There’s something about the Norwegian artist Aurora that makes her connection with a crowded theater feel effortless. Over the past few years, I’ve seen Aurora Aksnes, who goes by simply Aurora, become increasingly more popular. In fact, her recent performance at The Anthem on was completely packed. Many fans in attendance wore elaborate costumes or were dressed like Aurora herself, but I think the most welcoming sight was the sheer range of concert goers in age, gender, and background.
As the lights went down at The Anthem on Dec. 8, a massive screen bathed in blue flashed on. “So quiet… hello?” the face of Aurora asked, looking over the crowd — a little mischievous fun before the sound of electronics washed over the venue. That opening encounter really set the mood for the rest of the show. Funny, sweet, and ever endearing Aurora captivated the audience from the start.
As the opening number, “Churchyard,” began with its slow start and explosively danceable chorus, Aurora danced and twirled across the wide stage.
“What a beautiful welcome,” Aurora said, taking a breath in between songs. “We came hear yesterday and then we went bowling… and I actually know I will never bowl again.” As we laughed she followed, “All of mine didn’t work… and it was excruciating.”
Most of the set was devoted to newer songs from her recently released, What Happened To The Heart?, and album that, for the most part, yearns for an understand of how we as a global society have strayed so far from compassion both for each other and for the environment. But there a few older tunes, such as the brilliant “Runaway” from her debut, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.
Speaking directly to the crowd, Aurora mourned the lack of empathy in the world. “I know at the moment that you feel that America is very divided,” she said. “And I think it’s so important to remember that all political solutions are temporary. And what lasts is how we react to whoever people are our enemies. It’s important to stay kind to strangers… keep filling the world with beauty… We need a bridge right now in this lake we are all drowning in.”
And it wasn’t just in her words, but in songs like “Through the Eyes of a Child” that laments “missing the ability to feel pure and innocent,” as she explained, that seemed to find commonality between strangers.
One of my favorite songs of the new album, What Happened To The Heart, “A Soul With No King,” with that acoustic mandolin refrain and the most rock sounding beat of the whole record sounded incredible live. In fact, What Happened may be the most eclectic Aurora album so far. Some on the record like the electro club feel of “Starvation” and “My Body is Not Mine” to the ethereal “Echo of My Shadow” there isn’t a song that repeats itself.
Watch the official music video for “My Body Is Not My Own (Warriors Version)” by Aurora on YouTube:
Not wanting to be hardened by the world and a desire to feel free and in touch with those things around us is often a theme to Aurora’s music. No more evident is this than in “All Is Soft Inside.” “This is a song for people who walk through life and with a lot of emotion,” she explained. “Which is very hard.” And with lines like Don’t let me change / Don’t let me go / All around is stone / All is soft inside / All that I know / Lies within emotion it feels like a pleading prayer to not lose heart.
After an incredible set, Aurora came back out for a beautiful encore, finishing up by returning to the stage and up to the keyboard. “Sometimes I dissociate but often I’m very in the moment, but sometimes I get too much into what I’m feeling that I can’t remember all the things I have to do around it.” She jokingly continued, “I kind of like it fuck things up a bit… excuse the language… because it feels human, and there’s nothing better in this world than to be human and to be natural.” On that note, Aurora sang a little impromptu “YMCA” (along with a dance — “it’s something I like to do, but it’s risky, the last time I got a boyfriend”) before ending on a stirring version of “Invisible Worlds.”
Although Aurora has wrapped up her North American tour, here’s to hoping that she comes back soon.
The setlist included:
Churchyard
Soulless Creatures
Through the Eyes of a Child
The River
A Soul with No King
All Is Soft Inside
Runaway
Exist for Love
Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
Heathens
The Forbidden Fruits of Eden
The Dark Dresses Lightly
The Seed
Starvation
Giving In to the Love
Encore:
Cure for Me
Some Type of Skin
Invisible Wounds
Here are more photos of Aurora performing at The Anthem on Dec. 8, 2024. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
