Life and family caused them to take a pause. Now, Kaizers Orchestra is traveling the world, replaying their old music.

The Norwegian alternative rock band returned from a decade-long hiatus when they started their revival tour in September 2023. They are now bringing their revival tour to the U.S., and they will play at Fine Line in Minneapolis on Oct. 13.

“We wanted to play those old songs together with our friends in the band in front of a lovely audience,” said lead singer Janove Ottesen.

Last year, they embarked on a sold-out 56-date tour in Norway, according to their Instagram. They toured Europe this past spring and played at festivals throughout the summer. For their first U.S. tour, they played in Boston, New York and Washington D.C. The last two stops are Minneapolis and Los Angeles. 

Before the hiatus, Kaizers Orchestra released eight albums and consistently toured for 13 years, Ottesen said. 

“We got kids and family, and it just felt enough,” Ottesen said. “We didn’t really have more to give, so we agreed to stop.” 

Ottesen, Geir Zahl, Terje Winterstø Røthing, Rune Solheim, Helge Risa and Jon Sjøen formed Kaizers Orchestra in 2000 while they were all in their early 20s. Once they finished their studies, the band was their job. 

Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, according to Sony Hall. That’s where the name of the orchestra comes from. “Kaizers” is a spiff of the villain in the film “The Usual Suspects,” Keyser Söze. The idea is that something dark is conducting their music. 

Outside of two EPs released in 2023, Kaizers Orchestra hasn’t released new music since 2012. Ottensen said this tour is not only about the music. 

“It’s about introducing a classic live show that has been existing and developing for 24 years,” Ottesen said. 

The motivation to finally tour the U.S. was for the band to try something new, Ottesen said. They gained a following in the U.S. in 2013 after they performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, according to Sony Hall. 

“We’re not a very big fan of just repeating what we did before,” Ottesen said. “This is new to us, and that makes it exciting.” 

So far, the band has enjoyed the American crowds. Ottensen said the crowds here are more outspoken. Guitarist Geir Zahl said Europeans and Norwegians are more introverted and filter their emotions more. 

“It’s more spontaneous and energetic here,” Zahl said. 

Zahl studied in Minneapolis for a year for an exchange program and said he is excited to come back. He was assigned Minneapolis at random but was pleasantly surprised. 

“It’s an exciting place,” Zahl said. 

Ottesen said the band is returning to the U.S. next year, and they plan to play a few festivals next summer.