JOHN OLAV NILSEN OG GJENGEN
Friday
The past couple of years we’ve been hearing a lot about the new wave of bands from Bergen, of which an impressive number hails from the suburban area of Loddefjord. It has, however, become apparent that John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen are at the crest of this wave, both with regards to what they deliver on albums and on stage. Their debut album from 2009, For sant til å være godt [Too True to Be Good], has received praise from music media outlets and newspapers all over the country, and several gave it a top rating. National newspaper Dagsavisen recently stated that it is one of the best Norwegian albums of the decade. Webzine Groove.no said that the album is “born from a glowing surplus of energy, and packed with delightful desperation”, while cultural mag Natt & Dag described it as “passionate and enormously catchy contemporary rock.” At the same time, their fan base is increasing by the week. In a Norwegian context, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen are viewed as the flag carriers of Norwegian rock with Norwegian lyrics, a tradition that includes names such as Jokke & Valentinerne, The Aller Værste and others of the first generation of truly great rock acts that sang in the native tongue.
In 2009, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen performed on the Vika stage at Øya. In accordance with tradition we’ll be moving a Norwegian act from one of our small stages to one of our bigger ones. In 2010, this act will be John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen, primarily because they have strengthened our faith in that Norwegian rock in the native tongue will be alive and well for many years to come.
