Burhan G gave Aarhus love, trouble and bad boy attitude

The big stage at Tivoli Friheden was packed on Saturday night. The Inner Circle was packed, and the entire lawn behind it was buzzing with people of all ages, ready for an evening of love, trouble and Burhan G.

He opened the show with Lucy, and it didn't take long for the energy to hit Friheden. The audience sang along, and Burhan smiled broadly. “My name is Burhan G, and we're going to have a great time,” he shouted, pointing into the crowd and personally greeting people in the audience.

Fans across generations

It was clear early on that the audience was wide-ranging. We met a mother and daughter who had come all the way from Zealand. This was the sixth time they had seen Burhan live, this time as a Christmas present from the daughter to her mother, who is a huge fan. Among the audience were also a group of women in pink caps who were at a bachelorette party. When Burhan caught sight of them between two numbers, he pointed out with a laugh: “What’s going on over here, are you getting married? Do you know who you’re at the concert with tonight?” before following up himself: “You look like Joey Moe.”

More men in the front row

In the middle of the show, Burhan looked out over the lawn with a wry smile. “Every time I step on stage, I’m touched by how many men come to my concerts,” he said. “We know you’re not here voluntarily, but you’re here, and tonight I’m going to really like love.”

Ballad in 8210

After a few songs, Burhan threw out the well-known phrase: “Are we out for a party tonight, can we make a little party?” And then the beat of Karma fell. The song is a declaration of love for Aarhus and especially the postal code 8210, and the audience acknowledged with their hands in the air while they shouted along to the song. “Aarhus, we are coming with love tonight,” it was heard from the stage.

A bad boy with a twinkle in his eye

Burhan is known to be as much an entertainer as he is a singer, and tonight he showed off his full range. He read aloud from the comments he has received on social media, both critical and humorous. “During Burhan G’s show I wondered if I was at a concert or Magic Mike,” he quoted with a laugh. Another comment read: “My girlfriend and I saw Burhan last year, does he do anything other than lick his mouth and rub his crotch?” The audience laughed, and Burhan replied with a twinkle in his eye: “Is it that terrible?”

Then he looked out over the lawn and asked: “Should we just stop here? Should we just go home?” A loud “No” came back from the many fans and Burhan smiled, nodded and replied: “Okay, then let's tell them what we made of it.”

Then he launched into "I want you for myself." The shirt came off as expected, and with a black tank top and a well-trained attitude, he sang the line: "But I can also be your bad boy...", while with self-deprecating exaggeration, he demonstratively stuck his hand down his pants and stretched out his crotch, as a direct response to the critics he had just read aloud.

Voice and presence

In between all the chaos, Burhan still delivered what he does best, pop and R&B that hits straight to the heart. “Closer to heaven”, “Jeg vil ha' dig for mig selv”, “Kalder mig hjem”, the hits were in a row, and the audience sang along to every line. At his side was Aarhus native Matilde Emilie, who is a regular on tour. Her powerful vocals filled the entire Friheden and lifted the concert as the perfect complement to Burhan's voice.

Burhan played with the repertoire, jamming and keeping the audience guessing as he brought out songs he had written or sung on for other artists. “We’re playing a little jukebox game,” he said, and the whole Friheden joined in.

From Tinka to telephone light

When the sounds of “Tinka” filled Tivoli Friheden, the eyes of the families with children lit up. A family further back cheered when Burhan greeted their children directly from the stage. Later, during “Calling me home,” it was the older women who pulled out their cell phones and filmed with glazed eyes.

A voice that touches

After an hour of love, jokes and mischief, he ended with a simple: “Thanks for the party, Aarhus.” And even though he had provoked, charmed and teased his way through the show, there was no doubt. Burhan G has a voice that can still touch the hearts of many and on Saturday evening at Tivoli Friheden he did it to the fullest.

You can find the whole Fat Friday concert program and this year's line-up on our Fat Friday event overview.