Last week, the National Library of Norway opened its exhibitionHunting High and Low: 25 Years With a-ha. During theopening day conference on October 20, the audience watched a video greeting from Magne, which was taped in Germany where the band are on tour now. In the video, Magne explained that they could not be present because the band is touring in Europe, and where they are‘trying to make a good last impression.’
TheEnding on a High Notetour has been an extended fairwell leading up to the final concert this December 4. Every concert has been the last one in some way: the last stadium concert, the last festival, the last small club gig; the last goodbyes to South America, North America and Asia; the last concert at Royal Albert Hall, which has always been special to a-ha; the last tour of Germany, where a-ha has had so much success since their comeback in 2000; and coming up is the last full month of concerts and a-ha’s final farewell shows in Oslo.
Since March, a-ha has performed 51 shows in 16 countries. In an interview with Ken Bruce which was broadcast on September 28, Morten said,“We are completely immersed in just responding to this year, which is really the most intense working year that we’ve had for a long time. It’s hard work to quit,” he laughs.“We’re touring around the world and it’s a packed schedule and we’re right in the thick of it. It has been a wonderful run so far…this is the toughest tour that I’ve done, since the first world tour, which was a nine-month relentless tunnel.”
Magne adds,“We have also had a fun time with the audience and try to give them a very memorable last show. Once we get into England now it will feel a little bit like leaving home I guess, because this is where we formed as a band and this country shaped us as a-ha. I think it is our chance to thank the audience, thank the UK for what it’s done for us and hopefully leave a lasting impression, in a good way.”
With only 37 days left before the band’s final concert, a-ha will say farewell to 18 more cities in 10 countries.“We’re on so many farewell gigs now, and they’re all special. Every night you go on stage, it means everything that night,” says Morten.
Looking ahead to the final concerts in Oslo, in an interview with BBC Radio 2 on October 21, Magne said,“There is no doubt that they’re going to be quite emotional. We’ve gotten fan letters from people warning us already, and it would be a strange thing if we weren’t effected by the sentiment ourselves. It is a big chunk of our lives that we’re closing a chapter on.”
“As you inch towards the very end, you sort of allow yourself to absorb it,” Magne continues.“We’ve said that this is a celebration of a long career together and not a funeral, and we’ve maintained that attitude at the shows. We’re having a good time performing, so it’s going to be mixed emotions when we let it go.”
“We’ve always enjoyed playing together, that’s always been a fundamental arena for us to communicate on. And that’s better now than it probably has been for a long time.”
Today, Morten, Magne and Paul will take the stage in Germany for the last time, at a sold out show in Berlin at O2 World.
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