FOR some, a green festival in the beautiful setting of Norway with the likes of The Cure, Tame Impala, Sigird, Idles and more on the bill is what dreams are made of. For us, earlier this month… it was a reality.
The setting was Oslo – the European Green Capital in 2019 and quite simply put, we’ve never witnessed a festival quite like it. Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, Øya is far from a new event on the scene, however its energy and approach is just that.
Øya-festival was born back in 1999 and took place in Kalvøya, Sandvika which is just outside Oslo until 2001. Then it moved to Medieval Park (Middelalderparken) in Oslo, and been at Tøyen since 2014. Around 100 000 people attend the event over four days.
This year’s line-up was sublime. From Glastonbury heavyweights The Cure, to a welcomed appearance from the ever-fantastic Tame Impala and the groundbreaking Idles – all flair and fire with an energy that was only matched by the crowd.
Then there was a huge set from Sigrid which put her on the festival headliner radar for 2022 we’re sure of it. You didn’t have to look hard to find a true stab at gender equality on the bill either. We demand to see Christine and the Queens, Robyn and Soccer Mommy on a Scottish bill very soon. And we mean it.
We thoroughly recommend you strongly consider getting yourself to Øya in 2020. Beautiful city, wonderful people and we can only predict an outrageously good line-up. We are SOLD.
Check out the 2018 aftermovie below:
