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a-ha!

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I had the good fortune to be in London last Friday night to see a-ha at the Royal Albert Hall.

As you may know, after a 25 year career and 9 albums, they've finally decide to call it a day. Most people probably think of them as that band that did "Take On Me" in the 80s with the animated video. Those guys with big hair. Whatever happened to them?

All this time later, they've reached the end of the road and are out on a final tour. The Royal Albert Hall gig was a bit different though, as they were playing a one off - their entire first album "Hunting High And Low".

I love the Albert Hall - such a great venue, good sound, easy to get in and out of, and a great deal nicer inside than most venues.

Anyway, doing their album in order meant the song they might well save until the encores on the rest of the tour was first up - and bloody good it was too. Don't believe me? Well, someone videoed it (of course)...





As you can see, the crowd were quite pleased to see them! They were accompanied by the Oslo Philharmonic orchestra, which was a great addition and included some orchestral finales to some of the songs.

Being the Albert Hall, we then got an interval. I'd assumed the band would then do a short "Greatest Hits" set for the second half, but instead we were treated to... their second album "Scoundrel Days" in its entirety too. Blimey. Happily for me this includes one of my favourite tracks by the band, "Manhattan Skyline".

Touchingly, the final line of the final song on this album ends with the words "The soft rains of April are over.... Over." Seemed strangely appropriate.

And indeed it was over. Although the place was going absolutely mad, the band came back on to take bows again, but that really was it. I thought they might have done their current single "Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)" but nope. Game over.

Brilliant gig - they certainly haven't lost it. And yes Erja, he can still hit the high notes.

Next up in my tour of the country, Dara O'Brien in Edinburgh on Thursday night!

(Playing tonight - a compilation tape, currently The Buzzcocks and the track "Ever Fallen In Love?")

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  1. Cielos Del Uruguay12 October 2010 at 23:43

    glad you enjoyed it. A-ha is the most underrated and neglected pop band in music history :-(

    ReplyDelete

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