Review: A-ha, The O2 arena

REVIEW
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a pop band that has enjoyed two phenomenally successful hits, no matter how long ago, must play those hits at their concerts.

Luckily A-ha adhere to that truth, beginning their set with The Sun Always Shines On TV and ending with the mid-80s defining classic, Take On Me.

The French get it and the Germans definitely understand what brilliant musicians the Norwegian trio are.

But for some reason, they have never repeated the success of their first album in Britain.

That said, this was The Foot Of The Mountain tour, named after this year's album, which reached the UK top five.

Combining the classics - which included Hunting High And Low and The Living Daylights - the set also featured songs they haven't played in recent tours such as I Dream Myself Alive, the beautifully poignant And You Tell Me (from their first album) and The Blood That Moves The Body (from 1988's Stay On These Roads).

With cheekbones that could still cut through icebergs and an enthusiasm for performing that belies their advancing years, A-ha are as entertaining and as passionate performers as they were 22 years ago (and trust me, as a 10-year-old at my first concert, I remember it well).

Magne Furuholmen remains a wizard on the keyboards, and quiet, understated Pal Waaktaar-Savoy lets rip on guitar.

Female fans - who packed out the huge arena - are still screaming for the trio. These women may have kids at home now and a husband accompanying them but they still show their adoration extremely vocally and A-ha still enjoy it.

"We love you," shouted one fan. "What's not to love?" yelled back Mags. Arrogant? Perhaps. True? Certainly.

A-ha did take time to point out that, although they announced they are splitting up, this isn't their farewell tour.

So brace yourselves for their final return in 2010 - the conquering Vikings of pop won't be around forever.