A-ha - Riviera Theatre, Chicago 5/13/10

It’s been over a decade since A-ha last played Chicago. This concert happened to be a farewell performance as the band plans to hang it up for good at the end of the current tour. The mood was happy and sad throughout the show. The fans appeared to be very happy to see the band, yet a bit sad this would be the last time. It was very surprising to see how many fans turned up to say their final goodbyes. The crowd was truly an international, as many languages were spoken in the audience. Personally I felt it’s fantastic when people from so many different walks of life find art as a great common denominator.

There was no opening act, the band took the stage promptly at 8:00, and delivered a memorable performance. From the start it was a big production with screens illustrating the songs. A-ha played great. They were well rehearsed, and gave their best. The audience was very enthusiastic, and receptive. Each song was met with great reaction. The audience seemed to know all of the songs. And it’s worth mentioning that many of the recent A-ha releases were never properly available in the U.S. There were many inclusions from the latest A-ha record titled Foot at the Mountain. What a great release to finish up with. Of course the biggest hits came from the mid 80s, and everyone went ape when these songs were played. There were some very touchy and intimate moments, especially during Hunting High and Low when the whole crowd joined in, and sang with a lot of passion. A-ha came back for a series of encores firing off with The Sun Always Shines on TV, and climaxing with Take on Me. Two very memorable tracks from the golden age of synthesizer pop. A-ha sounded great that night, the trio was helped by additional musicians making sure everything was properly reproduced on stage.

It was one of those surprise shows that turned out great. A-ha gave it their best to much enjoyment of the crowd. As always it is difficult to accept that something ends, and the world without A-ha will go on, but it certainly will be less special. Thank you for all the great years of music. As it was evidenced by the audience you’ve provided a soundtrack to many lives.

Mark Kadzielawa