This is taken directly from the official A-ha website, comments by "MAGS" the Keyboard/guitar/vocals of AHA, the comments show why AHA is my favorite band over the last 20 years.

Live8 comments from MF

a-ha played at the live8 event in Berlin yesterday. Read Magne´s comments.
Q: How was the whole experience of appearing on Live8 in Berlin?

MF: On a personal level it was a huge kick to stand out there in front of a great ocean of people and be a part of this global event. On a band level it was an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and committment of people like Bono and Geldof and others - and of course the chaos and circus of such a enormous musical marathon.


Q: Yes, there was some comments in the Norwegian press about technical difficulties with a-ha's performance..

MF: This was no fucking musical world-cup where Norway's contribution was there to compete for the winning position. I think it shows lack of dignity for them to take focus away from the great event itself, and place it on any individual band's performing conditions or whatever. What's next...VG throws a dice on the whole Live8 concept? (ed; Norwegian newspapers rates events with dice numbers) I think they are missing the plot completely. I don't give a rat's ass about technical problems - sure we had some, as did lots of other bands. That is normal in a festival this size. In the end, the audience wanted more when we left the stage, so hopefully we did our bit for the overall success.


Q: Do you think this event will sway the decision-makers in the upcoming G8-summit?

MF: I hope so. That is the real beauty of such an event - that people worldwide get together in the hope of creating a better world.

This is why I phrased it 'the Woodstock of our time.' The 60s was a period of perhaps naive, but great hope that change emanating from the young was possible... Live8 has the same feeling of hopefulness; that people can voice their opinion in a very direct way, without the often alienating and discouraging political process of a democracy built on bureaucracy.

I would say it in the famous words of John Lennon: 'You many say Bono's a dreamer, but he's not the only one.'

Q: 10 years from now - how do you think we will view today's event?

MF: I would be foolish to predict that. Africa itself will want to define its own role in its destiny, and there is bound to be criticism of all real attempts at groundbreaking political work. The controversy after the original Live Aid suggested that aid also can actually harm when trying to help, but this does not mean one should stop trying - if you wait with action until you know the outcome, you are too late in the first place.

The worst they can say in 10 years' time is that it was a great day of music worldwide, the best would be that it made a real change for the better.

That is for history to decide.



Just a note about AHA, the New Album is done, FLOOD is almost finished mixing it, It will be out WORLDWIDE in September/October. And tickets for their First USA concert in 20 years go on sale Wednesday Morning (Im THERE FRONT AND CENTER)