Where: Norwegian Wood Festival, Oslo (Norway)
When: Sunday 16th of June
Audience: around 7000
The concert was held within a scenic park in the middle of Oslo, Norway. Because of the layout of the audience area it is almost impossible not to get a good view of the stage. Also the sound was very good, crisp and Clear but not too loud.
Blue skies, sun and no wind probably added to the good atmosphere among the standing crowd. I went to find a place as the band took their positions on stage. It seemed a lot of the audience wanted to have an overview from a distance so there was no pressure in the front and easy to find a place right in middle front of the stage barrier, just a few feet away from Rod.
Rod seemed tremendously high spirited and engaged from the minute he started. Of course the crowd was charmed and participated like a large choir, chanting away all the time. I think Rod was amused by this reception, the Norwegian crowds usually is not so easy to get to sing along. It probably helped that it was an all standing audience.
Rod’s voice sounded good and strong and there was no mention of any virus. A lot has been said about the band, many of whom Rod now has toured with for over a decade. They truly are a skillful and disciplined gang who gives Rod the opportunity to concentrate on his part and not have to worry on what else goes on. As far as I could judge from the band’s facial expressions and their behaviour they too were having a good time and really loved what they were doing.
As the concert ended there was only smiling people to be seen evrywhere, most probably satisfied having heard a lot of the best known Rod songs.
These are the songs performed (but maybe not exactly in this order):
This Old Heart of Mine
Tonight’s The Night
Twisting the Night Away
Forever Young
Rythm of My Heart
Can’t Stop Me Now
Sweet Little Rock’n Roller
First Cut Is The Deepest
Have I Told You Lately
I Don’t Want To Talk About It
Sailing
You’re In My Heart
Maggie May
Hot Legs
Baby Jane
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy
(Soul Girl by band)
All in all a great show with Rod in an extraordinary good mood, great place (thank you to the weather) and a impressed and participating crowd.
Photographs Jan Kittelsen