ATB concerts: why go to a show by the creator of "9 PM (Till I Come)"
You probably don't recognise the name André Tanneberger. But as soon as someone hums that sliding, whistling motif from the late 90s, you know exactly what it is. That's "9 PM (Till I Come)", and behind it stands a German hiding under a three-letter abbreviation: ATB. And here's the fact that kicks off the whole story of ATB concerts: in the United Kingdom, "9 PM (Till I Come)" entered the top of the singles chart on 27 June 1999, becoming the first trance track to reach number one on the British chart.
The best part is that the famous whistle isn't even a guitar. The track features vocals by Spanish model Yolanda Rivera and a hook created using a guitar sound, but played on a synthesiser. One clever idea, and the effect spread in enormous numbers: the single stayed at number one for two weeks before being dethroned by Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca", became the fifth best-selling single of 1999 in the United Kingdom, and by July 2014 had sold over 890,000 copies there. If you're already browsing our concerts section, this story explains why the name ATB still draws crowds.
ATB concerts start with a man few people recognise by name
In short: ATB is André Tanneberger, a German DJ and producer, and the alias is simply his initials. Before you head to ATB concerts, it's worth knowing he's not a one-hit artist.
ATB is the alias of progressive house artist and producer André Tanneberger, whose catchy, vocal-driven singles crossed over from clubs to pop radio, making him one of the most recognisable faces of commercial trance at the turn of the millennium, and he is best known for "9 PM (Till I Come)" from 1998. He comes from Freiberg in Germany, was born in 1973, and began his career in the early 90s, founding the euro-house group Sequential One in 1993. As that project wound down, Tanneberger began releasing solo material as ATB, using the letters of his name.
The fact that his name is mentioned in the same breath as the biggest stars of electronic music today has solid backing in the rankings. Over the years he has made 22 appearances in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll. His highest position came in 2011, when he placed 15th. With ten studio albums, over 55 gold and platinum awards worldwide, and an unbroken 23-year run in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs (most recently at number 59), ATB is one of the most influential figures in electronic music. This is no one-off shot, but a quarter century of presence on the scene.
The riff that was born because he forgot about a date
In short: ATB's biggest hit came about by accident, while showing a girl around his studio, and got its title from the time on the clock.
The story is disarmingly ordinary. Tanneberger met a girl and they were going to go to the cinema together, but she was interested in how music is produced, so a tour of the studio ended with the creation of the initial motif. He played around with the sound, developed the melody, added bass, and after a while completely forgot the girl was even there. The title came from the time at which he saved the recording. He added the vocals later.
The single immediately caught the moment. "9 PM (Till I Come)" was released on Kontor Records on 26 October 1998 as ATB's debut single. The riff idea proved so catchy that ATB used it again. The motif was later reworked into the 1999 single "Don't Stop!". And to show the melody hasn't aged a bit, it returned in a new version in 2021. "Your Love (9PM)", recorded with producer Topic and vocalist A7S, reached number 9 on the American Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, giving ATB his first ever Top 10 single on that chart. In the United Kingdom the version reached number 8, ATB's fourth British Top 10 to his name.
There's also a small detail that captures well what that sound meant for an entire decade. That guitar-like, almost flamenco phrase sounded so distinctive that it became shorthand for the whole aesthetic of the turn of the millennium, and the guitar sound became the hallmark of early ATB.
Why Poland in particular loves ATB so much
In short: ATB has an exceptionally loyal audience in Poland, and his records have earned sales certifications here. That's why there's such strong interest in the country.
This isn't a marketing story, it's a biographical fact. His popularity endures, translating into places in numerous international DJ polls, and he has a particularly strong fanbase in Poland, where several of his studio albums and mix compilations have achieved gold or platinum status. Poland also features in his tours. Most recently ATB embarked on a tour taking in Romania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and the United States.
Where does this bond come from? Probably from the very nature of the music. The guitar sound became ATB's trademark, but his extensive discography has also absorbed elements of ambient, drum and bass and rock, while ambitious multi-disc albums such as "Trilogy" from 2007 and "neXt" from 2017 featured numerous vocalists and producers. This is music that works both on the dancefloor and in headphones on the way to work. If you enjoy this strand of electronic music, our events calendar also features other names from the same electronic family, including producer The Blessed Madonna (note: this is more house and disco than trance, but the same world of the club scene).
What to expect at an ATB concert
In short: this is not a single-tempo DJ set. ATB mixes euphoric peaks with chillout, almost ambient passages.
His strength lies precisely in that range. "9 PM (Till I Come)" is a euphoric yet subdued progressive instrumental with a smooth, distinctive riff. That contrast is also visible in the way he constructs his albums. ATB has his own formula for double albums, splitting projects into two discs: one full of energetic dance tracks, the other with soothing soundscapes, for the clubber and for the listener in a more reflective mood. At a concert you'll hear both heavy beats and moments where the whole room catches its breath.
The live repertoire isn't just old hits. After "9 PM" came a whole string of hits: "Don't Stop", "Ecstasy", "Let U Go", "What About Us", "Move On" and "When It Ends It Starts Again", and ATB's style is a distinctive blend of driving beats and ambient soundscapes. If you'd prefer a taste of that kind of energy outdoors, take a look at festivals or other large open-air concerts, such as the Poznań Malta Festival 2026: CONCERTS (a multi-genre event, not electronic music, but a good starting point if you enjoy big stages).
The Final Chapter: the last album and how to catch an ATB concert
In short: ATB is preparing to say goodbye to the studio album format, but not to concerts. Always verify specific Polish dates and tickets through the artist's official channels.
This is a good moment to see him live, because he is closing a certain chapter. "The Final Chapter" is set to be his last studio album, but it does not mean the end of his career. The reason is surprisingly candid. ATB explained that he made the decision because of the current era of streaming and downloading, in which algorithms and high skip rates are pushing albums aside in favour of singles and EPs. In other words: he's done with big records, not with music or the stage.
What does this mean for audiences in Poland? Tours can change, and we don't currently have a confirmed Polish ATB concert with a date and venue in our database, so the most reliable source for dates and ticket availability remains the artist's official website and authorised ticketing services. There you can verify the city, time and price before buying anything, and avoid resale at inflated prices. Until details are announced, it's worth keeping an eye on our events calendar and the concerts section - we add electronic events as they come in, and you'll also find a list of names in the artists hub.
Frequently asked questions
Who is ATB?
He is André Tanneberger, a German DJ and producer of progressive house and trance, from Freiberg, born in 1973. The alias ATB comes from his initials, and he is most widely known for the single "9 PM (Till I Come)".
Where did the title "9 PM (Till I Come)" come from?
From the time on the clock and a forgotten date. Tanneberger had arranged to go to the cinema with a girl, but started showing her how he produced music, got carried away with the melody, and after a while completely forgot the girl was even in the studio. He saved the recording at 9 PM and gave it that name.
Does ATB play in Poland?
Yes, Poland is one of his stronger markets. He has a particularly loyal fanbase here, and several of his albums and mix compilations have achieved gold or platinum status in the country. Poland has also featured among the stops on his recent tours. For current dates it's best to check the artist's official channels.
What does an ATB concert sound like live?
It's a blend of dancefloor energy and quieter moments. His music can be powerfully energetic and club-oriented, while at the same time soothing and almost ambient, with both the dancefloor and the more reflective listener in mind. On top of that come old hits and newer singles woven together in a single set.
Is ATB ending his career?
No. "The Final Chapter" closes the studio album format, but does not mean retirement. ATB has indicated he will continue releasing singles and playing concerts.
Sources
- Wikipedia: "9 PM (Till I Come)" - single history, release dates, chart positions, vocals and the origin of the riff
- AllMusic - ATB biography, genre, discography and information about his popularity in Poland
- DJ Mag Top 100 DJs - chart positions (including 2011, 2024, 2025) and number of poll appearances
- Beatselector Magazine, Dancing Astronaut, EDM.com - announcement of the farewell album "The Final Chapter" and the reasons behind the decision
- evental.eu: Malta Festival 2026: CONCERTS, hub concerts, hub festivals, events calendar and artists