Star DJ Kygo filled Madison Square Garden in New York

TV2 meets Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, better known as Kygo, backstage a few hours before he goes on stage at Madison Square Garden.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, the arena has a maximum capacity of 20,000 spectators and is a far cry from the greatest Norwegian artist to have ever played. But the history behind it Kygo has always had a dream to play here.

– There’s just something about Madison Square Garden. It actually seems more important. It feels very, very big, says Kygo for TV 2.

SOLD OUT: Madison Square Garden is sold out when Kygo finally gets her concert after two years of waiting due to the pandemic. Photo: Mathias Ask/TV2

Madison Square Garden is often referred to as “the most famous square in the world”.

It was here that Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier clashed in what was dubbed the “Battle of the Century” in 1971, Wayne Gretzky played his last game in the National Hockey League in 1999 and Kobe Bryant received a standing ovation from the home team’s fans after scoring 61 points for the championship. Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks in 2009.

It was used by both the Democratic and Republican parties at their national meetings in 1992 and 2004 respectively, and two popes held prayers here.

During the rehearsal, Keijo spotted a giant banner high under the ceiling bearing the name Billy Joel and number 129. This is the record for most concerts in the arena.

– I don’t think I’m there yet, but it’s great to be one of the artists playing here, says Kygo.

Zuccarello’s house land

For most Norwegians, Madison Square Garden is perhaps best known as the old home grounds of Mats Zuccarello since his time at the New York Rangers between 2010 and 2019.

It was also the occasion for Kygo’s only visit to Madison Square Garden before his completely sold out concert.

Home Court: For nine years, Madison Square Garden was the home field for Mats Zuccarello when he played for the New York Rangers in the NHL. Zuccarello now plays in Minnesota Wild. Photo: Jim McIsaac, AFP / SCANPIX

– I’ve only been here once before and then I saw Rangers, ie Zuccarello, play. Then he invited me to fight, says Kygo.

Did you get any tips from him on how to play big in Madison Square Garden?

– No, maybe I don’t have it. Maybe I should message him and see if he has any tips.

It has been postponed due to the pandemic

However, this isn’t the first time Kygo has played in New York. He held many concerts in the big city before the pandemic, including at the other great hall in the city, the Barclays Center.

– It always tends to be good. People love to go to concerts here. Kygo says it’s something that happens every day in New York, but it’s great that people want to come to my concert, too.

He waited a long time to play at Madison Square Garden. A concert was already planned for May 2020, but was canceled due to the pandemic.

– A year and a half passed when I was “stuck” in my house in Bergen. In a way, it was nice to be able to have a little break, but I felt like I missed being able to come back and give concerts, he says.