Every year Bergenfest gives its audience a variety of different musical forms of expression, ranging from authentic American blues, related music such as R&B to cajun/zydeco and rock/country-influenced concerts. Folk music from other parts of the world is also a natural part of the musical diversity.
The first Bergenfest (then called Ole Blues) was arranged in 1992. After the start the audience numbers at the festival has almost exploded, rising from 1.500 in the first year to 42 000 in 2004. Average attendance for the festival has been between 20.000 – 35.000 per year.
Genres:
Rock, Pop, Blues, World, Folk Music, Electronica, Hip Hop. Think of a genre and you'll probably find it at Bergenfest...
Headliners 1993 – 2010:
Neil Young (Solo show), Roger Waters – Dark Side of The Moon, Robert Plant & Strange Sensation, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Nick Cave (Solo show), Iggy & The Stooges, Pet Shop Boys, Randy Newman, Manic Street Preachers, Ryan Adams, Joe Henry, Tindersticks, Marianne Faithfull, New York Dolls, Lambchop, John Paul Jones & Robyn Hitchcock, Ulver, Booker T & MG’s, Röyksopp, Gotan Project, The Chieftains, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Sir George Martin’s “The Making of Sgt. Pepper”, Ray Davies, Common, Asian Dub Foundation, De La Soul, Roger McGuinn, Gang of Four, Donovan, Elidaes Ochoa, Nils Loftgren, The Residents, Nick Lowe, Pharaoae Monch, Eric Sermon, David Johansen, RL Burnside, Clannad, Femi Kuti, Juan Marcos Afro-Cuban All Stars, Magnet, Kings of Convenience.
Bergenfest in the press:
Bergenfest has received standing ovations from the press, and has established itself as a modern music festival of both national and international interest. The festival is sponsored by Norwegian corporations, and receives funding from the Government on both regional and national levels. In 2000, Bergenfest, then named Ole Blues Festival, was voted “Festival of the Year” by its peers in the Norwegian Rock Festival Council. The festival has also received the price of honour from Bergen Tourist Board in 2001, “for excellent marketing of Bergen”.