Aqua have announced they are splitting after more than three decades together, ending their run as a live band. Photo / Getty Images
Aqua have announced they are splitting after more than three decades together, ending their run as a live band. Photo / Getty Images
Aqua have announced they are splitting up after more than three decades together.
Bringing an end to one of pop music’s most colourful and commercially successful Eurodance acts, the Danish-Norwegian group – best known for the global smash hit Barbie Girl – confirmed in a statement posted on Instagram onMonday they would no longer continue as a live band.
The band wrote: “After many incredible years, we have decided to close the chapter of Aqua as a live band.
“Aqua has been such a huge part of our lives, and together we’ve had the chance to experience more than we ever dared to dream of.
“We’ve travelled the world countless times, met so many wonderful people, sung together with millions of you, and shared memories that we will carry with us forever.”
Aqua formed in 1995 and went on to sell more than 33 million records worldwide, becoming one of the defining pop acts of the late 1990s with chart hits including Doctor Jones, Turn Back Time, My Oh My and Cartoon Heroes.
The split announcement comes less than a year before the 30th anniversary of their debut album Aquarium, which transformed the group into international stars and cemented their place in pop culture history.
The Danish-Norwegian group, famous for hits such as Barbie Girl, sold more than 33 million records worldwide. Photo / Getty Images
Aqua’s lineup in recent years consisted of Rene Dif, Soren Rasted and Lene Nystrøm, after founding member Claus Norreen departed in 2016 to pursue other projects.
In the statement, the group said the decision to end the band had been reached amicably.
They wrote: “When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together.
“For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong, and while the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact.”
The statement concluded: “From the bottom of our hearts: thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey over the past 30 years. Thank you for the love, the energy, the support, and for all the moments we’ve shared together.
Fans reacted emotionally online, with many describing the break-up as “the end of an era”.
One supporter said: “Devastated… but also so grateful to have seen your brilliant live show several times… your incredible catalogue of songs will live on forever.”
Another wrote: “So disappointing and sad for the fans and unexpected.”
A third fan posted: “End of an era! I have so many beautiful memories over decades and I’m so grateful I’ve been able to see you a few times. Your shows are incredible and your music will be a treasure always.”
Although Aqua’s biggest commercial peak came in the late 1990s, the band experienced a major resurgence in 2023 when Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice sampled Barbie Girl on the single Barbie World for the movie Barbie.
The film, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, reignited global interest in Aqua’s music and introduced the group to a younger audience.
Barbie World reached No 4 in the British charts and marked Aqua’s highest chart success in more than two decades.
