This summer has been bad in Oslo, with rain and low temperatures. So much the better when the weather suddenly turned and we got sun and warm temperatures for the Oya festival. The first two days have been perfect, and Friday and Saturday will be even better! And with artists like Florence + The Machine, Father John Misty, Lianne La Havas, Run The Jewels, Torgeir Waldemar an many more, the Thursday was another top festival day. (Photo above: Father John Misty)

Thursday started out with Torgeir Waldemar, He is a relatively new artist, debuting with an EP in 2012 and he released his first self-titled full length album in 2014, which he got nomination for Spellemannprisen (The Norwegian Grammy). His music is naked, introvert, in the Americana landscape. Torgeir Waldemar is a typical artist to listen to, but he has a great band and his concert was a perfect opener for Oya this day.

Next out, and the first artist on Vindfruen, is another one of our many newer Norwegian quality artists, Silja Sol from Bergen. Like Waldemar she debuted with an album, På Hjertet, in 2014, singing in Norwegian about what a twenty something woman is concerned about. Her performance is of the kind where you get happy when seeing her.

 

Lianne La Havas was new to me, but I really fell in love with her songs, her performance, and not the least, her and the band’s perfect vocal harmonies. It is so refreshing to hear someone who puts so much emphasis on this. Together with some intricate syncopated rhythms, it became the perfect chill out for a sunny day at Oya. Check out her album from this year, Blood.

I must admit that I am generally no fan of hip hop, but the duo Run The Jewels get a big thumbs up from me. Mostly because of their good natured banter between them, and also because of their good songs. I have seen too many self conscious rappers with a big microphone in one hand and the other on their crotch. But El-P and Killer Mike was to me the exception to the rule. Check out their newest album, Run The Jewels 2.

Team Me has long been a concert favorite of mine. They are a musical collective, and have grown from fun and interesting to fun and professional, with a determination to reach higher. The band has existed for only 5 years, but has become a professional live band during this time, and has also got critical acclaim for their two albums, To The Treetops and Blind As Night.

Bad Religion at Slottsfjell 2013

I saw Bad Religion at the Slottsfjell festival two years ago, so I decided to get me some food instead.

Back to the main stage and Ride. I must admit that I failed to recognize them when they were active during the 90’s. They started out in 1988 and broke up in 1996. Since then the members of the band have been active in different constellations, and in 2014 they decided to reunite again. Their music is alternative rock/shoegazing, and not necessarily my favorite music. But the band did a more than decent job at Oya, and the fans were happy.

The first wow concert for me Thursday was Father John Misty. This long, bearded guy, has  entered the music scene as a hurricane with his 2015 release, I Love You, Honeybear. He released nine albums before this, eight of them under his real name, Joshua Tillman, and one as Father John Misty. From 2008 to 2012 he was also the drummer for Fleet Foxes.

On stage Father John Misty is witty, extremely audience friendly, and his songs are organic, with more than a touch of good old hippy influences, both in the songs themselves, but also in the airy and reverb-intense production. He managed to transfer the good feeling from the albums to his live performance. Joshua Tillman aka Father John Misty has got a new fan in Norway!

After Father John Misty, Florence + The Machine increased the intensity with her concert. You can read more about her here, and also see more photos from her concert.

All photos are © Per Ole Hagen and must not be used without written permission.