LONDON, O2 ARENA, 26/3/16
Its great to see the multitude of fans in attendance tonight in the enormous O2 Arena London for the return of a-ha. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was perhaps the last time the band may return to these shores but tonight a multitude of fingers are firmly crossed that that won’t be the case. Following their 2010 ‘sabbatical’ to pursue things the trio wanted to try away from band, a-ha are now back on the road in support of last year’s ‘Cast In Steel’ album, although it may have been a surprise to some that only three tracks from the new record were on show tonight.
Opener ‘I’ve Been Losing You’, the first single from a-ha’s epic ‘Scoundrel Days’ album sets the pace for the show: moody lighting and huge images flashing across video screens ranged across the stage, with Morten, Magne and Paul stylishly belting out the hits alongside fan-favourites, including ‘The Swing of Things’ with it’s piercing synth lines and the Doors-styled jam of ‘Sycamore Leaves’. Although in fine voice Morten remained quiet in between songs until ‘Hunting High and Low’, later encouraging the crowd to sing the chorus in unison, instead it was Magne who took to the microphone between songs to welcome the crowd to their second home.
Oddly, and perhaps to give his vocals a break, Morten disappeared off stage halfway through the show, giving way to a trio of tracks performed by other members of the band. Paul’s performance of ‘Velvet’ (a song from Paul’s Savoy project) followed by Magne taking on ‘Lifelines’ before the crowd are teased with the opening refrain of of ‘Here I Stand and Face the Rain’ from ‘Hunting High and Low’ ably sung by backing vocalist Annelli Drecker, although perhaps not with the same impact that a performance from Morten might have had.
Tonights crown though are left fully satiated by the evening’s mix of old and new material throughout the show, and particularly on the encore tracks ‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’, ‘Living Daylights’ and ‘Take On Me’. Based on tonight’s performance we’re joining the ranks of those with their fingers firmly crossed that this won’t be the last time we see the band on these shores…
LONDON, O2 ARENA, 26/3/16
I’ve Been Losing You / Cry Wolf / Move to Memphis / Stay on These Roads / The Swing of Things / Cast in Steel / Crying / Lifelines / Here I Stand and Face the Rain / Sycamore Leaves / She’s Humming a Tune / Foot of the Mountain / Hunting High and Low / Scoundrel Days / The Sun Always Shines on TV / Under the Makeup / Living Daylights / Take on Me
Review & Photographs: Andy Sturmey.
Please rate this tour below, and share your thoughts in the comments section further down the page.
[five-star-rating]