a-ha at Plaza de la Republica in Buenos Aires yesterday

An interview with a-ha in Buenos Aires appeared in several Norwegian newspapers today.

I have translated some of it:

Morten about the fans who were waiting at the airport and outside their hotel:
“For us, this is only fun. The fans over here are so calm and polite that it’s a sheer delight.”

Buenos Aires

Magne:
“And these people are the reason why we have returned to South America now. These aren’t gigs that we earn much money doing, it’s concerts that have been booked as much with the heart as with the brain, because these countries had to be included when we decided to end our career with a big tour. The fans here have always been incredibly loyal, with a strong passion for the band.”

Magne about the cancelled concert in Santiago:
“We don’t want to intrude in a time of disaster and chaos, but we also don’t want to disappoint the fans who are waiting to see a-ha one final time. This time we can’t exactly say “we’ll be back”, so that’s why we will schedule a new concert date over there. The fans deserve it.”

Magne about the Farewell tour:
“This is a tour that just keeps growing and growing, so it will be a challenging task for us, especially Morten.”

Morten:
“But I feel that we are well prepared to go on the road again. There are many things about a-ha that are better now. Last year I felt that we were more united and focused than ever before. The fact that this is the last time is just cool, and that’s the only proper attitude here and now.”

Morten and some local fans

Magne:
“We have always been a band that’s kept moving forward, without taking the time to celebrate ourselves. We’re getting a golden opportunity to do that now. That’s a positive feeling to start the tour with, and even though it’s been an odd roller coaster ride at times, this is reminiscent of the same feeling we had when we started out.”

Morten:
“We all have our individual projects, and a-ha has been very demanding in the busy periods. I can feel a sting of sadness, but also a feeling of freedom. Now we’ll close a chapter and open the horizon for something new. To picture a clear, blue sky is a good feeling.”

Magne:
“And it’s not like we’re sitting here and planning the hangover on December 5th. We’ll have to get through the party first.“