It’s been almost three months already since my last Kaizers concert – a good reason to ignore all thoughts saying that “Kaizers festival concerts suck anyway” and to get on the way to Norway once again! ‘Cause no matter what, Kaizers festival concert are definitely better than no Kaizers concerts at all…

The first stop was Kristiansand, and Odderøya Live festival. With a very diverse, but interesting line up – you can read my full report about the festival here. Kaizers were playing on the second day of the festival; as headliner of course! I noticed again how strange it is for us Europeans that it’s still light outside when the headliner enters the stage… which, however, is great for taking photos. *g*

Since I was there as press, I spent the first songs in the aisle taking pictures. And you could see right from the start that this would be a great concert – the kids in the front were more than enthusiastic, screaming their lungs out, and of course they were equipped with shirts and gas masks and you name it. As always, the securities didn’t understand the short break in I ett med verden and shoved us out of the aisle during the third song already – but well, Kaizers concerts are more fun in the audience anyway than when you’re busy with the camera all the time. =;-)

Next up were Din kjole lukter bensin, mor and En for orgelet – the first one with an extra special duet partner who harmonizes with the Jackal’s “very difficult voice” – yes, of course Hellraizer. =;-) They screwed up the ending of En for orgelet, the part with the concert drum – but hey, there’s hardly a band that can screw up so charmingly as Kaizers… *g*

Suddenly, the Jackal found a shoe heel on stage, so they had to check who lost that one. But it must have been someone in Bernhoft’s band, ’cause everbody’s shoes were still intact. =;-)

Then it was time for a song that they wrote when they didn’t know how to play any instruments yet… “Well, not that we knew it now – Hellraizer can’t even read music! I can…” To Hellraizer: “Naah, okay, I can’t either… but this is what it sounds like if you write a song without knowing anything!” The song was Bøn fra helvete – and in the middle of the song, Omen was almost hit by Hellraizer’s barrel stick, but luckily Hellraizer managed to catch it in mid-air at the last second.

In Prosessen, people were not “only” from all over the country this time, but from all over Kristiansand. =;-) And without exaggeration: Kaizers had a firm grip on Kristiansand! The atmosphere was great, especially during the big hits. During Hjerteknuser, for example, everyone was waving their hands, right to the very back of the area – a beautiful view!

And as always, the Russian opening with the Kaizer vodka was chosen for Hjerteknuser… Only 150 people voted for the French opening, compared to 6000 for the Russian. The Jackal knew how to estimate that exactly, because he worked for the police before and learned to estimate the size of crowds on the square in Stavanger… Gosh, I’m so happy I understand Norwegian by now – I must have missed out on so much before!?! *rofl*

After Tokyo Ice – a nice surprise for me, even though this song was played at quite a few festivals before – they announced that after one of the brightest Kaizer songs they would now play the darkest. Hmm… Evig pint? De involverte? No… Apokalyps meg. *grr* No, I don’t like that song. Anyway, it was impressive, I gotta admit… they manage to bring it across with so much energy that it is just amazing to see.

During Svarte katter, Helge was THE ONE again, as always. He seemed so incredibly angry during his solo part; almost frightening! =;-) But the Jackal wasn’t impressed; he just told him over and over again “Now sit down!” And after the song, he explained: “Helge doesn’t say much, but if he does, he says it LOUD.” *gg*

At the end, everyone was dragged to the front to get some extra applause. And the Jackal dusted Helge off thoroughly before dragging him to the front… =;-)

Then, after the encore, the concert was over – or at least everyone thought so and left. It got really empty in the front, even though the lights and music didn’t come on yet. Fortunately, Kaizers didn’t mind, and so we still got Die Polizei. And everyone was singing along in the end (okay, the timing was terribly off, but still)… amazing!

A terrific concert, and I just love love love this band, damn!

The setlist:

I ett med verden
Tusen dråper regn
Støv og sand
Din kjole lukter bensin, mor
En for orgelet, en for meg
Diamant til kull
Ompa til du dør
Bøn fra helvete
Prosessen
Tokyo Ice til Clementine
Apokalyps meg
Philemon Arthur & The Dung
Svarte katter & flosshatter
Hjerteknuser
—
KGB
Drøm videre, Violeta
Maestro
—
Die Polizei