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Norwegian new-wavers a-ha have achieved remarkable worldwide fame over four decades, and for good reason. Not only are they one of the most influential synth-pop acts to come out of the early '80s, but they set a major precedent for music video innovation with their partially animated "Take On Me" visual, an MTV mainstay at the time.
The trio initially formed in the early 1980s when guitarist Pål Waaktaar-Savoy and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen, formerly of Bridges, teamed up with vocalist Morten Harket. Together, the trio left for London and signed to WEA. Their debut single, "Take On Me," became a smash hit in the United Kingdom, thanks in part to Harket's octave-climbing falsetto. Over in the States, the song's rotoscoping video, which blended pencil-sketch animation with live action, earned heavy rotation on the still relatively young MTV.
A-ha circled back to the charts with their second single, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.," which went to No. 1 in the UK and peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1986, a-ha's success culminated in a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category, though they lost out to Sade.
Meanwhile, a-ha's debut album, Hunting High and Low, was a bestseller, going triple platinum in the UK and platinum in the U.S. To date, it has sold 11 million copies worldwide.
In 1986, a-ha released their sophomore album, Scoundrel Days, featuring the singles "I've Been Losing You," "Cry Wolf," "Maybe, Maybe," and "Manhattan Skyline." It sold more than six million copies worldwide and peaked at No. 2 on the European Top 100 Albums chart.
A-ha followed up with their third studio album, Stay on These Roads, released in 1988. It featured the title track to the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights and has sold more than 4.2 million copies worldwide.
The band's fourth studio album, East of the Sun, West of the Moon, came out in 1990 and featured a cover of the Everly Brothers' "Crying in the Rain." In 1991, the band hit a Guinness World Record for biggest rock audience attendance at the Rock in Rio II festival, which drew a crowd of 198,000.
A-ha released their fifth album, Memorial Beach, in 1993, featuring the single "Dark is the Night for All," which peaked at No. 19 in the UK. At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, a-ha performed two concerts and wrote a song for the games: "Shapes That Go Together." That same year, a-ha went on hiatus, and the band members pursued individual projects.
In 1998, a-ha reunited for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Their reunion eventually led to the recording of a new album, 2000's Minor Earth Major Sky, plus an international tour. In 2003, a-ha released a live album from their 2002 tour, titled How Can I Sleep with Your Voice in My Head. This was followed by a 2005 album, Analogue, which earned the band their first Top 10 hit in the UK since 1988.
After 2005's Analogue, a-ha released three more albums: 2009's Foot of the Mountain, 2015's Cast in Steel, and 2022's True North (coming in October 2022). In 2021, the documentary a-ha: The Movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Though a-ha remain best known in the U.S. for their first-ever single, the trio is by far the most successful pop act to come from their home country of Norway. They have influenced numerous contemporary pop performers, most notably Chris Martin of Coldplay and Pitbull, the latter who featured a sampling of "Take On Me" in his 2013 single with Christina Aguilera, "Feel This Moment."
Catching a-ha was one of our bucket list of bands to see and it finally happened at the Oxbow Riverstage. The band was amazing in a way that they sang most of their hits and also performed a new song from their upcoming album, True North. That evening was magical and it took me back to my teens. Thank you a-ha for making my weekend in Napa a memorable one.
Wish they would play more often in the States and not just California and New York.Other States have fans and venues too
It was a dream of a lifetime to see a-ha Live! I really like the location of the venue as it is so close to so many places that you can get something to eat and drink. The weather was also extraordinary as it was not too warm and not too cool. I do appreciate that it’s a smaller and more intimate venue. The only thing that I did not care for at all was port-o-potties. Especially in this day and age. Extremely small (with a urinal on the side making it even tighter in there) port-a-potties at that! For that alone I would probably never go back. That is, unless a-ha comes back to the US.
When so many bands from the 80's are looking ridiculous as they waddle across stages embarrassing themselves as they struggle to recreate their heyday, A-ha are in absolute peak form. They sound better than ever and look fabulous and their recent material is every bit good as their catalog.
I had an unforgettable experience watching A ha Friday, July 29. I bought expensive ticket so I was right by the stage. The staff was super friendly . Facilities clean. Drink likes fast. Thank you! I will be back! ❤️
The a-ha performance on July 29 at the Oxbow in Napa was excellent! Though we waited for the sun to go down so the band wouldn’t be blinded, it was worth the wait! They were on point all evening and their music is still so relevant today. Even with the cold delta breeze coming in didn’t dull the experience.
Besides the confusing signage leading the venue and the LONG wait for the band to play, it was a night of great tunes! Great atmosphere at the venue and great music!
I've waited 37 years and traveled almost 3000 miles for this and it was worth every penny. The band sounded amazing, interacted with and energized the crowd, and made it feel like they were singing just for you. While I was up front, there wasn't a bad seat at Oxbow Riverstage. I would and will see them again if they tour the US with True North next year!
My friend and I have loved A ha since we were 15- 35 years later we were finally able to see them in concert- we sang every song and felt 15 again!!❤️
Napa venue is awesome. A lot of room for moving around. Not too crowded. The Aha set seemed too short and rushed through. Not their fault that everyone one was there for that one song, which they played at the end.
A-ha was great. Stage, sound, seating (crappy chairs)...not so much. Staff was friendly, definite plus.
I surprised my aunt with tickets to see a-ha as she’s always been such a huge fan of theirs and never got the chance to see them before. It was such a great trip in general to L.A. but that concert was the best part! It was so cool and I loved hearing the whole crowd singing along. I’ve grown up listening to their music because of my aunt but I became a big fan after seeing them at The Wiltern. Such an awesome experience! I would love to see them live again.
I was afraid that after waiting 36years to see them in concert I would be disappointed, I was NOT! Except for this lady in front of me with a big yellow hat obstructing my view (seriously she was like Curious George's keeper!) , it was an amazing show. Being an older venue, The Wiltern has great sound quality. They still have it.
I love a-ha and have since I first heard them in 1985. Their songs are so dynamic and musical. I was so disappointed when they disbanded in 2010 as I thought I would never get to see them live. I was so happy and thankful that they decided to return and play in USA. I live in Texas but got tickets for all 3 nights at The Wiltern in L.A. The venue was pretty nice, it was rather hot inside but I was not concerned about that as I finally got to experience my favorite band live! They all sounded amazing and Morten sounded like he is 25. I enjoyed every song and only wished there had been a few more. They have so many great ones. Still, I was beyond thrilled to hear all of the Hunting High and Low album and some other great hits as well. I hope to see them again and will travel if necessary. Lastly, the review just below mine is ridiculous and immature vandalism. It reflects poorly on New York and I certainly hope that it is understood that USA loves a-ha and is not all like the silly person below.
first it was too damn short hour 10 minutes if that he sounded like shit most of all the songs were b side songs there new stuff put me sleep what else they need to retire very dissapointed
Great show. Crowd really enjoyed it and the band is as good as ever. One of the best bands of all time. So glad I got to see the show with my daughter.
Long wait in line, but was worth it. The Wiltern venue, built in 1931, is a renovated art-deco theater: extremely beautiful. Concert was great. Two new songs were introduced, as well as classic A-Ha music.
Loved the venue and sounded wonderful. My third a-ha show and the greatest energy and love from both the fans and the group. They kept the place rocking. The music speaks for itself.
a-ha was so mind-blowing and maybe even life altering. I've been dreaming of seeing them since I was a kid. Morton, Magne, and Paul were on fire the first night in LA. The sounds, the lights, the show, the stage presence was just spectacular. Thank you for coming back to America! I CANNOT wait to see you again! Thank you for a beautiful show and for the set list!!
AHA put on a wonderful performance. They sounded edgy and spot on performing their classic Hunting High and Low album and other hits. While they don't tour the United States much they should consider to. I believe they have many fans they don't know of. 3 sold out shows in LA and 1 in NY. I know they could fill any venue they go to. I traveled from Ohio just to see them
