Nibe Festival 2024: Day 3 – A Celebration of Danish Music Through the Generations
The third day of the Nibe Festival once again proved why it remains one of Denmark’s most beloved music festivals, showcasing an impressive lineup that spanned generations of Danish talent. From legendary schlager queen Birthe Kjær making her festival debut at 76, to rising stars like APHACA capturing hearts with their infectious energy, this day offered something for every music lover. Our reviews capture the essence of six standout performances that defined the festival experience, highlighting both the nostalgic charm of established artists and the fresh excitement of Denmark’s newest musical voices.
Birthe Kjær
The queen of Danish schlager pop – Birthe Kjaer – has hit Nibe Festival for the very first time at the age of 76 years. And she hit it very hard. With quite a lot of songs from the 60’s (“My Boy Lollipop”, stuff like that), a medley of Elvis Presley hits and 10 songs from the Danish competition for Eurovision Song Contest in the 80’s.
But first and foremost, she hit it with sparkling versions of some of her own greatest hits, sung with a lot of nerve and that personal presence, you can’t buy or learn. You either have it, or you don’t. And Birthe Kjaer has had it always. Since the first song in 1968.
For many Danes, the sound of her singing voice is like summer and sunny days, and yes, “Sommer og sol” (“Summer and Sunshine”) are among her now classical hits. Together with her signature tune, the brightly shining and heavily swinging “Vi maler byen rød” (“We are painting the town red”).
An hour with a lot of nostalgia, but still sung with great spark (and played to perfection by her Feel Good Band) and still relevant. If your throat is not just a little bit sore afterwards, you haven’t had “the true Birthe Kjaer experience”. Perfect start for another great day at Nibe Festival.
Ida Laurbjerg
Thanks to “Terrier” – a song about being short and easy to ignore, but still edgy – 25-year-old Danish singer-songwriter Ida Laurbjerg has been hugely successful in no time. The style is full frontal sing-along pop with rather quirky lyrics, mostly bittersweet scenes from life with (now) former boyfriends.
The songs are catchy, but have a hint of the introverted, and on a stage, Ida Laurbjerg and her band “reveal” themselves as a studio project rather than a live act. Some of the songs need much more care. More dwelling, more solos – instead of being sung and played in more or less well-known versions.
At the end of the concert, two of the songs get that kind of care. But two of her biggest hits, “Jeg kan rigtig godt lide dig” (“I Really Like you”) and the tough “Jeg hører din kæreste doer” (“I hope your boyfriend dies”), require a lot more care, more muscle. At times, the songs stood out as being too small for the biggest stage at the festival. Great lead singer, great band – but some missed opportunities.
And can we talk about the huge masses that show up without being interested at all in the music and artists? They just talk (loudly) with each other. Strange phenomenon. And not at all inspiring for the musicians.
BYE BYE BRENDA
‘Half of me longs to live in the woods. The other half’s in Hollywood.’ What a pleasant surprise! Stine Bramsen – lead singer in the Danish pop band Alphabeat, most of the time since 2003 – has really found a musical soulmate in Kajsa Vala, one of Denmark’s most gifted guitar players.
Together they write songs – and sing them in perfect harmony – much like a female version of Simon & Garfunkel. A rather folksy country style and Americana feeling, shaped and colored by Vala’s distinct guitar. She can play some “mean” blues guitar and doesn’t mind being just a bit inspired by foggy Pink Floyd-esque harmonies. The strength in Bye Bye Brenda lies in their sweet song duets.
If Bye Bye Brenda lacks anything, it is more directly catchy songs. A bit like that about Hollywood. And they surely know how to create. They at least know how to rearrange Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to make it sound as if they had written it themselves. And these “girls” really want to have fun. Keep an eye on them!
APHACA
Out of the blue comes this year’s hottest Danish pop sensation, APHACA, with four young men in their very early 20s. They are not only loved and admired – concert by concert, their tour looks still more like a triumphal procession, followed by a very eagerly singing audience. The secret? A solid load of very catchy songs somewhere between a rather folksy sing-along and a mild funk pulse.
The young audience loves the songs for their directness – the grown-ups can recognise some of the style and part of the songs from another band, Moonjam, with great success in the 80s and 90s, and one of the members of Moonjam is the father of the lead singer in APHACA, Rumle Hueg Kaersaa. Inspired? Maybe.
On a stage, the band is so tight and well-founded (and well playing and still rather relaxed), that it can only grow bigger… So, next year, will there be a bigger and more suitable stage for APAHACA? In the meantime: Listen to the debut album, “Et aar uden dig” (“A Year Without You”). You won’t be disappointed. Even if you haven’t got the faintest idea about what they are singing about!
TV-2
Founded in 1981 (by four musicians who have played together since 1973), TV-2 are the grand old men in Danish pop and rock. Still going strong. And stronger. Famous for a lot of great, catchy, at times extremely popular tunes, loaded with often ironic or rather teasing lyrics.
They still have a strong hold in the audience, although the old songs are way more popular than the four from the latest album, “Som om vi ikke har mere at sige” (“As if you don’t have anymore to say”), from March. Maybe these songs just need to “settle down” more?
After five of their oldest hits (played in chronological order), the band play 10 of their ultimate greatest hits mixed with the aforementioned four new tunes, all sung and played with great enthusiasm and at times brought to new heights by the trio The Aarhus Horns. Not much new, if anything, but a reminder of strong memories from a long and impressive career.
Among the highlights is the song about dreaming of being the first boyfriend/girlfriend on the Moon. And considering the age of the band and the songs, TV-2 has a lot of very young fans. Who knows (and yells) all the lyrics by heart. In all details.
MICHAEL FALCH
“This next song is from 1980. It has 180 bpm – beats per minute. I am not sure what we can play that fast anymore…”. But of course, Michael Falch (and his newest band Zonen) know exactly how to keep up the rhythm.
He has been a very active part of Danish rock and pop since 1977, both on his as well as together with different bands. He has had his ups and downs; at times, he has been (or felt) ignored, but now he is back on top. And full circle. Back to the roots. To some of his earliest, most significant songs. Mixed with some of his newer, popular tunes, all played in a very light and delightful manner.
At times, the audience takes the lead in more choruses – at other times, they just stand and enjoy a great rock entertainer having fun (and being very, very thankful) with a couple of rather young musicians in his new band. Michael Falch is 68 years old, but sounds as if he has just got started. One of his biggest solo hits is called “Sommer på vej” (“Summer is on its way”), and Falch himself still seems to be on his way.
Photos (c) Martin Damgaard/Hverdagsvinkler.dk
