The Oya Festival in Oslo is over, and all the attendees have had the time to sleep, relax and start preparing for a new week. I have sorted out my photos from the festival, and here are my pics from the first festival day, Wednesday August 7th. (Picture above: Laura Mwula)
Slayer is one of the Big Four in trash metal, and yesterday night they headlined the Sjosiden stage at the last day of the Oya festival in Oslo. The space in front of the stage was packed with fans, they were quite visible during the day, waiting for their heroes. Most of them thought the wait was worth it.
The two big brit pop bands in the mid 90’s were Oasis and Blur. Suede and Pulp were also there, but didn’t reach the same level as the other two bands. I saw Oasis at the ACL festival in 2005 and wasn’t impressed. Yesterday Blur played at the Oya Festival in Oslo, headlining the big stage, and I saw a vital and well played band.
Kvelertak is one of the most promising bands from Norway the last years. They come from the city of Stavanger on the south-west coast of Norway. The band started up in 2007, but got their break through in 2009. Kvelertak is headlining the second stage at the Oya festival’s first day, and here are some pictures of them for the last four years.
The twenty sixth Notodden festival is over, and it has been a great festival with lots of happy blues fans, great artists who truly enjoyed being at Notodden, and some remarkable and memorable concerts. The festival closed Sunday with a free concert at noon. Saturday was packed with music, from the morning until late night. Here is a report from the last two days. (Picture above: Dana Fuchs)
Friday’s biggest headliner at the Notodden Blues Festival was Van Morrison. He played the biggest outdoor venue at the festival, Brygga, with 8000 enthusiastic fans. Before Van Morrison, James Hunter played the same venue, and later at night Little Andrew, Beth Hart and the Royal Southern Brotherhood played the big tent. Summarized, a great day with one big positive surprise for me.
Metallica have been the leading band in the trash metal style since the early 80’s. Since 1991 they have also been the commercially most successful band in the genre. James Hetfield has been their lead singer and guitarist all these years, and today, August 3rd, he is 50 years old.
The Notodden Blues Festival is the biggest blues festival in Norway, and it is also wll known internationally, as being a part of the Mississippi Blues Trail. This years festival is number 26, and 2013 is also the city Notodden’s 100 year anniversary. I have visited the festival every year singe 1994, and it is one of my festival highlights every year. So far, this year will be no exception. (Picture above: Good Time Charlie)
Buddy Guy is 77 years old today, and here are pictures from some of the concerts I have seen with him. FIrst of all at the ACL Festival in Austin in 2005, but also at the Notodden Blues Festival in 2009.
Next Thursday, August 1st the twenty sixth Notodden Blues Festival starts. A program topped with Van Morrison, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Royal Southern Brotherhood and John Mayall is ready for blues fans from all over Norway. Notodden is the meeting place for the Norwegian blues family, and this year’s festival looks very good.
Artist Pictures Blog 