Åge Aleksandersen returns to Harstad for final concert after 52 years

Fifty-two years after Åge Aleksandersen held his first concert in Harstad, Norway’s third-largest city, he returned to the stage on Friday night. Upon arriving in Harstad, Aleksandersen reminisced about his initial performance in 1972 and noted that he has probably played there 20 to 30 times over the years.

The Norwegian rock star expressed his fondness for the city, praising its audiences and the development of the Bakgården festival, stating, “Harstad, always superb, great audience.” He also recalled his early days in a pop band called Prudence, acknowledging that they primarily performed in Northern Norway.

The concert, which featured Åge Aleksandersen and his band Sambandet, sold out quickly. This performance marked their final show in Harstad. The 75-year-old artist appreciated the unique venue—a parking lot in the heart of the city—remarking on the advantageous acoustic and visual elements of the space.

Last September, Aleksandersen announced the conclusion of his touring career with Sambandet, with the final concert expected at Lerkendal Stadium. Initially planned as a single farewell show, the demand led to the addition of two more sold-out performances. While this concert was the last for the “Thank You for Us!” tour in Northern Norway, Aleksandersen hinted at possible return trips to the region in the coming year, suggesting potential concerts in Tromsø and Bodø. Despite folding most of his touring activities by next autumn, he indicated that an acoustic project with collaborator Gunnar Pedersen and the Trondheim Soloists would continue.