Scan Magazine, Issue 120, January 2019

Page 32

Scan Magazine  |  Special Theme  |  Nordic Festival Special – Norway :

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L VA I i ST ec E p L F S C CIA I RD SPE O N m

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Andy Fairweather Low has played with everyone from Bob Dylan and Roger Waters to Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elton John and Jimi Hendrix, and will be on stage at this year’s festival.

Welcome to an intimate and unique blues festival Local heroes, top Norwegian names and international stars – Nidaros Bluesfestival has it all. With an intimate setting at a hotel in Trondheim, a fantastic atmosphere, and the chance to bump into your favourite artists at any moment of the day, the popular Norwegian festival has become the place to be for music enthusiasts of all ages who want to see old favourites and discover new artists. By Ingrid Opstad  |  Photos: Nidaros Bluesfestival

Two of the distinctive features of the festival are its location and its intimate concept. Taking place at the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, the concerts are being held in the same place where guests are staying, and most of the artists are also based at the same hotel. “There is something unique and thrilling about staying in the same place as the festival itself. You can suddenly meet the big stars in the elevator or at breakfast, 32  |  Issue 120  |  January 2019

or you can have a glass with them in the bar. It creates an intimate and special atmosphere for everyone,” says festival manager Jan Engen. He started the festival in 1999 together with his wife and has seen it become an important part of the Norwegian blues scene. “It is great to see how the festival has grown into the significant, annual event it is today, slowly but surely. Now, we are

pretty much sold out every year,” Engen explains proudly. As a blues enthusiast, it was a natural choice when he decided to start a festival. The diversity in terms of genre, ranging from soul, rock, gospel and country to pure blues, makes for a much-loved happening for all ages, no matter what music they prefer.

20th anniversary The international blues festival in Trondheim is now in its 20th year, which will be marked with yet another almost sold-out event. With a number of exciting artists on the programme, the festival manager is excited to have so many great names on board. “The biggest draw this year is the amazing blues star Booker T Jones. He has been a central


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