Vive la France – and a-ha!

by Judith Heinrich, Petra Meier and Judith Fasler. Photo: Lars Gundersen

a-ha concerts in Paris have always been something special, however a-ha have not performed live in France for over 10 years, would the magic sparkle still be there? The concert at the ‘Casino de Paris’ should not be an exception…and a special surprise was waiting for a-ha!

a-ha leave Brussels on their tour coaches. After the 9 hours drive the other day from Aarhus to Amsterdam, the 3 hours to Paris are flying by and the city of love is reached in the early afternoon.

Even though the doors are not opening before 19.30 and the venue is seated, fans are queuing up already in the afternoon and when a-ha arrive for their sound check at 18.00, screams just like in ‘the good old times’ echo through the narrow streets of Paris.

Just like all the other shows, Paris is sold out and the black market is booming. Everywhere you see fans with cardboard signs still looking for tickets. And when looking at the long queue in front of the ‘Casino de Paris’, you can easily spot by the amount of a-ha tour t-shirts and scarves dating back to 1986 how loyal the French fans have been to a-ha over all those years.

Once entering the venue you know straight away that you are in Paris – red carpets, walls and seats are covered in red velvet, what a unique, intimate location for tonight’s show.

Morten is still suffering from the throat infection, which – according to him – will stay with him for a while, however it is astonishing to see (or should we rather say ‘hear’) how clear and strong his affected voice is, reaching the enthusiastic audience. And the audience supports the band with a sing along right from the start, the energy level is rising from song to song.

Anneli, Sven and Magne have been working on their dance routine while performing ‘Did Anyone Approach You’ which adds real entertainment to the show.

Magne is introducing the backing band in French but before they can continue with their normal set, the audience has a special treat planned for the band and sing ‘And You Tell Me’ a capella, a nice surprise which leaves the band greatly moved. ‘Vous n’avez pas besoin de la bande!’ (you don’t need the band!) Magne screams into the microphone – and he is right, from that moment on, you can hardly stop the audience from singing, dancing and clapping. The ‘Casino De Paris’ is turned upside down.

‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’ finishes off a very special show – you can certainly say: ‘Les Vikings sont de retour…!’ And let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years for an a-ha concert in Paris…

Set list Paris 19.06.02

Minor Earth Major Sky
You Wanted More
Lifelines
Manhattan Skyline
I’ve Been Losing You
Time And Again
Did Anyone Approach You
Turn The Lights Down
And You Tell Me (sung by the audience)
Stay On These Roads
Hunting High And Low
Locust
Scoundrel Days
Take On Me
The Living Daylights

Encores:
Forever Not Yours
Summer Moved On
The Sun Always Shines On TV