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| A-ha Live Bergen, Norway June 4th 2004 |
| By Michelle Connolly |
Friday afternoon: Fish Market. The hussle and bussle of the Fishmarket on Friday afternoon was unlike any other day in Norway with the exception of a very large floating stage in the background. The morning had started off with rain, which by this time and cleared up but the sky remained grey. A few fans had gathered around what would be an entrance to the concert. We headed to a very clean Mc Donald's for a quick bit to eat before joining the now growing que. On our way out of Mc Donald's, we could hear a very Paul Waaktaar Savoy sounding guitar coming through the speakers followed by the haunting voice of Morten Harket singing ‘Manhattan Skyline’. Running toward the stage was an understatement. A-ha where sound checking and the crowd was growing around them. Unable to see the glory that was standing before us we ran around to the side of the harbour so we where beside the side of the stage and just in time to see Magne and Paul leave the stage. After a few shouts of us and a few other fans that had gathered around us, Morten eventually emerged, all smiles and even waited until a few photos had been taken. Magne & Paul where on the boat which was their back stage and Morten then joined them and the boat sailed away into the sun lights. Well actually it pulled in a few 100 yards down the river at the back of their hotel. Friday Evening: The Long Wait Skip forward a couple of hours and we are queuing outside the concert gates. The fish market is cleared out and the barriers are going us. Sound checks continues for the 2 acts that support A-ha. The crowd grows and the t.v cameras arrive. A group of Scottish fans grace the head of the line with their banner, ‘Glasow Loves A-ha’ and entertain the t.v crew with their rendition Of ‘Take on Me’. 6pm arrives and the gates are due to open. 6.30, 7.00, 7.30 and eventually we are let in. Don’t quite know the reason for this delay. A lot of anxious fans rush towards the gates but everything is slowed down by security checking bags and those lucky enough to be on the floating area getting their pink wrists band put on. Unbeknown to those still pushing to get in to be in the front row, the gates to the floating area are not open yet. We line up like cattle and suddenly the security step back and the real rush is on. There are 3 barges. Everyone heads to the 1st one and the middle one and we make a dive to the end one and are right up the front with a crystal clear view of the stage. Things slow down a bit and it take a while for this area to fill up. On the mainland, fans have secured their places along the barriers and the stalls selling the t-shirts are up and running. Friday: Later that evening The 1st act are on, Very together band ‘Magnet’ lead by Even Johansen whom we will hear more from later on in the night. The 2nd Act, a male singing group who not only did we hear at the sound check but had the pleasure of hearing rehearse in the hotel we were staying at that morning. Friday Night: The Wait The rain has stayed off and the sun is shining. The cool air has many people wrapped up but some fans remain in their A-ha t-shirts. 10pm arrives and the crowd cheers are growing. We were lucky enough to be able to see that the boat had arrived and see them walk up the step. The backing band enter the stage at 10.15pm followed by chants and shout of cheers from the crowd. Magne, runs on sporting his shades, Paul strolls on wearing a Doors t-shirt but no Morten as yet. The music start with Forever Not Yours?? Then Morten cruises onto the stage along with a host of screams from many of his adoring female (& male) fans. The Magic begins…………. Friday: The Land of the Midnight Sun..... A host of hits fill this quaint fish market. Fans from around the world sing along and the lads talk to the crowd in their native tongue. A Norwegian girl behind us, kindly translates for us. Morten thanks everyone for coming out tonight. He seems to be must more relaxed on stage tonight. He really gets into the swing of things and isn’t afraid to move around the stage even trying to put Paul tremalo arm back onto his guitar after it had fallen off during one of Pauls solos while he was still playing!. Only once or twice does he muddle up some words but like the true pro that he is, he covers it well. Only the die hard fans seem to notice. At the end of Magne solo ‘Dragon Fly’ he invited Even onto the stage to join them in a song. Morten escorted him onto the stage along with lyrics which where then stuck to the ground. Even began singing ‘Lay Lady Lay’ by Bob Dylan and they each sang a bit between then. That is when Even stopped singing and let Morten join him. Magne didn’t help poor Morten much either by distracting him when it was coming up to his line by calling him and telling him it WAS his line. But the lime light remained on Morten when Even planted a big smaker on his lips and if you didn’t see it you would most defiantly heard it. Morten retaliated by biting his arse. A lot of fun was had with this song by all on stage. ‘The Swing of Things’ had something very special this time. I don't know if it was because they use the line in it for their last album or whether it was because Morten announced it to be one of his personal favourites and sang it so passionitly. During the ‘Living Daylights’ the crowd could have sun along forever if A-ha had let them. ‘Take on Me’ as usual had everyone singing along and Morten even gave the crowd the chance to sing the high bits for him at the start. Sycamore Leaves by Paul was without a doubt a sensational rock song. ‘Dragon Fly’ got Magne in a bit of a flutter when he himself muddled up a line but is true Magne form, he laughed it off. Friday Night: The End....... The evening ended with ‘The Sun Always Shines on T.V’ and it was perfect end to a perfect night. 10/10 lads. You were Fantastic!!! |
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