Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festival Special
Jugendfest is Momentium’s youthful festival, drawing more than 20,000 spectators every year.
A Moment(ium) of change
– on Sunnmøre’s music scene As inspired visionaries working to bring the best of music to the Norwegian people, the team behind Ålesund-based Momentium has re-defined the musical experience for thousands of festival goers. Proving that great, world-famous artists can be experienced outside the major cities, in intimate arenas and in tune with the surrounding nature, this company has helped change the cultural identity of its home town. In 2016, visitors to Ålesund will be able to experience everything from grand youth festivals to literature evenings – all under the banner of Momentium. By Julie Lindén | Photos: Johannes Lovund
“We wanted to give our town a new musical profile – a new cultural face, if you will,” says Ronny Stokke, general manager. “Essentially, that meant bringing new opportunities and arenas to the town, where people would be Photo: Momentium.
able to see big artists perform. It’s certainly been a journey, but today we can proudly say that we’ve come a long way towards completing that goal – or perhaps we could be so bold as to say we’ve reached it.”
Humble beginnings – and a little pot luck Like many journeys, it was no grand affair to begin with. Momentium, which today owns three festivals, a live arena and an events hall and is central to the operation of a recording studio, was founded in 2008. However, the first festival, Sommerfesten på Giske, was started
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around the turn of the millennium – and was first and foremost a gathering of people wanting to share good food and musical experiences. The concept was a successful one, and the following year hundreds showed up for a grand potluck including great music to top off a wonderful and informal evening. The Ålesund Live festival and youthful Jugendfest followed, and the rest is history – one that includes the newly refurbished arena, Terminalen Byscene, and the fully-booked recording studio, Ocean Sound Recordings, with Norwegian indie pop darlings HighasaKite and Scottish Travis on the extensive client list. “We’ve experienced incredible growth from day one,” says Stokke. “Today Momentium consists of 24 FTEs divided across 40 people. Beyond financial growth we’ve seen competence within the company skyrocket, and we’ve found a formula that works for the company as