A-ha wow the fans at sell-out Marquee show
In a case of life mirroring art, A-ha's Morten Harket looked like he could have leapt straight from the pages of one of my 1980s copies of Smash Hits and onto the Marquee stage last night.
Take On Me has arguably one of the most famous pop videos of all time - remember the sheer coolness of the lovestruck girl pulled into the comic by the hero? Unlike so many other 80s hits, the video has stood the test of time and judging by the cheers and screams from thousands of fans so has the taut and tanned lead singer.
From the relaxed sweatshirt right down to the hip leather bracelets - and of course the soaring vocals - it was as if Norwegian synthpop group, A-ha had never left the charts.
Keyboardist, Magne (Mags) Furuholmen, pointed out that it's been 18 years since they last played in Ireland and remarked: "I don't know what kept us away for so long."
Well, in recent years a good proportion of their fanbase probably veered away from swooning over Scandi rockers in favour of Scandi home interiors and nights watching Scandi thrillers on Netflix in recent years. But all those guys and girls who just loved A-ha in their heyday were back on the town and ready to party as sunny evening turned dusky yesterday.
Fans who snapped up tickets for the sell-out gig were in top form as the band warmed up with a few 'new versions' of their songs. By the time they performed Crying in the Rain against a stormy-blue set the party atmosphere was definitely building.
Stay On These Roads showcased the famous high notes to perfection before more popular Living Daylights and The Sun Always Shines on TV gave the people what they were looking for.
The band seemed genuinely delighted to be playing to such an appreciative audience and were comfortable letting fans sing out their favourite lines.
At one point Morten spotted a woman turning her back to the stage to take a selfie and obligingly dropped to the ground to get right in there - for what must surely be a prized photo. The fun atmosphere continued as people cheered her good fortune at being in exactly the right spot at the right time. Is she Cork's answer to Courtney Cox Dancing in the Dark with the Boss?
Backing musicians, including a birthday girl violinist, were all introduced to cheers from the audience and smiles from Pål Waaktaar and the crew as they realised we were unlikely to remember all the land-of-the-midnight-sun names.
From there it was quickly on to a note-perfect Take on Me and out into an evening of with a few bright streaks still in the sky.
