Wedged in between the construction of Oslo's new financial district, a fjord and ancient church ruins, the famously eco-friendly Øya festival took place last week (7-11 August). Yes, it's pricey (a glass of wine will set you back a cool tenner) but with an exciting line-up and gorgeous Scandinavians all around, it's definitely not all bad.
We don't get off to the best of starts as the buzz around the site on the first day is that remarkably talented Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør managed to outshine main headliners The Stone Roses (we were with Mani and co) with a heart-stirring performance.
First Aid Kit however get things back on track by delivering a spellbinding, career-defining performance, laughing in the face of those who presume headbanging and acoustic folk don't go together. Refused too bring the ruckus with a skullcrushing set of postcore that erupts with their seminal anthem New Noise, while the awesomely bonkers disco-punk of Danes Reptile Youth prove a must-see.
Electronica wiz Nicolas Jaar serves up a beautifully constructed club set, while the crowd at Bon Iver's festival closing set seem visibly moved by Justin Vernon the sore falsetto.
Brand Barstein
Q's act of the weekend: Björk
While others did well, Øya 2012 undeniably belonged to Björk, who shatters the earth with Biophilia track Mutual Core, which provides an insight into the future with a fully digital, visually immaculate performance featuring a dozen choir girls and two Tesla coils suspended in a cage. No wonder she's something of a goddess around these parts.
Download the new Q Festival App for iPhone now for the latest festival line-ups, news plus a special messenger system you can use onsite to keep in touch with your friends.
4:21 PM | 13/08/2012
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Great article - really makes me wish I had been there!
Posted by Alexander at 9:35 PM | 13/08/2012 | Report Abuse
hjx.pun that. K mun bo 1ng ma cug k mun lam kho ka 2. Sao k co cjak nhu khj om bu'n nhj. Paj chag m k co cjak yeu nua.
Posted by oanhnguyen at 1:09 PM | 14/08/2012 | Report Abuse
Daft Punk next year???
Posted by JStix at 10:57 PM | 15/08/2012 | Report Abuse
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