a-ha to support new talent

Out of their own pockets, pop icons a-ha are to donate NOK four million and give stage presence at this year’s farewell tour to four up and coming acts.

“When we were starting out, some were willing to support us and help us to realize our dreams. Now we want to pass on the torch and give our support to the new Norwegian artists for the future,” says a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen.

At a press conference held on the first of March, a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen and Morten Harket announced that the trio is to donate NOK four million (app $ 676 000/€ 496 000) to four artists, each artist receiving a rather significant one million kroner each. The fortunate recipients of the a-ha talent programme are yet to be announced. More information about the scholarships will be given on the 12th of April.

– In addition to the financial support to the artists, the bands that receive the funds will also be offered to perform at a-ha’s farewell tour this year continues Furuholmen.

Furuholmen served as the head of the jury as this year’s Statoil scholarship that was awarded to Ingrid Olava at by:Larm. Furuholmen would like to see that more promising Norwegian artists were supported by the scholarship.

– We see that there are many promising artists that should be given a scholarship or other forms of financial support. They need help to reach a larger audience, especially in a time of declining CD sales and an industry in major upheaval. Although this scholarship may not be enough, it still is a good beginning.

a-ha will set off an extensive world tour on the 4th of March with the starting shot in Buenos Aires. The band returns to Norway in August to embark on their first stadium tour of the home country featuring performances in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Kristiansand.

Source: MIC Norway