A-ha, Iceland, 1987
Concert: 17 & 18 July 1987
Venue: Laugardalshöll, Reykjavík
Promoters: Tony Sandy & Bobby Harrison (Split Promotions)
Research status: Ongoing research
This clip shows my dad, Tony Sandy, being interviewed on Icelandic television ahead of A-ha's visit to Iceland in 1987. He talks through the band's contract and some of the requests involved in bringing one of the biggest bands in the world to Reykjavík.
What I find fascinating is how ordinary it all seems. He's discussing paperwork and logistics, yet those documents represent the work involved in bringing major international artists to an island that was still relatively isolated from the international touring circuit.
Before their first concert on 17 July, A-ha attended the Icelandic premiere of The Living Daylights. The band later reflected that, although they missed the film's world premiere in London because they were touring Japan, they were able to attend the Icelandic premiere instead.
As I continue researching Split Promotions, I'm becoming increasingly interested in the people behind the scenes: the promoters, organisers, crews and countless others whose work made these concerts possible but is rarely documented.
If you remember A-ha's visit to Iceland, or have photographs, tickets, programmes, press cuttings or other memorabilia, I'd love to hear from you.
Archival television footage shown courtesy of a family VHS recording. Original broadcast copyright remains with the broadcaster: RÚV
Additional concert research informed by A-ha Live – Icelandic concert dates rediscovered.
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