Smukfest Thursday: From German pop classics to Fresh Prince spectacle
Thursday at Smukfest offered an eclectic mix of artists who proved that age is just a number, from 65-year-old German pop icon NENA, who took the audience back to the ’80s, to Will Smith, who deployed his Hollywood charm and Fresh Prince nostalgia for an unforgettable show. Between the downpours, veterans and newcomers alike demonstrated that authenticity and entertainment can coexist – although the balance between spectacle and musicality varied considerably from act to act.
NENA – and the 99 balloons.
Who would have thought there was still so much energy in NENA! NENA, who graced the radio way back in 1984 with the track ’99 Luftballons’. That’s 41 years ago now. You can do the rest of the maths yourself. Despite this, there was still plenty of spark in the now ageing singer.
She sounded bloody good, the energy was faultless. She sang, she danced, and she had fun with the audience, all whilst proudly showing off her daughter. It was clear to see the resemblance between mother and daughter. The daughter was there as a backing singer, and it seems she takes after her mother in several ways.
The audience had fun with the German classics and sang along merrily, in the best broken German that Danes can manage. NENA ensured that no one dozed off during the lesson, and she came so far out over the edge of the stage that you could feel her presence right at the back. Lovely to see that it still comes easily to the German pop queen.
Tessa – Tessa is as Tessa does.
Tessa took to the stage at Smukfest with the familiar blend of confidence, attitude and a show that was packed with pyro, dancers and visual impact. She launched into her biggest hits, and the energy was there from the first second. The audience got delivered precisely the raw and uncompromising persona she’s become known for.
Nevertheless, the concert remained more of a spectacle than a musical experience. The many show elements came to take up so much space that the songs far too often drowned in the staging. In the long run, it seemed more like a performance than a concert, where the music should have been at the centre.
Tessa proved once again that she’s an entertainer who can dominate a stage and gather an audience. But the overall impression was uneven and lacked the musical substance that could have lifted the experience from pure entertainment to a concert that truly burns itself into memory.
Neckbreakker – bordering on illegal at SMUKfest.
Neckbreakker, formerly Nakkeknækker, has become an international name. Slayer themselves took them under their wing on their latest tour. And even though Neckbreakker stands a bit outside the category at a place like SMUKfest, they could start a party like no other! So much so that security managed to get a bit nervous about the outcome, the screens flashed with warnings and a single raised finger it certainly came to.
Lead singer Christoffer flew around the stage and dictated that the division between the audience “is not a Wall of Death”, but if that was the outcome, then he couldn’t do anything about it. “The Pope” and his helper had taken their place in the middle of the mosh pit and gave absolution. “The Pope” was subsequently carried up to the stage, and here the raised finger comes into the picture.
Despite nervous security, Neckbreakker gave a brilliant experience! It was great to experience something so different, something that stood in clear contrast to the rest of the day! What a party!
Gloria Gaynor – a living legend on the Stjerne stage.
Gloria Gaynor herself! You know, ‘I will survive!’. The one we’ve all belted out at some party or other, regardless of generation. Fantastic, Gloria stood on the Stjerne stage and the audience was filled with love that could be felt up by the backing singers.
They started strongly with Gloria’s own pop version of ‘Going out of my head’, perfect opener! Most people know the song, either from a youth that’s long since over or because they’re mad about the series ‘Flash’. In any case, the audience of all ages joined in the communal singing.
At the age of 81, Mrs Gaynor still understands how to entertain. Put a twist on it. Use the moment and the feeling to make the concert alive. Despite it being obvious that she’s now somewhat unsteady on her feet, Gloria stood up throughout the entire concert and also came out to the edges of the stage.
When Gloria Gaynor performed ‘I Am Beautiful’ at Smukfest, the song carried an almost defiant strength that could be experienced as a commentary on the narrow ideals of beauty we encounter today. Whether it was her conscious intention is unknown, but the expression left the impression of a message that beauty exists in everyone, and Gaynor herself appeared as a brilliant example.
Will Smith – Mr Fresh Prince!
Will Smith shook SMUKfest with a cracker of a concert. It was non-stop action from start to finish, perhaps except for the now-familiar 7 minutes with a head-shaking, inappropriate tribute to the late James Avery, awkwardly concluded with a half-apology for the Oscar stunt. But apart from that, the audience had a party!
They started strongly with the old familiar classics ‘Gettin’ Jiggy With It’ and ‘Miami’, and then the party had started! Will flew around the stage, danced and interacted with both dancers and the band. They had dug deep into the wardrobe, and the outfit matched the music. Most noteworthy was when ‘Men in Black’ was played, 60 SMUKfest volunteers came on stage dressed in suits and sunglasses. And the audience was also “mind-wiped” when the song ended.
Will is to date an impressive personality and artist, and he delivered a concert in absolute top class. The audience danced, jumped and sang along at full throttle! One can hope that Will, in future, avoids the inappropriate segments and instead lets the music speak. His strength undoubtedly lies in his ability to entertain on stage – not in giving speeches. The concert shows that it’s always best when artists stick to their core competencies.
Photos (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen
