Europop icons Aqua took over the House of Blues on Wednesday night, on their long awaited first ever US tour. Fans could not contain their excitement, as many had been waiting since 1997 to finally see the pop group live. Others were distinctly Barbie fans, as they showed up in the now iconic movie’s attires. Old and new, everyone in attendance was eager to see the band for the very first time.
After a short set by Australian singer Vassy, anticipation was at its peak; a mix of 90s and 2000s pop and dance hits kept the party ambiance going, with an air of nostalgia that saw many reminiscing about their younger years. It wouldn’t be long before the lights came down, as a large screen lit up to introduce the band. In full technicolor, Aqua eagerly took the stage and went right into “Cartoon Heroes”, starting off with one of their most popular hits right off the bat. Singers Lene Nystrøm and René Dif immediately approached the barricade, and both the band and the fans were all smiles.
From “Around the World” to “Dirty Little Pop Song”, Aqua’s high energy electropop was as vibrant and fun as fans anticipated. The diverse audience spanned across generations, with young kids getting noticed near the front row. The hits kept coming, accompanied by their respective music videos shown on the back of the stage; the visuals enhanced the intense sense of nostalgia that was flowing throughout the night. The band also leaned heavily into the Barbie theme: in one of René Dif’s many audience interactions, he would ask how many Barbies and Kens were in the room, as Søren Rasted’s keyboard setup sported the iconic doll’s logo and signature pink shade.
The climax of the evening was just around the corner, as the notorious “Hi Barbie!” rang around the room, and the audience erupted in song immediately. The live version of the cult classic is more sophisticated and upbeat, with the band allowing the crowd to belt out the chorus. Moving right into “Lollipop” and “Doctor Jones”, Aqua left the stage to return for a quieter encore with “Aquarius”, wrapping up the show with their very first single, the energetic “Roses Are Red”. As Dif would point out, “the most impossible thing happened: Aqua is in the United States”, and considering how much fun was had, it’s safe to say it was about time.
LISTEN TO AQUA HERE!
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