Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Lady In Purple

“God, what have you ever achieved?” Roan imagines her mom wailing on the irresistible, autobiographical “Pink Pony Membership.” At Øyafestivalen on Wednesday evening (Aug. 6), Roan’s mom – who was within the viewers — bought to listen to her daughter and a crowd of some 15,000 followers sing these phrases again to her. Regardless of the music’s lyrics on the contrary, one can’t assist however suppose mama was proud. In any case, Chappell’s headlining set, which additionally noticed her rip by means of Coronary heart’s “Barracuda” and provides “The Subway” its first post-release efficiency, was goddess degree.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Anna Lille has some soul-baring moments on her 2025 EP how did I let this get so critical?, however she will additionally ship the pop delights, as evidenced throughout a spirited run-through of unreleased pop tune “Maniac.” After her Wednesday set wrapped, Lille struck a few Hannah Montana poses as “The Better of Each Worlds” blared out from the audio system.

Ecuadorian-Swiss duo Hermanos Gutiérrez introduced their expressive, reverb-soaked Latin guitars to the fest’s first day, offering the proper chill soundtrack for a laid-back afternoon set — and proving that you simply don’t want theatrics (and even lyrics) to carry a crowd’s consideration.

Along with enjoying the right pageant, HILLARI – an up-and-coming Filipino-Norwegian singer – carried out an acoustic rooftop set Wednesday morning atop Oslo’s historic Folketeater constructing. The 20-year-old boasts a wealthy vocal management and an easygoing, commanding stage presence, notably on her soulful Gen Z anthem “Two Cents.” (In the event you dwell close to NYC, you’ll be able to catch HILLARI IRL on Sept. 10 at Manhattan’s Racket.)

After teasing “Joachim Trier summer season” throughout her Coachella set earlier this yr, Charli xcx made a shock look at an Oslo movie show to introduce Sentimental Worth, a brand new movie from the Norwegian director, simply hours earlier than her headlining set on Thursday (Aug. 7). Between performances of brat tracks at Øya, she hailed Norway’s “vibe,” “inside design” and “filmmakers, if you realize what I imply.” Maybe the British pop star – who has separate movie tasks arising with Aidan Zamiri and Takashi Miike – has one thing within the works with Joachim Trier, too?

Throughout her Thursday set, Lola Younger had the group consuming out of her hand, not less than when that hand wasn’t busy pinching herself. “I’m pleased this music was the one to take me locations,” Younger stated, marveling on the huge crowd in entrance of her earlier than belting out “Messy,” an unapologetic anthem that’s struck a chord with audiences across the globe, taking her to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay and Different Airplay charts.

Up-and-coming singer Tolou lately made waves with “Coco,” a slinky, vibey R&B bop that occupies the unlikely house between Scandinavian and African pop. Although she grew up in Tromsø, one of many northernmost cities in Norway, her father hails from Nigeria, and her rhythmic pop carries each flavors. Sporting a sunshine-yellow shredded skirt, Tolou served vocals and choreo throughout her efficiency, particularly on the bouncy, early ‘00s pop throwback “Dem Boyz.”

Sure, Norwegian folks may be pretty reserved, however because of Edvard Munch, Oslo is a superb metropolis for a Scream – and Moist Leg went the additional mile throughout their jugular-grabbing Thursday present. Amidst a setlist that coated new album faves (“Mangetout”) and viral hits (“Chaise Lounge”), frontwoman Rhian Teasdale led the all-too-ready crowd in a “scream remedy” session. After a sustained 40 seconds of fan-made noise, she flashed a depraved grin: “That was fairly stunning.”

RABO, a recent face on the Norwegian pop scene, impressed not as soon as however twice throughout the week. On Thursday morning, she captivated a boatload of trade professionals with an acoustic four-song efficiency. And sure, it was a literal boatload – RABO sang her effervescent single “Discuss to Me,” the unreleased, Marilyn Monroe-inspired “Norma Jean” and two extra tunes on a watercraft because it traversed the attractive Norwegian fjords. Two days later, she performed the right pageant, and regardless of holding the less-than-enviable 2 p.m. slot, managed to tug in an enormous crowd.

Although Queens of the Stone Age are finest recognized for riff-heavy, sludgy rock, they’ll convey the wonder when they need. Throughout QOTSA’s Friday (Aug. 10) evening headlining set, frontman Josh Homme led the group, from the entrance row to the very again, in a sing-along to “Emotion Illness.” “It sounds so good,” Homme stated because the harmonies hit him on the hillside stage. “It’s a phenomenal evening right here.”

Pom Poko’s title – impressed by a 1994 anime by Studio Ghibli – is greater than only a random popular culture reference. The Norwegian four-piece brings the oddball detours and off-kilter sweetness of a Ghibli movie to their tuneful, careening storage rock, which injected a sugary, cacophonous power into the pageant’s rock-centric Friday lineup.

At Øyafestivalen, many of the homegrown expertise sang in English however spoke to the group in Norwegian; brenn., nonetheless, saved it totally native, utilizing Norwegian whereas bantering with the group and belting out their hard-charging rock. And why not? Guitars don’t want a translator.

“On the way in which right here I we misplaced all our devices in Copenhagen, so it sounds just a little completely different,” Nilüfer Yanya revealed on Thursday with an comprehensible contact of unhappiness. “The pageant kindly sorted us out with new ones.” Regardless of that not-insignificant setback, the British singer-songwriter and her band sounded completely at dwelling on their borrowed devices – and fortunately, her nuanced vocals aren’t the form of factor that may get left behind in Denmark.  

Touring behind final yr’s Romance, Fontaines D.C. have grown into top-of-the-line rock bands on the touring circuit, delivering a deft mixture of emotional pathos, wealthy theatricality and idiosyncratic post-punk on daring, eclectic tracks like “Starburster,” “Favourite” and “Bug.” Whereas evaluating notes with quite a lot of attendees, their set was uniformly cited as a favourite.

Marie Ulven Ringheim, aka lady in purple, has critical vary. From queer indie-pop confessionals like “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” to immaculately constructed pop bangers similar to “Too A lot” to the garage-punk of “Unhealthy Concept!”, there appears to be little or no the Norwegian singer-songwriter doesn’t excel at — all of which was on superb show throughout her Saturday (Aug. 9) evening headlining set.

Towards the tip of her set, she tagged in Honningbarna, who had introduced their blistering Norwegian punk fury to Øya two nights prior. Collectively, they turned her “Unhealthy Concept!” right into a gleefully uninhibited duet: flames licked the stage; electrical guitars ripped by means of the air like buzzsaws; Ringheim raced across the stage like a wildcat. When she and Honningbarna singer Edvard Valberg launched themselves into the entrance row, crowdsurfing atop a sea undulating followers with out lacking a lyric, it might have been one of the best second of your complete pageant.

Oslo’s personal Anna of the North shines whereas making dreamy, cinematic synth-pop – the form of laid-back but earnest music that completely is smart coming from Norway. From the synthy splendor of “Lovers” to buoyant new single “Give Me Your Love,” the Norwegian pop star introduced precisely the correct amount of power and chill you need from a day set on the ultimate day of a four-day pageant.

Somebody up there should be searching for Mk.gee. On the pageant’s closing day, the in any other case accommodating Oslo sky opened up, unleashing an absolute deluge – and he was the one artist performing underneath a fully-tented stage. “The rain is doing funky stuff to our gear, however we’re gonna get by means of it,” the New Jersey artist promised. Mk.gee was greeted with one of many pageant’s most hyped crowds, who eagerly sopped up his atmospheric soundscapes and expressive wails. Towards the tip of his set, there was a magical second when the rain relented and an orange-gold blast of sunshine crammed the tent. So far as I might inform, mk.gee was the one artist who performed an encore throughout the four-day pageant, with the rabid crowd forcing him again onstage for a repeat efficiency of “Rockman.”

Sløtface, a superb, lyrically intelligent Norwegian pop-punk outfit led by Haley Shea, didn’t play the pageant this yr (they rocked the Øya stage again in 2023), however they did steal the post-festival highlight. Throughout Saturday evening’s wee hours, Sløtface led Oslo evening owls (together with members of Honningbarna and Brenn.) by means of a deliriously enjoyable live-band karaoke get together that encompassed Kelly Clarkson, Nirvana, Beastie Boys and past. Relaxation assured: the precise to get together was certainly fought for and gained.