5 on the dice

“A fantastic experience to get to open here,” said Kurt Nilsen after the opening show of his Norway tour in Ibsenhuset on Tuesday evening. Both Elin Gaustad and the audience agreed on this.

X-factor-favourite from Molde was the warm up act with 4 slow songs. Then it was the turn of the World Idol. Nilsen charmed from the first tone – even though it was in a quieter way. This tour is not a party and rock ‘n’ roll, but country, blues and folk.

”We have dreamt of doing this type of tour for many years, but have never had the chance. Now we have been given the opportunity and it feels so very nice,” says the Kurt.

UNBELIEVABLE ATMOSPHERE

There will be around 30 concerts, tonight in Drammen. If you missed the concert in Ibsenhuset, you will have the opportunity to see it in Larvik on Saturday.

And the audience has a lot to look forward to, if the comments from the Skien audience are to be believed. Kurt Nilsen was very happy, the same with the guest artist – with whom he sang a duet.

”There was an incredible atmosphere here this evening. Completely fantastic. There was happiness and gratitude,” smiled Elin Gaustad backstage.

She was surprised, but happy when Kurt rang her up and asked her to go on tour with him.

“After some hectic years, I have managed to relax a little and enjoy life, mum’s pizza, you know what I mean. Also I have managed to watch some TV, and it was here that I heard a girl singing so beautifully. I am so happy that she said yes,” smiles Kurt.

The Bergenser shows that his music has matured the last years. He chose both songs from old and new albums, mostly the quiet, slow songs, but there were some fast ones too.

FUN STORIES

Kurt Nilsen along with his ensemble, amongst whom was the new-comer Madeleine Ossum on violin, began quietly and at a leisurely pace, but gradually built up to the more faster songs. Nilsen spiced it up by telling funny anecdotes. In fact he was most energetic on the songs he introduced with small stories.

SECOND CHANCE?

There were some definite high points too. The most explosive atmosphere “Second Chance”, could it have been something to do with the name of the song. There is a lot of love and empathy in Kurt’s songs, but the Bergenser didn’t need a second chance with the audience, he had them in the palm of his hand – after that song there was stamping of feet and loud clapping, and the atmosphere was electric from then on.

The Kurt-fans showed their appreciation during “Push Push”, “Hate How you say Goodbye”, and a completely new version of “She's so High”.

Why did you start in Skien?

“I played in the town square some years ago and it was a fantastic experience,” says Nilsen.