The last day of Tons of Rock 2016 was the best weather wise, sunny and warm. The crowd was still eager to see more bands, even if some of them were getting noticeably tired after the first two days. Most of the people were camping, since Halden doesn’t have a specially good hotel capacity. The day started with The Annex, while Bodies closed the festival twelve hours later. Between them we got Amon Amarth, Megadeth, Behemoth and many others. (Photo above: the audience to Hedvig Mollestad Trio)
Tons of Rock 2016 – Friday with Alice Cooper, Sixx:AM, The Dogs, Converge and more
While the weather gods were slightly grumpy at Tons of Rock the first day, they were in a better mood Friday. Overcast and a good temperature is perfect for an outdoor festival, and specially good for photography. The line up Friday had Alice Cooper and Ghost as headliners, plus Sixx:AM, Convergeand Norwegian favorites like Black Debate, The Dogs and El Caco. (Photo above: Alice Cooper)
Tons of Rock 2016 – Thursday with Black Sabbath, Rival Sons and more
The third Tons of Rock festival was arranged this weekend at Fredriksen Festning in Halden, Norway. The two preceding festival have both been successful, and with great artists, but this year they topped it with artists like Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Megadeath, Behemoth, Ghost and Sixx:AM. Thursday night had Black Sabbath as headliner. (Photo above: Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath)
Bergen Fest 2016 – Friday with Lars Vaular, Sivert Høyem, YelaWolf, Half Moon Run, Jake Bugg and more
Friday at Bergen Fest had a noticeably younger audience than the first two days. The reason was obvious, with local hip hop hero Lars Vaular as headliner and bad boy YelaWolf, plus the British boy wonder Jake Bugg, this was the day for the young crowd. We also got the Canadian indie boys in Half Moon Run, a tropical party with Rudimental and the new British soul star, John Newman. (Photo above: Lars Vaular)
Bergen Fest 2016 – Thursday with Wilco, Sigur Rós, Ghost, Banditos and more
Thursday at Bergen Fest had a couple of my favorite bands – live and on album – plus some new ones. Wilco has long been a favorite since I saw them the first time at Norwegian Wood in 1999. I have seen Ghost several times the last years, and love their pop version of black metal. Sigur Rós isn’t my personal favorites, but they always make a great live show. Here are the artists I saw last night. (Photo above: Ghost)
Bergen Fest 2016 – Wednesday With Biffy Clyro, Vintage Trouble, Israel Nash, Michael Kiwanuka and more
Bergen Fest is usually my first summer festival every year, and I always look forward to this festival. They have a good booking, the organizers are extremely professional and also friendly, and there is a good spirit there. This year’s festival started out Wednesday night with Biffy Clyro as the headliner, and with top performances from Vintage Trouble and many other artists. (Photo above: Ty Taylor from Vintage Trouble)
Steve Vai – Guitar Hero Par Excellense
I have seen many great guitarists in my time, but few of the calibre of Steve Vai. What he can make a guitar do for him is amazing. He has also understood that a live performance is part music, part visual, and he gives the crowd value for their money. Sunday night Steve Vai played a packed Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo.
Ulrich Ellison And Tribe – Power Trio from Austin
Every year when I am in Austin, I discover one or more artists that I haven’t seen before, and that I like. Two years ago I discovered Donn’s Depot and the lovely Mondays with Chris Gage and friends. Last year I saw The Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers again, after too many years since the last time I saw them. This year the concert with Ulrich Ellison and Tribe was a very pleasant surprise. These days the band are on the tail end of a two months tour in Europe, and last night they played at Herr Nilsen in Oslo.
Turbonegro With Their Only Oslo Show This Summer
Turbonegro is one of Norway’s internationally best known bands. They started out in 1989 and have been active since then, except for three years between 1999 and 2002. They have also changed personnel during the years, going through several singers, drummers and guitarists. The two founding members who are still there, are Happy Tom and Rune Rebellion. On May 16th they played at Sukkerbiten in Oslo.
The Kinkster is Back in Oslo Again
Two years ago I saw Kinky Friedman at Café Mono in Oslo and had a grand evening. Last night he was back, this time at Vulkan arena with a new CD and with some new songs. His quotes are mostly the same as before, but with a few new ones. With Kinky you know what you get, and it is always a joy to see him.