A-HA
Manchester MEN Arena
6th December 2005
I've never been a great A-Ha fan and unlike many, I suspect, I wasnt so much drawn to this gig by the bands back catalogue, more by a live gig they did on German TV about four years ago. In this, the big hits were played of course but it was newer songs from their (then) current album Lifelines which really stood out. That and a truly fantastic female vocalist who duetted to touching effect on the beautiful "I Wish I Cared"
So 2005 and a significantly less than packed Manchester Arena welcomes them back to the UK, the audience of 30-somethings and beyond clearly pleased to see them. For the most part though thats the loudest the crowd get. The set is a fair mix of old and new, including new single Analogue. The old is faithfully reproduced but it just never comes alive and feels like it needs a kick up the rear to come alive. Alas 2005 does not see the female vocalist amongst the band and for me the set is poorer without her soaring vocals.
Of course "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines..." are highlights but lesser hits "Manhattan Skyline" and "Crying In The Rain" were personal favourites showing two sides to the band. For the most part though its A-ha by numbers, Morten rarely interacting with the crowd and only mags attemopting to engage but (aknowleding that English is a second language) his comments have the clarity of a railway station announcement.
For some, A-ha are a current band, for many they are another 80's outfit. To my mind there is more mileage in the latter for them but they really need to up the ante and take a look at how similar era bands such as Duran Duran and Human League can entertain and keep the punters coming back for more slices of nostalgia.
I've never been a great A-Ha fan and unlike many, I suspect, I wasnt so much drawn to this gig by the bands back catalogue, more by a live gig they did on German TV about four years ago. In this, the big hits were played of course but it was newer songs from their (then) current album Lifelines which really stood out. That and a truly fantastic female vocalist who duetted to touching effect on the beautiful "I Wish I Cared"
So 2005 and a significantly less than packed Manchester Arena welcomes them back to the UK, the audience of 30-somethings and beyond clearly pleased to see them. For the most part though thats the loudest the crowd get. The set is a fair mix of old and new, including new single Analogue. The old is faithfully reproduced but it just never comes alive and feels like it needs a kick up the rear to come alive. Alas 2005 does not see the female vocalist amongst the band and for me the set is poorer without her soaring vocals.
Of course "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines..." are highlights but lesser hits "Manhattan Skyline" and "Crying In The Rain" were personal favourites showing two sides to the band. For the most part though its A-ha by numbers, Morten rarely interacting with the crowd and only mags attemopting to engage but (aknowleding that English is a second language) his comments have the clarity of a railway station announcement.
For some, A-ha are a current band, for many they are another 80's outfit. To my mind there is more mileage in the latter for them but they really need to up the ante and take a look at how similar era bands such as Duran Duran and Human League can entertain and keep the punters coming back for more slices of nostalgia.
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