PAINTING SOME LOVE FOR MLTR
Delhiites went on a nostalgia trip as the legendary Danish band kicked off their first ever live concert in the city
On a foggy Friday evening, Danish pop band Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) filled the air with love ballads as they performed live for the first time ever in Delhi. “Indians are the best audience in the world. They are always into music, they always make sure to have fun. When we are on stage, we can feel that connect. Indians always sing along, which is great!” Kåre Wanscher, the band’s drummer told us before the concert.
Founded in 1988, MLTR is one of the most successful bands from Denmark and has sold over 11 million records worldwide, mainly in Asia. The three-piece band comprising Wanscher, singer and keyboard player, Jascha Richter and guitarist Mikkel Lentz is in India for a five-city gig as part of their 25 Live Anniversary Celebration Tour.
Throughout the band’s 90-minute performance, the Delhi crowd sang along to their hits such as Forever And A Day, Paint My Love and Wild Woman. “You guys are great at singing. I can’t believe that you all still remember our songs so well,” said Richter after the group finished one of their classics, The Actor.
The song holds a special place in their heart as it struck a chord with fans in Asia. “It was our first hit song. We hadn’t really thought that we should be exploring Asia. But after The Actor became an overnight hit in Indonesia, things changed for us forever. We had never imagined that we will be so successful in Asia. We had been dreaming of being successful in America (laughs) when Asia happened to us and we couldn’t be happier,” he said.
The band didn’t disappoint fans who requested them to play another hit, Someday. They ended the night with That’s Why (You Go Away). “Fans come and tell us how special our songs are for them. They have such an emotional connect with our songs. It means a lot to us,” Richter said.
After Delhi, the band will head to Guwahati, Kolkota, Nagaland and Goa to perform.