Foto: Anne-Marie Forker

Swedish star Carola came to Unity Arena in Fornebu for her only show in the world in 2025, and her biggest ever concert in Norway, labelled as "The Statement". She is one of the participants in last season of the TV2 hit Hver gang vi møtes, the first time a Swedish artist has been on the Norwegian version of the program. Expectations were high at the venue, not just for her hits, but for a spectacle.



Given the venue’s large size, there was a real risk of losing intimacy, but the crowd seemed determined to make it feel personal. Many had followed Carola since the 1980s, some discovered her more recently via Hver gang vi møtes. The evening was a party, a celebration of Carola's many hits with a spectacular stage show, which kicked off with Carola standing on top of a large "C" and sparkling pyro across the stage. The production was ambitious: lighting effects, dramatic staging, video projections, and costume changes accentuated the journey through her catalogue from early hits like "Främling" to more recent work.



Even after 40+ years in the business, Carola's vocals held power. Her strongest vocal of the evening came with poprocker "The Runaway". Images of her from her younger days appeared on the big screen, combined with live footage of her today. The guitar solo was outstanding and a highlight of the evening. In ballads she was both raw and vulnerable; in uptempo numbers, she radiated energy and joy. During an intimate ballad section on the B stage, she cleverly changed the lyrics for "Det regnar i Stockholm" to sing "Och det regnar här i Oslo idag", much to the delight of the crowd. This segment of songs featured a special guest appearance by Stein Torleif Bjella, and ended with a large children's choir. The pace picked up again with the next upbeat number and Carola climbed down off the stage to greet the front row of the crowd. Another special guest appearance followed later in the set with Julie Bergan, which was welcomed with one of the biggest cheers of the night.



The concert delivered on its promises. It was heartfelt, and for those who came expecting an evening of hits and spectacle, there was plenty. For those hoping for moments of vulnerability and connection, those were there too. There were imperfections and some sound issues, a few pacing lulls, but they didn’t erode what was, on the whole, a triumphant performance. This was not just a concert but a summation of a long career.