The Hollies - Concert Review

Langeland Festival ‘98, Denmark, 23^rd July 1998 - by Knut Skyberg, Oslo, Norway

It was a pleasant surprise that I learnt from the UK Fan Club newsletter Carousel, that the rumoured open air concert in Denmark this summer had materialized. This meant the first return to Scandinavia of the Hollies since their two-weeks’ tour of Norway in 1986. So during the last 12 years we’ve had to go to the UK or to the continent to experience them live in concert.

The Langeland Festival has the image of a festival for the whole family, with a large area provided for kids’ activities and 3 scenes with different artists entertaining for the whole evening. The arrangers had set a maximum limit of 22,000 people to avoid overcrowding, and everything looked very well organized. The festival lasted for 5 days, and on the Thursday evening Earth, Wind and Fire was the main attraction. I arrived on Friday afternoon, leaving my wife and daughter behind at a nearby hotel, since tickets were very expensive. I hadn’t chanced on a one-day-ticket, because only 500 would be sold for each day, and I would not like to be refused admittance.

I came in at about 4 pm and after a pint or two I suddenly spotted Bobby Elliott, who was strolling around looking at stalls for souvenirs. He was a bit more shortspoken than usual, probably because he was a bit tense before the concert. Previously I’ve always met him after concerts, and then he certainly is the nicest artist a fan can meet.

I managed to get out of him that a 3^rd volume in the Abbey Road series is upcoming, and that concerts are planned for the UK in spring and autumn ‘99. The latter was confirmed by Sheila and Chris Bowen, who along with some other UK fans also had made it to Denmark. I also met the active Danish fan Steen Sorensen and we had a nice talk in front of the large scene.

A Swedish artist called Eric Gadd played some soulful music at 5.30, while the skies were clearing up. We were fortunate enough not to have rain, as was the case when Bobby heard Earth Wind & Fire the day before.

The Hollies were to play at 8 pm, and we were treated to soundchecks while the chilly breeze moved windmills in the background. Beside the large scene was an enormous Tuborg bottle shaped balloon, seagulls circled over us, and the sun was nearing the horizon. The crowd gathered in front of the stage with all age groups being represented. Then the group came on stage. I did not know what sound and light quality to expect, since Rod Shields was on holiday in the US (Bobby said). Open air venues can be very powerful and enchanting, but the sound quality may differ largely from place to place. Sometimes the sound is a disaster. But the sound turned out to be quite powerful and pounding, yet clear, already from the first song, Stay. We had Here I go again followed by I can’t let go and then Yes I will. Just one look was played as a rock song this time.

Allan, who was wearing a white suit and a black belt, introduced Sandy. Tony was wearing grey, Alan a blue coat, Ian an orange sweater, Ray a white shirt and Bobby a shirt with black and white diamond square patterns.

Jennifer Eccles produced some hand clapping and we had the lovely Ian Parker’s techno intro for We’re through. Bus stop was announced by Allan as the first international hit A side written with Graham Nash. This was followed by the crowd entertaining Harmonica solo. And Tony and Ian on cymbals started When I’m dead and gone. On this live-only song Alan Coates played banjo, Tony sang lead vocals, Allan played harmonica and Ian accordion, and it was very well received by the audience.

During On a carousel someone controlling the fog machine was going berserk, and the whole group disappeared, so Allan had to express: "We’ve had enough! Turn it off". I guess he was a bit anxious for his voice which was, by the way, very good this time!

Then Buddy Holly joined them for Peggy Sue got married. Ian provided the modern intro to I’m alive and we got Tony and Alan on double lead guitar! "Let’s see if you remember this" Allan said and we had Look through any window. Carrie Anne followed. Oriental sounding keyboards started Stop Stop Stop with Tony’s experienced banjo.

The biggest hits The Air that I breathe and He ain’t heavy are of course compulsory in a concert set, and they deserve their central position.

Then the show was nearing the end, and we got the old rockers Johnny B. Goode and Let’s dance.

A great show was completed with Long cool woman featuring the usual presentations of each member.

In good mood we were left with a red painted sky, pubs serving Danish and Irish beer and Danish sausages (best that you can get). A Danish country-punk band called Disneyland After Dark was about to play at 10.30, but I had to leave. And for Saturday the Australian ABBA copy band Bjorn Again and John Farnham (ex-Little River Band) were scheduled, but by then I was already on my way back, doing 120 km/h on straight Swedish motorways. Thank you to The Hollies for another great show in Scandinavia, and my first experience with the group at a large size open air event.

Knut Skyburg - Oslo.

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