Steinkjerfestivalen- a little piece of Norway

The fog lay low over the river when on of the main atrractions for the day, Thomas Dybdahl, walked on stage at Steinkjerfestivalen.


With a voice that can grab even the coldest heart, he captivated the audience with songs both from his latest album,Waiting For That One Clear Moment, and previous albums. The melancholy of the music seemed to fit the light rain of Steinkjer perfectly.

Some of my favourite moments of the night were From Grace, Cecilia and the beautiful Still My Body Aches that hasn't really been one of my favourite songs until that night.

The next band up was Big Bang, a rock band that has made a name for themselves in Norway, but haven't had their breakthrough outside the borders yet.

I'm sure a lot of Norwegian music lovers will disagree with me on this, but I just can't get engaged with the show they put on. If it's the pouring rain or the music itself that kills my mood for Big Bang, I don't know, but it wasn't a great fit for this night.

Overall, the day was a success with some quality music and good company even if less rain would have been preferred.

Wireless Festival

It's been a while since I have been to a good and honest pop show. It's been so long that I have no memory of the last time, a sure sign that it's about time to change that.

Good pop music was the main attraction Friday at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. Artists such as P!nk, Plan B, The Ting Tings, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders and Gossip made the audience groove in the sunny park.

The first band I watched was Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. The band's music is catchy and has a definite Queen feel to it. No wonder why with even a guest performance by Queen's drummer Roger Taylor.


The band is tight, but maybe not right for the occation. With a crowd mostly waiting for the headliner of the day, P!nk, it's hard to get them going for a less known rock band.

The second artist of the day was London's own Plan B. The stage was set in a tent which was packed with eager Plan B fans. People were singing and dancing around, no wonder it got hot and sweaty in the tent.

The show was equally hot. Dressed in a smart suit, Plan B entered the stage. The hits from the latest album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, raised the temperature in the tent several degrees. Highlights included Stay too long, She said and Prayin'.

After a short food break, it was time for The Ting Tings. I have to admit that I hadn't heard anything from The Ting Tings since their song about a name that wasn't theirs was a radio favourite.

Most of the songs they perform are from the album We started nothing released in 2008. The catchy melodies are enough to make my feet move, but I would have liked later material in the mix.

After The Tings Tings walked off stage, you could feel the excitement from the crowd. It was time for the headliner, P!nk. Her show is certainly impressive. With 'circus' as theme, P!nk has several acrobats, dancers and musicians on stage. She even has practiced acrobatics herself and the show is not lacking of tricks and entertainment.

Musically it's not lacking either. She has a good voice and the show is packed with good pop songs. However, it's not all good. A part of the show is spent performing cover songs and the most obvious songs you can think of too. Why do covers when you have plenty of other hits you can still perform?

It felt good to be at a pop show again. I certainly danced aroung enough to be covered in the Hyde Park sand afterwards, which I have to admit, suited me really well.