a-ha

So, A-ha return after a five year "farewell" to promote a new album, "Cast In Steel". Well, promote it, I'm not sure, since they played only two songs from it (compared with nine from the first two albums!). A real shame that, as the two they played, the title track and "Under the Makeup" were excellent.

That was one of a few gripes, the second being the lack of songs from later albums, notably Analogue and Memorial Beach, where "Celice" and "Dark is the Night" were omissions. Including those, and a couple more from the latest album would have addressed my third complaint, that the show was criminally short, at 1:45 mins. my final bugbear was one that I have with a lot of bands, that they save all of their 'big' songs for the encores - just wish they would spread them around, and leave the encores as they should be, for bonus songs.

Anyway, that aside, it was a great set, with all (except the two above) key songs represented, most notably in the three song mini-set, where Morten left the stage, for his place on vocals to be taken, in turn, by Pal, Magne and the support act/background vocalist Anni, on three fabulous numbers: "Velvet", "Lifelines" and "Here I Stand and Face The Rain." Then there were the classics, "Hunting High and Low" was awesome as always, as was "Take on Me" to close the encores.

A great show, and it's great to have them back. Hope it won't be long until the next gig.

Norwegian new-wave/synth pop outfit A-Ha were a staple addition to the European airwaves throughout the 1980s having scored numerous hit singles. Despite having disbanded and reunited many times, the group is well and truly back in the musical zone and are planning to release a new album towards the end of 2015. The current setlist though is all about the pop classics of their heyday and it is these vintage gems that keeps fans old and new continuing to attend the tours in high numbers.

The fact the original trio remains in tact helps with the fantastic showmanship they attain as they not only have a natural rapport with each other, but they also convey this rapport to the crowds for are so enthusiastic throughout the show. This is mainly due to the pace never dropping off as the gig is constantly propped up by the appearance of mega hits such as 'The Sun Always Shines on T.V.' and 'Cry Wolf'. These sound as shimmering and shining as ever, yet it is perhaps the encore of 'Take On Me' that receives the largest singalong of the evening. From the deafening final applause, it is no wonder the group have reformed so many times.

I’ve always been a fan of A-Ha. Being an 80s child I listened to them growing up and well into the 1990s. I admit I still listened to them even after most had moved on. Their eclectic music beats and lyrics makes giving them up hard to do. They’re just an 80s band that keeps coming back and back.

Anyway, I saw them live back in 2009. It was my first time too. So after listening to them for nearly 20 years, I finally got to see them alive. Was I disappointed? Not at all! They were flipping amazing.

Their stage setup was quintessentially 1980s but with a modern flair There were no outlandish costumes, but just a fun business casual look. The crowd was cheering in delight and some older members of the crowd had taken out their lighters and stared swinging them side to side. Just like they do in movies. The experience made me feel amazing and it was an auditory experience I’ll never forget in my life.

There are few 1980s bands I’ll bother watching live, but A-Ha is one I’ll buy another ticket for if they’re ever playing live close by. There’s no way I would give up a chance to listen to them again.

When you mention a Norwegian born band that formed in 1982 and that specialise in synth pop, you would probably be at a loose end to conjure up an accompanying name. But then you recall the song ‘Take on me’ and it all begins to ring a bell. I give you… a-ha. The musical trio from Oslo. With over 80 million albums sold worldwide, and having inspired such bands as Coldplay and Keane, the band is one of the most commercially successful bands in the world. They have produced an incredible nine studio albums and have even performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in 1998, alongside such global superstars as Elton John and Shania Twain. The band have reassembled after their split to tour once more and you would be a fool to deny yourself this one chance to see the band reformed in all their former glory. The band performs all their greatest 80s and 90s hits for the crowd, allowing everyone to sing along to each beloved classic. 'The Sun Always Shines on T.V.' and 'Cry Wolf’ take precedence but it is, of course, ‘Take on me’ that ends the night on a climactic high.

The show was excellent. The boys have definitely not lost their touch. Morten´svoice is still young and able to hit the high notes. A good mic of the old hits and some (not very) new material. The arrangements were mostly new and some songs were just unbelievable. As always, the show ended with "Take on me" - this time in an acoustic version with only the 3 guys. Excellent.
The O2 arena is, in my opinion, very good for this kind of music. We were in section 108 so rather far from the stage but with the good acoustics and some help from the screen, it was just great.
What was not so good (and this hurts to say) was the audience around us. 1,5 hours after the show should have started, loads of people with loads of beer were still pouring in. During the show, many seemingly ignored the music, had loud conversations during the show and went in and out for more beer. Very disturbing for us who went there to listen to music. Manners?

I was a little disappointed with A Ha. I didn't feel much energy coming from the stage. The music was great. At one stage Mags commented about the audience being a little flat. But the energy of a gig comes from the stage, feeds the audience, which feeds back to the stage. So it could have been better.
I was not impressed with the venue at all. My wife is in a wheelchair. We were stuck at the side and could only see half the screens at the back of the stage. The downstairs gents toilet had one of only 2 cubicles blocked. One other 2 disabled toilets was blocked. And the bar was rubbish. Poor choice. Poor service. We were at Royal Concert Hall the previous night. A full bar with slick service. Get your act together Armadillo. The audience deserves better.

This was the first time ever I saw A-ha! I grew up with the music because my mom is a big fan of them.

Also, this was the first time I went to HMH (Heineken Music Hall). Most of the time I go to 'metal' concerts and most of the time they preform in 013 Tilburg. So I was pretty excited to go HMH.

I'm disabled and need to sit in a wheelchair, I was really shocked there was no office box or something else. I had to 'stand' in the regular line. People were pushing me and I didn't feel safe.

The show was great and I was shocked Mortan could still sing the high notes! I got goose bumps when they played Hunting high and low!

I had a great time and made my mom very happy with the tickets!

A great evening, eventually, with a well thought out selection of songs from a-ha's 30yr back catalogue along with a good light show. The evening was almost spoilt by Morten seemingly having serious issues with his earpiece which made him appear serious and grumpy for the first half a dozen or so songs. He then explained that due to travel issues from Glasgow the band were unable to soundcheck and so were doing it as they went along. The second half of the concert was far better once he had engaged with the audience. A final encore including The Sun Always Shines on TV, Living Daylights and Take on Me rounded of a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I'm lucky enough to have seen A~ha 3 times & really enjoyed it. However,the 2022 Liverpool M&S Arena gig never happened. After multiple rescheduled attempts during the whole Covid episode, this one was cancelled the day prior & refunded. This was due to Morten having Covid. A bit annoyed they didn't make public statements for the gigs they had to cancel in the UK, this being the 3rd time. *They did for the Norway ones,* Morten did it personally. I'd booked this years ago & been SO looking forward to it.
Not sure if I'll bother to go see them again after all this.
*Not the 1st time Liverpool has been snubbed by them.*

Absolutely splendid evening.

It was a shaky start with Morten's microphone not working, but it soon improved. All their biggest hits plus a demo version of Train of Thought that was very interesting. The guys still have it...and are looking great.

Highlights were Sun always Shines on TV, I've Been Losing You and Analogue, which they do not sing often enough. I think this was the 13th time I have seen the band, the frst being in 1985, and they certainly did not disappoint.