Gather ye round children, and pray lend an ear to my tale.
The winter had been long, the frost harsh and the wolf had howled from its den. People were huddled together as they sought warmth from closeness and a respite from dark thoughts in the golden mead.
But lo, what did we have before of us? A sign of light? A warming breeze blowing in through the glen? Were the beasts of darkness finally giving way for that the most life-giving of all seasons, spring?
In between the black and white birches, a deep drum rose up, proclaiming war on despair, filling our nigh broken hearts with joyful lust and frolic...

“You’re going to get to sing and dance and all that!”
- Nanna Barslev (vocals)

Yes, wintertime so masterfully represented by the bleak black metal of Eldjudnir was now giving way to the life affirming joy and rebirth of spring represented by Huldre in all their splendour and bare feet.
Loppen was the place where the two bands were so masterfully portraying this ancient battle ballet between light and dark, cold and warmth, death and rebirth, a fitting place indeed for Huldre to headline a show since this was where Metalmoments first heard the wild choir in what seems like ages past now, where they themselves were supporting Svartsot in a show where the roles were turned on their head, as it were. At that time death had headlined and conquered in the fray, whereas this night it was life that got to take its place behind the reins.

“You have far too much clothing on, now we will dance through the marsh!”
- Barslev (vocals)

Songs of yore and ballads of the ages were our guiding light, dancing was our gait and full of joy were our voices as they joined that of Barslev while the band steered us through material old and new to awaken the buds on the branches and the swallows in their nests.
The road to a brighter tomorrow isn’t always an easy one, as portrayed by Vaageblus, Aage Og Else, Trold and others which with their lyrics tell of an everlasting darkness outside which we must always take care will not lead us astray; indeed, this mischievousness is present in the very nature of the Huldre, the being that the band has its name from!
Some strength, an not least comfort can be found in numbers, and band and audience together rose up to celebrate the change of seasons and shone a light of joy on those shadows misleading. Many were we who took a stand, but some rose higher still, like beacons of light for the rest of us they blew the horn or spearheaded the dance, and they were duly rewarded with eggs, a powerful symbol of new life and beginnings. The rest of us had our thirst quenched by mead, and were allowed to pick logo-patches of a branch, showing that Huldre is ever growing and will come back even after the darkest of times.

And with that, birds chirped in the air and the belaudment ritual came to an end, and truly all hearts and spirits present had been lifted, giving hope for a warmer tomorrow. Of life conquering death there could be no doubt, and that most highly unique of all Danish bands had once more led us down the right path, a path I hope we will continue along with them for many years to come. Who else could have set up a performance so laden with symbolism, and do it so effortlessly that one could easily miss it in the bliss of the moment?
Well now, off to bed with ye. This old man’s ramblings have gone on far too long already. Know that darkness, just as light, will come again, and you will need strength of heart and beards as long as Bjarnes to help you through.

Setlist:

Beirblakken
Ulvevinter
Skovpolska
Knoglekvad
Trold
Gennem Marsken
Varulv
Vaageblus
Spillemand
Brandridt
Aage Og Else
Nattesorg
Skærsild
To Ravne