While Wednesday had scattered rain and humid weather, was Thursday sunny and warm. As usual, the venue filled gradually up, but still there was a good crowd to see the first bands. The big headliner Kendrick Lamar had banned photography. None of the other artists had contracts or banned photography, so there were plenty of opportunities to get some good shots without photographing Lamar. (Photo above: Nergal from Behemoth)

There is a growing tendency for some artists to either have a photo contract that restricts the press and often also expect the photographer to let the artist use his photos free of charge, or to ban photographers from the concert. It is a parallel to how some politicians try to control how the press report. The Norwegian press organizations have made a statement against contracts and photo bans, but still some newspapers choose to report. To me, this is double standards.

Thursday at the Øya Festival was the hip hop and harder rock day. Lamar, 6lack, Sleaford Mods represented the hip hop-ish styles, while High on Fire and Behemoth represent the darker and harder rock. In between Fieh, Thea & The Wild, Fever Ray and Wolf Alice covered the other booking this day that makes Øya the eclectic and highly interesting festival that it is. Here are photos of the artists I shot on Thursday.

Fieh

Thea & The Wild

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Wolf Alice

Sleaford Mods

6lack

Fever Ray

High On Fire

Behemoth

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