By Jed Lanyon
Pop icons a-ha will return to Australia for the first time in 34 years for a national tour featuring Rick Astley, including a show at Rochford Wines for A Day On The Green on Saturday 22 February.
The Norwegian trio, who dominated pop charts worldwide during the ‘80s are celebrating the 35th anniversary of their hugely influential debut album Hunting High And Low and will be performing the classic album in full as well as other favourites from across their career.
Selling more than 11 million copies worldwide, it includes the unforgettable Take On Me, which reached number one on the Australian charts, as well as follow-up hits The Sun Always Shines On TV, Train Of Thought and the title track.
a-ha singer Morten Harket, keyboardist Mags Furuholmen and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy have sold more than 55 million albums and remain one of the UK and Europe’s most loved pop bands, regularly playing stadiums and festivals.
However, they have not ventured to Australian shores since 1986.
“Australia was the country we played our first ever live concerts and was our first brush with worldwide fame,” Furuholmen said.
“It was a thrilling adventure to be there on the opposite side of the world and it’s a thrill to return in 2020 – finally we will be back where it all started!”
Joining a-ha to make this one poptastic event not to be missed is another superstar who dominated the ’80s, Rick Astley.
Astley is also enjoying a major career resurgence. The British star has sold more than 40 million albums fuelled by hits like Never Gonna Give You Up, Whenever You Need Somebody, Together Forever, When I Fall in Love, She Wants To Dance With Me and Cry For Help.
In 2007, Astley became an internet phenomenon becoming the subject of a viral meme known as Rick-rolling, with Never Gonna Give You Up garnering millions of hits on YouTube, introducing him to a whole new audience.
A Day On The Green events will also feature synth-pop stars Pseudo Echo and I Know Leopard.
Tickets go on sale Friday July 26 from Ticketmaster at 11am AEST.
