule, Trans-Europe Express, by listening to it in its entirety on vinyl.

It was this outward-looking Germany that stimulated Trans-Europe Express. Named after TEE, the Trans Europ Express luxury railway service that connected 130 European cities, Kraftwerk’s sixth studio album embraced a European identity rather than a specific German identity. The divisive and xenophobic Nazi worldview would have haunted baby-boomers Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider, so one can understand why they would want to aspire toward neighbourly relations and inclusivity.

Saturday Audio Exchange, a well-renowned Chicago independent music dealer, will be providing a custom-curated hi-fi audio system to make this experience come to life on vinyl. In attending the event, you will listen to the album as if you are watching a movie- no phones, no distractions, and complete focus on the beauty engrained in Trans-Europe Express. Take a look at the sound equipment Classic Album Sundays typically uses at their events here.



When the event starts, a vinyl-exclusive playlist, including artists that influenced and have been influenced by Kraftwerk will be played. Attendees should take this warm up time to take a look around Saturday, visit with our event partners, socialize with new and old friends, and drink beverages. When we have a full house, we will give attendees a ten-minute warning to use the bathroom and make any phone calls before the album starts. Then, Sam will introduce the album drop the needle. From there, your mind should be completely involved with the album and prepared for a musical adventure.