Oya Festival are celebrating their 27th anniversary this year at Toyen Park, Oslo with an exciting line up of Norwegian and global acts. Oya started out in 1999 with their first festival welcoming 1,000 attendees. This year there will be around 100,000 people expected for this 4 day festival. Oya is well known for their Green credentials, equal gender line ups and has a reputation for being one of the friendliest festivals.
Oya prides itself on their sustainability efforts in an industry that can be harmful to environment for example through airline use for tours and record production methods. They manage this through promoting greener local travel to the site, reducing single plastic use, having less meat based food options and promoting locally sourced food. They use renewable energy to run their stages, recycle their waste efficiently and continuing to explore ways to reduce their carbon footprint. These admirable actions have been part of the festival ethos since 2002 and their forward thinking actions should be considered by other festivals.
One of the joys of being a fan of music and festivals is when line ups start to be announced for the next festival season seeing who is playing where. Oya has always looked interesting but I had never been until this year deciding to come and bring my two sons with me. Oya Festival is wonderfully compact with all stages only a few minutes walk apart. Two of the stages are directly beside each other sharing a backstage area. The line up is varied and includes local bands and artists showcased on all stages including headliner Dagny. The headliners drew my attention but bands further down the bill were also of interest and getting to explore some Norwegian artists before coming added another level of enjoyment.
Oya Festival is facing some criticism for their sponsorship which has some links to Israel putting it at odds with people who are supportive of a Free Palestine. Oya management have recognized the concerns raised during last years’ protests and taken some action to address these concerns. They have done this by inviting organisations that support Palestinian autonomy to be involved at Oya. There are a number of bands who speak out on stage supporting Palestine and there are Palestinian flags on stage at the request of some of the bands. The challenges of finding solutions to the situation in the Middle East will not be met within the festival and some people will want Oya to end their involvement with their funders but there is some acknowledgement and effort made to address this issue.
Candura
Candura are the first act at Oya Festival on the Vindfruen Stage bringing a blend of Brazilian Music, bossa nova and combining it with other musical influences blending them together to make an exciting sound. On stage there are 13 musicians including 4 backing singers, brass instruments alongside percussion, bass and drums. Lead singer Gabriella Garrubo has a wonderful vocal range switching between tempos and captivating us as the band provide beautiful, hypnotic rhythms. The music takes us on a journey to Brazil, gets our hips swaying with tropical music and lifts our spirits making for a terrific introduction to the festival. Candura have released their debut single ‘Por Ai’ and are planning on spreading their joyous sound outside of Norway. Oya Festival have done well to showcase this Norwegian band so early on before they capture the hearts of others as they plan their future tours. All that is left is for the band to say “Tusen Takk” (Thank you) but really it is us that should be thanking them for getting us off to such a good start at Oya.
Oleg Kirkeng
One of the best things about Oya Festival is listening to artists who you might not have otherwise listened to and before coming to the Festival Oleg Kirkeng was on my list of must sees. His honesty, humour, great songs based in Americana but influenced by being from Norway caught my attention when I listened to them. Oleg and his band take us to the dusty roads associated with Americana but bring their own quirky, heartfelt take on it. They played a number of songs from his second (most recent album) Cowboy Lie Detector Machine including “Gap Year” singing about escape. The lines “Oh I need to find myself and I can’t do it here” capturing the restlessness of Americana music. ‘Double shift’ and ‘Must be growing up’ stand out in a very enjoyable set.
Sailor Honeymoon
Sailor Honeymoon are an all woman trio from Seoul, South Korea who play spirited rock that has a punk energy and humor within their music. The band members – Abi Raymaker (drums and vocals), Kim Yeren (bass) and Zaeeun Shin (guitars and vocals) have their debut album released this week. It is highly anticipated and Sailor Honeymoon are on the cusp of wider recognition as they are playing a number of festivals that will make them more popular (deservedly so). Sailor Moon play a number of songs today that are on The Worst of Sailor Honeymoon which show both the humorous and serious aspects of the band. They are incredibly fun to watch live with Abi’s sometimes spoken vocals recalling Wet Leg. Their enthusiasm and energy on ‘Bad Apple’ and dry humor on ‘Cockroach’ were highlights for me. Sailor Honeymoon are touring now, playing festivals and their own shows. I’d recommend catching them now if you can.
Mogwai
Mogwai opened their set with ‘Yes! I am a long way from home’ from their Young Team album easing us in gently to a set that drew on songs from a number of their albums. Mogwai continue to be one of the finest post rock live bands around building their songs incrementally shifting from softness to brutal loudness effortlessly as they show on ‘Hi Chaos’ next. Highlight of the set for me was ‘Mogwai Fear Satan’ also from the Young Team album. The song builds up until it feels like it can’t continue to be so restrained then let’s loose with an explosion of sound making it both beautiful and terrifying. Mogwai have the ability to make you lose yourself in their music and part of something more communal. I couldn’t stop smiling during the set. I’d forgotten just how special this band is and how they continue to make great music (whether on soundtracks or their own releases).
Amyl and the Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers raised the energy levels further with their punk pop brash and bold music leading to some outbreaks of moshing in the crowd., Amy Taylor (lead singer) has become even more fierce, becoming a more formidable frontwoman if that is even possible. She and the band have bags of energy and use their platform to express the importance of being more open and inclusive to others. They do this with their initial statement before their set and by advising the moshing crowd to look out for each other saying “If someone goes down pick them up”. ‘Security’ stands out with the line “I’m not looking for trouble, I’m looking for love” and ‘Jerkin’ with the line “You are just a critic, and you want to hit it” showing both sides of the band. Amyl and the Sniffers play joyous punk which is personal and political and do this in their own individual style. As Amy says “We need to head straight at it (the future) otherwise we’ll be crushed by it”. Amyl and the Sniffers may appear to be cartoon punks but their rawness, righteous anger and punk spirt raises the energy levels as we lead up to The Cure.
The Cure
The Cure have so released so much life changing music across a number of generations who all claim it as their own. The band played a mammoth set (about 2 and 1/2 hours) but could have played all day and you would still feel that there was more to hear, For the more casual fans they might have been content with the extended encore where The Cure played many of their most adored songs. The Cure still sound relevant with some songs from more recent releases standing up well alongside their classics.
Robert Smith’s voice remains as wonderful as ever and he seems to have that mischievous twinkle in his eye as he and the band play songs from across the decades. The number of people around me in the packed crowd (probably the busiest set of the festival) who fainted and were overcome emotionally speaks to either the greatness of the band or possibly dehydration (or too much hydration). The Cure manage to pull you emotionally into their music making you feel like you are part of something special. Recognizing that it is good to be different and that this can feel lonely but that you can be part of something more. Closing the set with an encore that includes so many ridiculously incredible songs and finishing with ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ The Cure gathered old and new fans together in rapturous singalong. A beautiful end to an amazing day.
Thursday August 13, 2026
Our first day at Oya Festival was filled with great performances (every band we saw were fantastic). It was difficult to see whether this could be topped and whether Oya was up to the challenge. The lineup looked stacked with a mix of Norwegian artists, Jalen Ngonda, Geese and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Selma French
Selma French, a Norwegian artist opened Oya Festival on Day 2 (Thursday) playing on the Vindfruen Stage playing with a full band. Selma has played both as a solo artist (releasing two albums) and been part of other groups in Norway including Frokedal & Familien. Selma’s set was ideal to start off the day with her lovely, warm vocals, fantastic band and well crafted songs. Having the band complementing her music with grace and matching the mood of the songs making the set feel intimate. The music at the start of the set sounds rooted in folk music, soothing and equally melancholic and uplifting. As the set progresses the music sounds bolder and louder. Selma’s vocals recall Joni Mitchell on some of the folkier numbers- she is full of beauty, with some bite in the delivery,
Rigla
Rigla were formed by a group of young students who have backgrounds in various music conservatories. Their music was an interesting mix of genres including folk and jazz that sounded playful and a group that likes to experiment with different sounds together. The mix of instruments including double bass, violin and saxophone and shared vocals by Lova Siverts and Lea Hariede Jonnum made for an enjoyable mid day set.
Lambrini Girls
Lambrini Girls brought their adrenaline charged energy to the Vindfruen Stage as they attempted to unsettle the Norwegian crowd’s reserve. Imploring the crowd to make a line down the middle to form a circle pit as they tore through their righteously angry personal and political set. As the set went on more people became involved with younger people generally leading the way as they are told “No more baby shit” by Phoebe Lunny (lead singer). Highlight of their set included ‘Bad Apples’, ‘Company Culture’ and ‘God’s Country’. The band play ‘Terf Wars’ after proclaiming their support or Trans children stating that they deserve better and asking the crowd to stand with them, donate and support young people by accepting their stated identities. Never afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves, standing up against injustice and getting the Norwegian crowd moving the Lambrini Girls were a success at Oya.
Jalen Ngonda
It has been a few years since I’ve had the pleasure of getting to see Jalen Ngonda, he has released his second album and I was looking forward to seeing his set at Oya. Jalen appears to have most if not all of the same backing band which is positive because they are a great group of musicians. Jalen’s vocals remain smooth, lush and phenomenally gorgeous. They play a mix of tracks from both of his albums alongside a Jimmy Reed cover ‘Baby What you Want me to do’ solo on his guitar showing us his blues chops. Jalen noted during the set that “I’m your entertainment for the time being” and that we can “find out what he is doing out on the internet or google”. In a better world that this one no one would have to use social media to find out about Jalen his name would be on everyone’s lips. They close with ‘If you don’t want my love’ from his first album a soulful cry to a lover who is keeping Jalen in the dark about their intentions and their most streamed song. If you love spirited, soulful, elegant music that pulls at your heartstrings give some space to Jalen Ngonda and you won’t regret your decision.
Geese
Geese have been riding a wave of popularity for some time and as a result have had some backlash from some music fans. They are an incredibly popular band that divides opinion as some people enjoy the vocal stylings of Cameron Winter while others do not enjoy the experience. My son introduced them to me and I wasn’t blown away initially. However listening to Getting Killed and 3D Country again I became a fan listening to it repeatedly as their music wormed its way in. Geese were playing their first show in Norway and it was mine (and my son’s) first time seeing them. I thought that the band put together a great set with a good mix of songs from the aforementioned albums. My son enjoyed the most pit while I passed on this one leaving this to the younger fans who were having a great time. The number of single shoes being held up in the mosh pit, crowd surfing and yelling along to the band by the audience showed that Norwegians can cut loose. The band are on good form and despite any haters deserve the acclaim that they are receiving. Highlights for me were the inclusion of ‘100 Horses’ and the concluding songs ‘Taxes’ and ‘Trinidad’ both of which were intense and well loved by the crowd.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are at Oya and it seems that their control over inclement weather continues. Ever since Lollapalooza in Toronto in 1994 I’ve held a belief that the band are able to summon the rain. My first time seeing them the sky was clear until they stepped on stage when the sky darkened and the rain came down. While headlining Oya they manage to do the same. The rain doesn’t come down heavily but it does rain after being clear most of the time in Oslo.
Nick Cave is here with the Bad Seeds with Warren Ellis leading the band and they kick off their impressive set with ‘Get Ready’. Nick imploring the crowd, walking amongst us and the Bad Seeds lifting off taking us on a journey through their explosive and cathartic music. Nick Cave is walking amongst us, walking on the shoulders of the crowd during an powerful rendition of ‘From Her to Eternity’. More recent songs are included early in the set including ‘Wild God’ and ‘O Children’ with the crowd joining in with the “Lift up your voice” part of the song.
‘Tupelo’ is introduced with Nick telling us that “This song is about the rain which is good because it’s about to rain. But then 80 per cent of our songs are about the rain.” Which only confirms my earlier hypothesis about their ability to control the weather. ‘Tupelo’ is beautifully intense as Nick asks the crowd to sing along I get goosebumps. Later when introducing ‘Carnage’ the Nick Cave and Warren Ellis song he tells us “This song is very beautiful, It’s got rain in it and it’s called ‘Carnage’.” The set design, lighting and visuals were so well crafted bringing the songs to life and making them even more powerful. Cave’s storytelling and the band’s brilliance throughout the performance taking the entire crowd with them through the beauty and the pain behind the lyrics.
‘Joy’ is played with Nick saying to us that “It’s a very tiny word but it has a great big broken heart.” It is stunningly lovely with the entire crowd in silence when Nick sings “I jumped up like a rabbit.” The band holding the crowd in it’s hands and the crowd respectfully expectantly waiting for the band to jump in again and finish the song. ‘Henry Lee’, ‘Mercy Seat’ and ‘Papa Won’t leave you Henry’ all get an airing and are as impeccable as ever. ‘Weeping Song’ has everyone clapping along (or at least trying to). ‘Jubilee Street’ is an emotionally charged opus. Nick Cave ends the set solo at his piano with ‘Into My Arms’.
Oya Festival- Website
Candura- Bandcamp
Oleg Kirkeng-Website
Sailor Honeymoon- Bandcamp
Mogwai- Website
Amyl and the Sniffers- Website
The Cure- Website
Selma French- Website
Rigla- Instagram
Lambrini Girls- Website
Jalen Ngonda- Website
Geese– Website
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Website
Review and photography by Jason McDonald @jaygigphotos.bsky.social and jasonmcdonaldphotos on Instagram
Nick Cave photo by Simon Godley
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