Rock in Rio Lisbon 2022 | The a-ha- back to great synpop
On June 25, 2022, during the second weekend of the Rock in Rio Lisbona-ha performed before Duran Duran and delivered a charming and melodic pop that takes us back to the 80s.
Although it is usual, between the programming of the Rock in Rio Lisbon throughout the various editions, we find a day particularly dedicated to the nostalgia of other times – with bands that broke sales records for decades and that still warm the hearts of many fans – this June 25th made particular sense.
With a saturation now, and the parties returning to the 90s, as much as increases a decade that begins to exhibit a particularly charming glow is the 1980s (let’s say the nostalgia with “Stranger Things” and the rise of Kate Bush). With this in mind, the concerts on the Mundo do RIR stage of UB40, a-ha and Duran Durancan be a heterogeneous audience although clearly constituted by older age groups days.
But, without a doubt, the day was also able to create a classic nostalgia in those who listened without even having been here in the 80s – let the writer of the article say so. O communion environment Feel yourself in the Bela Vista Park and if, immediately afterwards, the English Duran Duran gave a pleasant and efficient service; ONLY norwegians a-ha maintain a class and final posture that is always remarkable.
At the beginning of the stage the crowd was no longer concentrated in Duração in front of the show stage, with the relationship anticipated to the stage of Duração collectively by the audience. Still, a quality performance by the band is undeniable and audience engagement is also working on growing natural.
a-ha began their career in the early 1980s, and since then they have released 10 studio albums. Although they have had some breaks throughout their life as a band, the three founding members, Morten Harket (voice), Magne Furuholmen (voice, guitar and keyboard) and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitar) keep it up 40 years of career. A remarkable fact that shows up in a live show like this.
Not always the most communicative of vocalists, Morten Harketvery well maintained and without accusing any fatigue in the voice in the 60sdid not fail to convey a message of support to the Norwegian people who, that same day, had been the victim of a crime of internal terrorism against the LGBTQIA+ community.
And as the day of death became evident the involvement of Rock and the rest of the band – happy to visit the ‘City of Rock’.
As an expansive group, the Portuguese people tend to party and the a ha were welcomed with cell phone lights in the air, beating at nightclubs and hip swaying in the most agitated and irresistible of synthpop. From emotional moments like the famous to cover by Carole King“Crying in the Rain” singing songs like “Cry Wolf”, or especially “Hunting High and Low”, one setlist composed by 14 songs had high points.
However, they were not as impactful as the benefits of “The sun always shines on TV” and “Take on Me”, the band’s biggest hits. As the band said goodbye with the everlasting “Take on Me”, the public was already eagerly waiting for more. Let’s hope there’s a next one!
Did you attend Rock in Rio Lisboa on June 25th? What was your concert of choice?