Top 6 music festivals

An insider’s guide to
Norway’s best music festivals

With hundreds of music festivals to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. But there's no need to worry: Øystein Greni, lead singer in the rock band Bigbang and one of Norway’s leading guitarists, shares his six favourite festivals.

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Øystein Greni is best known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist in the Norwegian chart-topping rock band Bigbang. The band made their album debut in 1995 and got their mainstream breakthrough in 2000 with the hit single Girl in Oslo. With 11 albums and hundreds of concerts under their belt, Bigbang has enjoyed great success both domestically and abroad.

Bigbang has been described as “Norway’s best live band”, a position they have held for many years. While Girl in Oslo and Wild bird are some of their most famous songs, the title song of their latest album The Oslo Bowl was widely played on the radio. The album features many guest artists, including Lissie and Gillian Welch.

Whether you fancy indie, rock, pop or hip hop, Øystein Greni’s favourite festivals are worth exploring.

Read more about the festivals and see the map below.

Øystein Greni

Photo: Julien Alary

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Øystein Greni's favorite music festivals

1. Øya, Oslo

“Because it's Øya. Oslo and summer, a no-brainer.”

2. Slottsfjell, Tønsberg

“Great bookings, laid-back atmosphere and the best weather guaranteed."

3 & 4. Parkenfestivalen, Bodø and The Bukta Festival, Tromsø

“Depending on where in the beautiful north of Norway you may find yourself, these two are both excellent.”

5. National Music Day, Oslo

“It's free, and there are so many great up-and-coming artists and bands in this area right now.”

6. By:Larm, Oslo

"It’s like the Austin, Texas festival South of Southwest, but in a colder climate."

More about the festivals

Øya, Oslo:
One of Oslo's largest music festivals, with a lineup that always includes big international names, promising newcomers and everything in between. Usually hosted in August. Read more.

Slottsfjell, Tønsberg:
A rock and pop festival that takes place in one of Norway’s most spectacular outdoor festival areas, right in the heart of the historic town of Tønsberg every year in July. Read more.

Parkenfestivalen, Bodø:
An outdoors festival that takes place in Bodø every year in August. Parkenfestivalen was held for the first time in 2006, and the festival only gets bigger every year. Read more.

The Bukta Festival
An open-air pop and rock festival taking place every July in Tromsø. The festival was first staged in 2004 and has a daily capacity of 6000 people. Read more.

National Music Day, Oslo:
Free music festival on the first Saturday in June, with almost 40 outdoor stages and hundreds of artists. All sorts of genres are represented. Read more.

By:Larm, Oslo:
At By:Larm you’re guaranteed to experience the most exciting established and up-and-coming artists from Northern Europe. The festival is hosted every year in Oslo in mid-February. Read more.

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An insider’s guide to Norway’s best music festivals