Bergen Fest 2015 – The Last Night With Röyksopp, Susanne Sundfør And More

The Struts © Per Ole HagenBergen Fest 2015 is over, and now we are looking forward to next year. But first, a report from the last night, Sunday. I saw Death Cab for Cutie – American indie pop, The Struts from England – the closest you get to a glam band nowadays. Then I saw Susanne Sundfør, who is getting her live act to a higher level, Razika, super charming indie rock from Bergen, and Röyksopp, electronica royalty from Tromsø, Norway. (Photo above: The Struts) Continue reading

Eclectic Saturday at Bergen Fest 2015 with Jaga Jazzist, Kygo, Aurora, Tori Amos and Seinabo Sey

Tori Amos © Per Ole HagenSaturday at Bergen Fest 2015 followed up the eclectic mix from the day before. The headliner was Kygo, Bergen’s own DJ star, then Indie favorites Alt-J, uncompromising Tori Amos with her grand piano. Aurora is another coming star from Bergen, and Seinabo Sey is one of the best things coming from Sweden those days. Put in British folk rock with the Levellers, speed jazz from Jaga Jazzist and some more indie-folk from Kyla La Grange, and you have a mix worthy of one of Norway’s best festivals. (Photo above: Tori Amos)

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Friday at Bergen Fest 2015 with Bastille, Ben Howard and Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne © Per Ole HagenFriday at Bergen Fest presented artists from totally different genres. Jackson Browne and Calexico have some common songwriting traits, while St. Paul & The Broken Bones were quite different – white soul from Birmingham, Alabama. Then we got John Grant singing about lost love and misery. Bastille follows up in the wake of Imagine Dragons. and Ben Howard closed the night with his folk inspired music to the delight of all the girls at the front. For a festival with all ages and varied tastes, it was probably just the right programming. (Photo above: Jackson Browne.)

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Ladies’ Night Thursday at Bergen Fest 2015

Patti Smith © Per Ole HagenThe first day at this year’s Bergen Fest had Patti Smith as the headliner. Before her, the Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit played. The opening act was supposed to be Sam Smith, but when he canceled, Grace Jones came in, making the main stage on the opening day all female. Many festivals have been criticized for having to few female artists, and their argument is often that there aren’t enough good female artists. They shouldn’t worry – Bergen Fest showed us yesterday that this is no problem. (Picture above: Patti Smith) Continue reading

Marilyn Manson at Sentrum Scene in Oslo

Marilyn Manson © Per Ole HagenMarilyn Manson has been a controversial artist since he entered the foggy limelight in 1993. His name is a combination of two of the best known American cult figures, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. Manson was born Brian Hugh Warner, and  his music has been accused of being an influence for the Columbine massacre, and also from turning young people away from God.

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My Favorite Female Live Artists

Ida Jenshus © Per Ole HagenWhen shooting concerts, you develop your own style with likes and dislikes. Personally I have always liked shooting metal and heavy metal bands, because of the spectacular clothes, long hair and hair whips, and the challenging lights. But I have also shot some female artists that I have really liked. (Picture above: Ida Jenshus)

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Highasakite With New Songs

Highasakite © Per Ole HagenHighasakite have in a little more than two years become one of the most exciting Norwegian bands, both on record and live. Their album Silent Treatment from last year won them two awards in the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) in January. They have also got deservedly rave reviews for their live shows. Last night they played a sold out show at Sentrum Scene, and tonight they are playing another, also this one totally sold out.

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Behemoth At Inferno 2015

Behemoth © Per Ole HagenThe definitive headliner at Inferno 2015 were Behemot. The Polish band is among the most respected in the world among all black/death metal bands, and their performance at the Inferno Festival was top class. I showed some of the photos I took of them on the report from Thursday at the festival. Here are more photos.

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Enslaved Ruled Inferno

Enslaved © Per Ole HagenEnslaved were one of the headliners of the Inferno festival. You can read more about them  here, listen to their latest album, In Times here, and see photos from earlier concerts with them at Rockefeller in 2013 and at Eidsivablot last September. Here are more pictures of Enslaved from their Inferno concert. (Photo above: Grutle)

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Inferno 2015 – Saturday

Kampfar © Per Ole HagenThe last night of a festival is always special. The fans know it is a year until next time, and ant to do the most of it. On the other hand, there days of partying takes it’s toll, so the energy isn’t always up to expectations. Saturday night was a good night at Inferno, with bands from Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Norway. (Photo above: Dolk from Kampfar)

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