Øya 2015

Positioned in the centre of Oslo, Øya festival takes all of the qualities Scandinavian festivals have become known for; the sprawling amounts of green, the exuberantly beautiful locals, the idyllic grounds. Imagine a utopia in which you can enjoy everyone from Beck to Tyler, the Creator, and Flying Lotus to a curious Norwegian band called Slutface, all at your own leisurely pace.

Situated in a residential area of Oslo, Tøyen Park, the generosity isn’t just in the line-up itself - there are four whole days to take it all in, too. Chic featuring Nile Rodgers - the first headline act of the week - get the party started with an extraordinary set of bangers that constantly beckons the question, “Nile Rodgers wrote THIS ONE too?!”. It’s a vibrant performance that sets the tone of the rest of the festival - that is, one of glorious sunshine and very, very good times.

On Wednesday, those who don’t have a nostalgic connection to Beck’s impeccable parade of hits can opt for the hectic hip-hop of Lars Vaular instead. There’s a strong focus on exciting experimental acts too, with Holly Herndon turning a computer meltdown into a fascinating art project on the tremendous sound system on the Hi-Fi stage - the same tent where Pharmakon tear apart the audience’s eardrums with her modular synth-based noise later down the line. Flying Lotus’ renowned 3D show also proves to be one of the highlights, as he exercised a masterclass in creativity and excellence.

Throughout the festival, this year’s circuit staples such as Run the Jewels, Future Islands and alt-J all deliver sets that are on par with their calibre. Elsewhere, Hookworms take the opportunity to unleash a beast of a set on the small Hagen stage on the Friday - a stage where Tyler, the Creator and iLoveMakonnen also deliver blistering sets of infectious rap. The idyllic setting proves to be a winning factor in Florence + the Machine’s fairly stripped back Thursday headline set too, with a gorgeous sunset elevating her vibes to a radiant level across the entire site.

Photos: Erik Moholdt, Johannes Granseth, Anna Lerheim Ask

Tags: Florence + The Machine, Øya, Festivals, Reviews, Live Reviews