Øyafestivalen 2010 | Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian capital and fjord-side town of Oslo played host to the 2010 Øyafestivalen from August 10-14. The welcoming, cozy atmosphere of 600,000 person Oslo was filled with four days and nights of an eclectic mix of prominent international and Norwegian acts. Øya drew an acclaimed line-up of international artists including Panda Bear, M.I.A., Iggy & the Stooges, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, Flaming Lips, Big Boi and the xx. The festival also displayed many popular Scandinavian and domestic Norwegian bands including Robyn, Miike Snow, Shining, Serena Maneesh, and Team Me. Check out our feature on the Norwegian scene right here.

Akin to Oslo’s atmosphere, Øya offered a slightly smaller, intimate, organic alternative to her larger European festival counterparts. While the hosting grounds of Middelalderparken appeared to be a tight fit, the festival organizers utilized the venue to position all stages within a quick walk between of one another without sounds bleeding together. Since its modest 1999 debut, Øya has become known as one of Europe’s greenest festivals. The work of promoters and volunteers created an environmentally conscious festival that may hopefully serve as a model for less eco-friendly concerts seeking to improve their impacts. Altogether, though Øya does not quite carry the clout and scope of other Euro-festivals, it provided an incredibly inviting, environmentally-friendly concert experience that Apes on Tape was proud to be a part of.

Onsdag/Wednesday, 11 August:

Sleigh Bells: Brooklyn’s dance, noise rock duo of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss

Gaslight Anthem:

Raekwon:

Iggy Pop & the Stooges: Iggy Pop is a Rock Star. At age 63, he is still bringing it like he was 22. From dance grooves to his trademark yelps to bringing the crowd on stage, Iggy lit up the festival atmosphere and silenced any naysayers arguing that he doesn’t still have It.

Shining:

Also on Wednesday: M.I.A., Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Gaslight Anthem, Trash Talk
Clubs: Caribou, Wild Nothing, Harlem

Torsdag/Thursday, 12 August:

Panda Bear: Noah Lennox’s solo set was first and foremost an amazing display of balance and talent, with the AnCo member balancing a guitar, synths, loops and a wide array of sounds in perfect symphony. Moreover, it was a glaring indicator that his new album, Tomboy, will provide steps in new directions with the same reliable brilliance we’ve come to expect from Mr. Lennox.

Broken Bells: The collaborative works of the Shins’ James Mercer and Danger Mouse continued to bring in more fans as their inaugural tour reached Norway.

Miike Snow:

Pavement: The Oslo stop of the reunion tour proved to be less fruitful than previous shows along the way. While the speakers were flaky with feedback for LCD Soundsystem’s earlier show, it became a disaster for the nineties rockers’ later set. Despite the growing problem that pulled sympathy from anyone watching, they still managed to forge through their set.

Jonsi: The Icelandic, Sigur Ros lead man had no problems finding an eager audience in Oslo.

Also on Thursday: LCD Soundsystem, Yeasayer, Surfer Blood, Miike Snow
Club: Cold Mailman, Owen Pallet, Radio Slave

Fredag/Friday, 13 August:

Marina & The Diamonds:

La Roux:

Robyn: Robyn might be classified as a Swedish counterpart to M.I.A. or Lady Gaga, yet in distinctly her own way. Check out more info on her in our upcoming Swedish scene report.

Flaming Lips: Though I suppose it should not come as a surprise at this point, Wayne Coyne yet again baffled his crowd. This time, he took his inflatable plastic ball onto the lake nearby the stage. Leave it to Wayne to walk on water.