Grøn Koncert, Denmark, 2001 - Louise and James's story
We were here too! After the best weekend of my life that was Eurovision 2001, couldn't wait to be back in Denmark again, and see AQUA in proper concerts, not just a 10 minute show... Amazingly James was up for coming with me - again!!! (Blatently converted from Eurovision to AQUA fan!). We went to 4 of the 7 shows, met 2 people that we've only 'met' before by e-mail, and met AQUA again!!!
The journey to our first venue (Blokhus) had a high potential for trauma, but thanks to rejseplanen.dk (despite my confusion with the Danish postcode system), and to online booking of planes and trains, we did have a vague travel plan! And despite leaving home 2 days before the concert, after 13 changes of vehicle, sleeping (or not) on friends' floors (thanks Sarah!) & in youth hostels, we arrived in the correct field 4 hours before the gates opened. (in fact we arrived before the gates!) Relief!
But what happened next could not have been anticipated...
Our first Grøn Koncert, Blokhus
Waiting at front of stage for everything to start, who should wander into the crowd area but Lene! Maria and me ran over to say hello & hopefully get signatures, and Lene recognised both me and Maria!
After signing loads of autographs, she says "OK just you 2 - come backstage!!!" How priveliged did we feel?! So we (all 4) had backstage passes to the entire Grøn Koncert tour! How cool is that?!
The concert itself was so amazing!!! OK I admit I'm biased, but the whole crowd were so enthusiastic - every day security had to pull loads of people out the front of the crowd during AQUA's set, to stop them being crushed to death against the fence!
Also, I've wanted to hear the new songs for so long, and wasn't disappointed! Shakin' Stevens was the best, then Hi-Fi, but it was good they also played loads we already knew so we could sing along!
Accommodation!
When 40 000 people descend on a small town like Blokhus, population a few 1000, it's fairly likely that all accomodation will be booked.
Unfortunately, we hadn't booked.
Luckily Maria had a tent.
However, this wasn't the best night's sleep any of us had ever had - have you tried fitting 4 people in a 2-man tent? Remember playing 'sardines'?...
Our journey to Vejle began at 3:30am as no-one could stand it in the tent any longer! We arrived before AQUA, but went backstage when they got there, talked to them, and collected some more signatures!
On stage in Vejle
You might think life doesn't get any better than being given backstage passes by Lene. So did we...
...Until at Vejle, during AQUA's set, Maria and me managed to get ourselves pulled out of the crowd to dance on stage with AQUA!!! I have never done anything like that before, and it has to be the most exciting moment of my life!!!
OK you're on the stage, you start dancing as if in a club - yeah, hey this is cool! Then you look up. You see 40 000 people looking back. OH. MY. GOD!!! But you can't stop dancing now or you'll look completely stupid! But then you get into it - this is so much fun!
Then you get off the stage. You realise that the cameras that had been pointing at you WERE filming, and a giant image of you had been projected onto a giant screen for the entire time! But never mind - it was such a laugh! (& I very much doubt there's anyone there that knew me!!)
Næstved and Copenhagen
The tour continued through Næstved, taking us with it, to the finale in Copenhagen. Here we were treated to a 4th new song - Couchpotato - it rocked!
Backstage there was quite a lot of talk of the new album, Claus and Siggy were even asking us which of the new songs we liked best, and there never seemed to be any doubt it would be made.
We were told by AQUA's crew that it wouldn't be ready until the new year, although there'd be a single in November, but now with the band's decision to 'take a break' I guess that will never be.
All I can say is, if AQUA never get back together - I am gutted because the new songs were fantastic and I couldn't wait to get them on CD.
But, I am even more glad we made the effort to come from England (although most people thought we were mad!) and I would regret it for the rest of my life if I hadn't gone. I am SO, SO glad, that we were there, screaming in the front row of AQUA's last ever performance.