| That starts back in the 80's, when A-ha first hit our music scene with Take on Me, fantastic video to the song, but who were these talented Norwegian guys! Where had they been hiding for so long? Anyway that was it, I was hooked on them, I just had to see or meet them. I bought all their songs, read all about them and decided I just had to see them Live. The 80's came and went and so did the 90's, and I was getting older and still hadn't been to one of their concerts. Then came 2002, this was it the moment I had finally been waiting for A-ha were coming over to England etc, I had 6 choices of concerts to choose from. Royal Albert Hall sold out, devastated! what was left Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland and Ireland which was it to be, the closest to where I lived was Manchester which was 170 miles away roughly. So that's where it started I phoned the Apollo Theatre to book my tickets, but wait a minute I thought who would I go with? I asked myself, then it hit me :) I would take my daughter as she had been listening to my A-ha record's lately, and seemed interested in their music, which was a surprise as she was only 13 years old ( 14 in November ) so that was it all sorted I booked the tickets, all was sorted. So the journey began Thursday 10th October, we left our home town Darlington at 9.48 am, on the train to Manchester. During the journey me talking about how we were going to see the best band around, and how we were going to meet them, I had it all planned and my daughters expectation's were high she really believed all that I was saying, and she was so happy that I was finally going to see my hero's live, she was as excited as I was about it all. After arriving in Manchester and booking into a hotel, I told her we were going up to the Theatre to see if we could catch the band going in for a sound check, which is exactly what we did. We arrived at the Apollo at 2.00 pm, when we got there I saw only 2 people sitting outside what I thought was a cottage, which I later found out was a pub. Me having been so full of what I was going to do and say, the big brave A-ha fan went weak at the knee's, I chickened out! No way was I walking over to the back of the Theatre, my daughter was stunned, couldn't believe what I was saying, after all the build up I had given her, I was now backing out, she sulked and I was in a terrible teenage girl state. Here she was a 13 year old girl trying to coax her mother in to going over, and standing near the back stage doors. Well she managed to do so thank god, we waited and waited, and by now quite a few people were gathering. Eventually at around 4.00 pm, Mags and Paul arrived, there was my daughter at the front of the crowd, as for me I was hiding in the background, she was all for getting their autographs, but me I was so surprised to actually see them there in front of me I just froze, causing us to loose out on getting their autographs, and now it was too late I had let the chance pass me by. Oh how she hated me for not moving forward and told me so! Next to arrive was Morten, and there he was right in front of me, and what did I do. I hid in the background" god what was wrong with me" I asked myself, I was a grown women 42 years old, I shouldn't be hiding in the background, then I heard a voice saying "go on mam, go for it" and at that I stepped forward and asked him to sign my M.E.M.S c.d cover, to which he obliged and I thanked him for. I had finally done it, plucked up the courage to do it. After he disappeared into the backdoor, we talked about it with other fan's that were there, and believe me we met some wonderful and friendly fans. The next event was the show itself, what a build up that was the support act Louise Hart came on the stage at around 7.45 pm, a lovely girl, with a guitar in her hand's sitting in the middle of the stage, great voice wish she could have sung a few more song's but I guess she was limited to what she was to sing and do. A few moment's passed and then it happened, the music started and there they were, everyone in the theatre were up out of their seats, cheering them on, finally A-ha had arrived and the fan's raised the roof with their applause. Not 1 single A-ha fan in that theatre sat down, during the whole 2 hours of their performance, the whole event was sheer bliss, I couldn't possibly fault any of it, ok so maybe someone forgets their lines to a song ( so what, A-ha have had so many songs out, people can't expect them to remember every single word, can they? ) Each member of the band played the audience so well, Mags himself personally thanked the audience for their support , and that is because the band aren't getting the support they deserve from the record company, which believe me they don't need, as there are enough fan's out there to support them, I would gladly give up my wages to see them anytime, wouldn't you? Anyway moving on, the fan's response to Hunting High And Low was tremendous, hearing all those voices sing out in the theatre was truly amazing, what a fantastic reaction from the audience :) I was more than happy to be part of it all.. It was the same response that A-ha received to joining in to The Living Daylights, of course it was our (fan's) moment of fame! A-ha themselves received a standing ovation for their performance, each and every one of them, as not only did Morten do solo, Mags and Paul did too, with their performances of Sycamore Leaves (Paul), and Dragonfly (Mags) Well done all. After the show, my daughter and I rushed out to the back of the theatre, wanting to see this brilliant band leave, Paul and Mags were the first to leave, and then came Morten, I expected him to wave and leave, what a shock I got when he stopped to shake hand's with everyone who was waiting there, I can't believe the fact I held his hand in mine!!! A true star :) Finally he left and Thursday night had ended for us. But that wasn't it for me and my daughter, as we had tickets for the next show in Manchester and briefly I can tell you, that it was just as good as the night before, only difference was we didn't have as good as seat, but openly admitting being the person I am, ( and I am truly sorry and have to say to any one whom I may have took advantage of ) there was no way that I was staying up in the god's, so as to speak!! it may have took sometime for me to step forward, and ask for an autograph. but eventually I managed to do so (.I hesistated there, I jumped cue!!!!!!!!!) I feel so guilty about what I did, but believe me when I say, this was my only chance!!!!! I will never get the chance again, I am going to try up in Glasgow. I will be posting my picture's from Manchester as soon as they are developed.. I truly hope that all you Irish Fan's enjoy the concert as much as I did.. |
| Manchester 10th & 11th October 2002 By Pauline Wears - UK |
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