Katie Melua: Concert Under The Sea

Usually I have a problem with DVD extras that include a “Making Of” feature, however in this rare instance it’s part and parcel of the main presentation.


This documentary of how, on October 2nd 2006, Mr Jan Hauge successfully put on a pop concert 303 metres below the North Sea (in then-named Statoil's Troll A platform) seamlessly segues into the show that’s really selling the DVD – Katie Melua… err… unplugged.

Although very well edited, the whole full-length viewing suffers from abysmal picture quality, and sound which almost, but not quite entirely, fails to take-in the whole reason for the show – the gorgeous acoustics of the 300 metre vertical tunnel above them. Just listen to the wonderful echo on Melua's speaking between the tracks, it's a lovely long reverberation that you can barely make out during the music itself. Talk about throwing away your star.

Anyway, earlier in the film, we get to see Hauge's and Melua’s journeys towards such a barmy event unfold almost like a real-life sitcom, with Melua and her band particularly going through more and more bizarre situations in their run-up to the big day. When it comes to the night itself, given the potential danger of a gas leak, the unnoticed dry-ice in the background only adds to the unintentional subtle comedy.

Melua’s familiar tracks hit their mark as always, and the whole concert absolutely flies-by. Of particular note is My Aphrodisiac Is You, for which she’s rightly accompanied by the show's mastermind Jan Hauge on piano.

Surely this was the actual moment at which Hauge’s incredible dream really did come true.

Available here.