Perhaps it should have been the Beatles in an "Octopus's Garden," or Spongebob Squarepants and the Bikini Bottom Marching Band to hold the record for the deepest underwater concert, but we will have to settle for intrepid young U.K. star Katie Melua as the reigning maestro of the deep.
Mellow singer-songwriter Melua and her stalwart band of five performed a concert Monday for workers 303 meters (over 900 feet) below sea level at the bottom of a support leg of the enormous Statoil Troll A gas platform in the North Sea.
Melua, 22, not dissimilar in style to American Norah Jones and currently the U.K.'s top-selling female artist, and band underwent rigorous physical testing and training — including instruction on how to wriggle through the window of a helicopter submerged in frigid waters — before they were choppered to the rig and lowered via elevator to the dusky deep for the fathomy show.
"This was definitely the most surreal gig I've ever done," quipped the Georgian-Irish performer during the performance. The stunt was the brainchild of platform manager Jan Hauge in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of gas production on the Norwegian Troll A rig. Hauge also joined Melua's band on electric piano for one of her tunes, so perhaps he had an ulterior motive for the suggestion.
The Troll A platform — at 1,548-feet, the tallest installation ever moved by humans — was towed into position about 55 miles from Bergen, Norway, in 1995. The platform, most of which is underwater, is supported by four legs, one of which served as Melua's concert stage. Twenty-two tons of lighting and sound equipment had to be transported to the bottom of the leg in preparation for the record-breaking performance.
In addition to the gassy staff, the audience included Craig Glenday, Editor-in Chief of Guinness World Records, who verified the validity of the world record, including that Melua performed a "traditional concert performance of vocals and instrument to an audience."
Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) will show a TV program of the "traditional concert performance of vocals and instrument to an audience" on Saturday, and a documentary of the entire experience "around Christmas."
Article comments
1 - Victor Plenty
At a conversion rate of 3.28 feet per meter, 303 meters is nearly 1000 feet (993 feet, to be precise).
Maintaining normal environmental conditions at this depth is in some ways a much tougher engineering challenge than creating a human-friendly habitat in outer space. The difference in pressure between normal atmosphere and the vacuum of space is about equal to the pressure difference between normal atmosphere and a depth of only 33 feet under water.
I heard a brief clip of audio from the concert, which made it quite clear the structure must maintain normal surface pressure even at this great depth. The only way humans can survive the full compression at 303 meters deep is to breathe a gas mixture consisting mostly of helium, which would've made the concert sound like a record-breaking performance by Alvin and the Chipmunks.
2 - Eric Olsen
fascinating Victor, thanks - it is a very impressive engineering feat. It wouldn't be happening if there weren't very strong economic incentives behind it. I don't think most of us fully comprehend the pressure aspects of this. The pool we go to in the summer is 12' deep, and at the bottom I can really feel the pressure - that's only 12'!
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I admit the feat alone is amazing and pretty damn cool. Too Bad I can't say the same for the boring pretentious artist they chose to complete this outstanding accomplishment. It doesn't add up...
4 - Eric Olsen
I agree she's pretty drab. I think it's a matter of popularity - she's the top-selling female artist in the U.K.!
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Oh sure.. I understand that. But, when did people who can't sing become popular. I mean is that tone that she carries supposed to be original? Or is it that if you listen to poor quality long enough you will tend to like it? Just like Dave Matthew's voice... Pure Shoddiness.
I mean I can list 'em all for you... I think it's mass brainwashing
6 - Eric Olsen
I am not a great fan of Dave's voice either, too nasal, although some of his music is captivating
7 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I agree...Dave Matthew's BAND are excellent musicians and although I can't stand their compositions for too long, they do write some decent material. Again, how does a band like that end up with Mr. Isingthrumanose? I probably would've been somewhat a fan if it was all instrumental...